Experience the festive season in Laval with our comprehensive overview. Find all the key events and activities. From Laval regulars to holiday explorers, our guide highlights the season's best events and activities.
One must-see attraction is Illumi – A Dazzling World of Lights, an enchanting display of lights that will ignite your holiday spirit. Featuring a unique blend of illuminated displays and festive atmosphere is the Magic of Christmas. And definitely don't forget to explore the Christmas Market for a charming holiday shopping experience. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Got questions? Like to help? Check out our Laval Holiday discussion here!
The Top Christmas Events in Laval
- Christmas Market
- Illumi – A Dazzling World of Lights
- Magic of Christmas
- Christmas Brunch with Santa
- Christmas Concert
- Laval Christmas Craft Fair
- Nutcracker Ballet Performance
- Christmas Eve Midnight Mass
- Holiday Farm Visit
Laval Holiday Light Displays
Illumi – A Dazzling World of Lights
What to Expect:
Immersive light sculptures and interactive displays
Description:
Illumi in Laval presents a breathtaking fusion of art and technology. This innovative light show features massive illuminated sculptures, creating entire worlds of light. Visitors traverse through themed universes, from an underwater realm to a futuristic cityscape. The event incorporates cutting-edge projection mapping technology, bringing static structures to life with dynamic animations. You can control certain light displays using smartphone apps, personalizing your experience. Illumi stands as North America's largest light, sound, and multimedia show, utilizing over 30 million LED bulbs to craft its mesmerizing landscapes.
Website:
Illumi – A Dazzling World of Lights
Laval Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Authentic Québécois artisanal products
Description:
Laval's Christmas Market transforms the city center into a bustling hub of local craftsmanship. Artisans from across Québec showcase their unique creations, from hand-carved wooden ornaments to gourmet maple products. The market celebrates the province's rich cultural heritage, with many vendors dressed in traditional attire. Visitors can participate in workshops to learn traditional Québécois crafts. The aroma of freshly baked tourtière fills the air, enticing you to sample local delicacies. This market has been a staple of Laval's holiday season since 1985, growing from a small gathering to a major regional attraction.
Website:
Laval Christmas Craft Fair
What to Expect:
Upcycled and eco-friendly holiday crafts
Description:
The Laval Christmas Craft Fair champions sustainability with its focus on upcycled and eco-friendly creations. Artisans transform discarded materials into stunning holiday decorations and gifts, demonstrating creative ways to reduce waste. Visitors can participate in workshops on eco-friendly gift wrapping techniques using natural materials. The fair features a "trash to treasure" contest, where participants compete to create the most innovative upcycled holiday item. This event aligns with Laval's commitment to environmental stewardship, building on initiatives started in the 1970s to preserve the city's green spaces and promote sustainable living.
Website:
Laval Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas Concert
What to Expect:
Fusion of classical and contemporary holiday music
Description:
Laval's Christmas Concert breaks new ground by blending traditional carols with modern compositions. The Laval Symphony Orchestra collaborates with local indie bands, creating unique arrangements that bridge generational gaps. The concert features world premieres of holiday songs composed by Laval residents, selected through a citywide competition. Audience members can experience the music through silent disco headphones, allowing them to switch between different mixes of the performance. This innovative approach to holiday music reflects Laval's commitment to cultural evolution, building on its rich musical heritage that dates back to the founding of its first choir in 1894.
Website:
Nutcracker Ballet Performance
What to Expect:
Locally inspired reimagining of the classic ballet
Description:
Laval's Nutcracker Ballet Performance reimagines the classic tale with a distinctly Québécois twist. The production incorporates elements of Laval's history and culture, setting the story in a 19th-century Laval manor. Traditional Québécois folk dances are woven into the choreography, creating a unique fusion with classical ballet. The score features subtle integrations of traditional Québécois instruments, adding local flavor to Tchaikovsky's iconic music. Audience members can explore an exhibit of historical costumes and set designs from past Laval productions of The Nutcracker, tracing the evolution of this beloved holiday tradition in the region.
Website:
Laval Other Holiday Activities
Magic of Christmas
What to Expect:
Interactive storytelling experiences
Description:
The Magic of Christmas in Laval transports visitors into beloved holiday tales. Professional actors bring classic stories to life through immersive performances. Guests become part of the narrative, helping characters solve puzzles and complete quests. The event features elaborate set designs that recreate iconic scenes from holiday literature. Children can join elves in Santa's workshop, assembling toys using special "elf magic." This unique approach to storytelling draws inspiration from Laval's rich theatrical history, dating back to the early 20th century when traveling troupes would perform holiday plays in the region.
Website:
Christmas Brunch with Santa
What to Expect:
Farm-to-table holiday feast
Description:
Laval's Christmas Brunch with Santa elevates the traditional meet-and-greet into a culinary adventure. Local chefs craft a gourmet menu using ingredients sourced from Laval's own farms and producers. The event showcases the region's agricultural heritage, with each dish telling a story of local flavors. Santa arrives in style on a vintage tractor, paying homage to Laval's farming roots. Guests can join in creating edible holiday crafts, turning fruits and vegetables into festive decorations. This brunch continues a tradition started in the 1950s when local farmers would host community meals to celebrate the harvest season.
Website:
Christmas Eve Midnight Mass
What to Expect:
Multilingual, multi-denominational service
Description:
Laval's Christmas Eve Midnight Mass unites the community through an inclusive, multilingual service. Representatives from various Christian denominations come together to lead the mass, emphasizing unity and shared traditions. The service incorporates readings and hymns in French, English, Italian, Greek, and other languages reflecting Laval's diverse population. A digital art installation projects translations and artistic interpretations of the readings onto the church walls. This unique approach to midnight mass began in 2010 as a response to Laval's growing multicultural population, fostering understanding and connection among different communities during the holiday season.
Website:
Holiday Farm Visit
What to Expect:
Interactive farm-to-table holiday experience
Description:
The Holiday Farm Visit in Laval offers a hands-on exploration of winter agriculture. Visitors participate in seasonal farm activities, from harvesting winter vegetables to caring for cold-weather livestock. The event highlights sustainable farming practices, demonstrating how local agriculture adapts to Québec's harsh winters. Guests can join cooking workshops using freshly harvested produce to create traditional holiday dishes. The farm's historic barn, dating back to 1832, houses an exhibit on the evolution of winter farming techniques in the region. This immersive experience connects you with Laval's agricultural roots, offering a unique perspective on holiday food traditions.