Christmas markets and holiday events in La Petite-Nation

It's October and we're already talking about Christmas. We know. But locals know the drill: the first Christmas fair lands in early November, and from then on there's something nearly every weekend until December 24.

Here's the 2026 holiday calendar for La Petite-Nation, from the biggest market to the smallest village tradition. When a date isn't confirmed, we tell you when it usually happens. Check with the organizers before you head out.

Christmas markets, in order

Papineauville Christmas Fair, November 7 and 8

This one opens the season. It's held at the Papineauville community centre, behind Louis-Joseph-Papineau high school. A good place to start your shopping before everyone else panics.

Ripon Christmas market, November 20 to 22

A weekend-long market in the village, with Place du Marché at the centre of it all. Ripon has a big community of artisans and organic farms, so this is the market for gifts that aren't like everyone else's.

Montebello Christmas market, two weekends

The big one. A European-style market in front of the church, with more than 40 producers and artisans, about a dozen shops along the main street, free shows in the evening and Santa in the afternoons. Everything is free.

In 2026 it runs November 27 to 29, then December 4 to 6. Usual hours: Friday 4 to 8 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dogs stay home.

Bowman and Plaisance, late November

At the Bowman Christmas market, the farmers' market cabins come back out in Parc du Centenaire, usually on a Saturday in late November. Plaisance holds its own, usually the last weekend of November. Both dates get posted on Facebook.

Chénéville Christmas market, December 5

More than 40 vendors at Centre St-Félix-de-Valois, a singer, a photographer, and a Grinch to make the kids laugh. Or cry, depending on their age.

Val-des-Bois, before the holidays

The Val-des-Bois Christmas market is a fixture on the municipal calendar, often run together with Bowman. The date comes out in Le Valboisien and on Facebook.

The lights

Noël des Pins, Ripon

A Ripon couple turns their house and pine forest into an illuminated trail, with about a dozen life-size Christmas scenes. It's normally open every night from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., late November to December 24. On weekends it can hit 350 visitors a night, so a weeknight is calmer. Confirm the schedule on their Facebook page.

Plaisance's lighted tractor parade

Tractors strung with lights rolling through the village streets, usually on a Saturday night in early December. It draws thousands of people every year. Dress the kids warmly; you'll be standing on the side of the road.

Trees of Hope at the Château Montebello

Through the holidays and into early January, Outaouais businesses decorate Christmas trees in the Château's great hall and the public votes for a favourite. The money goes to the Petite-Nation food bank. A good excuse to go see that big stone fireplace all decked out.

Village traditions

• Christmas Magic, Saint-Émile-de-Suffolk: the rec committee's Christmas event for village families in December, run by volunteers.
• Christmas stockings and turkey bingo, Thurso: two Optimist Club traditions, announced for December 13 and 20.
• Disco skate, Saint-André-Avellin: December 19, 6 to 9 p.m., at the Complexe Whissell arena. An ugly Christmas sweater counts as a costume.
• Traditional dance night, Saint-Sixte: December 18 at 7 p.m. at the community centre. Reels before Christmas is exactly what the season needs. Book ahead; it's capped at 70 people.

The tree, the gifts, the réveillon

The tree. At Les sapins du rang Ste-Madeleine in Saint-André-Avellin, you pick your balsam fir at the farm and drink hot chocolate by the fire. Plenty of families have made it their December ritual.

Decorations. La Destination de Noël in Ripon is open all year. Vintage and rustic decor made with local artisans, plus a Christmas market in November.

Gifts that taste like maple. Boutique François Lambert in Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix makes maple popcorn and maple cotton candy, meringues, and Dragon's Tears, a maple and coffee blend. For the brother-in-law who has everything.

The réveillon. In Chénéville, Boucherie Les Produits David makes tourtière, meat pies, cipaille and sugar pie. At Marché Faubert in Montpellier, the homemade pies come up in every review. Full disclosure: we're regular customers at both.

Dates for the smaller markets shift from year to year. Before you drive an hour, check the organizer's Facebook page that same week.

PapineauvilleRiponMontebelloBowmanPlaisanceChénévilleVal-des-BoisSaint-Émile-de-SuffolkThursoSaint-André-AvellinNotre-Dame-de-la-PaixSaint-SixteMontpellier

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