16 things to do in Montreal today: Saturday, February 2

The shortest month of the year is underway and there are a slew of great events happening in the city today, February 2, to welcome the new month to Montreal in style.

Here’s hoping that little groundhog does not see his shadow today, signaling that the worst of winter is over.

See also

• Montreal welcomed in February with a beautiful sunrise this morning (PHOTOS)
• The Turcot Interchange will have another inconvenient closure all weekend
• The Golden Globe’s Fiji Water girl is now suing Fiji Water
• The city is looking for ways to revitalize Old Montreal's Silo #5 (RENDERINGS)

Igloofest

Igloofest sums up its nine-date run with a final, big, outdoor bash today.

Thousands of wintery-dressed partiers will head to the Old Port tonight to beat the winter by dancing, drinking, and partying through it.

The site features two massive stages, DJs, food outlets, bar kiosks, and plenty of winter-based activities.

When: Saturday, February  2
Time: 7:30 pm – 12:30 am
Where: Quai Jacques-Cartier
Price: $39.24 – $79.63, available online

PouTail at La Poutine Week

Things are going to get messy to start off February in Montreal as BeaverTails are hopping on the gravy train for the city’s La Poutine Week festival.

The Canadian-based chain of pastries has created the “PouTail,” a classic BeaverTails dessert topped with the company’s signature poutine.

It will be quite possibly the messiest and most Canadian meal ever attempted.

When: From now until February 3
Time: Varying hours per restaurant
Where: BeaverTails premium outlets, Montreal
Price: TBA

The Montreal Boat and Water Sports Show

It might be tough to visualize boats and water sports during February, which is why you should probably just see it live.

The 20th edition of the Montreal Boat and Water Sports Show offers guests the opportunity to meet professionals of the boating sector, speakers, sailors and retailers from across the province.

When: From now until February 3
Time: 11 am – 9 pm
Where: Place Bonaventure
Price: $14 – $18, available online

La Poutine Week Montreal

If you thought the poutine in itself is delicious, how about an entire week-long festival devoted to the tasty dish?

Your New Years resolutions can be put on hold for a week because, during the first week of February, things will get greasy.

Actually.

La Poutine Week returns to the city from February 1 to 7 as a variety of Montreal spots will create their own signature poutine-dish, vying to become the city-wide champion, voted by restaurant patrons.

A full list of participating spots can be found online.

When: February 1 to 7
Where: Various locations around Montreal
Price: Varying price per location

Happening Gourmand

More food!

Nine gourmet restaurants in the Old Port are taking part in the 12th edition of Happening Gourmand, a food festival where foodies can knock back some delicious brunch and dinner meals for under $30.

Whether you’re into pizza, steak, eggs- benedict, or burgers, Happening Gourmand offers gourmet meals and a vibrant atmosphere for every food lover. Plus, the meals won’t set you back too much (we’re dreading the post-holiday credit card statements too).

Check out a full list of participating restaurants online.

When: From now until February 3
Time: Varying times per restaurant
Where: Nine participating Old Port locations
Price: $17 brunch, $24-$29 dinner

The Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre

After a surprising start to the season, the Canadiens stayed hot in January thanks to the return of captain Shea Weber and a return-to-form from Carey Price.

They’ll look to stay on track in February as the Habs host the New Jersey Devils in an afternoon game, the first of two back-to-back afternoon games.

When: Saturday, February 2
Time: 2 pm
Where: Bell Centre, 1909 avenue des Canadiens de Montreal
Price: Varies per date and seat selection, available online

Forum Sports Bar

Start the weekend off with some bowling.

The Forum Sports Bar hosts 16 lanes of 10-pin bowling, a giant square bar, arcade games, billiards and TV screens.

You strike that one off the list.

When: Saturday, February 2
Time: 11 am – 1 am
Where: 2313 rue Ste. Catherine
Price: $8 per game, shoe rental included

La Grande Roue de Montréal

When: Saturday, February 2
Time: 10 am – 11 pm
Where: 362 rue de Commune Est
Price: $14.79 – $25

POP Yoga Neige

Downward dog-sled, anyone?

Montreal-based fitness company POP Spirit is hosting a series of outdoor snow yoga sessions this winter.

Aptly titled POP Yoga Neige, classes will take place every Saturday and Sunday from until March 24 at Parc La Fontaine and Parcours Gouin, respectively.

All classes are free to the public and boast top-notch, professional instructors. All you have to do is bring your own mat and dress warmly (and we mean, really warm).

When: February 1 and 2
Time: 1 pm on Saturdays, 10:30 am on Sundays
Where: Parc La Fontaine and Parcours Gouin
Price: Free

Fête des neiges

The 36th edition of the Fête des neiges festival rolls into its third weekend.

Outdoor activities include snow tubing, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, snow archery, an icy pirate ship, ice skating, ice sculptures, ziplining, a Ferris wheel, Tour de Lévis, axe throwing, a penguin village, a Polar Circus, snow scooters, an inflatable bouncy castle, and a mini igloo play area.

When: From now until February 10
Time: 10 am – 5 pm
Where: Parc Jean-Drapeau
Tickets: $8 – $25, available online

Hot Theatre

Ellie MacDonald and Deirdre Trudeau are hosting “Hot Theatre” on Saturday. It’s a mash-up of Montreal’s best writers, actors, standup comedians, musicians and more in a 48-hour pressure cooker of “pure unfiltered art” that’ll bring guests four fresh plays “designed to destroy everything dramatically sacred.”

The event claims, if you hate theatre, you’ll love this. If you love theatre, you’ll hate how much you love this.

When: Saturday, February 2
Time: 8 pm – 10 pm
Where:  Theatre Sainte Catherine Café-Bar, 264 Ste. Catherine Est
Price: $11.89 available online

Parc-Nature du Cap-Saint-Jacques

The City of Montreal wants you to see more of this gorgeous province this winter by checking out the city’s biggest national park – for free.

So, pack a lunch, hop on a shuttle bus and spend the day in the great Canadian outdoors!

Parc-Nature du Cap-Saint-Jacques is offering free shuttle services from downtown Montreal this weekend (and six days afterwards).

With 330 hectares of land, the Parc-Nature du Cap-Saint-Jacques is the largest park in Montreal. It’s bordered by Lac des Deux Montagnes and the Rivière des Prairies, offering magnificent views of icy, snowy, land.

The park is also boarded by ecological farms that include cows, goats, sheep, donkeys, rabbits, ponies and pigs as well as a rustic sugar shack where guest can enjoy locally produced maple syrup.

When: Saturday, February 2
Time: 9 am – 4:15 pm
Where: Shuttle pick up Dorchester Square
Price: Free

Snow Tubing on Mont Royal

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: Saturday, February 2
Time: 10 am – 4 pm (until 6 pm on Saturdays and Sundays)
Where: Mont Royal Park
Price: $5 for 4 – 11-year-olds, $9 for 12 years old and up

Corey Cup Ice Fest

Who doesn’t love a little crosstown rivalry?

Check out the Concordia Stingers take on the McGill Redmen in a game of hockey. There will also be hot chocolate, food, and music and a $200 Subway gift card to the Stinger’s fan who’s rocking the most creative outfit.

When: Saturday, February 2
Time: 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Where: Concordia University Loyola Campus, 7141 Sherbrooke
Price: $5, available online

Winter Games – Parc Olympique

Olympic Park is hosting a variety of winter games on Saturday and Sunday, fun for the whole family.

Activities include ice skating, a snowskate park, ice slides, snowshoeing and a heated cafe to keep you warm.

When: February 1 and 2
Time: 10 am – 4 pm
Where: 4549 avenue Pierre-de-Courebtin
Price: Free

Mont Avila Snow Tubing

If you haven’t gone snow tubing yet, it’s not really winter.

This weekend might be perfect for some snow tubing on Mont Avila. 12 of the mountain’s 13 trails are open and the snow surface is “solid,” as per the website, which means you can zoom down the hill real fast.

Nobody will blame you if you knock back some taffy on a snow stick either.

When: Saturday, February 2
Time: 8:30 am – 10 pm
Where: 500 Chemin Avila, Piedmont
Price: $32