• EN

The Festival

Held for the first time in 2000, Montréal en Lumière offers Montrealers and visitors hundreds of activities to discover through its gastronomic programming, its free outdoor site, its shows and the Nuit Blanche. Located in the heart of the Quartier des Spectacles for the past 25 years, the festival site is the place to be for an exceptional winter experience.

Montréal en Lumière showcases our emblematic season and allows festivalgoers to discover Montreal in all its forms.

MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE in 13 key dates

2000: Founded by Alain Simard, the MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE festival was launched with the intention of revitalizing the city in winter. With Paul Bocuse and Charles Dutoit as honorary presidents, the 1st edition draws 200,000 visitors.

2002: Almost half a million festival fans attend, including 400,000 people on the outdoor site for the Fête de la lumière and its fireworks display.

2004: The 1st Nuit blanche à Montréal is launched to mark the 5th anniversary of MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE, drawing 100,000 nighthawks.

2006: The Fête de la lumière moves from Ste. Catherine Street to the Old Port.

2007: The festival organizes its very first Grand Opening Event; A massive free outdoor concert.

2011: MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE presents a special edition: Celebrating Women, with Carole Bouquet and Marie-Josée Lord as co-presidents.

2012: After a few years in the Old Port, MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE declares Place des Festivals and its surroundings, located in Quartier des Spectacles, as its official free outdoor site.

2014: Festival attendance surpasses one million visits for the first time.

2018: The festival receives the title of Gastronomic Event of the Year awarded by les Lauriers de la Gastronomie Québécoise.

2019: MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE celebrates its 20th anniversary with the launch of several novelties for its gastronomic aspect: the Quartier Gourmand, the Nuit Gourmande and the Tastet Culinary Tours.

2020: The Festival is awarded with the ‘’Événement’’ trophy from the Prix Montréal centre-ville 2020.

2022: The festival unveils the Skating Loop, a 300-meter illuminated and elevated trail winding through the Place des Festival.

2024: The festival celebrates its 25th anniversary with a special edition filled with festive activities.

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors of MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE consists of 13 members. In addition to the Chief Executive Officer of the festival, Jacques Primeau, it brings together eight representatives of Montreal’s cultural milieu, in tourism and business. Four representatives of L’Équipe Spectra, overseer and designer of the project, complete the Board.

  • Bernard Labrecque
    Partner, IBM Global Business Services
  • Caroline Jamet
    Executive Director, Radio, Audio and Greater Montreal, Radio-Canada
  • Emmanuelle Legault
    President and CEO, Palais des congrès de Montréal
  • France Margaret Bélanger
    Executive Vice President, L'Équipe Spectra
  • Jacques Primeau
    President and Chief Executive Officer, L’Équipe Spectra
  • Liza Frulla
    Executive Director, ITHQ
  • Madeleine Careau
    Chief Executive Officer, Orchestre symphonique de Montréal
  • Melissa Giampaolo
    Vice President, Commercialization, Entertainment and Festival Management, L’Équipe Spectra
  • Michel Leblanc
    President and Chief Executive Officer, Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal
  • Michelle Régnier
    Senior Vice President Sponsorship, L’Équipe Spectra
  • Patricia Brissette
    Vice President Legal Affairs, L’Équipe Spectra
  • Patrick St-Vincent
    Director of developpment, La Table Ronde
  • Sylvie Charrette
    Vice-President, Marketing, Tourisme Montréal

Next Edition

MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE

  • 25th edition
    February 29 to March 10, 2024
    Gastronomic programming starting February 22

Nuit blanche à Montréal

  • 21st edition
    March 2, 2024

Organization

MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE is a private, non-profit organization by an administrative board consisting of members drawn from Montréal's artistic, economic and tourism sectors.