One-day Igloofest with Friends — Old Montreal winter day
A social, energetic day in Old Montreal tailored for a group of friends: group-friendly food hall brunch, an active escape-room challenge, a cozy 4-star hotel check-in, a cultural stop, early dinner with live music vibes, warm-up break, and an evening at Igloofest. Winter-ready pacing and logistics for January.
Highlights
- Igloofest outdoor electronic-music party in the Old Port
- Time Out Market Montreal — lively food hall for groups
- Escaparium escape room — active, playful group challenge
- Hôtel Nelligan — 4-star boutique base in Old Montreal
- Notre-Dame Basilica quick cultural stop
- Group-friendly dinner at Modavie with live music vibe
Itinerary
Day 1
Daytime social activities around Old Montreal followed by Igloofest in the Old Port — built for a lively group of friends, with indoor warmups and an active challenge before the outdoor festival.
Brunch & social start at Time Out Market Montreal
Shared-plate brunch at the Time Out Market: multiple vendors so everyone picks what they want — great for groups and splitting costs.
Tips from local experts:
- Reserve a large high table or arrive right when it opens (11:30) to grab a group spot; seating fills fast on weekends.
- Order a few different vendor plates to share family-style — it’s the easiest way to keep costs balanced across 4–6 people.
- It's warm inside — use this as your first warm-up; ask vendors for handheld options so you can carry food for a short stroll afterward.
Active & playful: Escaparium escape room (group game)
60-minute escape-room session — team puzzles and laughs; perfect as a playful, energetic activity before check-in.
Tips from local experts:
- Book a private room in advance for your group size (rooms often list recommended group sizes); mention you're a group of friends so they can pick an energetic room.
- Wear layers — rooms can feel warm from the adrenaline, but you'll step back into cold Montreal; pockets are handy for phones and small personal items.
- Split the booking cost evenly or rotate who's “host” for the booking app to keep the payment process simple for the whole group.
Check in at Hôtel Nelligan (4-star boutique in Old Montreal)
Drop bags, warm up, and freshen up in your rooms at this centrally located 4-star hotel — an ideal base a short walk from the Old Port.
Tips from local experts:
- Ask front desk about an early check-in or luggage hold when you book; most hotels will hold bags if rooms aren’t ready.
- Request rooms on the same floor or adjacent rooms when booking so the group can coordinate easily and use one meeting point.
- Use the hotel's coat/valet check for bulky winter gear (big coats, snow boots) so you don't carry them to the festival.
Visit Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal (short cultural stop)
A quick 30–45 minute visit to the stunning interior of Notre-Dame — warm, atmospheric, and great for photos without a long outdoor walk.
Tips from local experts:
- Buy timed-entry tickets online if possible to skip any lineups — saves time for tight schedules before the festival.
- Group-friendly: check large-group ticket policies or ask for a short guided synopsis from staff to make the most of 30–45 minutes.
- The basilica is warm inside — a good spot to rewarm and recharge phones before more evening plans.
Leisurely stroll through Vieux-Montréal (window-shopping & photos)
A 40-minute walk around cobbled streets, boutique shops, and photogenic corners — short stops for postcards, souvenir shops, or a quick hot chocolate.
Tips from local experts:
- Stick to Rue Saint-Paul and Place Jacques-Cartier for compact, group-friendly browsing where cafés and shops are clustered.
- If someone wants to duck into a shop, set a 10-minute regroup spot (e.g., statue on Place Jacques-Cartier) so no one gets left behind in the cold.
- Keep hands warm with reusable hand-warmers and pack small snacks — it’s easy and inexpensive to keep energy up between activities.
Early dinner with live-music vibe at Modavie
Group-friendly bistro with hearty plates and live music some evenings — a lively spot to fuel up before the outdoor festival.
Tips from local experts:
- Reserve a table for 4–6 in advance (mention live-event timing) so the restaurant can seat you away from the stage if you prefer conversation.
- Choose shareable starters or a couple of mains to split and keep the meal social and cost-efficient.
- If Modavie has live music that night, arrive early for seating and request a quieter corner if your group prefers to talk before Igloofest.
Warm-up and regroup back at the hotel (break)
A 45-minute break to change into warm festival layers, stash non-essentials, and coordinate meeting points/transport for Igloofest.
Tips from local experts:
- Use this time to apply hand/foot warmers, switch to thermal socks, and store extra layers with the hotel — coat checks at festivals are limited.
- Confirm a clear rendezvous plan (which exit, which phone number) in case phone service or messages lag in the crowd.
- Charge phones and split portable chargers so the group can share battery power through the evening.
Transfer: walk or short taxi to the Old Port (Igloofest site)
Short 15–30 minute walk from the hotel to the Old Port depending on pace, or a 5–10 minute taxi/ride-share if you’d rather stay warm.
Tips from local experts:
- If walking, stick together and follow Rue de la Commune for the quickest, well-lit route; leave 30–40 minutes before the festival to find meeting spots.
- If taking rideshare/taxi, set a clear pickup point (hotel entrance) and check for surge pricing; group the ride to split fare.
- Plan for a short security or bag check at festival entry — bring minimal items to speed up entry.
Igloofest — outdoor electronic-music festival in the Old Port
Main event: enjoy the winter outdoor DJ sets, lights, and party atmosphere. Dress in layers, plan meeting points, and pace hot drinks between sets.
Tips from local experts:
- Layer up: base layers + insulated outerwear + waterproof boots. Bring hand warmers and a hat — festival time outdoors can be very cold even with dancing.
- Set a clear meeting spot (e.g., clock/tent near main stage) and a time check; designate one person to be the ‘phone battery monitor’ for the group.
- Buy tickets/any VIP add-ons in advance, and check coat/locker options early; food trucks and warm-up tents often have long lines, so stagger visits to them.
Optional afterparty: late drinks at Le Bily Kun (casual pub)
If the group has energy after Igloofest, head for a nearby casual pub for late-night drinks and a place to warm up together.
Tips from local experts:
- Check opening hours in January (some bars close earlier in winter) and call ahead for a group table if arriving late.
- Split rounds or use one person to tab the group and settle up with a payment app to avoid fumbling in the cold.
- Plan transport home before leaving the bar (pre-book ride-shares or confirm metro/taxi spots) so the group leaves together safely.
