28 things to do in Montreal this weekend: July 21 - July 23

From Just For Laughs and Bouffons MTL to the International Fireworks Competition, Shakespeare-in-the-Park, and a free block party hosted by OSHEAGA, this weekend is on fire!

Check out 28 things to do in Montreal this weekend: July 21 – July 23.

Friday, July 21

Just For Laughs

Montreal’s biggest comedy festival, Just For Laughs, welcomes some of the best and biggest comedians in the whole world! 2017 headliners include Jim Carrey, Kevin Hart, John Mulaney, Ali Wong, David Spade, Trevor Noah, Judd Apatow, Howie Mandel, Rick Mercer, Sugar Sammy, Laverne Cox, and the Jerry Seinfeld! Be sure to enjoy all this comedy festival has to offer by heading down to PDA this weekend!
When: Until July 31, 2017
Where: Various locations

Musée National du Tim Hortons

In celebration of the iconic Canadian chain, a Montreal couple decided to open a museum dedicated to Tim Hortons. Officially called the Musée National du Tim Hortons, this incredible act of Canadian pride was cultivated by two individuals: Lorie-Anne Chamberland and Alexandre Contant. The museum is located in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough of Montreal and has all sorts of Tim Hortons paraphernalia.  We’re talking about Tim Hortons frisbees, yo-yos, a limited edition Yahtzee game, water bottles, cowboy hats, coffee makers, visors, gift cards, bottled ice caps, mugs, tables, plastic bags and cups, and much more!
When: By appointment only
Where: Hochelaga-Maisonneuve

Marche des Possibles

Pop Montreal’s Marche des Possibles returns for yet another year! Taking over the Mile End until August 13, this public open-air market has become a local favourite in recent years owing to its incredible lineup of activities. Founded in 2014, the market’s “diversified socio-cultural programming” includes everything from musical performances and film screenings to food trucks, pop up restaurants, a beer garden, and an artisanal market. The market is located at the corner of Rue St. Dominique and Bernard and opens every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Whether you want to go grocery shopping, take in some live music, bargain hunt for a new wardrobe, grab lunch, or relax in a beer garden, Marche des Possibles is the place to be!
When: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until August 13, 2017
Where: 5635 Rue St. Dominique

Voiles en Voiles

Voiles en Voiles has returned to Old Port once again! Open all summer long, this attraction encourages both children and adults to “live a memorable adventure.” This family park features 61 activities and will have Montrealers exploring a giant pirate ship by way of climbing, sliding, aerial adventure courses, and inflatable games. Whether you want to soar 20 feet high in the air, conquer a built-in rock climbing wall, or play in a bouncy castle, there is something for everyone. Rates vary depending on which activities you want to do aboard the ship. For example, access to the inflatable games is just $12, while access to the inflatable games, rock climbing wall, aerial courses, and the all aboard course will set you back $45. No matter which you choose, it’s guaranteed to be an afternoon you’ll never forget! Be sure to head down to Old Port before the end of the season.
When: Until the end of October
Where: Place des Vestiges, Old Port

La Ronde

Montreal’s resident amusement park is open for the summer – and they’ve got amazing deals on passes! For a little more incentive, check out 11 rides at La Ronde you have to try. Alternatively, you can read all about La Ronde’s insane new ride, Titan, here.
When: Until October 2017
Where: La Ronde, 22 Chemin Macdonald

Aura at the Notre Dame Basilica

An immersive and luminous experience is happening right now at Montreal’s Notre Dame Basilica. Owing to the city’s 375th anniversary, Montreal’s most famous landmark is putting on a mesmerizing light show for the rest of 2017. Created by Moment Factory, Aura is a two-act multimedia show featuring both music and special lighting effects. According to the official description, “AURA will help visitors discover one of Canada’s greatest heritage monuments in a whole new way and will move them with its portrayal of its treasures.”
When: Everyday except Sundays
Where: Notre Dame Basilica, 110 Notre-Dame St W

Sherbrooke’s Open Air Museum

As part of Montreal’s 375th anniversary celebrations, Sherbrooke Street has been temporarily turned into an open-air museum. According to the website, it gives Montrealers “the chance to soak up a spectacular world-class public art exhibition.” Coordinated by the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the project marks the 375th anniversary of the city, the 50th anniversary of Expo 67, and the 150th anniversary of Canada. In honour of these important dates, this pop-up museum features 67 original works of Canadian art that “convey a message of peace and reflect the universal values of humanism, tolerance and openness that inspired Expo 67.” Finally, flags from each of the 13 provinces and territories, and from over 200 countries have been flown above the exhibition on Sherbrooke.
When: Until October 2, 2017
Where: Sherbrooke Street West between the McCord Museum and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.

Saturday, July 22

Sessions 375 X OSHEAGA Block Party

To celebrate Montreal’s 375th anniversary, OSHEAGA Music & Arts Festival, along with the Montréal International Jazz Festival, îleSoniq, and POP Montréal, have teamed up to bring you one incredible outdoor partying experience called, Sessions 375 X OSHEAGA Block Party. This free event, which takes place this Saturday, July 22 at 3:00 pm at the Van Horne Underpass, promises to be filled with art, music, and fun. On the docket for this unique experiential events are musical performances by The BADDER Band, Poirier, Voyage Funktastique, Killa-Jewel, The Fitness & Pony, and FIGxFALZ. There will also be a breakdance demo by Clean Fresh Air Dance Crew, a vinyl pop-up where you can listen to the records of some of this year’s hottest OSHEAGA headliners, and a live painting exhibition by SCAN & ZEK. Finally, what block party would be complete without food? Sessions 375 X OSHEAGA Block Party will be teeming with delicious bites courtesy of The Festival YUL Eat Picnic Zone!
When: July 22, 3 pm
Where: Van Horne Underpass

The Melting Pot Block Party

The Melting Pot Block Party, a staple of the city’s Just For Laughs festivities for the last four years, returns to Montreal for two weeks this summer. Every night of the festival, which goes until July 30th, a lineup of incredible DJs will turn Quartier des Spectacles into an open-air nightclub starting at 10 pm. Everything from electronic and hip hop to funk and house music will taking over the downtown core of Montreal between 10 pm and 3 am. Headliners for this year’s edition include Paris & Simo, Michael Brun, Russell Peters, Fatman Scoop, Paolo Rocco, and more. Finally, the Melting Pot is completely free of charge, so prepare to party hard all night long for the cost of zero dollars.
When: Every night until July 30, 10 pm – 3 am
Where: Quartier des Spectacles

Bouffons MTL!

Located in the Quartier des Spectacles between Jeanne-Mance and St-Laurent, Bouffons MTL! is part of the Just for Laughs festival and also the largest open-air gastronomy village in North America. This year’s honorary guest is Marc-André Jetté, of the critically acclaimed restaurant, Hoogan & Beaufort. The chef is hosting a series of meet and greets, in addition to serving a special BouffonsMTL! menu. This food festival is an opportunity to discover Montreal’s culinary multiculturalism catered by some of the city’s finest restaurants pop-ups and food trucks.
When: Until July 30, 12 pm – 11 pm
Where: Between Jeanne-Mance and St-Laurent

International Fireworks Competition

The International Fireworks Competition has returned, which means for each Saturday this month, there will be a special fireworks show in Old Port! Get there early to secure your spot for this mesmerizing summer festival.
When: July 22, 2017
Where: La Ronde

Shakespeare-in-the-Park

Repercussion Theatre’s Shakespeare-in-the-Park returns to Montreal for yet another year of summer theatre fun. This year, the troupe is performing Much Ado About Nothing. As per usual, the company is travelling all around Montreal, performing live outdoors in parks all over the city, from Westmount to Dorval. Whether you’re a Shakespeare buff, English major, or you just love being outside, Shakespeare-in-the-Park is for you!
When: Weekly until August 15
Where: Various parks in Montreal, for a full list of locations click here

Love Is Love

A new temporary exhibition at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts opened and we couldn’t be more excited! Titled Love is Love, the exhibit showcases French designer, Jean-Paul Gaultier’s haute couture bridal creations. Centred around a grand wedding cake, Love Is Love displays Gaultier’s most beautiful and mesmerizing bridal ensembles. According to the official description, “Their daring lines and exquisite artistry bear witness to the eccentricity of this iconoclastic designer who is renowned for his spectacular silhouettes as well as his humanist, inclusive vision. This celebration of marriage and love brings together heterosexual, homosexual, intercultural and interracial couples in diversity and peace.”
When: Until October 9, 2017
Where: Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

Aquazilla

Parc Jean Drapeau’s Aquazilla, the park’s resident inflatable obstacle course on the water, is back for summer 2017. The 30×35 meter inflatable structure is comprised of obstacles, slides, and more in the form of a wiggle bridge, a water trampoline, an infinity loop, monkey bars, a flip bag, and a giant swing. Aquazilla officially opened June 12th and will be open between 10am and 7pm daily until August 27th. Tickets cost $12 per hour for children and $15 per hour for adults.
When: Until August 27, 10 am-7 pm
Where: Beach Jean-Dore, Parc Jean Drapeau

Monumental Dougherty

The Botanical Garden recently opened their new exhibit. Open until September 4th, Monumental Dougherty is a unique installation featuring sculptures made out of willow tree branches. Famous land artist, Patrick Dougherty, is the one behind this magnificent exhibit. According to the website, “His sculptures woven from willow branches will be true odes to nature, treating visitors to a poetic adventure and paying tribute to these trees in artistic and creative fashion.”
When: Until September 4, 2017
Where: Montreal Botanical Garden, 4101 Rue Sherbrooke E

Clock Tower Beach

Old Montreal’s famous Clock Tower Beach was closed last summer, but it has reopened for summer 2017, giving Montrealers all the benefits of a beach without leaving the city. Set up at Clock Tower Quay, Clock Tower Beach sits on the banks of the Saint Lawrence and features white sand, blue umbrellas, lounge chairs, and even a resident bar (L’Horloge). Entrance to the beach is just $2, which is a small price to pay for paradise! The beach will be open on weekends only until June 11, and then every day of the week starting June 16.
When: Until September 4
Where: Clock Tower Quay, Old Port

The Wave Cooling Station

A whole new way to cool off! The borough of Plateau-Mont-Royal just introduced a cooling station to the neighbourhood. This unique installation is set up on the east side of St-Denis between Marie-Anne and Duluth and features a 22-metre long misting rack, allowing pedestrians to cool off on hot summer days. The cooling station, dubbed “The Wave,” is open for the whole summer!
When: Until the end of summer
Where: St-Denis between Marie-Anne and Duluth

Sunday, July 23

Spoon and The New Pornographers

American rock band, Spoon, returns to Montreal to perform tracks from their latest album, Hot Thoughts. Canadian indie rock band, The New Pornographers will be opening for them, making it well worth the $38 ticket fee!
When: July 23, 2017
Where: Metropolis

Stand Up Paddle Boarding

Parc Jean Drapeau’s stand up paddle boarding lessons and rentals are now open! Run by Quebec company, KSF, Montrealers once again have the opportunity to rent a SUP or take lessons from a certified instructor. Rentals start at $17.25 for one hour, and go up to $115 for 10 one-hour rentals. In addition, KSF offers some awesome lessons! For those new to the sport, there are introductory lessons for $44.85. However, for more experienced paddlers, there are also SUP yoga, fitness, fitness XT, yoga jala flo, and yoga sunset yin classes. Reservations are required for all SUP lessons, but are not necessary for rentals. SUP lessons and rentals finish after Labour Day weekend so be sure to take advantage while you can!
When: Until September 4, 2017
Where: Pavillon des Activites Nautiques, Parc Jean Drapeau

Cirque du Soleil’s VOLTA

Canadian entertainment company, Cirque du Soleil, has returned to its hometown this summer to perform its newest show, VOLTA, and this is your last chance to see it! Volta tells a story centered on the freedom to choose and create your own path. Inspired by action sports, the show features a series of acrobatic stunts, an emotional score, a “visually striking” set, and a spiritual theme. Prepare for one of the most raw and emotional stories ever told by Cirque du Soleil.
When: Until July 23, 2017
Where: Under the Big Top, Old Port of Montreal

Montreal Avudo

A dazzling water show paying tribute to the Saint Lawrence River has taken over Old Port. Titled Montreal Avudo, this spectacular water show projects life size images inspired by the city’s history onto the water. The event’s official site promises that “Young and old will be dazzled, moved and transported by the magic of images and scenes projected on rippling water walls and other spectacular installations.” Scenes include archived images, city documents, 3D animations, and relevant illustrations. How does water enter the equation, you may ask? Water jets from 30 fountains create huge 30 x 11.5 meter tall screens of water. The show also includes an 11-storey tall shipping container tower (the largest in the world).
When: Thursday to Saturday until September 2, 2017, 9:30 pm and 10:30 pm each night
Where: The west sector of the Old Port of Montréal, near the King Edward Pier and the Montréal Science Centre

La Grande Tournee celebrates Montreal: 19 boroughs in 19 weekends

To celebrate the city’s 375th anniversary, all 19 of Montreal’s boroughs are hosting parties. Officially titled La Grande Tournee celebrates Montreal: 19 boroughs in 19 weekends, the event is being organized by Cirque Eloize, who are travelling across Montreal to help honour the city, its people, and its history. Each weekend, a neighbourhood park hosts a party for all ages that speaks to the characteristics of that community. Not only do these consecutive parties, which take place between Thursday and Sunday of each week, highlight what’s special about each borough, but they provide a chance for tourists and people from other parts of Montreal to learn about the city. In addition to a simple gathering of residents, each borough’s party features all sorts of entertainment. Activities include circus and artistic performances, historical exhibitions, live music, treasure hunts, and farmers’ markets.
When: Until September 17 (Thursday to Sunday)
Where: Different borough every weekend

Aislin: 50 Years of Cartoons

A new exhibit on famed Canadian editorial cartoonist, Aislin is now on 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

Tam Tams

Grab your sangria kits and drum sets! Tam Tams has returned to our fair city and we couldn’t be more excited. After all, is there any better sign that summer has arrived? Taking place every Sunday during the summer months, Tam Tams is one of the city’s best and most popular unofficial events. Tam Tams is a magical outdoor festival where Montrealers far and wide gather in Parc Mont Royal for an afternoon of food, fun, and music. Though the drum circle is located at the Sir George-Etienne Cartier Monument, vendors and entertainment spread throughout the park, all the way from Avenue Mont-Royal to Duluth. Remember to bring food and wine, and take advantage of Montreal’s picnic law!
When: Until September 24, 2017
Where: Sir George-Etienne Cartier Monument

Memory Collector

Opened by Montreal’s archeology and history museum, Pointe A Calliere, the city’s newest underground tunnel is a tribute to North America’s first collector sewer. Pointe A Calliere has turned a portion of the underground sewer tunnel into a permanent exhibition at the museum entitled “Memory Collector.” The continent’s first collector sewer was built between 1832 and 1838 and collected rainwater and wastewater up until 1989. Part of the sewer was incorporated into the Pointe A Calliere building in 1992, and this year, was turned into a museum exhibition. “Memory Collector” spans 110 metres and offers visitors a “multisensory, contemplative experience thanks to an ingenious light installation projected onto the stone walls of the collector sewer, in a specially designed sound environment.” Ultimately, the exhibit promises to take visitors on a journey to a “mysterious underground world imbued with history and emotion.”
When: Monday to Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am-5pm
Where: Pointe A Calliere

Piknic Electronik

Montreal’s favourite Sunday EDM festival, Piknic Electronik, is back for summer 2017! This outdoor electronic music festival is a true sign that summer has returned to the city. 2017 marks the 15th edition of Piknic Electronik, so it’s been better than ever!
When: Every Sunday until September 24, 2017
Where: Parc Jean Drapeau

Salsafolie Sundays

As if Clock Tower Beach, Old Port’s very own urban beach, could get any better, they’ve now re-introduced Salsafolie Sundays for the 2017 season. For those that don’t know, Salsafolie Sundays are a special day dedicated to all fans of Latin music, ranging from salsa and reggaeton to merengue and bachata. On Salsafolie Sundays, Clock Tower Beach’s “Tropical Zone” turns into a giant beach dance party between noon and 5pm complete with dance classes, beach games, and workshops.
When: Sundays noon-9 pm during the summer
Where: Clock Tower Beach

Marche des Eclusiers

Old Montreal’s resident summer farmers’ market, Marche des Eclusiers, has officially returned for 2017. Set up right on De La Commune by the water, this small market is now open for business every Thursday and Sunday for the remainder of the summer. The mission of Marche des Eclusiers is simple: showcase Quebec products. There is no middle man. This unique market gives producers the chance to sell their products directly to the public. Offerings at the market are seasonal but typically you’ll find fruit and vegetables, bread and pastries, organic juices and breakfast, hot sauce, dog food, and cheese.
When: Sundays 9am-2pm
Where: 400 Rue de la Commune Ouest