Montreal’s Place Jacques-Cartier will host a new winter music festival, SOUS ZÉRO, from December 29 to 31. Organized by Aire Commune, the event aims to bring residents and visitors together during the holiday season, featuring a lineup of Montreal-based artists and activities designed to celebrate the city’s vibrant cultural scene.
The festival, a free outdoor event, marks Aire Commune’s first venture into winter programming. Known for its summer initiatives that drew over 50,000 attendees in 2024, the organization is now adapting its expertise to colder months. Co-founder Émilie Wake explained, “With SOUS ZÉRO, we’re creating an event to warm up Montreal’s winter and offer a central space for people to connect and celebrate.”
Frikiton / Ed Winter
Musical Highlights and Daily Themes
The three-day festival will spotlight diverse musical styles, beginning with a Latin-flavoured evening on December 29. Moroccan-Canadian DJ Chloe Lallouz will kick off the event with a set blending hip-hop, amapiano, and reggaeton. The Frikiton collective and reggaeton singer Ed Winter will follow, offering a high-energy performance accompanied by dancers.
December 30 shifts focus to Afro-diasporic rhythms, with MS. BABY delivering a set inspired by her Cameroonian heritage, fusing Afrobeat and electro. Rising local artist Aswell, known for his mix of rap and Quebec folk, will headline the night. With over 25 million streams ahead of his debut album Banlieue, released last spring, Aswell is seen as a breakout star of Montreal’s music scene.
The festival concludes on December 31 with a nostalgic “Throwback Evening.” DJ Taima will spin R&B and hip-hop tracks, leading up to a live-streamed New Year’s countdown on a giant screen. DJ Kelly will close the night with a mix of 1990s and 2000s hits.
Aswell
Broader Impact and Partnerships
The event is a collaborative effort supported by the City of Montreal, Tourisme Montréal, and local organizations like the SDC Vieux-Montréal. Yves Lalumière, President and CEO of Tourisme Montréal, noted, “SOUS ZÉRO enriches our city’s tourist appeal, showcasing Montreal as a must-visit winter destination.”
SOUS ZÉRO is free to the public, with programming and details available at festivalsouszero.ca and on social media @festivalsouszero.
