Saturday Night Lights: Our Family Adventure at Festilumi, Montreal

Hey there friends!

Last Saturday, we traded Netflix for actual magic. Yes, we bundled up our family of five (three kids, two semi-frozen parents) and headed to Festilumi, Montreal’s newest winter wonderland at Marché Central. And let me tell you—it was like stepping into a glowing fairytale… with a side of churros.

What is Festilumi?

Think 1.5 km of pure illuminated bliss, sprinkled with over 20 million LED lights and 13 themed worlds that make you feel like you’re traveling across continents and centuries in one evening. It’s the brainchild of Normand Latourelle (the genius behind Cavalia and Illumi), and it runs from September 19, 2025, until January 2026. The whole thing is designed as a walking trail—so yes, you’ll get your steps in while gawking at glowing giraffes and sparkling palaces.

The Highlights

Each section is a different universe:

• Aladdin’s Palace (Palais des Dunes) – Arabian nights come alive with flying carpets, genies, and golden arches. This was our favorite—parents need a little magic too!

• Multicolored Savanna – A lush, luminous escape that feels like spring in the middle of Montreal’s winter.

• Passage Jurassique – Aka the dinosaur zone. The kids? OBSESSED. Giant glowing dinos that look ready to stomp out of the lights. We practically had to drag them away.

Other worlds include icy poles with penguins, spiders and even tunnels of rainbow lights. It’s Instagram heaven.

Survival Tips (a.k.a. How Not to Freeze Solid)

Here’s the thing: Montreal was having a “mild” evening—around 0°C. Sounds fine, right? WRONG. After 60 minutes of walking, we felt like popsicles. So, dress warm: think thermal layers, hats, gloves, and maybe a portable heater (kidding… sort of).

Luckily, Festilumi knows we’re all human. Scattered along the route are small food kiosks selling hot chocolate, churros, and pizza. We may or may not have bribed our kids with churros to keep moving.

Was It Worth It?

Absolutely. It was one of those nights that makes winter feel magical instead of miserable. The kids are still talking about the dinosaurs, and we’re still dreaming of that glowing palace. If you’re in Montreal this season, go. Bundle up, grab a hot chocolate, and let the lights do their thing!

Love, Katerina