Montrealers and visitors are set to brave the elements on Wednesday night as thousands descend upon the historic Old Port to welcome 2026 at the free Grand Minuit festival. The waterfront celebration promises a return of the beloved midnight fireworks display alongside a packed lineup of live music, marking a hopeful comeback after several disrupted years.
Bracing for a Bitterly Cold Celebration
Revellers must come prepared for severe winter conditions. Environment Canada forecasts temperatures around minus-11 degrees Celsius, with wind chill values plunging near minus-20 C. The city is also expecting five to 10 centimetres of snow. This will be the coldest New Year's Eve in Montreal since 2017, when the mercury dropped to a frigid minus-23 C.
Police spokesperson Jean-Pierre Brabant emphasized the need for preparedness, advising the public to "arrive in advance and make sure that you’re well dressed, because it’s going to be cold tonight." He added that police will be deployed around the event perimeter to ensure safety.
Event Schedule and Festival Details
The Grand Minuit festival will take place at Jacques-Cartier Quay, located west of the iconic Grande Roue de Montréal Ferris wheel. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., with the musical festivities kicking off at 9 p.m. The schedule is as follows:
- 9 p.m. — Qualité Motel
- 10:30 p.m. — A special medley featuring Patrick Watson, Kloô Pelgag, Anachnid, Boogàt, Pierre Kwenders, The Brooks, Joseph Sarenhes, Naya Ali, Sarahmee and others
- Midnight — Fireworks display
- 12:10 a.m. — High Klassified
- 1 a.m. — Nana Zen
- 2 a.m. — End of event
This year's event follows cancellations and technical issues in recent years, making its full return a significant moment for the city's public celebrations.
Transportation and Road Closure Information
With large crowds anticipated, significant traffic disruptions are planned. Vehicle access to parts of Old Montreal will be restricted starting between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., depending on crowd size. Streets will remain closed until 2 a.m. on January 1.
The following streets will be affected:
- Notre-Dame St. E.
- De la Commune St. (between St-Laurent Blvd. and Bonsecours St.)
- Place Jacques-Cartier
For those using taxis or ride-share services, the designated drop-off point will be on St-Antoine St. near the Champ-de-Mars.
Public transit is extending its hours to accommodate party-goers. The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) will run the métro two hours later than usual. The final departures on the Green and Orange Lines will pass through Berri-UQAM station at 3 a.m. The last Yellow Line departures in both directions will be at 3:07 a.m.
Additionally, the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) will operate all night long across its entire active network between Deux-Montagnes and Brossard stations.
Other New Year's Eve Options in Montreal
For those seeking alternative celebrations, Montreal offers a variety of activities:
Late-Night Bars and Clubs: Dozens of establishments across the city, including hubs in the Village, on St-Laurent Blvd., and the Plateau, will have special permits to operate into the early morning. A pilot project on St-Laurent Blvd. allows 22 businesses to stay open all night.
All-Night Dance Party: The Société des arts technologiques (SAT) is hosting an immersive New Year's Eve event featuring electronic music and visuals across two floors, running until the early hours.
Skating: The large refrigerated outdoor rink at Esplanade Tranquille, near Place des Arts, will be open until 1 a.m. for a festive skate.
More details on the Grand Minuit festival are available at grandminuit.ca.
