Montréal en Lumière winter festival is set to launch February 20

 Montréal en Lumière kicks off Feb. 20 and will continue to March 7 as the city comes alive to the rhythm of the festival’s three signature components: gastronomy, shows and winter activities.

On the docket: a nostalgic epicurean itinerary inspired by Montréal’s culinary history, in partnership with the McCord Stewart Museum; the return of Air France Finest Tables and Brunches en Lumière; a series of indoor concerts, including Montreal premieres by Loud and by Lou-Adriane Cassidy; and free outdoor programming organized around crowd favorites, with DJ Perceval on the opening set. The highlight of the festival, the Nuit blanche, will take place on Sat. Feb. 28

This year, the Programmation gourmande Banque Nationale takes a historical flavor. Its theme, A taste of history: 65 years of Montreal’s gastronomy will echo the On the Menu – Montreal: A Restaurant Story exhibition at the McCord Stewart Museum. Chefs from near and far will revisit Montreal’s culinary past with nostalgic menus and activities as part of the Air France Finest Tables.

Crowned the “Gastronomic Event of the Year” during the latest Lauriers de la Gastronomie Québécoise, Montréal en Lumière is known as the largest food happening in Canada and the only event to host so many chefs from abroad. The interactive map for the Air France Finest Tables presented in collaboration with Tastet is back to make it easier for festival-goers to plan their custom foodie route. Last but not least, the Brunches en Lumière are back by popular demand and are the perfect way to finish off the Nuit blanche presented by National Bank in collaboration with the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) and with the support of the City of Montréal in style.

Some of the highlights include:

As part of Montréal en Lumière, Le Pois Penché will present a “Vintage Chic” brunch inspired by Parisian cafés of the 1960s and 1970s, blended with Montreal flair. The menu will feature main courses, desserts, and cocktails evocative of the era. Chef Josserand Valiquette and his team will welcome guests on Sunday, March 1, starting at 10:30 a.m Le Pois Penché specializes in French comfort food classics with Montreal accents, including seafood platters, steak frites, onion soup, duck confit, and brunch favorites. Le Pois Penché has steadily earned a reputation as one of the city’s standout French brasseries, thanks in large part to the vision and passion of its owner, Imad Nabwani. Located downtown on De Maisonneuve Boulevard at the corner of Drummond Street, Le Pois Penché offers 120 seats, a private room that accommodates up to 80 guests, and a seasonal terrace for 60. The restaurant is open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch.

Also on March 1, Duc de Lorraine on Côte des Neiges will host an event showcasing, in both a gourmet and indulgent way, the traditions of the establishment founded in 1952. They will offer a typically French table d’hôte featuring the great classics of the house, elevated by the creativity of the head chef and his team.

For two nights only, February 20 and 21, Renoir will host a one-of-a-kind gastronomic event featuring an exclusive tasting menu created by world-renowned Michelin-starred Chef Lorenzo Di Gravio, Executive Chef at Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo Panama. Raised in Rome and trained in renowned kitchens around the world, Chef Lorenzo Di Gravio is known for his refined, modern approach to Latin cuisine, blending exceptional local ingredients with creative, sustainable techniques.

Gibby’s is in the mix as well, with Chef Giovanni Manocchio from Groupe Grandio. A table d’hôte menu will showcase the great classics of the establishment, beginning with the signature Gibbys salad, followed by iconic dishes such as the inimitable Beef Wellington and the Salmon Wellington, served with its lobster sauce, returning to the menu especially for the occasion. A nod to the original location then makes its way to the table with the Saint-Sauveur rack of lamb, before concluding the experience on a fresh and vibrant note with one itsmost sought-after desserts: the famous key lime pie. You can take advantage of this Feb 23, 24, 25, 26 and March 2, 3, 4 and 5

The Snowdon Deli is teaming up with La Spada (3580 Notre-Dame Street West) with a five-course Italo-Judaic menu . La Spada’s Paul Michette will team up with the Snowdon Del’s Hart Fishman Feb. 23 and 24.

Siamo Noi, the hugely popular Italian restaurant at Royalmount, is teaming up with Buonanotte. Chef Marco Bertoldini will be in the kitchen Feb. 24 and 25.

At Park  Restaurant in Westmount, the one and only Antonio Park will collaborate with Stefan Heilemann for a special seven course menu Feb. 23 and 24.

Moishes is in the mix with Chef Murteza Talum , offering a four course menu and wine pairing on Feb. 25. They will be bringing back classics of the Moishes institution on Saint-Laurent, reimagined by the chef. Among other dishes will be their classic Caesar salad, the famous chicken liver (a Saint-Laurent staple), a choice of filet mignon, rib steak, salmon, or the classic Moishes roast chicken, all served with latkes and fried onions. To finish on a high note: the unbeatable mille-feuille.

Meanwhile, The Nuit Blanche à Montréal, will take place on Sat. Feb 28 , catering to music lovers, film buffs, art enthusiasts, explorers and foodies. From the Place des Festivals to the Olympic Park, from the Maison de Radio-Canada to Montréal’s iconic museums and cultural venues, by way of the Quartier des spectacles, Centre-Ville, Mile End, Plateau-Mont-Royal, Hochelaga, the Old Montréal, the Latin Quarter and Village, Northern and new Verdun route, this night of endless possibilities promises an unforgettable celebration!

Public transit is the best way to get around between the activities of this city-wide nighttime event. This year, nighttime revelers will enjoy extended metro service by approximately two hours on the night of Feb. 28 to March 1, the usual rate.

All the activities at the Montréal en Lumière outdoor site will stay open for nocturnal merrymakers until 2 a.m.! The Loto-Québec Skating Loop and the chalet de patin Tim Hortons invite you to enjoy a late-night spin on the ice. Then, hop aboard the Intuit TurboTax Ferris Wheel to take in a breathtaking view of the dazzling Place des Festivals.

In addition to its comfort food options, perfect for refuelling throughout the night, the Village Gourmand, presented by Miele in collaboration with Radio-Canada as part of the Programmation gourmande Banque Nationale, will be rolling out the red carpet. You will be able to learn how to prepare vegan sushi with MJ Guertin and attend the Frèloca quarterfinal, the culinary duel between students from Quebec’s culinary schools, or, for an open-air dance floor experience, head to the Rogers DJ Booth! Early in the evening, discover the rising star DJ and winner of the first edition of the No.10 competition in collaboration with DJT.AL. The party continues with Alina B2B Meen Moreen and Cirque Cosmic B2B Cori, followed by the tech house sounds of Ghetto Birds. Closing out the night, the larger-than-life New York electronic trailblazer Austin Millz will bring his signature blend of soul, house and R&B to end the evening right. The facades of the Wilder building and President-Kennedy pavilion at UQAM will be magnified by projections by artists Baron Lanteigne and Marie-Eve Levasseur from the MUTEK festival, whose creations will be on view all through Montréal en Lumière. 

The Quartier des Spectacles will ope up with a wealth of activities near the Montréal en Lumière outdoor site. On the 55th anniversary of Claude Gauvreau’s death, students from the Conservatoire d’art dramatique de Montréal and the National Theatre School of Canada will present the premiere of Ma Nuit Blanche avec Gauvreau, an immersive creation at the Monument-National under the direction of Lorraine Pintal. The NFB will also feature its interactive installation, called Archives: remixing, inviting night owls to remix a short film to project onto the interior walls. Live music and looped projections will round out the experience all night long. Place des Arts and UQAM are teaming up to present Paramètres XXV, the annual exhibition of student works selected by a jury of instructors and artists. Also not to be missed is the third edition of La Nuit de la poésie, an artistic gathering dreamt up by poet and professor Marc André Brouillette, inviting curious minds to be surprised by the words, music, bodies and images taking over the spaces of Place des Arts.