THE CITY THAT KNOWS HOW TO PARTY

A guide to the city’s best winter fests: Igloo Fest (starting Jan. 14) is an outdoor electro-music party that takes place over four of the coldest weekends of winter. It features world-class DJs in wacky costumes and “the best fluorescent snowsuit fashion show this side of the Mississippi,” says Hugo Leclerc of Tourisme Montreal. Montreal en Lumière (Feb. 18 to March 5) features indoor and outdoor concerts, a fine-dining program and free outdoor entertainment, including ziplining, as well as Nuit Blanche on Feb. 27. Art Souterrain (Feb. 27 to March 13) takes place in Montreal’s underground pedestrian network, with more than 100 contemporary art projects displayed across 32 kilometres. Barbegazi (March 5-6) is all about winter action, where you can watch lumberjack, snow-skating and freestyle snowmobile competitions, as well as partake in contests. “Plus, gentlemen can have their beards trimmed on-site to pay homage to Barbegazi, which translates to ‘frozen beard,’ ” says Leclerc.