9 things to do in Montreal today: Saturday, January 18

From Igloofest, stand-up comedy, some grub, and plenty of outdoor activities, here are a few things worth checking out in Montreal today, January 18.

Igloofest

There’s no better way to stick it to Mother Nature’s winter by revelling in the snow and the cold. And, Igloofest is the most entertaining way to do so.

Thousands of partiers will flock to the Old Port to brave the freezing temperatures (split across four weekends) of wild music, cozy costumes, and snowy dancers, the first of which starts tonight.

Tonight’s lineup includes Anna, Alex Pycke, Reinier Zonneveld, Diagraf, VJ Cafrine, Honey Soundsystem, Phran, Regularfantasy, Remoz, and Sébastien Samyn split across two stages.

When: Saturday, January 18
Time: 7:30 – 12:30 am
Where: Quai Jacques Cartier
Price: $20.50 – $89, available online

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Happening Gourmand

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 9
Time: Varying times per restaurant
Where: Nine participating Old Port locations
Price: $17 brunch, $25 to $35 dinner

Fête des neiges

You’re best off standing up to the snow and the cold instead of shying away from it this weekend. Luckily, Parc Jean Drapeau’s four-weekend-long winter festival is a perfect opportunity to make the most of the wintery season.

The 37th edition of the Fête des neiges takes place every weekend between January 18 and February 8, and it starts this 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, a snow castle competition, and a mini igloo play area.

When: January 18 to February 9
Time: 10 am to 6 pm
Where: Espace 67, Parc Jean-Drapeau
Tickets: $8 – $38, available online

Montreal Canadiens vs the Vegas Golden Knights

After last night’s big win in Philadelphia, the Habs return home to face the Golden Knights while welcoming back old friend Max Pacioretty for a Saturday tilt at the Bell Centre.

When: Saturday, January 18
Time: 7 pm
Where: Centre Bell
Price: Various prices, available online

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 last week, takes guests through the world of colours and emotions of Van Gogh’s works through gigantic murals and an immersive soundtrack.

When: Saturday, January 17
Time: 10 am to 6 pm
Where: Arsenal Contemporary Art Contemporain
Price: $26 – $36, available online

Phil Hanley – The Comedy Nest

As seen on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with Seth Meyers, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, and Comedy Central, Phil Hanley set up camp at The Nest all weekend and concludes it tonight.

Using his hilariously reflective style of straightforward joke-telling, catch this funny comedian for under $20 tonight.

When: Saturday, January 18
Time: 8 pm and 10:30 pm
Where: The Comedy Nest
Price: $6 (for students) – $15, available online

Atrium Le 1000

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: Saturday, January 18
Time: 11:30 am to 9 pm
Where: 1000 Rue de la Gauchetière Ouest
Price: $8.26

Pente à Neige

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: Saturday, January 18
Time: 10 am to 6 pm
Where: Parc Ignace-Bourget — 6101 Avenue de Montmagny
Price: Various pricing, details available online

Amaze Escape Room

Escape the cold and try to figure your way out of an escape room this weekend.

Try your luck at escaping from a prison, a military facility, a lost temple, or a 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: Saturday, January 18
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