A silent disco party with free popcorn? An illuminated maze with distortion mirrors? An evening of music that brings together over 100 performers?
From a genealogy night to an exclusive viewing of the MMFA’s Inuit art collection, with a stop at the biggest free drag brunch in town in between, there are 182 free activities happening across Montreal during this incredible free festival.
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When is Montréal en Lumière ?
What can I do for free at Montréal en Lumière 2025 ?
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Explore the top 100 free activities Montréal en Lumiere—one of the best things to do in Montreal right now—has to offer:
- Village Gourmand: Local and international chefs await in a series of free activities happening north of the Place des Festivals.
- The National Bank FUNarium: Navigate a dazzling maze filled with mirrors and a mesmerizing disco ball during this interactive adventure, full of surprises at every turn.
- Le Foyer Loto-Québec: Participate in a captivating light-based game at this interactive fire pit for a chance to win a ''Moments Chanceux''
- The Timbit Symphony: Take part in a Timbit treasure hunt across the site and collect them all.
- CN Family Zone: Get ready for fun for all ages, from hockey and electric challenges to a locomotive matching game, plus a cozy fire and special train-themed story time for kids.
- Loto-Québec Skating Loop: It’s an immersive sound and light experience on ice, offering breathtaking urban views and accessibility for wheelchair users with free "lugiglace" rentals.
- Kaleidoscope, A Social Media Trinity: This installation invites the public to engage with lights and mirrors, offering a reflection on how social media shapes our self-perception and interactions.
- Riso printing Workshop: This workshop is an introduction to the basics of Riso printing where participants leave with a free two-colour chart, printed on-site. Bonus: a small gallery-shop will showcase works by local Risograph artists.
- An evening of music at St James: For the third year, St James United Church’s mega-concert, “A Night of Art at St James,” brings together over 100 performers and 3,000 attendees to celebrate diverse musical influences and artistic collaboration in a welcoming, inclusive space.
- Instant Pop: Step into a captivating visual universe that sparks imagination and radiates infectious pop energy captured inside a dazzling bubble where time feels suspended.
- Latin pop at Latin Groove: Join Montreal’s top dance school for free Latin pop classes from 5 to 8 p.m., then dance until 3 a.m. with live DJs spinning the hottest Latin beats for an unforgettable night with Latin Groove and Nuit Blanche!
- Lumière Noire: Fluorescent art, mind-blowing music, surreal projections, circus performances, and interactive kiosks come together for a dazzling, multisensory celebration of creativity for one unforgettable night!
- Nuit blanche at the Palais: Silent disco, retro games, a collaborative mural, a local pop-up market, a popcorn stand, and the Sweet Folie exhibition!
- POLARPOP: Prepare for a bold photography exhibition by Jean-Claude Lussier, featuring vibrant snapshots of the '80s and '90s that capture movement, moments, and striking gazes.
- Projection of Mycorrhizal Dreaming at daphne: View a projection of Mycorrhizal Dreaming by Tyson Houseman on view from daphne’s front window for the duration of Nuit blanche. Complimentary tea and bannock will be offered from 5-7 pm.
- Save & Share the Words: Louise Forestier and Pauline Michel headline Dix Heures de Poésie, a marathon of words blending prose, slam, and live music at O Patro Vys. The evening starts at 5 p.m. with the Antidote Poetry Contest and features a special tribute to Poète Rebelle Lucien Francoeur.
- Visit of the new presentation of the Inuit art collection, ᐆᒻᒪᖁᑎᒃ uummaqutik: essence of life: ᐆᒻᒪᖁᑎᒃ Uummaqutik: Essence of Life invites reflection on the unique rhythms of life in Inuit Nunangat. Showcasing the MMFA’s Inuit art collection, this exhibition highlights the richness and diversity of Inuit creativity through captivating installations, works on paper, paintings, and sculptures from 1949 to today.
- Visit the exhibition Two by Two, Together: Recent Additions to the MMFA’s Collection: Explore connections between recent Museum acquisitions and uncover why local artists like Stanley Février and Wanda Koop are grouped with international names like Louise Bourgeois and Rembrandt.
- Tribute to Riopelle: This stunning projection, set to original music by Philippe Brault, will light up a wall in Old Montreal, encouraging us to pause and fully absorb the painter's work.
- Studio(54)45 - Creation and Demo Workshop in Printmaking: A creative, disco-inspired Nuit blanche experience awaits celebrating pop culture and printmaking. Open to all, the event lets visitors design unique Pop characters using artist-crafted stamps, explore printmaking techniques through live demos, and enjoy a DJ, festive vibes, and a cozy bar.
- Animals After Dark: Step into the dimly lit galleries and explore video installations that intertwine eroticism, feminism, and critiques of human exploitation of animals
- Artist Trading Cards: Create & Trade: Join the ATC Club Montreal to explore the Artist Trading Cards movement, create your own mini artworks, and swap them with fellow participants in a fun, creative atmosphere!
- BUONE NUOVE / Women in Architecture Exhibition and workshop: Highlighting the work of Italian and Canadian women architects, this free, interactive workshop open to all celebrates their impact on architecture and furniture design.
- Cinema at the Palace: Productions Spectrum presents a series of short films screened three times throughout the evening on the walls and windows of Nouveau Palais. Guests can enjoy the films while dining, supporting an organization that promotes artistic and cinematic creation for individuals on the autism spectrum.
- Disney on Ice Let’s Dance: For the first time at the Bell Centre, Disney on Ice presents this family-friendly show featuring beloved characters and hit songs from Frozen 2, The Lion King, Moana, and more. New to the ice this year: Asha, Star, Valentino, King Magnifico from Wish, and Stitch!
- Drag, Eurovision and Karaoke: Eurovision fans, get ready for a dazzling night! Relive past highlights with a vibrant celebration hosted by drag queen Misty Waterfalls, featuring iconic hits in multiple languages. Plus, take the stage yourself with our karaoke machine and shine like a star!
- Exhibitions: Stone Stationery - formes: Visit these exhibitions by artists Louis-Charles Dionne and Chloé Desjardins presented at CIRCA art actuel.
- Ice Bubble: The Ephemeral Art in Fusion: Take in 4 sculptures and watch as one is created on-site at the Paul-Émile-Léger Centre.
- L'humanité de nature (exhibition): This exhibition showcases 50 years of artistic diversity through works from the Giverny Capital Collection. Curated by Erika Del Vecchio and Cheryl Sim, it features 20 national and international artists, inviting visitors to explore playful, introspective, and sensory worlds.
- Literary evening: Artists from diverse backgrounds, generations, and styles will take the stage for an inclusive evening of poetry and slam, featuring Indigenous and LGBTQ+ voices. Audience interviews offer insight into their personal and creative journeys, while a public reader provides personalized readings, gifting books to participants.
- Nuit blanche à Montréal | Cannes Lions 2024: Featuring a continuous screening of LIONS DE CANNES 2024 at Théâtre Outremont during Nuit blanche, showcasing the world's most creative and entertaining ads from the prestigious Cannes Lions Festival.
- Nuit blanche at the NFB space: It’s a night of free, family-friendly fun with animated short screenings, a hidden-character quiz, a live drawing session with filmmaker Janet Perlman, and a red carpet GIF experience with an Oscar.
- Nuit blanche at the Alanis Obomsawin Theatre: It’s a night of free, family-friendly fun with animated short screenings, a hidden-character quiz, a live drawing session with filmmaker Janet Perlman, and a red carpet GIF experience with an Oscar.
- Nuit blanche at TOHU: La TOHU presents an evening of skate dancing, music, improv shows, visual art exhibitions, and outdoor activities, including a DJ set, live performances, and an augmented reality experience. Outdoors, enjoy a dance party on ice, snowshoe tours, Finnish skittles, giant chess, and warm treats from the TOHU bistro.
- Solutions For A Human Face Altersystem: Artist-engineer Stéphane Lajoie explores alternatives to neoliberal globalization’s divisions and inequalities, advocating for new solutions beyond capitalist thinking.
- Soren Tracy: Expect house, techno, drum n bass and more at the Rogers DJ Booth.
- Stone carving workshop inspired by the exhibition Stone Stationery: For families with children 8+, artist Louis-Charles Dionne invites visitors to carve on stone and explore his Stone Stationery exhibition at CIRCA Art actuel.
- The Nuit blanche at Quartier olympique: Enjoy a magical winter celebration with free family activities, including a natural ice rink, giant games, DJ performances, telescope skywatching, and immersive science exhibits. Discover nocturnal wildlife at the Biodome, witness live ice sculpting, and experience the Olympic Quarter glowing under the stars!
- Underground Verses: Underground Verses transforms Berri-UQAM station into an interactive storytelling space where metro lines and personal stories collide through augmented reality poetry. Visitors can scan QR codes to unlock digital poems, explore physical prints, and contribute their own words, turning the metro into a space of shared reflection and connection.
- Affective Cartographies: the SBC Gallery is hosting an Affective Cartographies workshop, led by Poline Harbali, where participants explore embroidery, drawing, and punch needle to map personal connections to memory, senses, and emotions, alongside the exhibition Diasporic Affections, open until midnight.
- ChemPOP: Aspiring talents will compete at McGill’s Department of Chemistry to crown the next ChemPOP star.
- Discover the projected animation ulitsuak | marée montante | rising tide by Glenn Gear: This newly projected animation brings Inuit geometric figures to life, tracing the Museum’s architectural lines and gradually illuminating its facade with a vibrant display of light and color in downtown Montreal.
- Skate under the stars at des Faubourgs park: Glide under dazzling disco lights to the beats of a live DJ and enjoy treats and participation prizes.
- A Pop-Improvised Night, by la Rocambolesque: La Rocambolesque’s Pop-Improvised Night packs seven interactive improv shows into one evening, featuring everything from themed matches and all-women performances to hockey-inspired theatrics and audience-driven jams. Dive into a night of spontaneity, laughter, and creative energy unique to Montreal!
- The Maison du Développement Durable: Festival-goers can warm up in the Atrium Hydro-Québec with music, collaborative art by François Meloche, and delicious treats from ZinZin restaurant, including mulled wine, coffee, and hot chocolate.
- De-Stress + Sketch with McGill University's Visual Arts Collection: Discover over 50 artworks, de-stress with a sketching session, and connect with Canadian, Indigenous, and international art—supplies provided.
- Drag Show - White Magic: Enter the enchanting world of witches at Pointe-à-Callière with captivating performances by Drag artists Uma Gahd (Canada's Drag Race season 5), Selma Gahd, and Anaconda LaSabrosa from the House of Gahd. Experience magic, boldness, and femininity as this divine trio reveals the many facets of the witch, then explore the temporary exhibition Witches – Out of the Shadows.
- Exhibition Witches – Out of the Shadows: Discover the mysterious world of witches at Pointe-à-Callière! Featuring nearly 400 unique artifacts, this spellbinding exhibition unveils the hidden history and cultural legacy of witches, showcasing their enduring influence through the centuries.
- Genealogy Night: Curious about your ancestry? Visit Château Ramezay for a journey through time with expert genealogists who will help uncover part of your family history. Leave with a personalized pedigree chart and a newfound passion for genealogy.
- Hyperpop Nuit blanche at the SAT presented by Ubisoft: Dance the night away at the Satosphère! The SAT presents a Hyperpop and Pixel Art party with DJs Gwinestefani, Awwful, and D.Blavatsky, plus 360° visuals by VJs Melesul3 and HEX8.
- It "pops" with percussions!: Attend an unforgettable musical experience at this lively percussion workshop where you can explore the instruments that "pop"! Then, at 10:15 p.m., dive into an interactive exhibit featuring percussion instruments and newly acquired OSM carillon bells.
- La Nuit blanche at Radio-Canada: Celebrate with a night of music and entertainment from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Enjoy a DJ set by Catherine Pogonat and DJ Yro, a special taping of De l’huile sur le feu, a music trivia challenge with ICI MUSIQUE hosts, and a lively karaoke party—plus exclusive studio tours throughout the evening.
- Marion Schneider. From Beginning to End, From End to Beginning: This interactive exhibition combines open-source technology and recycled objects to explore environmental guilt through poetry. A mediation team will be present to guide visitors and answer questions.
- Night of 1000 Improvisors: Théâtre Sainte-Catherine is reinventing improv with hourly theme, style, and language changes for a fully bilingual, Montreal-style experience. Enjoy top-notch improvisers, wild scenes, and a bar open all night.
- Nuit aux Flambeaux 2025 — Parcours Quartier culturel: Discover the artistic and cultural richness of the neighbourhood. This guided tour will feature performances, concerts, workshops, readings, and more.
- Nuit aux Flambeaux 2025 — Parcours Sainte-Marie: Discover the artistic and cultural richness of the neighbourhood. This guided tour will feature performances, concerts, workshops, readings, and more.
- Nuit blanche à la Galerie de l'UQAM avec le MAC: Experience a new way to engage with museums through Tino Sehgal’s This Situation, where visitors become part of the performance itself. A mediation team will be on hand to welcome guests, guide them through the space, and answer any questions.
- Nuit blanche at the CCA: In collaboration with MUTEK, the CCA’s Nuit blanche explores protest themes linked to the To Build Law exhibition with workshops, guided tours, and a reading corner, plus a musical performance by Adam Basanta and bar service by WILLS.
- Nuit blanche at the Redpath Museum: Explore the museum’s exhibits by flashlight (bring your own!). Discover glowing minerals, ancient civilizations, dinosaurs, and biodiversity in a whole new light!
- Objects Transformed: Making lamps with Milutin Gubash: Join OPTICA for a night of artistic discovery with Milutin Gubash, where you can create a lamp from recycled objects in a free, hands-on workshop while exploring his exhibition and enjoying hot drinks and cookies.
- Pop ! Ball at the Museum: Experience an unforgettable night at the McCord Stewart Museum with historical costume balls set to modern pop music performed by a classical trio, explore four open exhibitions, and join a live pop music quiz for a chance to win a prize.
- Sacred Garden: this reimagined cabaret held in the Church of Gesù, blending avant-garde art, immersive multimedia, and alternative pop music with post-neo-classical influences. Step into a surreal garden, leave a wish on paper tokens, and experience a performance that bridges tradition and modernity.
- The lottery says: Mexican artist Patricia Espinosa reinterprets the traditional Lotería game with contemporary themes, blending visual art and social commentary. In collaboration with Mexican-Canadian writer Martha Bátiz, each card features bilingual rhyming verses, creating a playable, artistic, and socially engaged project. View the exhibition and join hourly game sessions at the Mexican Cultural Institute in Montreal. Winners receive a traditional Lotería deck, with updated cards and coplas available at La Lotería Opina.
- When it goes POP!: L'École de joaillerie de Montréal presents this exhibition showcasing jewelry and leather goods inspired by pop culture, featuring works from students, teachers, and professional artists, alongside live demonstrations of jewelry-making and leather craftsmanship.
- Ephemeral Vibrations: the Great POP: Get ready for a kinetic, sonic, and visual installation of 13 rotating sound and light devices, evoking a hypnotic dance of movement, resonance, and introspection.
- Free skating evening: Glide to the beats of a guest DJ, enjoy a festive atmosphere with a light show, and grab some free popcorn while supplies last.
- La Grande Nuit 2025: It’s a bold musical performance under an immersive 32-speaker dome, closing the 12th Montréal/New Musics Festival with a night-long sonic marathon by avant-garde artists from around the world.
- Nuit blanche à Montréal | Jazz Combo Marathon: Pop, Fizz, Jazz! Schulich jazz combos light up Nuit blanche with electrifying performances across two venues, blending spontaneity, swing, and raw creativity for an unforgettable night.
- Pop-Toi - Fusion Colombia: Blending traditional Colombian and electronic music for a vibrant dance experience with interactive demos, this is a dynamic activity in a festive POP atmosphere.
- À ContreVoix: This year’s program showcases renowned Canadian composers and sacred works by contemporary masters, with a touch of American and Asian pop for a surprising twist.
- Au-delà de l’humain: a video projection on the façade of the Grande Bibliothèque and the École de design’s pavilion: UQAM design students challenge anthropocentrism in Au-delà de l’humain, a contemplative video projection celebrating non-human life amid the city’s vibrancy.
- BLEM: Check out the performance at the Rogers DJ Booth
- Blurring the Border: Expect an immersive evening showcasing immigrant artists through performance, video, music, and dance, with surprise pop-up acts that blur the line between artist and audience. This event fosters dialogue on identity and resilience, using art to bridge cultural divides and celebrate shared humanity as part of Art Matters' 25th-anniversary theme, Adapted Visions.
- Culinary Tarot, Cosmic Sugars: Designer Nicolas Fonseca and pastry chef Stéphanie Labelle (Rhubarbe) present 12 cosmic pastry tableaux, each embodying an astrological constellation. Every 15 minutes, experience the shifting zodiac through celestial flavours.
- De l’huile sur le feu - As part of La Nuit blanche at Radio-Canada: Be part of the live taping of a special edition of De l’huile sur le feu, presented by ICI PREMIÈRE. Rebecca Makonnen will host Lou-Pascal Tremblay, Catherine Ethier, and Guillaume Lambert.
- Dompteur 6th edition + Mam & Pop Expo: This is a unique take on improvised theatre on Montcalm Street, a high-energy event, featuring Dompteur—a directed improv concept performed every 30 minutes.
- Enter the perfumer's bubble - A collaborative perfume experience: Join a collaborative perfume experience where you’ll help shape the POP fragrance by selecting ingredients and proportions, guided by perfumer Isabelle Michaud, with the final scent revealed and available as a free sample after the event.
- Glass POP: Attend a live glassblowing and torchwork demonstration, an immersive “Pop” experience, and Sauvage, an exhibition by Florentin Chaumet exploring identity and resilience through glass art.
- Horizon Pop En Lumière: Experience a night where climbing meets POP culture with UV lights, lasers, and a Disco-Pop soundtrack, plus free popcorn and an aerial dance show by Feu de Paille. Participate by climbing, exploring the acro-park, or enjoying the spectacle—spectators and acro-park access are free, while regular admission applies for climbers.
- Jedi's Holy Night from Quebec: Join a Star Wars-themed celebration at Mainline Theater, featuring a cabaret show followed by free activities like karaoke, a costume contest, a lightsaber limbo, and a dance party. With themed drinks, music, and interactive games, this intergalactic night is perfect for Star Wars fans.
- Lab-O-Troc: This interactive play playfully critiques excessive energy consumption through humor and absurdity. Designed by DESS event design students in collaboration with the École supérieure de théâtre, this theatrical installation transforms into a quirky carnival where participants complete physical challenges to earn a mysterious prize.
- Les rives “pop” exhibition and interactive activity: This exhibition showcases research and literature on the diverse activities along Montreal’s shorelines. Through photographs, video projections, and artifacts, festival-goers can immerse themselves in the riverside experience, with an interactive activity adding to the exploration.
- Midnight Symphony : Concert & Cinematic Immersion: Get ready for an interactive art installation transforming Aux Angles Ronds Café into a cinematic-inspired space with hot drinks, cocktails, and a wishing tree made from recycled materials. At midnight, an acoustic string ensemble will perform iconic film soundtracks from classics like Pulp Fiction, Jurassic Park, and Star Wars, creating a magical evening for all ages.
- Monterey Pop: Experience the electrifying Monterey Pop at Cinéma Public during Nuit blanche à Montréal, a free-looping screening of D.A. Pennebaker’s iconic concert film capturing the 1967 Monterey International Pop Festival. Relive the Summer of Love with legendary performances by Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Otis Redding, and more in this historic musical revolution.
- Musical performance by DJ Silktits and tasting featuring Quebec products: Enjoy a vibrant pop-filled evening with DJ Silktits, a video performance by artychot, tastings of Statera mocktails, La Transformerie spreads, Floèm herbal teas, and a sensory wall for a full multisensory experience.
- Pop out!: This one-of-a-kind artistic night is where multidisciplinary artists create original performances inspired by iconic pop hits that turn into a late-night dance party. The immersive event explores the essence of "popularity" and its social, cultural, and identity-driven impact.
- POP your MEM!: On the menu: POP Karaoke, POP Art, POP dep, DJ PopTrt, POPcorn, POPsicles, POP your Whippet, POP Rocks and POP Tarts.
- Shtetl in the Sun: The Museum of Jewish Montreal showcases Andy Sweet’s photography and Jonah Strub’s ceramics, capturing the nostalgic charm of Jewish retirees in 20th-century Florida through pop, camp, and kitsch aesthetics. Enjoy a night of art, Miami-inspired vinyl by Juno-nominated Socalled, and a warm escape from winter, with a suggested donation for the DJ set.
- Sonic Quantifier vol. III: Guido Molinari, a music lover in his time, would have embraced today’s Montreal music scene. His former studio sets the stage for a festive night blending visual arts and electroacoustic music, celebrating his legacy and the city's vibrant culture.
- Mangas, Anime, and Karaoke: A 100% O-TAKU All-Nighter: Dive into the world of manga, anime, and Japanese pop culture for a Nuit blanche celebration! Enjoy free manga reading, anime karaoke, themed quizzes with prizes, and all-night discussions over hot tea.
- Nuit de la poésie : Lecture de poèmes - Place des Arts X UQAM: The second edition of Nuit de la poésie transforms Place des Arts into a vibrant celebration of words, featuring poetry readings, a choreographic marathon, and a dynamic media installation. With over 30 poets, live music, and artistic performances, the night invites audiences to immerse themselves in a rich tapestry of language, movement, and visual storytelling.
- Nuit de la poésie : Œuvre médiatique - Place des Arts X UQAM: The second edition of Nuit de la poésie transforms Place des Arts into a vibrant celebration of words, featuring poetry readings, a choreographic marathon, and a dynamic media installation. With over 30 poets, live music, and artistic performances, the night invites audiences to immerse themselves in a rich tapestry of language, movement, and visual storytelling.
- Nuit de la Poésie : Poésie en corps – Place des Arts X UQAM: The second edition of Nuit de la poésie transforms Place des Arts into a vibrant celebration of words, featuring poetry readings, a choreographic marathon, and a dynamic media installation. With over 30 poets, live music, and artistic performances, the night invites audiences to immerse themselves in a rich tapestry of language, movement, and visual storytelling.
- Paramètres XXIV: Showcasing jury-selected student works, this exhibition highlights the diverse and inventive artistic practices taught at UQAM’s School of Visual and Media Arts. Reflecting the school’s multidisciplinary approach, the exhibition celebrates the creativity and commitment of emerging artists.
- Percussions with Glass: a hypnotic universe: Experience the mesmerizing percussion of Philip Glass in an intense sonic journey at the Maison symphonique, featuring the virtuoso percussionists of the OSM.
- Always POP!: Blending music and environmental awareness, this event features Nordic fusion group Mari Sild Muusika ja Mõtted, blues-rock artist Mona Lissa Chanda, and environmental speaker Carina Rose. The evening explores the harmony between humanity and nature through music, discussion, and connection.
- La Nuit Pop: PHI and POP Montreal present this celebration featuring Raphë with guests, Rosario Caméléon, LaFHomme, JASHIM, Uñas, TEYKIRISI, and VIOV Studio. Expect groovy beats, artistic performances, visuals, surprise pop-ups, and snacks in a night honoring Montreal’s rich artistic diversity.
- Nuit blanche at OASIS Immersion: OASIS Immersion and the Palais des Congrès de Montréal present a free, POP-themed Nuit blanche with festive surprises, a vibrant POP market, and live performances. Reserve your spot for an exclusive screening of Sweet Folie and dive into a colourful, electrifying experience.
- STM Mystery Car: The Montreal métro will run all night during Nuit blanche. Watch for the return of the mystery métro car—a dazzling, pop-inspired experience. Grab your Unlimited Evening fare in advance and enjoy a night full of colour and excitement, thanks to STM and Montréal en Lumière.
- Le quiz ICI MUSIQUE - As part of La Nuit blanche at Radio-Canada: Take this music trivia challenge with ICI MUSIQUE on-air personalities, including Claudine Prévost as emcee and Philippe Fehmiu and Samian as team captains.
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