From the ballet to holiday musicals and family shows, here are the Christmas shows to see in Montreal in 2026. For orchestras and choirs, see our separate Christmas concerts guide.
Some 2026 holiday programs had not been announced yet. Shows marked “in past seasons” are traditions worth checking for this year.
The Nutcracker by Les Grands Ballets
Montreal’s best-loved holiday show. Fernand Nault’s Nutcracker, with a live orchestra and students of the École supérieure de ballet du Québec, runs December 5 to 30, 2026 at the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier of Place des Arts. Regular tickets are $99 to $194. Full Nutcracker guide
Décembre
Décembre is a big holiday musical revue in a dozen scenes, produced by QuébecIssime, that has been seen by more than a million people and returns to Montreal every December. A performance is listed on December 12, 2026 at the Salle Pierre-Mercure; check the producer’s website for the full 2026 schedule.
Ballet Ouest’s Nutcracker
In past seasons, the non-profit Ballet Ouest de Montréal has staged its own Nutcracker at the Salle Pierre-Mercure with dozens of dancers and a large children’s choir. It’s a more intimate, community-based alternative to the Grands Ballets production.
Fred Pellerin’s holiday tale with the OSM
Quebec’s favourite storyteller and the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal present a traditional holiday tale at the Maison symphonique, in French. Check osm.ca for 2026 dates.
Christmas cabaret at the Casino de Montréal
The Casino’s cabaret has presented Christmas song shows in recent Decembers, mostly in French. Check the casino’s entertainment listings for 2026.
Family theatre
Montreal’s theatres often programme family shows between Christmas and New Year’s, when children are off school. Look at the listings for the Théâtre Outremont, Maison Théâtre and the Segal Centre in late November.
Tips
- Book early. The Nutcracker and shows just before Christmas sell out.
- Check the language. Many holiday shows in Montreal are in French; listings usually say so.
- Combine with the markets. Place des Arts and the Maison symphonique are steps from the Great Christmas Market.
More ideas: things to do in December · Christmas with kids
