‘Magical’: Holiday cheer felt through Montreal as some Christmas markets now in full swing

With the holidays coming up, so are the festivities in the city and one non-profit organization has brought two iconic Christmas markets back for another jolly season.

With December right around the corner, thousands could already be seen enjoying the Montreal Christmas Village at Atwater Market and the Great Christmas Market at the Quartier des Spectacles.

“It’s like a fairytale,” said one of the vendors, Maxime Charette. “Wonderful to be here.”

“It’s a pretty good night to be here,” said Charette. “I’ll say magical because people here are really gentle.”

Magical indeed.

Both markets are overflowing with local vendors, live music and smiles.

Food also spotted at every corner –- including the hundreds of visitors enjoying their melted cheese over the fire at the Christmas Village’s annual Raclette Party on Nov. 29^th.

“It’s an event in the event,” said Line Basbous, Executive Director of La Lutinerie de Montréal. “This is how we start well you know the season.”

Rewind to nine years ago when a group of volunteers began the winter wonderland intertwined between the Lachine Canal and Atwater Market.

The team from the non-profit La Lutinerie — organizing cultural events that highlight the Montreal and Quebec – thought this was it: One market, one location.

But…

“One day the phone rang and we got you know the opportunity to open another Christmas market downtown in the middle of the Quartier des Spectacles in the heart of it,” explained Basbous, smiling. “And of course we couldn’t say no to that.”

Now celebrating its fourth edition – the Great Christmas Market is sharing holiday cheer until Dec. 30^th.

As for the Montreal Christmas Village, the vibrant atmosphere can be enjoyed until Dec. 22^nd.

“To be here in Montreal and having the opportunity to sell our products,” said Charette. “It’s really like a dream come true.”