16 things to do in Montreal today: Sunday, May 26

From pirate ships, Tam-Tams, and half a million tulips, here’s what’s happening around Montreal today, May 26.

Tam-Tams

nadimsoued/Instagram

Tam-Tams returned to the city two weeks ago and the iconic party keeps up its weekly trek today.

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 26
Time: 12 pm until sunset
Where: Sir George-Etienne Cartier Monument
Price: Free

Piknic Electronik

Piknic Electronik returns for its third edition of 2019 today.

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.

This weekend’s lineup includes Hernan Cattaneo, Simply City, Numea Daze, Regularfantasy, Massimiliano Pagliara, and more.

When: Sunday, May 26
Time: 2 pm – 9:30 pm
Where: Parc Jean Drapeau
Tickets: $16, 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 26
Time: 10 am – 6 pm
Where: Place des Vestiges, Old Port
Price: Prices vary depending on selected activities, tickets online

Coup Sûr

With baseball/softball season right around the corner, head to the cages and get your swing timing down.

Coup Sûr has six pitching machines all throwing at various speeds and each machine throws either baseballs or softballs. They have a closed off radar section too if you want to practice pitching. They supply bats and helmets and boast an impressive Baseball Town store if you’re looking for some gear.

Their pro shop, Baseball Town, is offering 25% on selected items on Saturday in preparation for the upcoming season.

When: Sunday, May 26
Time: 9 am – 10 pm
Where: 3835 Boulevard Curé-Labelle, Laval
Price: 1 token (20 pitches): $5.75/ 5 token special (100 pitches): $23.00

Go Bike Montreal Festival

Bicycle fever hits Montreal this weekend as thousands of cyclists participate in the Tour la Nuit and Tour de l’Île.

Full details can be found on the festival’s website.

When: May 26 to June 2
Time: Various locations around Montreal
Where: Circuit throughout Montreal
Price: Varies per course

Jeux d’échecs géants

Gary Burke/Flickr

Montreal is going to be enlarging a classic hobby this weekend for you to check(mate) out before it closes for the season..

Four giant, playable, chess sets are returning to the Quartier des Spectacles from now until May 31 and it’s free to play.

The giant boards consist of all the required pieces to play an official game and each piece is made out of a light plastic that’s easily moveable.

Sure, it might be a little more difficult to strike your opponent’s queen emphatically, but that’s all part of the fun.

The outdoor chess sets will work on a first come, first served basis as there’s no registration or sign-up required.

When: From now until May 31
Time: 10 am – 8 pm
Where: Corner of Ste. Catherine and rue Jeanne Mance
Price: Free

Thierry Mugler at the MMFA

mbamtl/Instagram

The world premiere of the Thierry Mugler: Couturissime exhibition which was christened by Kim Kardashian is at Montreal’s Museum of Fine Arts.

Set against a spectacular backdrop, the exhibition brings together more than 140 garments made between 1973 and 2001, most of which have never been shown before.

When: Sunday, May 26
Time: 10 am – 5 pm
Where: Musée des beaux-arts de Montreal, 1380 rue Sherbrooke
Price: $16 – $24, available online

Putting Edge Mini-Putt

Putting Edge

With golf season quickly approaching, you might want to hone your putting skills.

Putting Edge is an indoor mini-putt course that (besides having a great name), glows in the dark. Every hole has Canadian-based trivia questions plus the venue has an arcade and they serve alcohol. Need we say more?

When: Sunday, May 26
Time: 10 am – 1 am
Where: 1259 rue Guy
Price: $11.99

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 26
Time: 8 pm
Where: Big Top, Old Port – Jacques-Cartier Quay, de la Commune Street Est
Price: $150 – $412, available online

Invasion Cocktail

Invasion Cocktail

Returning for its sixth edition, Invasion Cocktail will take place in over 30 bars and restaurants across Montreal and Quebec City. Throughout the week, more than 250 cocktails will be crafted by the province’s greatest bartenders and mixologists.

The festival’s goal is to “allow cocktail lovers to discover new spirits, brands and establishments,” reads the Invasion Cocktail website. “The festival also aims to promote education to industry professionals by introducing Pro Days, a series of seminars hosted by the biggest names in international mixology.”

When: From now until May 31
Time: Varies per location
Where: Various locations around Montreal
Time: Varies per location

U-Pick Tulip Field

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Flower fans can get a whiff of springtime in Laval as the city is boasting fields-worth of the plant, featuring half a million tulips.

Yes, half a million.

And you can pick them, purchase them, and picture them.

When: From now until June 2
Time: 9 am – 6 pm
Where: 1270 rue Principale, Laval
Price: $8 – $10 admission

OFFTA – Live Art Festival

This art festival features a multidisciplinary program centred on contemporary pieces showcased through various art forms, with a focus on experimentation.

When: From now until June 2
Time: Various times
Where: 1182, boulevard Saint-Laurent
Price: Free admission

La Ronde

La Ronde – PAGE OFFICIELLE/Facebook

Quebec’s biggest amusement park opened two weekends ago and it’s sure to be busy this one as well.

Though the weather forecast may not be on our side, try battling The Goliath, get rocked on Le Ednor or check out the park’s newest ride, Chaos.

When: Sunday, May 26
Where: 22 Chemin Macdonald
When: 10:30 am – 8 pm (11:30 pm during the fireworks)
Price: Available online or at the box office

Our DNA

Quartier des Spectacles

A centrepiece of Montreal’s architectural heritage, this spiral staircase, created by local artist, Patrick Pérubé embodies “neighbourly culture and friendly back alleys.”

Suspended in mid-air, the double helix of a DNA molecule aims to remind on-lookers that our differences, put together, make up our collective identity.

When: From now until May 28
Time: 24/7
Where: Quartier des Spectacles
Price: Free

Give Peace A Chance – The Exhibition

From May 26 to June 2 of 1969, The Queen Elizabeth Hotel welcomed John Lennon and Yoko Ono for their famous Bed-in for Peace.

In honour of the couple’s 50th anniversary of the famous bed-in, the hotel’s lobby will transform into a showroom that showcases photos and guest testimonials pulled from the book, “Give Peace a Chance: John and Yoko’s Bed-in for Peace” by Joan Athey and photographer Gerry Deiter.

Deiter was the only photojournalist covering the 1969 event.

The free exhibition will be on display until October 9, Lennon’s birthday. Visitors are encouraged to share peace vows on their social networks with the hashtags #bedin50 and #givepeaceachance.

When: From now until October 9
Time: 8 am – 10 pm
Where: Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel, 900 René-Lévesque Boulevard Ouest
Price: Free

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