15 things to do in Montreal today: Saturday, February 23

Even though you never really need an excuse to celebrate Saturdays, this is the last one in February until 2020. So, it’s a great reason to get out and be active.

Here are 15 events in the city today, February 23, that can help fill that void.

Milk Urban Slide – Montréal en Lumière

mtlenlumiere/Instagram

The Milk Urban Slide returned to the Quartier des Spectacles on Thursday. It zigzags its way across the outdoor party site of Montréal en Lumière.

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

When: February 22 – 24, 28, March 1 – 3
Time: 5 pm – 11 pm (from 2 pm on Saturdays and Sundays)
Where: Quartier des Spectacles, corner of rue Ontario and Jeanne-Mance
Price: Free

Les Rendez-Vous Québec Cinéma

This weekend, cinema buffs can gather to see nearly 300 films and 100 premiers from Quebec’s film industry.

When: From now until March 2
Time: Varying times
Where: Quartier des Spectacles
Price: Varying prices, available online

MNM Festival

For its 50^th anniversary, the Société de musique contemporaine du Québec (SMCQ) is presenting the eighth annual festival Montréal / Nouvelles Musiques (MNM).

The festival hosts more than 20 concerts, orchestras, solo shows and conferences as a celebration of contemporary music for 10 days.

When: From now until March 2
Time: Varying times
Where: Quartier des Spectacles
Price: Various prices

Quebec Maple Ferris Wheel – Montreal en Lumière

mlle_bob/ Instagram

Montrealers will have the chance to ride the fairest Ferris wheel of them all today.

As part of the city’s week-long Montréal en Lumière festival, the giant, neon wheel will stand out among the Quartier des Spectacles’ outdoor activities, food, music and performances.

The festival aims to light up the city during the dark days of winter and the top of the wheel will give guests a spectacular vantage point of Montreal.

When: From now until February 24, 28 and March 1 – 3
Time: 5 pm -11 pm
Where: Quartier des Spectacles
Price: Free

Bhad Bhabie Concert

Bhad Bhadie/Instagram

The American teen, who is also a “social media personality” and “rapper,” became internet famous with her catchphrase “cash me outside, how about that” on Dr. Phil.

The 15-year-old, whose real name is Danielle Bregoli, is now on tour, and will be stopping in Montreal on Saturday.

When: Saturday, February 23
Time: 8 pm
Where: Théâtre Corona, 2490 Notre-Dame
Price: Available online from $44.80 and you can meet her for $124 through a Meet & Greet package

Cheese Festival – Montreal en Lumière

For its 13th edition, “the festival of cheeses” (La Fête des fromages d’ici) will once again offer the opportunity to meet a slew of Quebecois cheesemakers.

Guests are invited to ask questions about cheeses and its production process along with the chance to taste a variety of Quebec “classics.”

When: From now until February 23
Time: 11:30 am – 7 pm (until 5 pm on Saturday)
Where: Grande-Place du complexe Desjardins
Price: Free admission

Parc-Nature du Cap-Saint-Jacques

La Navette Nature/Facebook

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 23
Time: 9 am – 4:15 pm
Where: Shuttle pick up Dorchester Square
Price: Free

Montreal Bicycle and Triathlon Show

Over 250 exhibitors will be on site showing off and selling bicycles, equipment, accessories, and bike seminars.

When: From now until February 24
Time: 12 pm – 9 pm (Friday), 10 am – 6 pm (Saturday) 10 am – 5 pm (Sunday)
Where: Place Bonvaenture, 800 de la Gauchetière
Price: $11, available online

Festival de la Bête Noire Horror Theatre Festival

Festival De La Bête Noire/Facebook

If Quebec cinema doesn’t do it for you, how about some horror?

The film festival focuses on horror cinema and features everything from comedy, thrillers, horror and gore films.

When: From now until February 24
Time: Varies per selected film
Where: Mainline Theatre, 3997 St-Laurent
Price: Varies per selection, available online

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 now 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 23 and 24
Time: 1 pm on Saturdays, 10:30 am on Sundays
Where: Parc La Fontaine and Parcours Gouin
Price: Free

Sucrerie de la Montagne

Maple Syrup/Shutterstock

Sucrerie de la Montagne lets guests experience real Quebec traditions. Maple syrup is produced the old-fashioned way on site – the tree is tapped with a spout, the sap collected in a pail and transported to a traditional wood-fired evaporator, where it is transformed into maple syrup.

And guess what? You can have it.

There’s also horse-drawn sleighs, wagons and an all-you-can-eat sugaring off feast.

When: From now until March 10
Time: 10 am – 7:30 pm
Where: 300, Chemin St-Georges, Rigaud
Price: online$14 – $34, available

Romeo + Juliet Film Screening and Masquerade

Head over to Turbo Haüs for a viewing of Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy.

Stay after the movie for a masquerade dance party with music from and inspired by the movie. Organizers urge that dressing up is highly encouraged and some masks will be available for purchase, with proceeds going to a local organization.

There will also be drink specials and a photo booth.

“From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-cross’d lovers take their life”*

*SPOILER ALERT*

When: Saturday, February 23
Time: 7:30 pm – 3 am
Where: Turbo Haüs, 2040 rue Saint–Denis
Price: Free

Natrel Skating Rink

Old Port Skating rink

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 outdoor skating in Montreal.

There’s no better way to stick it to winter than bundling up and hitting the ice.

The chilled 2,500-square-metre rink features a cozy village right in front of the ice and is a puck’s throw away from Bistro Bonsecours for a little post-game refresher.

Natrel’s Skating Rink plays rock, classical and jazz music on large outdoor speakers to add to your soundtrack of whizzing down the ice.

When: Saturday, February 23
Time: 10 am – 10 pm
Where: Natrel Skating Rink, Bonsecours Basin
Price: $6.95 general admission, $4.90 kids aged 6 – 12, free for children under 6

Salon de la Moto

With mere weeks until the weather gets toasty, a motorcycle exhibition is on its way to Montreal this weekend.

From Harleys to sport bikes and accessories, the Salon de la Moto has got you covered if you’re a fan of the two wheels.

When: From now until February 24
Time: 10 am – 9 pm
Where: Palais de Congres, 1001 Jean Paul Riopelle
Price: $16.50, available online

Pente à Neige

Pente à Neige/Facebook

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.

If you’re up to braving the cold, the second edition of the urban hill is big enough for up to 250 people and there’s also a mini slope on site to accommodate up to 50 mini-skiers.

The hill welcomes skiers, snowboarders, tubers and sledders of any age and features a cozily heated yurt, mulled wine, hot chocolate and music.

Guests can bring their own equipment or it can be rented on site.

When: Saturday, February 23
Time: 10 am – 6 pm
Where: Parc Ignace-Bourget
Price: Free admission

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