14 things to do in Montreal today: Sunday, May 19

For those of you who don’t have to go into work and/or school tomorrow, treat today, May 19, like a Saturday – you earned it.

Tam-Tams

nadimsoued/Instagram

Tam-Tams returned to the city last week and the iconic party keeps up its weekly trek on Sunday.

Tams, the weekly outdoor party at the base of the mountain, is a perfect summary of Montreal, open to both locals and tourists.

The magical outdoor bash is where Montrealers from far and wide, gather in Parc Mont Royal for an afternoon of food, vendors, fun, music, and maybe even a couple of beers and some smoking (shhh, don’t tell anyone).

When: Sunday, May 19
Time: 12 pm until sunset
Where: Sir George-Etienne Cartier Monument
Price: Free

Piknic Electronik

The first Piknic Electronik party of 2019 kicks off this weekend.

Piknic is an outdoor electric music dance festival featuring DJs and artists from all over the world. There are obviously good tunes, but there’s also good food, good drinks, and plenty of activities to keep you going. Best of all – the show goes on rain or shine.

When: Sunday, May 19
Time: 2 pm – 9:30 pm
Where: Parc Jean Drapeau
Tickets: $16, available online

Fabuleux Chez Serge – Game of Thrones Viewing Party

Fabuleux Chez Serge/Facebook

“This last season should not be watched alone,” claims the popular Fabuleux Chez Serge, who will be screening the series final on all of their giant screens, with surround sound.

Chez Serge will be dishing out free popcorn and guests who bring their own chalice, stein, or drinking horn will get $1 off on all drinks.

Plus, the bar has that mechanical bull. If any of the episodes get too intense, that bull might be a good ride to let off some steam.

Chez Serge stresses that “your silence is golden” during the screening.

When: Sunday, May 19
Time: 8 pm
Where: Fabuleux Chez Serge, 4281 boulevard Saint-Laurent
Price: Free admission

Cirque Du Soleil: Alegria

Alegria by Cirque du Soleil

The world-renowned Cirque du Soleil production is returning home all May.

Alegria, which was first performed by Cirque in 1994, stole the eyes and ears of more than 14 million spectators. Performed under a traditional Big Top tent, the show made its way to 255 different cities over 19 years of touring, until its last performance in 2013.

The show mixes the high energy acrobatics which Cirque du Soleil is famous for with a “rallying theme for change, hope, and optimistic renewal.” The cast is made up of more than 50 performers and musicians, all renowned internationally for their craft.

When: Sunday, May 19
Time: 8 pm
Where: Big Top, Old Port – Jacques-Cartier Quay, de la Commune Street Est
Price: $150 – $412, available online

Metro Metro Festival

Festival Metro Metro/Facebook

Montreal is getting a brand new music festival and it will be headlined by Cardi B and Snoop Dogg – a nice start.

The inaugural Metro Metro music festival is being labelled as the country’s “biggest urban music fest” and will feature over 45 local and international artists across two stages for two days this weekend at the Olympic Stadium.

When: Sunday, May 19
Time: TBA
Where: l’Esplanade Financière Sun Life, Olympic Stadium
Price: $170, available

21 Swings

grantalias/ Instagram

Spring won’t be the only thing in the air as Montreal’s musical swing exhibition has returned to the Quartier des Spectacles.

The interactive, music art installation, 21 Swings, will have Montrealers feeling like kids again as guests can swing back and forth, creating musical melodies.

The 21 Swings (or Balançoires) installation was custom-made for the Promenade des Artistes in the Quartier des Spectacles. The work was created by Daily tous les jours, in collaboration with animal behaviourist Luc-Alain Giraldeau from UQAM and Radwan Ghazi Moumneh, the installation’s composer.

When: From now until May 28
Time: 10 am – 12 am
Where: Promenade des Artistes, Quartier des spectacles
Price: Free

Festival Wes Anderson

Marché Noir is hosting a Wes Anderson film festival all weekend. Each film costs $2 to watch and will be presented in English with French subtitles.

The impressive schedule is lined up like so:

Sunday, May 19:
3 pm: Moonrise Kingdom
5 pm: The Grand Budapest Hotel
7 pm: Isle of Dogs

When: Sunday, May 19
Time: 2:45 pm – 9:45 pm
Where: Le Marché Noir, 1358 rue Ontario
Price: $2 per film

Pouzza 9 Festival

Pouzza 9/Facebook

Over 175 bands will be at the Quartier des Spectacles this weekend, all playing throughout the weekend at various prices (some of which are free).

Here’s a little taste of who’s performing: Against Me!, Andrew W.K., Strung Out, The Planet Smashers, Subb, Samiam, Big D and the Kids Table, Ogikubo Station, Guerilla Poubelle, The Smoking Popes, Night Birds, and Sincere Engineer.

Check out the website for a full list of bands and details.

When: Sunday, May 19
Time: 10 am – 2 am
Where: Quartier des Spectacles
Price: Various prices, tickets available online

Voiles en Voiles

Voiles en Voiles/Facebook

Climb aboard life-size replicas of both royal and pirate ships from the 18th century in Montreal’s Old Port (how fitting).

They are over 100 feet in length and range from two feet high for the young pirates to 35 feet for Peter Pan wannabes.

As the obstacle course gears up for its final stretch run, check out the 61 different activities between the Royal Ship and the Pirate Ship. Activities include zip lining, rock climbing, and bouncy castles.

When: Sunday, May 19
Time: 10 am – 6 pm
Where: Place des Vestiges, Old Port
Price: Prices vary depending on selected activities, tickets online

iSaute Kirkland

ISaute/Facebook

Take your kids to iSaute Kirkland and pretend it’s for them when it’s really for you.

iSaute is a massive venue that has over 30 giant trampolines, trampoline basketball, wall climbing and a trampoline jungle gym. You pay by the hour, there’s a lot to do and it’s actually a fantastic workout. Fun for all ages (and a great workout).

When: Sunday, May 19
Time: 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Where: 3220 Jean Yves, Kirkland
Price: $16 for the first hour, $10 for the second. Tickets are sold at the door

Volcanoes 3D – IMAX

Old Port of Montreal

The IMAX Telus Theatre at the Montreal Science Centre invites guests to a “very hot immersive experience.” Volcanoes 3D will take patrons where few humans dare to venture: into the heart of a volcano.

Using state-of-the-art 3D technology, Volcanoes 3D will offer viewers a thrilling experience, exposing them to the lava erupting at over 700ºC.

The documentary will plunge daringly into the heart of various volcanoes from around the globe, exploiting IMAX with new laser technology.

When: Sunday, May 19
Time: Various times
Where: 2 de la Commune Ouest
Price: $10.50 – $12, available online

Amaze Escape Room

You escaped the winter’s cold, now try to get out of an escape room.

Try your luck at escaping from a prison, military facility, lost temple, or 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: Sunday, May 19
Time: 2pm – 10:30pm
Where: 3550 Rue St. Jacques
Price: $15-$30 depending on your chosen mission (per person). Make your reservation first online.

Musée Grévin Montreal

Grévin Wax Museum/ Facebook

Say hello to this weekend by saying hello to some wax figurines.

Check out your favourite actors, athletes, and artists in wax form. The figurines are displayed beautifully through the four-floor museum that also features optical illusions and interactive displays. It’s admittedly pretty creepy staring into Elvis’ eyes, especially if he starts blinking.

When: Sunday, May 19
Time: 10 am to 6 pm
Where: 705 Rue Saint Catherine (4th floor of the Eaton Centre)
Price: $19.50 for adult, $13.50 for children, $15.50 for youth and students and $18 for seniors

Rose Bowl Bowling

Bowling / Shutterstock

The Rose Bowl is a Montreal landmark.

The 72-lane bowling alley offers both 10-pin and 5-pin bowling and opening hours that appeal to everyone.

The Rose also hosts a casse-croute, a bar, and an arcade room.

Strike some bowling off the list for this weekend.

When: Sunday, May 19
Time: 8 am – 3 am
Where: 6510 rue St-Jacques Ouest
Price: $5 per game plus $2.39 shoe rental (mandatory)

See also