With the Montréal en Fêtes festival and its traditional New Year's Eve show in the Old Port coming to an end, Montrealers will have to find other ways to enjoy 2024. There are no fireworks displays planned among the free outdoor activities on offer.
After difficult last editions, Montréal en Fêtes announced the end of its activities last November.
The COVID-19 pandemic, production cost inflation, labor challenges during the winter holidays, and issues related to public and private financing motivated this decision.
In 2022, as the organization prepared for the 10th edition of its event, it decided to take a break to rethink its economic model.
The non-profit organization's co-founder and vice president, Martin Durocher, justified the cancellation for budgetary reasons. In the process, he also damaged the city of Montreal.
“We don't feel like we're a priority of the current government, not at all,” he said in an interview with Radio-Canada. Funding for Montréal en Fêtes is stagnating. […] It has never been improved since Valérie Plante came to power. [en 2017].
In 2020, the event took place virtually due to the pandemic. The following year, the health situation forced the organizers to shorten the celebrations.
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In 2020, the event was held virtually but included fireworks. (archive photo)
Photo: Radio-Canada
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Since the end of Montréal en Fêtes, no one has taken up the torch to organize the December 31st celebrations in the Old Port. However, activities are planned for the afternoon of January 1st.
Those who want to celebrate the New Year are invited to watch performances by traditional dance groups at the Old Port ice rink.
The Place des Festivals with its large Christmas market is a popular destination for New Year's Eve. Music, dancing and counting are on the program.
The Christmas in the Park festival also presents its traditional New Year's Eve vigil on Place Émilie-Gamelin.
– With information from Raphaëlle Drouin