December 16, 2025

Celebrate the Holidays in an Eco-Friendly Way: Travel Right in Your Own Backyard

Tourisme Laval Video Tourisme Laval L" with the Family

December brings its soft light, its quiet evenings, and that need to warm up a bit. In the cold air, we walk, we breathe, and we feel the holiday season drawing near. In Laval, you can experience a true escape without going far. You can travel close to home, enjoy winter, and celebrate in a more eco-friendly way. It’s simple, soothing, and often more magical than you might imagine.

Why Choose Eco-Friendly Parties?

The holidays make us want to treat ourselves, get out and about, and enjoy wonderful experiences. But many people also want to be mindful: consume less, travel less, and support their communities. One way to do this is to stay close to home. We take the time to appreciate what we already have. We discover what’s around us. We create memories… without increasing our ecological footprint.

In Laval, it’s all here: nature, activities, artisans, and great food. You can celebrate in a different way, but without losing any of the fun.

Local Travel: Simple, Relaxing, and Surprising

Traveling close to home means giving yourself a real break. No long trips. No stress. No need to plan everything weeks in advance. You travel less, so you pollute less and enjoy yourself more.

Above all, we support local people. Laval has a significant amount of farmland. In fact, nearly 30% of the island’s land is farmland. It is home to major producers, such as the Marineau Farm, the Forget Farm , and Cléroux Greenhouses. Buying their products, visiting their farms, or simply selecting their produce for holiday meals is already a sustainable choice.

We also support local businesses, artisans, and activities. It’s good for the environment. It’s good for the local economy. And it’s good for the community.

How can you celebrate the holidays in an eco-friendly way in Laval?

Here are a few simple and accessible ideas for planning a short winter getaway close to home.

Go out and play in nature

The Nature Center is perfect for that. It’s a large, easily accessible park. You can get there on foot or by public transit. In winter, there are trails for walking, sledding, ice skating, or cross-country skiing. It’s simple and affordable—a great way to have fun outdoors. Imagine an afternoon spent sledding or ice skating. Your cheeks turn red. You laugh. You come back with a great sense of freedom, just like after a little getaway in the great outdoors.

Visit the Christmas Market and support the artisans

The Christmas markets transform the destination into a village aglow with lights. The little wooden huts are filled with creations by local artisans. There are gourmet treats, decorations, clothing, and handmade items.

It’s the perfect place to find eco-friendly gifts. We buy local. We avoid mass-produced items. We meet passionate artisans. And it feels good to make a more sustainable choice.

The atmosphere is cozy. We sip hot chocolate. We listen to children’s stories. We stroll slowly among the lights. It’s simple and very warm and welcoming.

Explore Laval's many trails

Laval is full of wooded areas and natural sites. You can go for a walk along the Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, in the Équerre Woods or in several other parks. These places are truly beautiful in winter. The stillness of the snow, the sound of footsteps, the calming of one’s breathing… everything invites you to rest.

After the walk, you can stop by a neighborhood café. We’ll have something hot. We’ll treat ourselves to some real “me time.”

A gesture for the environment… and for the community

By supporting Laval’s businesses and activities, we’re directly supporting the local community. We’re contributing to the destination’s vitality. We keep our natural spaces alive and protected. Local tourism isn’t just a “Plan B.” It’s a meaningful gesture. A thoughtful choice. A way to celebrate more gently, more mindfully. And above all, it allows us to create rich, authentic, and accessible memories.

A Peaceful Holiday Season

This year, why not treat yourself to a simple gift? The gift of slowing down. The gift of a getaway right nearby, in Laval. A moment to breathe, walk, explore, cheer others on, and marvel at the world. Because a trip doesn’t have to be far away to be memorable.