14 things to do in Montreal today: Saturday, February 29

Today only happens every four years so you best get out and party accordingly. Here are a few things worth checking out across Montreal today, February 29.

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers – in Concert

What: You shall not pass…on this amazing opportunity to watch The Lord of the Rings in concert.

Howard Shore’s Academy Award-winning musical score for LOTR: The Two Towers will be performed live on a giant screen while an orchestra conducts the epic soundtrack.

A group of 250 musicians will form their own fellowship, filling the stage from both the Orchestre and Choeur FILMharmonique and the Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal as they transport you to Middle-earth in the majestic quest to destroy that pesky ring.

When: February 29 and March 1
Time: 7:30 pm today, 2 pm on March 1
Where: Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier
Price: $104.98 to $163.97 (Saturday), $69.95 to $153.95 (Sunday), available online

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Kinton Ramen – Pointe-Claire

One of Montreal’s favourite spots to slurp noodles, Kinton Ramen, will be offering meals for 50% all day long today.

The restaurant is opening a new spot in Pointe-Claire  and will be offering the meal deal in celebration of its grand opening.

The new Kinton Ramen location will be at 303A boulevard Brunswick in Pointe-Claire, serving up tasty ramen every day of the week from 11:30 am to 10:30 pm.

When: Saturday, February 29
Time: 11:30 am to 10:30 pm
Where: 303A boulevard Brunswick, Pointe-Claire

Québec Maple Ferris Wheel

What: 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: February 29 and March 1
Time: Friday, 5 to 11 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 2 to 11 pm
Where: Quartier des Spectacles
Price: Free admission

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: Saturday, February 29
Time: 10 am to 6 pm
Where: Arsenal art contemporain — 2020 rue William
Price: $16 to $26, available online

Urban Slide

What: Montréal en Lumière will be in full slide swing this weekend as 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: February 29 to March 1
Time: Friday, 5 to 11 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 2 to 11 pm
Where: Quartier des Spectacles
Price: Free admission

Journey to the Centre of the Earth: The Forgotten City

What: Starting this weekend, 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: February 29 and March 1, 6, 7, and 8
Time: Times vary
Where: Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle
Price: $25 plus tax, available online

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: February 29 to 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

Study and Go Abroad Fair

What: The Study and Go Abroad Fair is a free event for students looking for undergraduate or postgraduate options, both at home or abroad. The expo offers an opportunity to meet with universities from around the world and to learn about scholarships, admission requirements, and program options.

Also featured is a Travel Zone with work abroad, volunteering, internships and language travel programs.

 When: Saturday, February 29
Time: 12 to 5 pm
Where: Palais des congrès de Montréal — 1001 Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle,
Price: Admission is free. Visitors can pre-register online or sign up on the day

A Night in the Atrium’s Enchanted Forest

What: Lace up and hit the ice at the refrigerated rink inside the tallest building in Montreal. The ice is open until 1 am and DJ Darth Paul will be supplying the beats.

When: Saturday, February 29
Time: 7 pm to 1 am
Where: Atrium Le 1000, 1000 de la Gauchetière
Price: Free

Karaoké on ice

What: The Old Port skating rink will be transformed into a giant karaoke stage fusing music, skating, and singing as part of Nuit Blanche.

When: Saturday, February 29
Time: 9 pm to 1 am
Where: Clock Tower Pier
Price: $7.83

Les Jardineries

What: Head over the Olympic Stadium for the final weekend of February’s free outdoor fun that includes bowling, skating, sledding, sliding, hot drinks, and a heated chalet.

When: Saturday, February 29
Time: 10:30 am to 4:30 pm
Where: Les Jardineries, L’Esplanade du Parc Olympique
Price: Free admission

Night of 100 Improvisers

What: Theatre Sainte-Catherine is going hard on the improvisers on Nuit Blanche, bringing in a new improviser and changing the themes and styles every hour on the hour for seven hours.

When: Saturday, February 29
Time: 8 pm to 3 am
Where: Theatre Sainte-Catherine — 264 Ste. Catherine Est
Price: Free

Montreal Canadiens vs the Carolina Hurricanes

What: The Habs will look to end a rough month on a high note as they welcome the Carolina Hurricanes to town. Look for Carey Price to be between the pipes for the Canadiens and a non-Zamboni driver to hold down the fort on the opposing side (for a change).

When: Saturday, February 29
Time: 7 pm
Where: Centre Bell — 1909 avenue des Canadiens
Price: $73 – $361, available online

Egyptian Mummies: Exploring Ancient Lives

What: If you’re not a fan of mummies, you probably won’t like them any better at night.

For Nuit Blanche, the MMFA is offering half-price admission to its Egyptian Mummies: Exploring Ancient Lives exhibit.

The exhibit, produced by the British Museum, reconstructs the lives of six people who lived along the Nile between 900 BCE and 180 CE, using an innovative approach that combines the arts and science.

(Note: If they get up and start walking around the museum, that is NOT part of the exhibit.)

When: Saturday, February 29
Time: 5 pm to 12 am
Where: Musée des beaux-arts de Montreal — 1380 rue Sherbrooke
Price: $12