15 things to do in Montreal today: Saturday, February 22

There’s only a couple of Saturdays left in the month and the city is bustling with great things to check out today, February 22.

Québec Maple Ferris Wheel

Presented by Maple from Québec, the giant illuminated Ferris wheel cozies up to the Quartier Gourmand sector of the festival, offering guests authentic Quebec-made maple syrup samples.

It’s tough to miss the giant, neon-lit wheel and it offers gorgeous vantage points of the festival site if you want to go camera heavy.

When: Saturday, February 22
Time:  2 to 11 pm
Where: Quartier des Spectacles
Price: Free admission

• See also:
  • All the free things you should check out at Montreal en Lumière this year
  • The Weeknd is playing a concert at the Bell Centre this summer
  • Metro Metro unveils lineup for this spring’s Olympic Stadium music festival

Festival of Our Cheeses

For the 14th edition of Festival of Our Cheeses we shine a spotlight on 20 local cheese makers from Quebec by showcasing their exceptional products as part of MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE.

Come and chat with them, taste their specialties for free, and purchase the fruits of their labour at competitive prices.

When: February 22 and 23
Time: 11:30 am to 7 pm
Where: Complexe Desjardins — 150 rue Ste. Catherine
Price: Free admission

Parasite – Cinema du Parc

Check out 2019’s best picture on the big screen at the timeless Cinema du Parc today. The film follows a poor family who con their way into becoming the servants of a rich family.

The film will be shown in its original Korean version with English subtitles.

When: Saturday, February 22
Time: 1, 3:45, 6:30, 9:20 pm
Where: Cinema du Parc — 3575 avenue du Parc
Price: $10 – $13, available online

Urban Slide

Montréal en Lumière will be in full slide swing this week and its giant urban slide returns to the Quartier des Spectacles. Zigzagging its way across the outdoor party.

The 110 metre-long slide starts at the illuminated launch tower and glides its way around the site, at full speed, screaming with cheers and photo opportunities.

The slide is “completely revamped” this year, according to the Festival of Lights website, offering sliders a multicoloured light show.

When: Saturday, February 22
Time: 2 to 11 pm
Where: Quartier des Spectacles
Price: Free admission

RBC VOLTIGO

You’re probably not down to dive into a swimming pool in the dead of winter, especially from such great heights.

Luckily, Canadian haut-vol diver Lysanne Richard is.

She’ll jump off a 25-metre high diving board into a three-metre deep pool. As if that’s not enough, she’ll be performing acrobatics in between.

When: Saturday, February 22
Time:  Varying hours, visit the Montreal en Lumiere website  for specific times
Where: Quartier des Spectacles
Price: Free

Imagine Van Gogh

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: Saturday, February 22
Time: 10 am to 6 pm
Where: Arsenal art contemporain — 2020 rue William
Price: $16 to $26, available online

Natrel Skating Rink

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

The Natrel Skating Rink in Old Montreal is open to the public every day this month, 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: Saturday, February 22
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.

Les Jardineries

Head over the Olympic Stadium every weekend in February for some free outdoor fun including bowling, skating, sledding, sliding, hot drinks, and a heated chalet.

When: February 22 and 23
Time: 10:30 am to 4:30 pm
Where: Les Jardineries, L’Esplanade du Parc Olympique
Price: Free admission

Bedouin Soundclash

Bedouin Soundclash is a Canadian band based out of Toronto. The band formed in 2001 and have been described as reggae/ska.

They’ll be rocking out the timeless Théâtre Corona tonight.

When: Saturday, February 22
Time: 8 pm
Where: Théâtre Corona, 2490 Notre-Dame Ouest
Price: $32, available online

Robin Hood – Orchestre symphonique de Montréal

The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal is holding its seventh annual edition of the “Bal des enfants” at the gorgeous Maison symphonique.

The continued its tradition revisits a classic of children’s literature, the folktale Robin Hood.

When: Saturday, February 22
Time: 2:30 pm
Where: La Maison Symphonique — 1600 St Urbain
Price: $60 – $90, available online

Rachid Badouri

 

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Rachid Badouri is a Moroccan Berber comedian who immigrated to Quebec as a child. The Just For Laughs veteran will be bringing his zaniness and hilarity to the gorgeous L’Olympia theatre tonight.

When: Saturday, February 22
Time: 8 pm
Where: L’Olympia — 1004 rue Ste. Catherine Est
Price: $59.45, available online

Dynamo

Speaking of acrobatics, the Dynamo show at the Énergir stage will feature a mini-circus of acrobats performing what the Montreal en Lumière website describes as a “mind blowing show.”

When: Saturday, February 22
Time: Varying hours, visit the Montreal en Lumiere website for specific times
Where: Quartier des Spectacles
Price: Free

TIZI

A native of Montreal, TIZI has performed at Beachclub, îleSoniq, Igloofest, and Piknic Electronik and claims “she is comfortable in all styles and in front of all types of audiences.”

She’ll be proving that claim tonight.

When: Saturday, February 22
Time: 9 pm
Where: Quartier des Spectacles
Price: Free

FLAIRBARTENDING

Fusing a light juggling show with flair bartending, this dynamic duo will make you want your drink even more after lighting it on fire and flipping it through the air.

When: Saturday, February 22
Time: 9 to 10:15 pm
Where: Quartier des Spectacles
Price: Free

SkyVenutre

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: Saturday, February 22
Time: 9 am to 8 pm
Where: Centropolis — 2700 avenue du Cosmodôme, Laval
Price: $58 – $93.93, available online