Exploring entertainment
and leisure in Westmount

From sunrise jogs to after-work meetups, the city offers something for every routine

December 2, 2025

Entertainment and leisure define daily life in Westmount, where tree-lined streets, historic architecture, and a strong sense of community create a setting that feels both urban and village-like. Westmount offers something for every mood, in every season, and residents and visitors find an impressive range of options, from family festivals and cultural venues to outdoor recreation, dining and after‑work relaxation.

Arts and culture

Victoria Hall stands at the heart of Westmount’s cultural life, with its gallery and performance spaces hosting art exhibitions, chamber concerts, film screenings and community events. Its programming gives both emerging and established artists a platform, while residents benefit from a regular calendar of accessible cultural experiences. The atmosphere is intimate and neighbourly, making high‑quality arts events feel close and familiar rather than distant or formal.

From hilltop walks in Summit Woods to festivals in Westmount Park, this small city blends peaceful green space with everyday buzz.

Nearby, the Westmount Public Library is both a working library and an architectural landmark, admired for its historic design and warm interior. Beyond its extensive collections, it offers readings, lectures, film series and children’s programs that turn it into a true gathering place. The building’s character contributes to the pleasure of visiting, whether to work quietly, attend an event or browse.

On the eastern municipal boundary, the Atwater Library extends this cultural and educational network with literacy programs, workshops and community initiatives. Housed in a heritage building, it serves people from Westmount and surrounding neighbourhoods, emphasizing learning, digital skills and social inclusion. Between these institutions, residents have access to a dense, walkable cluster of cultural and educational resources.

Galerie de Bellefeuille, located on Greene Avenue, has established a national reputation over several decades as one of Canada’s premier private art galleries. It represents a wide range of Canadian and international artists and presents exhibitions that attract collectors and art lovers from across the country.

Family events

Each winter, Westmount comes alive with its Winter Carnival, a celebration that turns cold weather into an excuse to be outdoors. Residents gather in local parks and rinks for skating, games and family activities that highlight the city’s welcoming community spirit. The carnival offers a chance for neighbours to meet, children to play in the snow, and everyone to enjoy the festive atmosphere close to home.

Family Day in May brings a different energy, with warmer weather inviting people into parks and public spaces for games, food stands and entertainment. Families can spend the day moving between activities, listening to music or simply enjoying a picnic while children explore the grounds. Together, these two events frame the year with occasions that foster a sense of belonging and intergenerational connection.

Community centres and services

Community services contribute significantly to Westmount’s quality of life, especially for older adults, families and newcomers. Contactivity, a senior community centre, offers social activities, fitness classes, affordable lunches and educational programs designed to combat isolation and support active aging. Members can take part in everything from language classes and lectures to outings and hobby groups.

Centre Greene serves as another important hub, especially for children, youth and families. It provides after‑school programs, day camps, sports, arts activities and community events that help young people develop skills and friendships in a safe, supervised environment. Its programming reflects the diversity of the broader neighbourhood, welcoming participants from Westmount and adjacent areas.

‘Community services contribute significantly to Westmount’s quality of life, especially for older adults, families and newcomers.’

Victoria Hall complements these organizations by hosting community meetings, classes, local clubs and cultural events. Residents might attend a public lecture one evening, a film screening the next and a neighbourhood celebration on the weekend. Together, these services ensure that Westmount is not simply a pleasant residential area but an active, supportive community.

Fitness and recreational spots

For those focused on health and fitness, Westmount offers an enviable range of options. The YMCA Westmount provides a familiar, multi‑generational environment with a pool, gym facilities, group classes and youth programs. Families can register for swimming lessons, older adults can attend low‑impact classes, and individuals of all ages can find a routine that suits their schedule.

Outdoors, Westmount’s parks and facilities support activity in every season. Walking and jogging paths wind through nearby green spaces, while tennis courts and fitness facilities invite residents to stay active in warmer months. The Westmount Recreation Centre is a focal point, with its outdoor pool for summer swimming and two skating rinks that serve both casual skaters and organized hockey during the winter.

Historic sites like the Westmount Athletic Ground, once central to major sporting events, speak to a long tradition of athletics in the city. Today, green spaces such as Westmount Park, King George Park, and the forested trails of Summit Woods offer walking, running, playgrounds and viewpoints over the city. The Bowling Green adds a more leisurely summer sport to the mix, and a growing network of cycling paths supports both recreational rides and active commuting.

Restaurants and dining

Westmount’s dining scene combines long‑standing institutions with newer, design‑conscious restaurants that reflect contemporary tastes. Classic and family‑friendly spots like Chez Nick offer comfort food and relaxed dinners that have become part of many residents’ weekly routines. These places often double as informal meeting points, where regulars greet each other by name.

‘Discover where Westmounters dine, shop and unwind without leaving the community.’

Fine-dining and gourmet restaurants such as Balos, offering contemporary Greek-Mediterranean cuisine, and Park, a chef‑driven destination for sushi and Japanese‑influenced tasting menus, offer inventive menus, ideal for date nights, business dinners or celebrations. Their wine lists, carefully plated dishes, and warm interiors give the area a distinctly cosmopolitan flavour without requiring a trip downtown. International choices like Saint Sushi, Toucheh and Amalia add further variety, allowing residents to explore diverse cuisines within a few blocks.

If you’re hoping to start your relaxation with a warm drink or a light snack, then Westmount’s cafes will host you just fine. Cafe Gentile, Forno West, Bistro La Franquette, Spuntino Café Resto, and Spirulina offer everything from espresso and pastries to plant‑based meals and quick lunches. Aux Vivres in Victoria Village offers casual, fully vegan bowls, burgers and smoothies in a laid‑back setting. For evenings at home, La Cucina Di Tony provides a trusted takeout option, ideal for informal dinners with family or friends. Please note that most classic Westmount sit‑down spots wind down kitchen service around 10 p.m. or shortly after.

Shopping in Style

Shopping in Westmount blends small‑scale charm with urban convenience. Quartier Greene, centred on Greene Avenue, is known for its elegant boutiques, design shops, eateries and art galleries, encouraging leisurely window‑shopping and spontaneous stops for coffee. The streetscape feels intimate and walkable, making it easy to combine errands with a pleasant stroll.

‘From boutique shopping to nearby cinemas, Westmount offers relaxed urban pleasures close to home.’

Victoria Village, centred around Victoria Avenue and nearby streets, offers another cluster of independent shops, specialty food stores and cafés. In this village‑like setting, fashion and lifestyle boutiques showcase thoughtfully curated collections, many featuring Canadian and Montréal designers alongside international labels. Sherbrooke Street West also offers retail, from fashion and home décor to professional services.

For one‑stop practicality, Alexis Nihon complex adds a fully enclosed urban mall with major national retailers, everyday services and an expanding mix of smaller specialty shops, making it a convenient counterpoint to Westmount’s street‑front boutiques. You’ll also find easy public transit access there.

After‑work leisure

After work, Westmount lends itself to both quiet downtime and sociable evenings. Many people choose to stop at local cafés for a late‑day coffee, glass of wine or light snack, often extending the workday into a more relaxed, conversational setting, with warm lighting, comfortable seating and a mix of students, professionals and long‑time residents.

Those in the mood for something livelier can visit nearby lounges and bars, including pubs with indoor spaces for winter and outdoor terraces that come alive in spring and summer. The proximity of the Atwater Market area and the Cinema Cineplex Forum, across Atwater Street, means that an evening can easily include a film screening, a drink and a walk along the canal or through nearby streets. For at-home entertainment, many residents increasingly explore digital alternatives such as movie streaming platforms and online gaming sites, turning to expert opinion on iGaming to discover safe, reputable, and enjoyable options. It’s a modern form of leisure that delivers endless variety and rewarding experiences without requiring you to leave the couch.

‘Weekdays or weekends, the neighbourhood’s festivals, restaurants and community centres keep local life buzzing.’

Across its parks, cultural institutions, community centres, restaurants and shops, Westmount offers an impressive range of ways to unwind, connect and explore. Whether attending a concert at Victoria Hall, skating at the Recreation Centre, discovering new art on Sherbrooke Street or lingering over coffee on a terrace, people find that entertainment and leisure are built into the very fabric of daily life in this compact, character‑rich city.