22 things to do this weekend in Montreal: January 20 to January 22

Yet another 2017 weekend is approaching, and folks, it looks like it’s going to be a great one!

Take advantage of the mild winter we’ve been having and get out there! Whether you’re feeling a culinary festival, car show, or snowshoeing expedition, there is no shortage of fun activities taking place this weekend in Montreal.

For a little inspiration, check out 22 things to do this weekend in Montreal: January 20 – 22.

Friday, January 20

The Auto Show

Calling all car buffs! A massive auto show is happening at Palais des Congres this month. Happening for ten whole days between January 20th and January 29th, 2017, The Auto Show will showcase more than 75 exhibitors. Both car manufacturers and car product and service providers will be present. In addition there will be test drives, an Accelerator Contest, a performance zone, and much more. Some of this year’s top exhibitors include Maserati, Ferrari, Lexus, BMW, Rolls Royce, Porsche, Bentley, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Lamborghini, and Aston-Martin.
When: January 20-29, 2017
Where: Palais des Congres, 1001 Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle

Le Chop

It may be cold out, but at least you can eat well for next to nothing in Montreal! Participating restaurants in this year’s 4th edition of LeChop MTL will be offering three course meals for just $25 and will be putting their own spin on a specific dish each week of the festival. The festival is going on until February 11th, 2017 and features four incredible restaurants, Newtown, Weinstein & Gavino’s, L’Atelier d’Argentine, and Decca 77.
When: January 4-February 11, 2017
Where: Weinstein & Gavinos (1434 Rue Crescent), L’Atelier d’Argentine (1458 Rue Crescent and 355 Marguerite D’Youville), Newtown (1476 Rue Crescent), and Decca 77 (1077 Rue Drummond)

Cross Country Skiing at the Montreal Botanical Garden

If ice skating, snowshoeing, and snow tubing just aren’t your jam, perhaps you should try your hand at cross country skiing. While Mount Royal boasts excellent ski trails in the winter, there is nothing quite like the serene surroundings of the Montreal Botanical Garden. The Garden invites Montrealers to get outdoors and enjoy an afternoon of cross country skiing on its 3 kilometers of groomed trails. Follow the snowy paths around the Arboretum, through the outdoor gardens, and into Parc Maisonneuve if you choose. There are plenty of routes for the whole family to enjoy.
When: December 20-March 15, 2017
Where: Montreal Botanical Garden, 4101 Rue Sherbrooke Est

Happening Gourmand

Table d’hote at reduced prices? Yes, please. Eat like a king for less courtesy of Happening Gourmand, one of Montreal’s best culinary festivals. Taking place in Old Montreal between January 5th and February 5th, the festival has partnered with top-notch Montreal restaurants to deliver high quality meals at a fixed price (ranging from $23 to $30). Some of this year’s participating restaurants including Suite 701, Vieux-Port Steakhouse, Bevo Bar + Pizzeria, Modavie Bistro, and Kyo Bar Japonais.
When: January 5-February 5, 2017
Where: Various locations

Luminotherapie

Think of Luminotherapie as the 21 Balancoires of the winter months. Set up in Place des Festivals every year, Luminotherapie is an interactive art installation with featuring bright and twinkly holiday lights. Comprised of mesmerizing loops that light up and play music, the event invites Montrealers to take part in their very own winter playground.
When: December 8, 2016 – January 29, 2017
Where: Place des Festivals

Nordik Slide

In addition to free shows, 2 extra weeks of programming, and a killer lineup, Igloofest 2017 also marks the return of the Nordik Slide. A winter tradition dating back over 100 years, Igloofest’s Nordik Slide has been wowing Montrealers for several years in a row. Presented as a contemporary update on a winter carnival classic (with an Igloofest touch), there is surely tons of fun to be had on the Nordik Slide. It will be set up in Place Jacques Cartier all festival long, meaning you have between January 12th and February 19th to check it out.
When: January 12-February 19, Thursdays to Sundays
Where: Place Jacques Cartier

Saturday, January 21

Animals Inside Out

The Montreal Science Centre is currently hosting an insane exhibition that allows the public to see exactly what lies inside the body of an animal. The Body Worlds exhibit, aptly titled Animals Inside Out, “sheds light on what lies beneath the skin of more than 50 animals.” Through a technique called plastination, experts have removed the skin from various animals, providing a never-before-seen glimpse of the muscular, skeletal, nervous, and digestive systems, as well as the blood vessels and internal organs of different animals.
When: Until March 12, 2017
Where: Montreal Science Centre, 2 Rue de la Commune O

Village Nordik

The Christmas markets may be gone, but Igloofest’s free winter village is in full swing. Village Nordik is back for another year of action-packed winter fun, setting up shop in Old Port for six whole weeks (January 12th until February 19th, to be exact). This year’s Village Nordik is an interactive play area curated by seven local design firms, each of which have been asked to present their vision of winter living. In the past, visitors have seen everything from igloos and ice sculptures to warm fire (featuring roasted marshmallows) and giant reindeer statues
When: January 12-February 19
Where: Place des Vestiges

City Lights Snowshoeing Excursions

Discover the secrets of Montreal by snowshoe on one of Les Amis de la Montagne’s City Lights Snowshoeing Excursions. Happening at nightfall every Friday and Saturday evening between January 6th and March 4th, tour guides will lead brave snowshoers on a 90-minute expedition through Mount Royal. There will also be hot chocolate along the way!
When: Fridays and Saturday between January 6 and March 4, 2017 at 6pm
Where: Meeting place is the Beaver Lake Pavilion

Igloofest

Montreal’s coolest (get it?) winter music festival is back. Happening four weekends in a row in the dead of winter, Igloofest will be taking over Old Port with their incredible lineup of electronic musicians. The 2017 lineup includes Kim Ann Foxman, Grand Theft, Tiga, and Vakuum to name a few.
When: Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday between January 12 and February 4, 2017
Where: Old Port

La Petite Floride

In an effort to revitalize vacant land along the Mile End railway, a hangout spot in an abandoned parking lot has popped up in recent weeks. Featuring a school bus-turned-cafe, picnic tables, lights, and a skating rink, this newest late night joint is called La Petite Floride. Open every Saturday night from December 2nd until the end of March, this is the place to be in winter. Grab some mulled wine, sit by the fire, skate around the manmade rink (featuring paintings by local artists), and enjoy a relaxing night in this urban oasis.
When: Saturdays 9 pm-1 am, from December 2nd until the end of March 2017
Where: 5705 avenue de Gaspé

Get a ramen burger at Orange Cafe

A hybrid between the quintessential American burger and the Japanese noodle-based dish, the ramen burger is available at Orange Cafe. Orange Cafe is casual eatery specializing in Canadian fare and located on Decarie. Though everything is pretty darn yummy, we must say if you love hip foods then you have to try their ramen burger. It comes with salad and french fries, and is made with grilled ramen noodles, a beef patty, egg, sambal mayo, and arugula. It doesn’t get much better than that.
When: Monday to Wednesday 6 am-3 pm, Thursday and Friday 6 am-10 pm, Saturday and Sunday 7 am-10 pm
Where: Orange Cafe, 4011 Bd Décarie

Ice Pirate Ship

This year, in honour of Montreal’s 375th anniversary, Fete des Neiges is going to be bigger than ever. Their 2017 programme, though not yet fully released, includes a range of brand new events and activities including snow archery, the Pat’Patrouille Academy for kids, Le Simulateur Genial at the Biosphere, and none other than an ice boat. What exactly is an ice boat, you may ask? Ice Boat is an interactive pirate ship made out of ice. From the pictures, the ship looks absolutely massive and will be open for kids and adults to not only marvel at but to walk on top of. The description reads, “Come and meet Captain Criniere and the crew of this huge pirate ship! Young and old, get on board and slip into this majestic setting.”
When: January 14-February 5, 2017
Where: Parc Jean Drapeau

Snow Tubing on Mount Royal

Slide down the snow atop Mount Royal on the designated snow tubing trails near Beaver Lake. Rent an inflatable inner tube or bring your own, and enjoy an afternoon of gliding down the mountain at high speeds. Rentals are $9 for adults and $5 for kids, however snow tubing is free for those who bring their own gear.
When: December 17-March 6, 2017
Where: Beaver Lake, Mount Royal

Sunday, January 22

Skating in Old Port

Boasting perhaps the most picturesque rink in all of Montreal, the Bonsecours Basin outdoor skating rink will be up and running this December. Bring your own skates (and a hot date) and enjoy a magical night of skating under the stars to holiday tunes.
When: Early December 2016-March 12, 2017
Where: Old Port

Village Mammouth

Olympic Stadium’s Village Mammouth is the place to be this winter. The festivals boasts an ice skating rink, snow tubing slides, a winter fair, food trucks, live music, and more. Village Mammouth is open all winter long, until March 12, 2017. Admission is completely free, though ice skating or tubing will cost you.
When: December 9-March 12, 2017
Where: Olympic Village

Snowshoeing on Mount Royal

Go on a snowshoeing adventure in the heart of the city on Mount Royal. Where winter fun prevails, Mount Royal is home to ice skating, cross country skiing, sledding, snow tubing, and snowshoeing in the wintertime. There are over 3km of trails and snowshoes can be rented from the Beaver Lake Pavilion. The cost of rentals is $9 for 1 hour or $15 for 3 hours, however if you have your own, this activity is completely free.
When: December 3-March 12, 2017
Where: Beaver Lake, Mount Royal

Snow Yoga at Parc Laurier

Montreal-based fitness company, POP Spirit, is hosting a series of outdoor yoga sessions this winter. Aptly titled POP Yoga Neige, classes will take place between January 7th and March 12th in Parc Lafontaine and Parc Wilfrid Laurier. All classes are free to the public and boast top-notch instructors. All you have to do is bring your own mat and dress warmly (and we mean, really warm). Happening every weekend until March 12th, classes start at 10:30am sharp and last for roughly 40 minutes. Saturday mornings sessions will be held at Parc Lafontaine and Sunday mornings they will be held at Parc Laurier. Time to start practicing your downward dog in sub-zero temperatures!
When: Sundays between January 7 and March 12, 10:30am
Where: Parc Laurier

Dog Sledding

Thanks to Parc Jean Drapeau’s annual Fete des Neiges, Montrealers can go on an exhilarating dog sledding adventure just 5 minutes from downtown Montreal. Happening from January 14 until February 5, 2017, Parc Jean Drapeau will be turned into a winter wonderland. The 2017 program of events includes a wide range of activities, but our personal favourite? “A dog sled ride.” Accompanied by a guide, 2 or 3 people can sit in a sled and be pulled by a team of gorgeous huskies. It appears you don’t have to trek further north for a little dog sledding fun.
When: January 14-February 7, 2017
Where: Parc Jean Drapeau

Snowshoeing at the Morgan Arboretum

Take your date on an enchanting snowshoeing tour through the trees of the Morgan Arboretum. The 5km trail starts from behind the Arboretum’s Pine Cottage and takes you all around the centre’s grounds. Prepare for a day of snow-filled fun. Snowshoe rentals cost $7. Alternatively, if you’d love to snowshoe closer to the downtown core, snowshoeing is possible on Mount Royal and snowshoes can be rented from the Beaver Lake Pavilion.
When: December 2016-March 2017
Where: Morgan Arboretum, 150 Ch des Pins, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue

Fete des Neiges

Get active with your date and take them to Montreal’s biggest winter festival, Fete des Neiges. Taking place between January 14th and February 5th, Parc Jean Drapeau will host a myriad of snow-themed events and activities. On this year’s schedule? Everything from evening dance parties to dog sledding. Outdoor activities include snow tubing, cross country skiing, dog sledding, snow archery, an icy pirate ship, a special simulator at the Biosphere, ice skating, ice sculptures, ziplining, a ferris wheel, a Village of Penguins, a Polar Circus, snow scooters, an inflatable bouncy castle, and a mini igloo play area. Though some activities will cost you, many are free. Plus, walking around the grounds on its own is enough of a fun time.
When: January 14-February 5, 2017
Where: Parc Jean Drapeau

Skating at Beaver Lake

Ice skating on top of Mount Royal is simply magical. Each year, Beaver Lake freezes over and Montrealers are invited to skate on this iconic pond. If you have your own skates, this activity is totally free. If not, you can rent skates from the chalet for $9.
When: December 3-March 12, 2017
Where: Beaver Lake, Mount Royal