With the festive season literally being cancelled in the Province of Quebec, any little thing that can be joy is welcome!
Until the end of February in downtown Montréal, come and enjoy L’Odyssée, le réconfort d’hiver, a collection of giant immersive, inspiring installations to bring some joy and lift the spirit of the Holidays despite this quite odd and difficult situation going on worldwide.
With the mission to create a magical world that would bring cheer to the hearts of Montréalers and encourage them to go out for walks downtown to enjoy the safe and secure experiences that XP_MTL has prepared.
The installations are safe with tight sanitary measures and physical distancing. The original creations can be found on Sainte-Catherine, between Montagne and Robert-Bourassa. Explore all the activities on the website.
The installations of L’Odyssée, le réconfort d’hiver
XP_MTL concentrated on the theme of comfort, using giant installations that would inspire Montréalers. The route is a bit over half-kilometre route.
The Nutcrackers: The enchanting nutcracker story represents a tradition of magic, love and sharing. The story goes that at midnight, the nutcrackers spring to life and come to the defense of young and old. In these difficult times, let’s continue to dream and create memories. At 10 metres high, these nutcrackers brave winter for us all.
Where: You can encounter them on Sainte-Catherine, between Stanley and Peel.
The Giant Christmas Tree: The Giant Christmas Tree will shine brightly until the end of February! At 70 feet tall, passers-by are invited to climb it and discover a unique panorama of Montréal’s oldest commercial street.
Where: Corner of Montagne and Sainte-Catherine
The Winter Sky: A ceiling of multicolour twinkling lights draws passers-by’s eyes up to the sky. The play of light gives the impression of a living, friendly sky that people are invited to admire and take pictures of.
Where: Suspended over Sainte-Catherine, between Drummond et Stanley.
Under the Tree: Sometimes, the simplest thing is the most heart warming, and what is simpler than words? Since each person has their own definition of comfort, XP_MTL decided to give the public a voice to create a landscape of cheer.
Where: Over the winter, the comforting words of Montréalers can be found under the pink pine trees downtown, at the corner of Sainte-Catherine and de la Montagne.
Downtown windows: Vitrines de Noël (Christmas Windows) is a contest, with close to 20 participating businesses. Alone, with your family or friends, everyone is invited to take a walk downtown and safely discover the many window displays. The public is invited to vote for their favourite @XP_MTL’s Facebook page from December 17 to 21.
Where: From west to east in downtown Montréal, see the website for more details on the participating businesses.
Snowball Fight: Beginning of January, find Réal, XP_MTL’s influencer dog armed with a caldron full of snowballs. The inflatable structure is sure to put a smile on the faces of young and old. Be careful! Réal’s first snowball could be aimed at you!
Where: Perched above the Place Montréal Trust
Radio XP: In order to create a festive, nostalgic atmosphere, Radio_XP will broadcast a program of holiday music, created specifically by the artist Loïc Thériault. The heart-warming atmosphere, created by a selection of holiday classics, can be felt and heard along Sainte-Catherine. As of January, the holiday radio will transform and feature comforting musical programs created to represent the diversity of downtown and its various visions of comfort.
How to get there: Free Parking and Public Transit
On top of free parking that has been offered since mid-November, and easy access by public transit, XP_MTL would like to promote smiles by reaching out to a large part of Montréal’s population and offering unique spaces and experiences.
- Stay positive and go out to discover Montréal by walking and respecting social distancing rules.
- Follow us on Instagram @adventurefaktory to keep looking at beautiful destinations we have been to!
