Things to do in and around Montreal this weekend: Dec. 2-4

The snow may be sparse, but it's never too soon to get into the holiday spirit. Here are a few things to do in and around Montreal this weekend, with a festive twist:
HOLIDAY MARKETS
WHERE: Varies
PRICE: Varies
Montreal hosts a wide variety of Christmas markets during the holiday season, from traditional vendors to vegan and Japanese markets.
Find a comprehensive list of holiday markets to check out this weekend here.
COOKIE DECORATING
WHERE: CF Marché des Promenades
PRICE: Free, but book ahead
Feeling crafty, but also peckish? Take part in a free cookie decorating event in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville on the South Shore. Elves will be on site to answer all your cookie-decorating queries.
PEOPLE'S GOSPEL CHOIR
WHERE: Westmount's Victoria Hall Community Centre
PRICE: $27.54 for adults, $11.62 for kids
After a pandemic pause, the People's Gospel Choir is back! On Saturday, the choir, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, will put on its first show in two-and-a-half years.
COCA-COLA HOLIDAY CARAVAN
WHERE: Old Port
PRICE: Free
The massive, Christmas-themed Coca-Cola truck will stop at the Old Port Saturday during its journey through North America. Check out the lights, grab some goodies and take a picture with Santa before it takes off for its next destination.
DOWNTOWN SKATE
WHERE: Quartier des spectacles
PRICE: Free (not including rentals)
Montreal's free, refrigerated, 1,500-square-metre ice rink is back in action at the Esplanade Tranquille. If you don't have the right equipment at home, skate rentals are available on-site.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
A short-lived 'punch in the face' cold snap is coming for Eastern Canada
The beginning of February is expected bring Arctic-like temperatures across much of Eastern Canada, thanks to frigid air from the polar vortex. The cold snap will descend on Eastern Canada this week, with temperatures becoming seasonable again on Sunday. In between, much of Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada can expect the coldest days yet this winter.

Family in remote northern Ont. reeling after daughter killed in fire, home destroyed
A family in the remote community of Peawanuck, Ont., is dealing not only with the death of their young daughter, but the loss of everything they owned in a Jan. 28 house fire.
Late Jean Vanier sexually abused 25 women, says non-profit he founded
A report commissioned by a non-profit organization founded by the late Jean Vanier says the Canadian sexually abused 25 women during his decades with the group.
Girl, 6, dead after accident involving T-bar lift at Quebec ski resort
A six-year-old girl died in hospital Sunday night after being involved in an incident at the Val-Saint-Côme ski resort in Lanaudiere. Quebec police are investigating, though details into the event are not yet known. Officers indicated that it involved a T-bar lift, but they were not able to say more.
BREAKING | Committee of MPs recommends that hybrid Parliament become permanent, with caveats
MPs on the Procedure and House Affairs Committee are recommending that hybrid Parliament and the electronic voting system become permanent features of the House of Commons.
Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Hull dies at 84
Bobby Hull once proudly said that he played the way he lived -- straightforward. The Hockey Hall of Famer, who electrified fans through the 1960s and 70s, died on Monday at the age of 84. Hull played for the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks before a jump to the Winnipeg Jets of the upstart World Hockey Association in 1972, a move that led to lawsuits but ultimately higher salaries for hockey players.
Quebec RCMP say they rescued man trying to cross U.S. border on foot through woods
Quebec RCMP say they rescued a man over the weekend who became lost in the woods in heavy snow while trying to cross the border into the United States.
Why adding a bit of milk to your morning coffee might be good for you
Adding some milk to your morning coffee may boost the body's anti-inflammatory response, new research out of Denmark shows.
Michael Jackson's nephew to star in King of Pop biopic
Michael Jackson's 26-year-old nephew, Jaafar Jackson, will play the King of Pop in the planned biopic "Michael" to be directed by Antoine Fuqua.