20 things to do in Montreal this weekend: April 14 to April 16

Apr 14 2017, 1:11 am

Take advantage of this long weekend!

In addition to Easter egg hunts and Sunday brunch, this long weekend is filled with exciting events for all, whether you celebrate the holiday are not.

From a Dixie Chicks concert to the first Bixi Bike ride of the season, check out 20 things to do in Montreal this weekend: April 14 – 16.

Friday, April 14

PJ Harvey

The incredibly talented PJ Harvey is coming to Montreal for two VERY highly anticipated shows this month. The English singer/songwriter, poet, and composer released her first album back in 1992, and is now touring her latest release, The Hope Six Demolition Project.
When: April 14 and 15 at 7 pm
Where: Metropolis, 59 St Catherine Est

Le Grand Concert du Vendredi Saint

Each year, Société philharmonique de Montréal puts on a special Easter show. This year is no exception. Le Grand Concert du Vendredi Saint is taking place on Good Friday at 8pm. this The show will feature 400 performers, including Chantal Dionne, Claudine Ledoux, Philippe Gagné, Vincent Ranallo, the UQAM choir, and the École Joseph-François-Perrault choir. Tickets start at $35.
When: April 14, 8 pm
Where: Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste, 4237 Henri Julien Ave

Butterflies Go Free

The Montreal Botanical Garden’s annual “Butterflies Go Free” exhibit is back for another year. Taking over the Main Exhibition Greenhouse from February 23rd until April 30th, 2017, visitors can step into a humid tropical oasis that will make you forget all about winter. As you take in the fragrant flowers and diverse greenery, hundreds of stunning butterflies will fly around you. Feel them as they lightly brush your arm mid-air or examine them up close while perched on a flower.
When: February 23-April 30, 2017
Where: The Montreal Botanical Garden

The Lockhart

Toronto’s Harry Potter-inspired resto-bar, The Lockhart has opened a second location in Montreal! The magical apothecary and 45-seat resto-bar opened its doors on March 24th at 3979 Rue St. Denis. Signature potions and elixirs like Betterbeer and Befuddlement by the pitcher have been replicated on the new Montreal menu, while other features include a tapas menu, street-facing terrace, and eventually, events like Trivia Nights, Magic Nights, and more to come.
When: Tuesday to Friday 5 pm-12 am, Saturday and Sunday 5 pm-2 am
Where: 3979 Rue St. Denis

Fashioning Expo 67

The McCord Museum has announced a temporary exhibition on fashion from the Expo 67 era. The exhibit, titled Fashioning Expo 67, explores the “effervescence of Montreal’s fashion moment.” Over 60 outfits will make up the exhibition, ranging from hostess uniforms to paper dresses, all of which have been created by Quebec designers. Further, Fashioning Expo 67 will feature accessories like hats, gloves, umbrellas, purses, and jewellry, as well as drawings, photographs, documents, and film footage of the fashion at Expo 67.
When: March 17 – October 1
Where: McCord Museum, 690 Sherbrooke St W

Visit a Sugar Shack

Although the bustling urban city of Montreal is not home to any sugar shacks, you won’t have to travel far to get an authentic Quebec experience. Whether you love the horse-drawn carriage rides or the plethora of maple treats, there are plenty of reasons to visit a sugar shack this winter. Typically open from late February to April, some of the best (and closest) sugar shacks to Montreal include Sucrerie de la Montagne, Cabane à Sucre Au Pied Cochon, and Cabane à Sucre Bouvrette.
When: End of February to mid April
Where: Various locations

Barbie Expo

In case you hadn’t heard, Montreal is currently home to the Barbie Expo, the largest permanent collection of Barbie dolls in the world. Montrealers have the chance to see and Instagram over 1,000 one-of-a-kind Barbie dolls. The Barbie dolls on display are not your average Barbie dolls, however. Rather, Barbie Expo is an exhibition of haute couture with Barbie as the model. As the website states, “This is Barbie seen at her fashionable best, a stunningly beautiful collection chicly modeled by the 11½-inch fashion icon.”
When: Open Monday to Wednesday from 10 am to 6 pm, Thursdays and Fridays from 10 pm to 9 pm, Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm, Sundays from noon to 5 pm.
Where: 1455 Rue Peel

Saturday, April 15

Dixie Chicks

American country band Dixie Chicks have won 13 Grammy Awards, released 7 studio albums, all while creating a little political controversy along the way. The trio are back on the road with their DCX MMXVII World Tour, which first began back in 2016.
When: April 15 at 6:30 pm
Where: Bell Centre

Easter at the Zoo

Montreal’s resident zoo, Zoo Ecomuseum in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, is hosting their annual Easter egg hunt on April 15th and 16th. Titled Easter at the Zoo, this festive event will have children searching for Easter eggs, getting their faces painted, and even meeting the Easter bunny himself. Easter at the Zoo is taking place over the course of two days from 9am until 4pm. The Easter egg hunt will kick off the event, followed by face painting courtesy of the zoo’s expert makeup artists and a meet and greet with the Easter bunny. The Easter bunny will be “distributing hugs and chocolate all week long.” Sounds pretty adorable to us! In addition to festive fun, there will be an educational component. Easter at the Zoo will include on-site zoologists, there to answer any and all questions about Zoo Ecomuseum’s animals.
When: April 15-16, 9 am-4 pm
Where: Zoo Ecomuseum, 21125 Sainte Marie Rd

Bixi Bikes

Bixi season begins April 15th and we couldn’t be more excited. Given the mild winter we’ve been having, it’s about time our favourite bike sharing program is brought back to the streets of Montreal. Even better, Manulife and the city of Montreal have a few Bixi-related surprises up their sleeve in honour of the city’s 375th anniversary. In addition to annual free Bixi days, there will be specially designed Bixi Bikes rolled out in May adorned with drawings from local artists representing the city’s anniversary.
When: April 15
Where: Various locations

Montreal Impact vs. Atlanta United FC

Spend your Easter Saturday taking in a soccer match at Stade Saputo. On Saturday, April 15th at 1pm the Montreal Impact face off against Atlanta United FC.
When: April 15, 1 pm
Where: Stade Saputo, 4750 Sherbrooke East Street

Sirop Urban Shack

Quebec eco-entrepreneur permaculture community, Terra Perma, has just announced they will be hosting a popup sugar shack in Montreal between March 18th and April 30th. Sirop Urban Shack will be set up in Montreal neighbourhood, St. Henri, and will feature an all-you-can-eat menu filled with maple goodies courtesy of Terra Perma’s artisanal small batch syrup. Dishes include pea soup, home-style potatoes, smoked bacon, pancakes, sugar pie, and more. Plus, the atmosphere is said to be both fun and enchanting, with a mixture of laid back and gourmet vibes. Tickets cost $20 each so be sure to get yours before they’re gone! This is one of the best opportunities you’ll get to experience a sugar shack without leaving the city.
When: March 18-April 30
Where: 3580 Notre-Dame W

Montreal Digital Spring

Quartier des Spectacles is hosting a unique digital art festival all season long. Throughout the months of March, April, May, and June, Quartier des Spectacles will see all sorts of events pertaining to the digital arts. These include a media lab, live musical performances, and sculptures. Be sure to check out what’s going on in Quartier des Spectacles every weekend in the spring.
When: March 21-June 21
Where: Quartier des Spectacles

Virtual Reality Garden: Felix and Paul Studios

Step back into the Phi Centre’s virtual reality garden, this time showcasing the works of Felix and Paul Studios. This “eclectic and powerful” collection boasts 7 of the studio’s best virtual reality creations, including many curated in collaboration with Cirque du Soleil. Prepare to be amazed by everything from fire and acrobats to President Obama and amphibious characters.
When: March 22-May 29
Where: Phi Centre

Sunday, April 16

21 Swings

Montreal’s beloved 21 Swings (or 21 Balancoires) is back!Officially scheduled to open April 10th, is there any better sign that spring has arrived? The interactive, music art installation will have us all feeling like children again as we swing back and forth while a beautiful melody plays. Created by Daily tous les jours, in collaboration with animal behaviourist Luc-Alain Giraldeau and composer Radwan Ghazi Moumneh, this fun and colourful urban playground will be over 24 hours a day between April 10th and May 28th.
When: April 10-May 28
Where: Promenade des Artistes

The Urban Sugar Shack

Is there anything better than maple taffy in spring? As part of Montreal’s 375th anniversary, the city has commissioned an urban sugar shack to travel all around the city of Montreal bringing maple syrup goodies to Montrealers far and wide. The Urban Sugar Shack will be visiting different Montreal neighbourhoods each weekend in March and April, and bringing with it musical storytellers, coffee and tea, maple treats, and a rustic wooden barn. The Urban Sugar Shack will roll into each borough and set up shop in a local park. Locations still left on the agenda include Rosemont-La Petite Patrie, Ville Marie, Lachine, and Cote des Neiges/NDG. Be sure to indulge in maple syrup on a stick before it’s gone!
When: Until April 16
Where: Kent Park (April 14), Parc Lasalle (April 16)

Walk up Mount Royal

The weather has finally turned so why not take advantage? Go for your first spring walk up Mount Royal! Explore the flora and fauna, wander a new trail, or even have a picnic at Beaver Lake. There is so much to explore at this Montreal landmark.
When: Anytime
Where: Mount Royal

Aislin: 50 Years of Cartoons

A brand new exhibit on famed Canadian editorial cartoonist, Aislin, just opened at the McCord Museum. The exhibit showcases 50 years worth of work from Aislin, whose real name is Terry Mosher. Mosher wrote for the Gazette for many years, and is considered one of the most influential political cartoonists in all of Canada. In fact, Maclean’s has even referred to Aislin as “probably the best satirist in Canada.” Not only does Aislin’s work make you think, but it reflects “Canadian society in its beautiful and less glorious moments.”
When: Until August 13, 2017
Where: McCord Museum, 690 Sherbrooke St W

Decalade

Defy gravity and scale a building like Spiderman courtesy of Old Port’s ultra fun adventure, Decalade. The Decalade challenge is happening at the Conveyer Key Tower in Old Port right now! Participants can choose from a variety of challenges, from the 1-hour “dizzying trip”, to the 3-hour “controlled vertical descent facing the ground like Mission Impossible.” This activity is sure to get your blood pumping as you put yourself in the shoes of all the action hero greats. Sessions are by appointment only and range from $89.99 to $149.00. You can also pay $39.99 for a panoramic selfie as you descend from the roof.
When: By appointment only
Where: Conveyer Key Tower

MTL Zipline

Old Port has decided that they will be opening the MTL Zipline all winter long, which means you can soar through the air any weekend you like. This is the first time ever that MTL Zipline has opened during the winter and we can’t wait to take advantage of this momentous occasion! One trip on the MTL Zipline costs $19.99 for adults or $16.99 for children. Located at the Clock Tower in the heart of Old Port, don’t miss your chance to fly like Superman and marvel at the scenic wintery landscape beneath you.
When: Every weekend this winter, 11 am-5 pm
Where: Clock Tower, Old Port

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