Les 400 Coups is one of the eateries participating in Taste Montreal. The eight-ranked restaurant on the Vacay.ca Top 50 Restaurants in Canada list has recently undergone big changes in its kitchen. (Julia Pelish/Vacay.ca)
Story by Vacay.ca Staff
It’s that lull just before Christmas, and admittedly November isn’t really a big month for festivals. But there’s still lots of great things happening across the country.
In Quebec, culinary travellers will enjoy Taste Montreal, a celebration of the city’s sensational culinary scene at bargain prices. Diners can take advantage of multi-course menu prices that range from $19-$39 and at a long slate of restaurants, including Les 400 Coups, which has ranked in the top 10 of the Vacay.ca Top Restaurants in Canada Guide in both 2012 and 2013. The restaurant has undergone significant changes recently, with its talented team of chef Marc-Andre Jette, pastry chef Patrice Demers, and sommelier Marie-Josée Beaudoin turning over the kitchen to a new crew and heading off on new ventures.
Ontario features two heavyweight events. In Hamilton, the Canadian Aboriginal Festival, “signature event” for Canadian Aboriginal peoples will be staged over four days. In Toronto, The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is back for another year. Visitors to the festival over the past fifteen years have included Canadians from across the country, numerous American visitors and many from various off shore countries.
Here is Vacay.ca’s list of the top festivals happening across the country for November:
ONTARIO
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
Toronto
Dates: 1-10
The Royal is the largest combined indoor agricultural fair and international equestrian competition in the world. It is where Canadian and international breeders, growers and exhibitors are declared champions and where hundreds of thousands of attendees come to learn, compete, shop and have a great time with friends and family.
Canadian Aboriginal Festival
Hamilton
Dates: 17-20
The organizers of the Canadian Aboriginal Festival would like to make it very clear that everyone is welcome, all races and creeds. By being a part of our Canadian showcases for aboriginal people, you would in affect be honoring us with your presence.
Windsor International Film Festival
Windsor
Dates: November
WIFF celebrates its ninth anniversary with an expanded and diverse program of films, showcasing 65 films and 97 screenings at the Capitol’s three theatres over an extended six-day period.
CAA Winter Festival of Lights
Niagara Falls
Dates: November 9, 2013 to January 31, 2014
Enjoy the Ontario Power Generation Winter Festival of Lights, Canada’s foremost illumination festival in its most famous address – Niagara Falls – as the magic of the holiday season is captured.
Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival
Toronto
Dates: 5-16
This year’s selection includes a roster of the dark, weird and sometimes scary titles that must be seen on the big screen.
Festival of Northern Lights
Owen Sound
Dates: November 15th 2013 to January 4th 2014
No grinch can resist the magic of the lights as they gradually illuminate the Sydenham River from the Sound to the downtown city core on opening night.
Kidzfest
Toronto
Dates: November
Now in its seventh year, Winter Magic continues to transform Downtown Yonge into a winter playground with dazzling holiday lighting installations, featuring Winter Magic banners and a series of unique signature events.
ALBERTA
Winter Start Festival
Banff
Dates: November 1-December 8
New and exciting this year on the roster is the Snowboard Cross World Cup races, where over 20 nations of top-notch athletes battle to take home gold.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Clayoquot Oyster Festival
Tofino
Dates: November 2013
This year the Clayoquot Sound Oyster Festival celebrates its 17th anniversary of showcasing Tofino’s favourite bivalve. Approximately 50,000 gallons of oysters are harvested in Clayoquot Sound every year and festival-goers do their very best to keep many of these oysters from travelling very far since over the four nights 500-600 attendees will slurp back around 8,000 oysters.
NEW BRUNSWICK
Silver Wave Film Festival
Fredericton
Dates: 7-10
Celebrating New Brunswick films annually and also showcasing films from all over the world. Lots of amazing movies to watch.
QUEBEC
Taste Montréal
Montréal
Dates: 1-11
This second annual festival features culinary bargains, wine events, and musical talent combining to showcase some of the city’s gastronomical highlights.
Cinemania Film Festival
Montréal
Dates: November
Since its inception in 1995, the CINEMANIA Film Festival has presented audiences with French-language films of excellence and originality. Click here to browse upcoming films.
