With winter approaching, Petite Italie set itself at the heart of the year-end celebrations. The Société de Développement Commercial (SDC) de la Petite Italie, on behalf of all its merchants, will welcome locals and visitors for all occasions: from shopping for gifts, sweet and savoury delights, wines and other gustatory wonders, to holding the famous office parties and even getting beauty treatments! The excitement and festivities are felt in the Quartier gourmand de Montréal with the beautiful illuminations and the arrival of all kinds of Christmas trees in the parks. In addition, a fundraiser will be held on Wednesday, December 7th to benefit the Fondation du Chaînon and the Maisonnette des parents. As Petite Italie knows how to entertain, the event will take the form of a Spaghettata featuring the screening of an Italian Christmas movie!
Fundraiser: Wednesday, December 7 – Spaghettata and a Christmas movie
A spaghettata is the Italian term suggesting a convivial sharing of good pasta…at a friend’s house before going to bed! By collaborating together for this first fundraiser, Pizzeria Napoletana and the Italian Contemporary Film Festival (ICFF) are offering the best event, on Wednesday, December 7th, in the reception room of Notre Dame De La Defense Church: a hearty meal of pasta, pizza, antipasti, cheeses and the screening of the film “Dieci giorni con Babbo Natale” (When Mom Is Away… With the Family). It will also be possible to taste Stefano’s wines for a small additional fee. All net proceeds from this friendly event will be donated to La Maisonnette des parents and La Fondation du Chaînon, while non-perishable food items will also be collected on site.
“Dieci giorni con Babbo Natale” is a family comedy with a superb cast including Diego Abatantuono and Fabio De Luigi (recently invited to Montreal by ICFF).
Carlo is unemployed and living an unsatisfactory life with his wife, Giulia, and their three children Bianca, Tito and Camilla. When Giulia is given a promotion only a few days before Christmas, the entire family’s way of life is thrown into chaos. Needing to relocate to Sweden for the job, Carlo and his wife decide to make the trip through Europe in the family’s old camper van. Somewhere along the border of Austria, Carlo accidentally hits a strange looking man who is convinced he is the real Santa Claus. Offering him a ride, Carlo and his family embark on quite the adventure!
Tickets are on sale at the following locations ($40 adult, $25 child): Pizzeria Napoletana (189 Rue Dante), Café Conca D’oro (184 Rue Dante), Centre D’Impôt Marino (241 Rue Dante), Elio Pizzeria (351 Rue Bellechasse). Or online ➤ https://tinyurl.com/2ztkhxds
Illuminations, musical and wishing trees
Magical illuminations and Christmas trees of all kinds take over the neighbourhood! In addition to the lighting of Petite Italie’s arches as well as the main arteries of the neighbourhood, a scent of Christmas unfolds with the musical Christmas trees in Dante and de la Petite-Italie parks (Saint-Zotique and Saint-Laurent). The youngest will be able to play their favourite melodies and other sound creations. In Dante and Guglielmo-Marconi parks, the Patsy Van Roostwish trees will also be unveiled shortly. The artist, also known as La Fée urbaine, has collected the wishes of the public and shaped them with pipe cleaners, resulting in a garland of wishes. This original idea ‘Au fil de nos souhaits’ by Patsy Van Roost in partnership with the SDC Petite Italie, the Jean-Talon Market, the Lutinerie de Montréal and the culture and libraries team of Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie is also deployed at the Espace Boyer, the Jean-Talon Market, the Marc-Favreau library and the La Petite-Patrie library.
Jean-Talon Christmas Market at the Jean-Talon Market
The Christmas trees have also invaded the Jean-Talon Market, so it’s the perfect time to go looking for it. In addition, the Jean-Talon Christmas Market takes place there (from Friday noon to Sunday) and continues until Sunday, December 18. This small village reminiscent of the European Christmas markets is made up of local artisans offering local products. A total of 16 merchants, food kiosk and a real “boulegalow”, which is none other than the house of our friends the elves, are to be visited during a sweet stroll with friends or family, in a charming setting.
In collaboration with La Lutinerie, the Jean-Talon Market and the SDC Petite Italie, a program of activities and events will take place throughout December. Thus, on weekends, between 1 and 2 pm, you can hear the Chœur du Brouhaha (Saturday, December 3) and the folk duo Lauriane (Sunday, December 4). Throughout the afternoons, in and around the Christmas Market, the joyful troupe of the Caroles de Noël will sing the most beautiful holiday tunes. Having at heart to spread the magic of Christmas everywhere they go, the Caroles sprinkle their songs with anecdotes and funny animations. The following weekend, between 1 and 2 pm, we expect the Chœur de la Petite Patrie on Saturday, December 10 and then on Sunday, December 11, the musical entertainment will come from the folk duo domlebo. Finally, on Saturday, December 17, Santa Claus will visit the Jean-Talon Christmas Market. More info here
Contest “Noël dans ma Petite Italie” with the merchants
A contest is held on the Instagram platform of Petite Italie until December 16, giving the opportunity, twice a week, to win a prize from one of the merchants: Hair salons, coffee shops, home improvement stores, or bookstores, there are great ideas for Christmas gifts for family or friends… or just something to treat yourself to!
