Advent calendar: 24 100% Laval activities

Ho! Ho! Ho! Santa Claus is coming and the night of all nights is just around the corner. Here's a 100% Laval advent calendar to keep you, your family and your friends waiting.

Download the printable version of the calendar here!

The North Pole comes to the Christmas market

The festivities kick off in style, with a visit to the Christmas market at Nature Center ! For a glimpse of the North Pole, this is the place to go. On the day's menu: entertainment, elves, a miniature train, activities for the whole family and local craft booths. And, of course, Santa Claus awaits young and old alike.

Ready, set, go!

Snow or no snow, your desires are torn between an artistic activity, holiday shopping and coffee with friends? Stop torturing yourself and set course for Café Déco Céramique. You'll be able to choose a ceramic decoration and personalize it to your taste, while enjoying a bite to eat or sipping the best of hot beverages. And afterwards, you'll have a lovely surprise to slip into the stocking of one of your favorite humans.

Hunting for Christmas decorations

The inevitable is approaching, if it hasn't already. It's time to get out the Christmas decorations and decorate the tree. As you open the boxes you've been putting away since last year, you realize that a few baubles are broken or that you've got the urge to buy some new ones? Perfect, go to Duo Centre Laval and Quartier Laval. Between Lee Valley, Hudson's Bay, Marshalls and other stores, you'll find more than enough to satisfy you. To make shopping even more enjoyable, remember to bring along a few candy canes to nibble on.

A sweet tooth

What would winter be without hot chocolate, we wonder! So tonight, when it's time to do homework, make a last effort for work or just drink in the bath, make yourself a dreamy hot drink. Pst! Try the recipe for hot chocolate with orange and cinnamon recipe. A real treat! You can also go directly to Café Ricardo in Laval to order your favorite winter beverage, to eat in or take away.

... instead of elves

It's a well-known fact that it's the elves who wrap Santa's presents. Tonight, give them a hand by wrapping gifts for teachers and caregivers. To make the activity even more fun, give yourself a theme and use objects and accessories you no longer need to create fun, eco-friendly gift packages. As for the present itself, if you're short of inspiration, take a look at À la Boîte à Fleurs. The place offers an incredible selection of gourmet products, fine chocolates and special gift boxes.

Forward to the music

Tonight, it's all about the music! Get out your repertoire of Christmas music and sing along to your favorite carols. Make it your mission to learn one from start to finish, and challenge yourself to perform it for the whole family at your holiday party. Or, for those who'd like to travel to the dream world of Clara, the main character in Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker, and hear traditional Christmas tunes, attend the concert L'OSL en Fête.

Take a poinsettia bath

Whether white or red, the poinsettia is THE holiday plant par excellence. And as long as you're buying one (or two) to decorate your home, you might as well go where you can get a real eyeful! At Serres Sylvain Cléroux, there are so many that you feel as if you could dive right in. It's well worth the detour. Bring your camera along for some adorable shots.

Cocooning in front of a movie

Snuggled up together on the sofa, watch one of your favorite movies. Break out the popcorn (try a seasonal variety, like gingerbread) and refuel before the big night. Suggested movie to watch: Catch me if you canstarring Leonardo Dicaprio. Some of the film's scenes were shot in Laval. Can you tell us which ones?

By the light of a disco ball

Feel like dancing to disco tunes AND bowling, but don't know which to choose? Make the choice not to choose! Put on your ugliest Christmas sweaters and head to the BG LAVAL 2000 bowling alley. With 24 lanes at your disposal, a mirror ball and disco music, you're in for an epic evening of laughter. And who knows, you just might score 300 (the perfect bowling score).

Conquering a crazy world

Need a laugh and a break from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season? Visit us at Putting Edge Centropolis. As you enter this colorful, surreal world, you'll have a blast playing mini-golf with family and friends. It's a great way to get away from it all, in a fun-filled environment.

Wise or not, go and see Santa Claus

The real Santa Claus is hiding in Laval, but where? It's up to you to find out by visiting one or other of the magical places where children are welcomed in Laval. In larger-than-life settings, tell him your best secrets (if you're lucky enough to meet him) or give him a wave. He'll know a good child even when he's far away.

Spa, a different kind of evening

Why not turn Tuesday into Spa Tuesday? Get out the bath foam, candles and massage oil. Take care of yourself and use this special activity to create a beautiful family memory. Alternatively, head to Amerispa Sheraton Laval and treat yourself to a pre-office party treatment.

Occasional reading for little flakes

Books are the stuff of dreams and create incomparable moments of togetherness. Sit under the Christmas tree or under the comforter, choose second-hand books and read together as a family. To add to the atmosphere, light a Pin Douglas candle candle (or any other of your choice) found at Lavoie Greenhouses.

Supper leave

Before the round of traditional meals and family dinners, eat something different and convivial (like couscous or paella cooked the authentic way from La P'tite Boutique). Take time off from dinner to cut out paper snowflakes with your kids or play outside, weather permitting.

To your feathers

Saying "I love you" shouldn't have to wait for special occasions. But let's face it, the holiday season is a great time to exchange greetings and love notes. This year, ditch e-mail and write cards by hand. Yes, by hand, just like in the good old days. Cards can be made at home or purchased (by the way, at Les Minettesthey have some very nice ones). It's the words that count.

Everybody out

Put on your tuques, mittens and warm coats - today, it's all happening outside. Rendezvous at Bernard-Landry Park and play disc golf, snow golf (if there's snow) or simply take a long walk along the footpath. The important thing is to get as much fresh air and movement as possible to energize you.

Hitting "no snow" balls

Whether you're a baseball fan or just curious by nature, get into the swing of things this vacation season by opting for an activity that's sure to score points - hitting balls at Coup Sûr!Canada's largest batting center! Whether you're in a group, with your family or on your own, you're sure to have a great time (we apologize for the pun).

Entering the comfort zone

On this last Monday of December, step out of your comfort zone and go play fluorescent mini-golf, try out a racing simulator, play Tower Tag in virtual reality or laser tag, without even having to visit multiple locations! By going directly to Zone 15you'll have plenty of choice to turn your evening into a party.

Fill up on wow!

Garden centers are magical places to be during the holiday season. Beautifully decorated, they offer a wide choice of second-hand plants, decorations and lights. Take a stroll through the glittering aisles of Locas Nursery in search of an ornament for your tree, or to find the perfect host gift, can be as enjoyable as it is practical.

Sharing a moment with friends

Last right before the vacations, it's time to hold on! Before taking a well-deserved break, why not do something fun with your friends? Organize a board game and pyjama night at home, or go to the Randolph Pub Ludique Centropolis. There, you can even buy a game to extend the fun in your living room.

Turn your house into Santa's workshop

Tonight, turn up the music, put on your Christmas slippers and bake cookies in the shape of fir trees and stars. And while the smell of baked goods fills the house, finish off the gift-wrapping with... a meal from Boston Pizzadelivered right to your door. What's the point? To preserve the fragrance of the sweet treats in the oven (and for pleasure, of course).

Quick, get on your skates!

Today, your Friday is all about skating! Meet us at Place Bell to enjoy free skating. Or, weather permitting, strap on your skates and take a moonlit tour of the ice! If you're a field hockey fan, round off your day at the Laval Rocket.

Magic, magic and more magic

There's magic in the air, and a little excitement too. Get a head start on Christmas and jump into the enchantment by visiting illumi. The entire tour will get you into the holiday spirit. The tree of lights, as tall as the Statue of Liberty, will have you spellbound.

Weathering THE storm

There's a legend that parents can predict snow flurries just by observing their children's energy and excitement levels. So that's it, you can feel the storm coming? Invite your kids to spend some energy with a special evening at iSaute in Laval. After that, they should sleep like babies. And so should you.

Happy Holidays!

The whole team at Tourisme Laval wishes you a merry Christmas and a happy holiday season. Enjoy these precious moments with family and friends.