Montreal rings in 2026: Top spots to celebrate New Year’s Eve
Posted December 31, 2025 2:13 pm.
Last Updated December 31, 2025 3:58 pm.
Montrealers have plenty of options to welcome 2026, from open-air festivities to cozy dinners and all-night dance parties.
CityNews spoke with content creator Karolina Jez to highlight some of the city’s hottest New Year’s Eve events.
Grand Minuit: Music, fireworks and free outdoor fun
For a city-wide celebration with music, light shows and fireworks, the Old Port’s Grand Minuit de Montréal is the place to be.
The free event is held on the Jacques-Cartier Quay, with doors opening at 7:30 p.m., and features live performances from a variety of Quebec artists. Families, friends and visitors can enjoy a city-wide countdown and midnight fireworks in a festive, inclusive atmosphere.
Get fancy at the Ritz-Carlton Montreal
For those looking for luxury and glamour, the Ritz-Carlton Montreal is hosting a New Year’s Eve gala.
The evening features a six-course dinner at communal tables of 10, an open bar, fine wines, live jazz, DJs, a photo booth, desserts, and a midnight champagne toast. Cocktails start at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 8 p.m. Tickets are $495 per adult and $350 per child, plus tax and service, with prepayment required. Gala attire is expected.
“It’s always luxe. It’s always festive,” Jez said. “It’s the Ritz. People know how to party. So get fancy and enjoy Montreal luxury.”
Dance until sunrise at the SAT
Night owls can head to the Society for Arts and Technology (SAT) for an all-night rave. Two floors of DJs and 12 artists will transform the space with immersive visuals and explosive sounds, keeping the party alive until 6 a.m.
In the Espace SAT, there will be experimental electro; garage and tech-house; underground house with trance, breaks and jungle accents; and a high-energy B2B set.
In the Satosphere, there will be 360-degree visuals; live techno, groove and downtempo funk; energetic dance and trance; psychedelic dub techno; and house, techno and groove.
“If you’ve been to the SAT, the sound is amazing. The visuals are out of this world. And this party is going to go until 6 a.m.,” Jez said. “Get that nap in the afternoon if you want to stay up all night. So this is for the late night owls. It’s for the people that just want to dance and kind of crawl back into bed at 7 a.m.”
Romantic and jazzy vibes at Modavie
For a cozier evening, Montrealers can head to Modavie in Old Montreal. The venue will offer two dinner services with live jazz music.
- First service: 5-course dinner from 5 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., perfect for a relaxed early celebration ($125 per person).
- Second service: 7-course dinner from 8 p.m. to 10:45 p.m., a festive late-night experience to welcome 2026 in style ($185 per person).
“They’re going to have jazz music all night,” Jez said. “Perfect for a date night, perfect for a night out with friends or family, just all around super cozy vibe, very Montreal.”
Foodie hotspots to ring in 2026
Montreal is full of restaurants offering special New Year’s Eve menus. Jez recommends calling ahead to reserve at favourites such as Mama C, Baba Ramen, Limbo, Elena, and Bar à Vin.
“Spots are obviously always very limited in these places. And I’m pretty sure most restaurants are doing something fun, so call them and get in right away because it’s going to be packed.”
Skate, groove and celebrate at Patins Platines
For a lively outdoor celebration, Patins Platines is hosting a special New Year’s Eve edition at the Esplanade Tranquille skating rink, with extended hours from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
The free event invites Montrealers to glide across the ice while enjoying music and performances curated by Bonne Famille, an organization dedicated to the city’s sociocultural development.
Three DJs will keep the energy high throughout the night: ILUV kicks things off from 9 to 10:30 p.m. with a mix of afrobeats, dancehall, hip-hop, house and afrohouse; FIXX takes over from 10:30 p.m. to midnight, blending hip-hop, R&B and afrobeats; and KENZHELO closes out the night from midnight to 1 a.m. with a versatile set of rap, Afro-love, R&B and more.
“This is a great night for friends, for family, for a date spot.,” Jez said. “It’s a great cause. Again, there’s going to be DJs, local talent, super fun if you don’t want to go out and party or go out for dinner.”
Winter wonderland at Le Cathcart
Downtown, Le Cathcart’s Winter Ball offers a celebration for those looking to ring in the New Year in style.
Candlelit paths, shimmering trees, snowy branches, cozy furs and velvet seating combine to create a warm, festive atmosphere.
Above, the venue’s glass ceiling will glow with twinkling lights, framing the Montreal skyline.
“If you’ve been to the Cathcart, you know their parties are always really, really fun,” Jez said. “It’s basically a winter wonderland theme. Everything’s going to be lit up, sparkly lights everywhere. Very, very festive.”
