Whether you’re Christian or not, there is plenty of fun to be had over Easter weekend.
Go the traditional route and enjoy Sunday morning brunch, or plan something a little more wild. After all, there are plenty of exciting activities happening in Montreal this weekend, from the annual White Ball to the return of Bixi bikes.
For a little Easter inspiration, check out 15 things to do over Easter weekend in Montreal.
Brunch
Go for a traditional Easter brunch meal at any one of Montreal’s fantastic brunch restaurants. Whether you’re craving chicken and waffles from Faberge, beignets from Lawrence, shakshuka from SuWu, french toast from Lemeac, or mimosas from L’Atelier d’Argentine, you can’t go wrong with a hearty brunch on Easter.
When: Anytime
Where: Anywhere
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
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
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
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
21 Swings
Montreal’s beloved 21 Swings (or 21 Balancoires) is returning to Promenade des Artistes this spring! 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
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
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
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
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
Chagall: Colour and Music
The exhibit, titled “Chagall: Colour and Music,” explores the importance of music in Chagall’s life. It will be multidisciplinary, featuring over 400 works ranging from sculptures and paintings to photographs and films. In addition, puppets, costumes, stained glass windows, maquettes, and gouaches will be on display. According to the official site, “Music was a constant source of inspiration” for the Russian-French artist. “A favourite subject for his creations, it served as an internal rhythm and driving force for his compositions, and a key to the intensity and range of colour in his work.”
When: January 28-June 11, 2017
Where: Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
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, 1pm
Where: Stade Saputo, 4750 Sherbrooke East Street
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
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
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
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