On New Year's Eve in Montreal, individuals watch as fireworks illuminate the sky over the city's historic port. This event took place on Monday, January 1, 2018. The image was captured by Graham Hughes for THE CANADIAN PRESS.
Montreal residents looking forward to ushering in the new year with a spectacular display of fireworks in the Old Port on December 31st are in for a disappointment, as the annual event has been cancelled for the second consecutive year. Montréal en Fêtes, the nonprofit responsible for organizing the fireworks show, cited various factors for this decision, with a key factor being insufficient financial support from the city.
The cancellation was officially communicated by Montréal en Fêtes in November, along with the permanent discontinuation of their free winter activities, which previously featured a vibrant New Year's Eve celebration in the Old Port. This celebration typically included live entertainment and an impressive fireworks presentation.
In a statement released last month, Montréal en Fêtes highlighted the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, rising production costs, challenges associated with the winter vacation season, and difficulties in securing public and private financing. The announcement marked the end of an era for December festivities and large-scale free gatherings.
Dimitri Soudas, Chair of the nonprofit's board of directors, provided additional insights in an interview with CTV News. Soudas explained that the absence of a crucial funding partner led to the cancellation. While the Government of Canada, the Government of Quebec, and the private sector were supportive, the financial contribution from the Plante administration, led by Mayor Valerie Plante, was notably absent. Soudas revealed that the Plante administration's non-participation meant the loss of "a few hundred thousand dollars" in funding.
Despite efforts to obtain confirmation from the City of Montreal, no response was received by CTV News at the time of reporting.
Montréal en Fêtes, established in 2013, has always adhered to the principle of offering its December-long activities on a first-come-first-serve basis and free of charge. Soudas emphasized the organization's commitment to ensuring accessibility, recounting that he and the founders, raised by single mothers, often faced financial constraints preventing them from participating in holiday events.
Over the years, the event grew in popularity, attracting over 200,000 attendees per edition and becoming a major tourist attraction during the holiday season in Montreal. The absence of the festivities this year adds to the disappointment of Old Port workers, who have observed a comparatively lackluster holiday season, exacerbated by unseasonable weather.
Reflecting on the impact, Zahra Al Talibi, a souvenir shop worker in the Old Port, lamented the absence of the usual winter festivity feeling, noting the stark contrast to previous years when the Place Jacques-Cartier was adorned with decorations, firepits, lights, and a stage.
This marks the second consecutive year of interruption for Montréal en Fêtes' activities, following a temporary pause in 2022 to engage with partners and update their financing. Sadly, this year's cancellation signifies the permanent end of the New Year's Eve fireworks tradition in Montreal, leaving residents without the anticipated celebratory spectacle.
