What to do this chilly New Year's Eve in Montreal and Quebec City

The bitter cold may be persisting but so are Montreal, Quebec Cityand their festivities.

Despite fears this deep chill would overcome the celebrations which it did in several other Canadian cities organizers say the party will go on in Montreal's Old Port and on Grande Allein the provincial capital.

Here's what to expect from the parties, as well as a couple more you can hit up if you're feeling adventurous or want to forego the city-sanctioned bashes.

• Hey Montreal, what is your New Year's resolution?

Extreme cold warnings are in effect for both Quebec City and Montreal, so be sure to keep warm.

Environment Canada is cautioning against staying out in the cold for too long. The weatheragency is reminding people that, with temperatures dipping below20 C, frostbite can take effect within minutes.

There will be warming stations amidst the fun in Quebec City. MarchBonsecours, in Montreal's Old Port,will be open until 2 a.m. for people to go inside and warm up.

The Metro will be open all night in Montreal.Trains are expected to pass every 13 to 22 minutes.

Montreal NYE parties

Montreal's fte starts with Le Banquet populaireat noon at MarchBonsecours, where a traditional Quebec holiday meal ofpea soup,tourtire, poor man's pudding and other sweets will be served up for free.

A band will be playing folk music and storytellers will be on hand recounting historic Montreal moments that occurred onDec. 31 throughout the years.

As of 6 p.m., DJs, includingSabrina Sabotage, will get the crisp dance floor going until the 9 p.m. show.

That's when you'll be able to catch musical acts, includingMes Aeux,Garou,Daniel Blanger, Vincent Vallires, Pierre Kwenders, Laurence Nerbonne, Les Deuxluxes and DJ KXO.

Fireworks will go off next to the Jacques Cartier Bridge when the clock strikes midnight, preceded by a special light show on the bridge. You can catch alivestreamof the music and the bridge lightinghere.

DJ Champion cancelled late Sunday afternoon, citing an equipment failure.

The party goes on until 2 a.m. with last-minute replacementDJ Magic Stankeeping the music alive until the end.

Elsewhere in the city, the monthly party Moonshine is holding a specialNYEbash. As is tradition with the party, text514-613-5811 for the secret location.

• Moonshine: The Montreal party that draws 100s to secret locations to dance all night

Ride a ferris wheel at25 C in Quebec City

Quebec City's celebrations are two-fold. The main festivities will take place on GrandeAlle, with a show in front of the legislative building.

It will last from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.with theABC Tour, a collection of musicians and DJs, including DJ Angelz, Bijou and Ciszak.

Bands will also play traditional Quebec folk music at the Parcde la Francophonie as of 9 p.m.

The area will be filled with activities with terraces to warm up on, food trucksand rides, such as a ferriswheel offering a view of the capital city, a giant slide and a zipline.

Similar to Montreal, fireworks will go off at the stroke of midnight.