34 things to do in Montreal this March

This month brings with it the official end of winter and as we count down the days until March 19, Montreal is bustling with great events to keep you busy.

• See also:
  • The Weather Network releases Quebec’s long-term spring forecast
  • Royalmount unveils updated renderings of $1.7 billion mega-mall (VIDEO)
  • Montreal’s mesmerizing Van Gogh exhibition extends throughout the winter

The Incas, Treasures of Peru

What: Going on an Old Montreal adventure? Alpaca lunch.

For the third year in a row, the Pointe-à-Callière museum in Old Montreal will be hosting a range of indoor and outdoor activities during the first week of March including creative workshops, history, musical performances, and the chance to meet and pet alpacas.

The alpacas are part of the museum’s “The Incas, Treasures of Peru” exhibition, which showcases the beauty, history, and stories of the Inca civilization, which rose from the Peruvian highlands in the early 13th century.

When: From now until March 7
Time: Tuesday to Friday, 10 am to 5 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm; closed Mondays
Where: Pointe-à-Callière — 350 Place Royal Old Montréal
Price: $13 – $21

Journey to the Centre of the Earth: The Forgotten City

What: Starting this month, escape roomers can experience the history of Montreal’s underground city in an all new game titled, “Journey to the Centre of the Earth: The Forgotten City.”

In collaboration with the Art Souterrain festival, Échappe-Toi hosts their newest escape room throughout 4 km of Montreal’s underground city as gamers will be required to answer different riddles throughout their journey in order to escape with the treasure of “the forgotten city.”

When: March 1, 6, 7, and 8
Time: Times vary
Where: Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle
Price: $25 plus tax, available online

The Lumineers – Montreal

What: After another successful stop at Osheaga last summer, The Lumineers are coming back to Montreal this month.

The popular American folk-rock band has announced the dates for their new world tour and they’ll be “Ho Hey-ing” at the Bell Centre on March 6.

The Lumineers will be joined by the five-piece indie rock band Mt. Joy who debuted in 2016 with their smash single cover of “Astrovan.”

When: Friday, March 6
Time: 7 pm
Where: Bell Centre — 1909-avenue-des-Canadiens-de-Montreal
Price: $54.75 – $130.50, available online

The Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre

What: The Canadiens, though realistically eliminated from the playoffs, can play spoiler this March as they face off against the Nashville Predators, Buffalo Sabres, Florida Panthers, and New York Islanders all month.

When: March 10, 12, 25, 26, and 28
Time: 7 pm
Where: Bell Centre, 1909 avenue des Canadiens de Montreal
Price: Varies per date and seat selection, available online

The Comedy Nest

What: The Comedy Nest will heat up all month, giving comedy fans the chance to check out Sean Donnelly, Akaash Singh, Derek Seguin, and Nick Griffin throughout the month, along with a slew of great local openers and the Just For Laughs auditions.

When: March 3, 5-7, 12-14, 19-21, 26-28
Time: 8 pm and 10:30 pm
Where: The Comedy Nest — 2313 Saint-Catherine Street 3rd Floor
Price: $6 – $15

Scotiabank Cheapie Tuesday Movie Night

What: Scotiabank offers $7 general admission tickers every Tuesday at their downtown location.

March is a great month for movies, especially for under $10. Check out Mulan, Onward, The Climb, My Spy, I Still Believe, A Quiet Place Part II, Bloodshot, and so much more.

They also have deals on snack combos. Can you honestly say no to that popcorn smell?

When: March 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31
Time: Varies depending on selection
Where: 977 Rue Saint-Catherine Ouest
Price: General admission starts at $7

Comedy at the Art Loft

What: Comedy at the Art Loft is the hottest underground comedy show in Montreal. It’s the city’s only weekly bilingual show and is run out of a private loft on rue Saint-Laurent and is usually packed with people. It feels like a college party, except a comedian is slinging jokes into a microphone.

The hosts, headliners, and featured acts change weekly, and we’ll be sure to keep you up to date.

The venue features a DJ and snacks. BYOB and it’s 420 friendly. Very 420 friendly.

When: March 6, 13, 20, and 27
Time: Doors open at 9 pm, show starts at 10:30 pm
Where: 4152 Boulevard Saint Laurent
Price: $10 at the door (cash only)

Natrel Skating Rink

What: A skating rink with Old Montreal as the backdrop – talk about picturesque.

The Natrel Skating Rink is summing up its season-long stay in the Old Port, offering some really nice ice.

Known for its outstanding quality of ice, excellent facilities, and breathtaking views of the city and the Saint Lawrence River, this is the place to go skating in Montreal.

When: From now until March 8
Time: 10 am to 10 pm
Where: Natrel Skating Rink, Bonsecours Basin
Price: $5.22, kids six to 12; $7.83 general admission, free for kids under six.

Snow Tubing on Mont Royal

What: Take advantage of the pride of Montreal by snow tubing down it.

Discover the exhilaration of snow tubing down reserved lanes next to the toboggan hill overlooking Beaver Lake.

When: From now until March 9
Time: 10 am to 4 pm (until 6 pm on Saturdays and Sundays)
Where: Mont Royal Park
Price: $6 for 4–11-year-olds, $10 for 12 years old and up

Imagine Van Gogh

What: Montreal has been coated with an exhibition of the works of Vincent Van Gogh, the Dutch post-impressionist painter who is among the most famous figures in the history of the art world.

The exhibition, Imagine Van Gogh, which opened in December, takes guests through the world of colours and emotions of Van Gogh’s works through gigantic murals and immersive soundtrack.

When: Every day in March (closed Mondays)
Time: 10 am to 6 pm
Where: Arsenal art contemporain — 2020 rue William
Price: $16 to $26, available online

Cats

What: One of the biggest hits in theatrical history is strutting its way towards Place des Arts this month.

Cats, the record-breaking musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, is now on tour across North America and the cast will be swatting their paws at Place des Arts for eight shows from March 17 to 22.

According to the Place des Arts website, the musical will feature new sound design, direction, and choreography for “a new generation” of fans. “Live the Cats experience for the first time as it begins a new life, or let it thrill you all over again.”

When: March 17 to 22
Time: 2 pm, 7:30 pm and 8 pm
Where: Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts
Price: $44.25 – $140.85, available online

Matthew Good

What: Matthew Frederick Robert Good is a Canadian singer-songwriter. He was the lead singer and songwriter for the Matthew Good Band, one of the most successful alternative rock bands in Canada during the 1990s and early 2000s.

He’ll be rocking out Théâtre Corona as part of his Moving Walls tour.

When: Friday, Mach 20
Time: 8 pm
Where: Théâtre Corona
Price: $52.50, available online

AC Slater

What: AC Slater, whose career kicked off in 2008, has made a name for himself in the music world with his “Night Bass” sound by fusing elements of house music with the dirty basslines of UK garage and sprinkles of old-school rave synths and breaks.

He’ll be rocking out L’Astral at the end of March as part of his new Hi 8 Tour.

When: Saturday, March 21
Time: 10 pm
Where: L’Astral
Price: $28.50, available online

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

What: Downtown’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a celebration of Irish heritage and a pretty decent reason to drink in the streets.

St. Patrick’s Day itself falls on Tuesday, March 17 this year, but the annual parade will take place on Sunday, March 22.

The United Irish Societies of Montreal, the organization behind the giant street party, announced that the 197th edition of the city’s parade will take place along its usual route on Ste. Catherine from noon to 2:30 pm.

Toronto Blue Jays vs New York Yankees

What: The Toronto Blue Jays are bringing baseball back to Montreal this spring, and they’re bringing one of the sport’s most iconic franchises with them.

For the seventh consecutive year, baseball will return to the former home of the Expos as the Blue Jays use the domestic trip as a final tune-up before the start of the 2020 season.

When: March 23 and 24
Time: 7:07 pm
Where: Olympic Stadium
Tickets: $24.50 – $101.50, available online

The Harlem Globetrotters

What: *Cue the classic Harlem Globetrotters theme*

The Globetrotters are bringing their worldwide-renowned basketball skills to the Bell Centre at the end of the month. And if that’s not exciting enough, you’ll have that famous theme stuck in your head all spring.

When: Friday, March 27
Time: 7 pm
Where: Bell Centre
Price: $32 – $110, available online

Pente à Neige

What: No offence, Mont Tremblant, but we might hit the slopes a bit closer to home this weekend, as La Pente à Neige has constructed a man-made ski hill at Parc Ignace-Bourget.

The third edition of the urban hill is big enough for up to 250 people along with a mini slope that can accommodate up to 50 mini-skiers.

The hill welcomes skiers, snowboarders, tubers, and sledders of any age and features a cozy heated yurt, mulled wine, hot chocolate, and music. Guests can bring their own equipment or it can be rented on site.

The slope is 300 metres long and has professionals on site to teach people proper skiing/snowboarding/falling down techniques.

When: From now until March 29
Time: 10 am to 6 pm (closed Monday – Wednesday)
Where: Parc Ignace-Bourget — 6101 Avenue de Montmagny
Price: Various pricing, details available online

Journey to Space

What: How do astronauts do it? We know where they do it but like, how do they wash up at the end of shift? How do they get into and out of those bulky suits?

Embark on Journey to Space at the Montreal Science Center and learn all about the day-to-day lives of astronauts in a new interactive exhibition filled with experiences that are — you guessed it — out of this world.

When: Every day in March
Time: 9 am to 4 pm
Where: Montreal Science Center, Old Montreal
Price:$12 – $23, available online

SkyVenutre

What: If you’ve ever wanted to be like Charlie Bucker from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, now is your chance (to fly at least, not the whole candy eating thing.)

SkyVenture in Laval offers guests the first recirculating indoor freefall simulator in Canada. Dive in solo or with a group and you actually fly.

“Anyone who is in good health can fly in the wind tunnel,” reads the SkyVenture terms and conditions. “After just a few minutes, you will finally understand why birds sing!”

Guests are lifted into the air through the flight chamber’s airflow and an instructor is on-site to ensure 100% safety.

When: Every day in March (closed Mondays)
Time: Tuesday to Friday, 3 pm to 10 pm; Saturday to Sunday, 9 am to 8 pm; closed on Monday
Where: Centropolis, 2700 avenue du Cosmodôme, Laval
Price: $58 – $93.93, available online

Oasis Surf

What: Battle the winter/early spring blues with some hardcore waves. Just because Montreal isn’t located on the coast, doesn’t mean you can’t tackle some killer tides.

Oasis Surf in Brossard is an indoor pool, open to amateur and experienced surfers looking to ride the waves.

Radical.

When: Every day in March
Time: 10 am to 2 am
Where: Suite 01 — 9520 Boulevard Leduc
Price: $30 for 30 minutes

Rage: Axe Throwing

What: If you feel the need to get some adrenaline pumping this month, head inside to Rage Axe Throwing and toss some axes.

The competition is based on accuracy points but throwing hatches, axes, and Tomahawks is fun enough without needing to tally the scores.

When: Every day in March
Time: Monday to Thursday, 2 pm to 1o pm; Friday and Sunday, 12 pm to 10 pm; Saturday, 10 am to 11:30 pm
Where: 1436 rue Amherst
Price: $45 – $55, available online

Zero Latency VR Games

What: Put on a VR headset, strap into a backpack, pick up a controller and dive into the VR world.

Once inside, guests can move around just like you do in the real world without any wires or walls to get in the way of your virtual reality adventures.

From preventing a zombie outbreak, to saving humanity from a deadly disease, and getting launched into space, each game takes 45 minutes and can feature one to eight players.

When: Every day in March
Time: 5 to 9 pm
Where: 910 Jean Talon Street East
Price: $44.99, available online

Laser Quest

What: Succumb to March’s wet weather by going full-on pitch black, except for glow in the dark lights, and fire off some lasers.

Whether you take the game super seriously and turn into James Bond, or you just enjoy running around under a black light, Laser Quest is a great option for rainy November days (or nights) in Montreal.

When: Every day in March
Time: Monday to Thursday, 5 to 9 pm; Friday, 4 pm to 12 am; Saturday, 10 am to 12 am; Sunday, 10 am to 8 pm
Where: 1226 rue Sainte Catherine Ouest
Price: $9 – $12 per person

Le Ceramic Cafe Studio

What: Test out your creativity in March.

If you’re a fan of art and coffee, Le Ceramic Cafe Studio is for you. Le Ceramic Cafe Studio allows Montrealers to sip on a latte or eat a sandwich, while creating some pretty magnificent ceramic art. Simply choose an object (like a mug or bowl), pick your colours, and get painting.

When: Every day in March
Time: Monday to Wednesday, 10 am to 11 pm; Thursday, 10 am to 12 am; Friday and Saturday, 10 am to 12:30 am; Sunday,10 am to 10 pm
Where: 4338 Saint Denis
Price: $7 – $15 (varies by time)

Atrium Le 1000

What: If the weather is too tricky today but you feel like hitting the ice, check out Atrium Le 1000, an indoor ice rink located inside Montreal’s tallest building.

The Atrium has a glass ceiling, perfect to be part of the weather without actually being part of it.

Plus, the skating rink plays music so you can glide to some tunes.

You can bring your own skates or rent equipment on site.

When: Every day in March
Time: 11:30 am to 9 pm
Where: 1000 rue de la Gauchetière Ouest
Price: $8.26

Dodgebow

What: DodgeBow is exactly what it sounds like: dodgeball fused with bow and arrows.

The exhilarating team-based archery combat sport is capped with cushion-ends so they don’t hurt when they hit you and you can channel your inner Legolas when flinging them.

Face off with your friends in the DodgeBow arena and put your marksmanship skills to the test. That’ll show the rain who’s boss.

When: Every day in March
Time: 2 to 8 pm
Where: 202-4767 Dagenais Street
Price: $24.95, available online

The Emile Berliner Museum of Sound

What: Set in the old factory that used to produce them, the Emile Berliner Museum of Sound is a collection of old televisions, phonographs, and other sound-related machines that honors the history of sound in media.

When; Every day in March
Time: 2 to 5 pm
Where: 1001 rue Lenoir
Price: $5

Putting Edge Mini-Putt

What: Putting Edge is an indoor mini-putt course that (besides having a great name), glows in the dark. Every hole has Canadian-based trivia questions plus the venue has an arcade and they serve alcohol. Need we say more?

When: Every day in March
Time: 10 am to 1 am
Where: 1259 rue Guy
Price: $11.99

Amaze Escape Room

What: You escaped the winter’s snow (sort of), now try to get out of an escape room.

Try your luck at escaping from a prison, military facility, lost temple, or laboratory. Make a reservation, choose your adventure and then you have anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to get out of any respective room. Each mission is reserved solely for your group, and you’re given a walkie-talkie in case you need hints/get scared.

When: Every day in March
Time: 2 to 10:30 pm
Where: 3550 Rue St. Jacques
Price: $15-$30 depending on your chosen mission (per person). Make your reservation first online.

La Grande Roue de Montréal

What: Hit up Canada’s largest observational wheel and take in some absolutely breathtaking views of the city. Not to mention, some primetime photo ops that’ll make your Instagram crowd jealous.

When: Every day in March
Time: 10 am to 10 pm
Where: 362 rue de Commune Est
Price: $14.79 – $25

Musée Grévin Montreal

What: If you want to heat up from March’s chill while staring at wax celebrity figures, Musée Grévin is for you.

Check out your favourite actors, athletes, and artists in wax form. The figurines are displayed beautifully through the four-floor museum that also features optical illusions and interactive displays. It’s admittedly pretty creepy staring into Elvis’ eyes, especially if he starts blinking.

When: Every day in March
Time: 10 am to 6 pm
Where: 705 Rue Saint Catherine (4th floor of the Eaton Centre)
Price: $19.50 for adults, $13.50 for children, $15.50 for youth and students and $18 for seniors

Coup Sûr

What: With baseball/softball season fast approaching, head to the cages and keep your swing fresh.

Coup Sûr has six pitching machines all throwing at various speeds and each machine throws either baseballs or softballs. They have a closed off radar section too if you want to practice pitching. They supply bats and helmets and boast an impressive Baseball Town store if you’re looking for some gear.

They offer stellar deals at both the pro shop and the batting cages since it’s not yet the ball season.

When: Every day in March
Time: 9 am – 10 pm
Where: 3835 Boulevard Curé-Labelle, Laval
Price: 1 token (20 pitches): $5.75/ 5 token special (100 pitches): $23.00

iSaute Kirkland

What: iSaute is a massive venue that has over 30 giant trampolines, trampoline basketball, wall climbing and a trampoline jungle gym. You pay by the hour, there’s a lot to do and it’s actually a fantastic workout. Fun for all ages (and a great workout).

When: Every day in March
Time: 10 am to 9 pm
Where: 3220 Jean Yves, Kirkland
Price: $16 for the first hour, $10 for the second. Tickets are sold at the door