Affordable holiday activities to do with friends
Updated December 4, 2025
With the holiday season right around the corner, you might want to get in the spirit without breaking the bank in the process. Luckily, the exo network offers a variety of affordable, accessible activities to experience the magic of winter. Whether it’s perusing Christmas markets or skating on outdoor rinks surrounded by magical decor, you’ll be sure to find what you’re looking for among these 14 activities.
Christmas markets
Credits : iledesmoulins.com / Patrick Beaudry
Quebec Christmas markets are enchanting places where holiday magic comes to life. They’re full of illuminated booths offering handmade products and local treats like maple fudge, beaver tails and hot chocolate.
On the North Shore
Terrebonne Christmas Market
When: December 5 to 21
To get there: Take bus line 8
Address: Located on Île-des-Moulins
L’Assomption Christmas Market
When: November 27 to December 3
To get there: Bus line 250 drops you a few minutes’ walk from the market
Address: Centre Jean-Guy-Cardinal, 156 3rd Avenue
Etsy Laurentides Christmas Market in Rosemère
When: December 5 to 7
To get there: Rosemère Station is a 10-minute walk; you can also take bus line 610.
Address: 202 Chemin de la Grande-Côte
Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines Salon du Cadeau
When: December 6 and 7
To get there: Bus line 250 drops you a few minutes’ walk from the market
Address: Centre Jean-Guy-Cardinal, 156 3rd Avenue
Sainte-Thérèse Christmas Village
When: November 27 to December 14
To get there: Take bus lines 600, 241, 243 or 247
Address: 37 Rue Blainville Ouest
On the South Shore
Saint-Hyacinthe
When: December 5, 6, 7; 12, 13, 14; and 19, 20 and 21
To get there: Take bus line 25
Address: : At the Public Market, 1555 Rue des Cascades
Mont-Saint-Hilaire
When: December 6 and 7
To get there: Book your trip with exo on-demand
Address: Manoir Rouville-Campbell, 125 Chemin des Patriotes Sud
Sainte-Julie
When: December 5 to 7
To get there: bus line 4
Address: 550 Boulevard Saint-Joseph
Hudson
When: December 5 to 7
To get thereThe market is a 4-minute walk from Hudson Station
Address: Alibi Barn, 422 Rue Main
Outdoor skating rinks
Credits : iledesmoulins.com
Outdoor skating rinks are an iconic symbol of winter, inviting us to enjoy the pleasures of the chilly season.
Île-des-Moulins skating rink in Terrebonne
Renowned as one of the most beautiful natural skating rinks in Quebec, the ice at the old locks on Île-des-Moulins in Terrebonne opens to the public as soon as weather permits. Nestled in a fairytale setting, Étang des Moulins, lined with twinkling lights, offers enchanting sights that are particularly magical after dark.
When: As soon as the ice is 20 cm thick
To get there: Take bus line 8
Refrigerated ice rinks on the South Shore
There are several refrigerated outdoor ice rinks on the network. Here are some you can get to by public transit.
Saint-Constant
Bus lines 650 and 142 stop a 20-minute walk from the rink.
Address: 33 Rue de Fribourg
Varennes
Take bus line 701 to get to the rink, which is a 14-walk from the Marie-Victorin stop in front of École Labarre.
Address: 2003 Rue Jacques-Lemoyne
McMasterville
The skating rink is located a few minutes’ walk from McMasterville Station, or for bus users, line 200 is also a very good option to get there.
Address: 255 Boul. Constable
Refrigerated ice rink on the North Shore
Saint-Jérôme
Located a 12-minute walk from Saint-Jérôme Station, the Bleu Blanc Bouge skating rink in Saint-Jérôme is a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts in the region.
Address: 451 Rue Melançon
Cross-country ski and snowshoe trails
The North and South Shores boast a wide variety of trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing accessible by public transit.
On the South Shore
Beloeil
Located a few minutes’ walk from a stop on bus line 200, the Beloeil Golf Club has a 3-km marked trail.
Address: 425 Rue des Chênes
Sorel
Parc des Grèves has four cross-country ski trails of varying difficulty totalling 21.6 km and is accessible via bus line 700.
Address: 3100 Chemin du Golf
Mont-Saint-Hilaire
Gault Nature Reserve is easily accessible with a demande exo on-demand.
Address: 422 Chemin des Moulins
Châteauguay
Bus line 1 stops a 12-minute walk Fernand-Seguin Ecological Centre.
Address: 257 Rue Fernand-Seguin
On the North Shore
Saint-Eustache
Easily accessible via bus line 225 , Saint-Eustache Nature Park features three cross-country ski trails totalling 15.2 km and two hiking trails totalling 7.6 km.
Address: Behind 767 Boul. Arthur-Sauvé
Repentigny
At the end of bus line 9 are the cross-country ski trails of the Sentiers de la Presqu’île.
Address: 2001 Rue Jean-Pierre
Terrebonne
Bus lines 8, 14 and 1 take you to the Sentiers de la Transterrebonne.
Address: 1150 Rue Côte Boisée
Saint-Jérôme
Located a 5-minute walk from Saint-Jérôme Station, the trail at the P’tit Train du Nord Linear Park has a gradient of just 4%, making it ideal for long-distance training, beginners or people simply wanting to keep fit.
Take a picture on Santa’s lap
This is your opportunity to exchange a smile, share a wish, or even whisper your entire gift list in Santa’s ear. You’ll capture a precious memory: a picture that reminds you of this special moment with your friends.
To get there: Go to the mall nearest you
Taking public transit is economical. Plan your trips with our trip planner to find the fastest route.
