Montréal en fête and its New Year celebrations at the Old Port, a tradition for almost 10 years, will not be held again this year.
But unlike the 2020 and 2021 editions, this time it’s not the COVID playing the spoilsport. The organizers have decided to take a break to review the event’s funding structure and reconsider the economic model going forward.
Inflation, labor shortages and public underfunding led to the decision to cancel the event, with the team describing the situation as an “unsolvable mystery” in a statement.
“Free entry has always been central to our mission, and today we must completely rethink our model and funding if we want the free event to survive…” said Dimitri Soudas, CEO of Montréal en Feste.
Every year since 2013, Montréal en fête has reached nearly 200,000 festival-goers invited to gather in the various public spaces furnished and decorated for the occasion or to attend the famous New Year’s party with its magnificent music show followed by fireworks.
Montréal en fêtes is a Non-Profit Organization (NPO) dedicated to producing free activities that are open to all during the Montreal end-of-year holiday season.