12 things to do in Montreal today: Sunday, September 1

What better way to welcome in the new month than with a long weekend? Today, September 1, is Sunday but it looks like a Saturday because not too many people are heading into work tomorrow.

Here is what’s happening around town to keep you busy.

See also:

• Who oddsmakers are picking to win the Super Bowl this NFL season
• This artist’s mesmerizing ‘highlight reel’ captures the unique beauty of Montreal (VIDEO)
• You can get $7 off all tickets at Cineplex theatres this long weekend

Tam-Tams

Tam-Tams returned to the city last month 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, September 1
Time: 12 pm until sunset
Where: Sir George-Etienne Cartier Monument
Price: Free

Tonga Lumino

Mont-Tremblant wants to make sure you have giant plans this weekend — literally.

The renowned ski mountain has transformed into an enchanted hiking trail where participants embark on a quest to find the last sleeping giant of its kind.

Uh. Yes, please.

The adventure, Tonga Lumina, is produced by Moment Factory, the same company known for their illuminations of the Jacques-Cartier Bridge.

This summer’s Mont-Tremblant trail will be illuminated with light projections and mythical storytelling as giant-seekers must trek through a 1.5 km nocturnal hike to find the slumbering giant.

When: Sunday, September 1
Time: Every 15 minutes from 9:15 pm – 10:45 pm
Where: 1000 Chemin des Voyageurs, Mont-Tremblant
Price: $11.99 – $27.99, available online

Piknic Electronik

Piknic Electronik returns for its sixteenth and seventeenth edition this weekend with events today and tomorrow.

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. 11est of all – the show goes on rain or shine.

When: September  1 and 2
Time: 2 pm – 9:30 pm
Where: Parc Jean Drapeau
Tickets: $16, available online

World Press Photo Exposition

The World Press Photo exhibition started its month-long run in Montreal this week.

The worldwide tour showcases the stories that matter through photography.

The 2019 exhibition features the World Press Photo of the Year, and for the first time, the World Press Photo Story of the Year. The winners were chosen by an independent jury that reviewed more than 78,801 photographs entered by 4,738 photographers from 129 countries.

When: Sunday, September 1
Time: 10 am – 10 pm
Where: Marché Bonsecours, 325 de la Commune
Price:$14, available and at the door online

Mile Ex End Musique Montreal

Entering its third edition, the Mile Ex End music festival returned to take over the Van Horne overpass all weekend.

Besides taking place in a pretty hip venue under an overpass, the Mile Ex End fest has assembled a pretty stellar lineup which includes both comedy and music.

The festival’s full lineup can be found online but headlining acts include Feist, Kevin Morby, Adam Naas, Mélissa Laveaux, A Tribe Called Red, La Force, Jeanne Added, and Chromeo.

When: From now until September 2
Time: Doors open at 4 pm (on August 30) and 1 pm (August 31 – September 2)
Where: Corner of Rue Marmier and Rue Henri-Julien
Price: $29.75 – $79.75, available online

BLVD – Boulevard Piéton Block Party

Boulevard Saint-Laurent is closed off to vehicular traffic between Sherbrooke and Mont-Royal Avenue this weekend as it welcomes a giant block party, which sums up today.

Featuring a slew of terraces, food, music, shops, live performances, and free activities, BLVD is the “the perfect event to say goodbye to August.”

When: Sunday, September 1
Time: 11 am – 10 pm
Where: Boulevard Saint-Laurent
Price: Free admission

Asian Night Market 2019

For the third consecutive year, FoodfestMTL in collaboration with Montreal’s Chinatown Development Council hosts the Asian Night Market.

The food market has 50 kiosks and over 30 Chinatown merchants.

The majority of food costs between $3 to $5 with high-end items going for $7 to $8.

When: Sunday, September 1
Time: 5 pm – 11 pm (Friday), 11 am – 11 pm (Saturday and Sunday)
Where: 1018 St-Urbain, Chinatown
Price: Free admission

Montreal Fetish Weekend

Yes, this is for real.

Montreal is hosting the 15th annual edition of Fetish Weekend.

Described as a “fantasy-filled experience unlike anything else in the world,” Montreal’s Fetish Weekend (MFW) promises to be anything but boring.

“The festival is Canada’s largest international fetish gathering,” reads the event’s Facebook page. “It is set in the world’s fetish-friendliest city. A grand celebration of alternate lifestyle. An urban fetish happening unlike anything else in the world. You are the star!”

Located in the heart of the Gay Village, Fetish Weekend will comprise of fantasy-themed events, play scenes, demos, workshops, and a fetish photo walk.

When: From now until September 3
Time: 5:55 pm – 11:30 pm
Where: 1415 St-Hubert
Price: $25 – $300, available online

Taco Fest

Taco ’bout a good way to start the month.

The Old Port’s Jacques Cartier Pier has welcomed over 10,000 taco lovers for a three-day fiesta of Mexican food and culture in what is appropriately titled, Taco Fest.

The long weekend celebration features over 75 varieties of tacos, churros, Mexican street corn, and enchiladas from the city’s top chefs and restaurants.

Now might be a good time to invest in some seriously stretchy pants because 75 varieties of Mexican cuisine is a seriously high bar to jump eat over.

Speaking of the bar, taco fans will be able to wash down the delicious dish with renowned sangrias, margaritas, tequila, and mezcal.

When: From now until September 2
Time: 11 am – 11 pm
Where: Jacques-Cartier Pier, Old Montreal
Price: $7.95 – $12.95, available online

HUM(AIN) – We Could Be Human: A Learning Machine

It seems like Siri has some SIRIous competition as a new art exhibition in Montreal features an AI robot that learns from visitors the more it interacts with them.

As part of musician David Usher’s Hum(ai)n exhibition, a digital character named Ophelia will be speaking with humans all summer. This interaction will help to evolve her cognitive state.

When: From now until September 15
Time: 10 am – 8 pm
Where: Phi Centre, 407 Saint-Pierre
Price:$21.97 – $25.50, available online

Parc Safari

Sneak away from the busy city life and head to the country for some zoo fun this weekend.

Parc Safari has over 500 animals, exciting rides, and fun activities to keep you going back all season long.

The park starts off with the “Safari Adventure” where guests can get close to exotic animals like never before. While driving to the main park entrance, the optional adventure path allows for the more docile but equally large animals to check you out in your car.

Oh, how the tables have turned.

Animals on the “Safari Adventure” include buffalo, zebras, llamas, gazelles, ostriches, deer, peacocks, and camels. You’re encouraged to feed and pet the animals during the low-speed trek and you’ll always want to keep your windshield wipers handy. Your car might get dirty but it’s worth it.

It’s not often you get to brag about llama saliva on your windshield.

When: Sunday, September 1
Time: 10 am – 5 pm
Where: 280 Rang Roxham, Hemmingford
Price: Prices vary depending on age. Tickets available at the entrance or online

Stand Up Paddle Boarding – Parc Jean Drapeau

The St-Lawrence River is a gorgeous sight to look at and this weekend, it could be a gorgeous sight to stand on as well.

Lasalle KSF is a store that specializes in surfing, kayak, and paddleboarding and they are teaming up with Parc Jean-Drapeau to get you stand-up paddleboarding this summer.

This great way to stay active, and to be part of the historic River is offered in three different varieties: SUP (stand-up paddleboarding), SUP Yoga, and SUP Fitness.

When: Sunday, September 1
Time: 10 am – 7 pm
Where: 350 Circuit Gilles Villesneuve, Parc Jean-Drapeau
Price: $20 – $56.50, based on activity chosen