For one extraordinary night in Montreal, Hampstead Park was transformed into a full-scale, open-air replica of Jerusalem’s renowned Machane Yehuda Market. Shuk 2025, produced and designed by Total Events, marked a cultural shift. It offered a sensory experience of colour, sound, and tradition, and served as the official launch of Federation CJA‘s annual Jewish Campaign, themed It’s Up to Us.
More than 50 vendors, thousands of guests, and a 240-by-80-foot tent formed the core of a community experience that felt both ancient and modern. Israeli street food simmered alongside artisan stalls; spices and sweets mingled with handmade goods; music, laughter, and the rhythmic hum of conversation wove through the crowd like a thread connecting generations.
The entrance set the tone: an immersive floral tunnel leading into rows of custom market stalls, with lanterns hanging throughout the marketplace, patterned details, and bursts of colour that immediately evoked the vibrancy of Middle Eastern markets. Vintage bikes, bold florals, and layered textiles created natural gathering spots, while the dedicated play area, with life-sized games and activities, made the event feel accessible and family-focused in the best possible way.
Under the vast tent, thousands of attendees moved between vendors while Total Events’ design, lighting, and logistics maintained the environment with precision. The layout was deliberate, flowing like a true shuk: energetic enough to feel lively, spacious enough to stay comfortable. A seated lounge with DJ YO-C’s lively Mediterranean and Israeli mixes provided a relaxing break, serving as both a social hub and a cultural touchstone.
Food and craft offerings were at the heart of the event. Guests enjoyed traditional Israeli favourites, explored handmade creations, and engaged directly with community artisans, an important symbolic element in an event focused on connection, identity, and shared responsibility. The evening reflected the campaign theme with immediacy: It’s Up to Us as both a rallying call and a shared experience of collective effort.
As the sun set, the marketplace energy shifted into concert mode. Ishay Ribo, one of Israel’s most celebrated singer-songwriters, took the stage for a performance that united thousands in a wave of music, emotion, and unity. His voice, blending folk, pop, and spiritual warmth, became the emotional centre of the night. When the final notes faded, the sky erupted into a drone show by Illumin Drone Shows, filling the air with symbols, messages, and imagery that conveyed themes of hope, solidarity, and community pride high above the park.
Behind the scenes, Total Events led the production, design, décor, lighting, AV, graphics, vendor coordination, and overall event logistics, an extraordinary effort that demanded precision, cultural sensitivity, and large-scale creative vision. Collaborators, including Karine Bitton, Charlotte Lefebvre, Groupe ABP, DX Mobilier, Celebrations Group, Illumin Drone Show, and photographers Ryan Blau and JP Rossi, helped deliver an experience worthy of the campaign’s purpose.
Shuk 2025 was a reminder of what community feels like when people gather with intention, when culture becomes tactile, when generosity has a heartbeat, and when an entire city can step into a story bigger than itself.
Partners on this project:
Event Logistics, Planning, Production, Design, Lighting, Decor, Audio + Visuals & Graphics: Total Events
Vendor management: Total Events and joint efforts with Karine Bitton
Entertainment: Ishay Ribo, DJ YO-C
Florists: CharlotteLefebvre
Rentals: Groupe ABP, Mobilier événementiel, Celebrations Group
Drone Show: Illumin Drone Shows
Photo Credits: Ryan Blau, JP Rossi
Total Events Planning team: Lorne Levitt, Jen Miller, Faith Tibshirani, Majo Rios, Adam Zemel, John Crawley
To learn more about Total Events, visit their website and social media pages.
