16 things to do in Montreal today: Sunday, September 23

Almost as quickly as summer zoomed by, it’s already the end of the weekend. But don’t worry, the city is offering plenty of great events today, September 23, that the weekend will feel like it’s just getting started.

Here’s 14 things worth checking out today in Montreal.

Piknic Électronik

Piknic is an electronic dance music festival that’s been happening every Sunday on Parc Jean-Drapeau. Today’s DJs are Omar-S, Lis Dalton, AKUFEN, Chaos in the CBD, and Ēmikkē.

The venue hosts food trucks, bar outlets and rest areas for people to relax after hours of fist pumping.

When: Sunday, September 23
Time: 2 pm – 9:30 pm
Where: Parc Jean-Drapeau
Price: $19

AQUA The Rewind Tour

The Danish and Norwegian Eurodance group AQUA is performing their ‘Rewind Tour’ and will be stopping at the MTELUS theatre tonight.

If you want to have ‘Barbie Girl’ stuck in your head for the next few decades too, head over to MTELUS. Plus, Prozzak will be opening for them, remember those guys?

When: Sunday, September 23
Time: 8 pm – 11 pm
Where: MTELUS
Price: $70.25, available online

Gardens of Light

Montreal’s botanical gardens has finally lit up the magical Gardens of Light Festival for the season.

The lantern festival includes a lighted path through the Botanical Garden’s three cultural gardens, The Chinese, Japanese and First Nations Gardens, all looking at nature from a different perspective.

When: From now until October 31
Time: 6 pm – 9 pm (until 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays)
Where: Montreal’s Botanical Gardens
Price: $10.25 – $20.50

Red Bull Music Festival

Continuing their tradition from New York, Paris and Tokyo, coupled with the success of last year’s music school, the Red Bull Music Festival will be continuing their week-long stay in Montreal t

The festival will offer diverse programming, unique shows and live performances in unconventional venues.

When: From now until September 27
Time: Various times
Where: Various venues around Montreal
Price: $10-$25

Pizza Fest

Grab a slice of everyone’s favourite comfort food as 50 participating restaurants in Montreal will create their own, unique take on the dish.

At the end of the 13-day festival, one place will be crowned the tasty winner of Montreal’s Pizza Fest.

Visit the Pizza Fest for a full list of participating restaurants.

When: From now until September 24
Time: Varies per location
Where: Spread out throughout Montreal
Price: Varies per selected pizza

World Press Photo Exhibition

The 13th annual World Press Photo Exhibition in Montreal showcases some of the most prestigious photographs from around the world. This year, 73,500 photos from 125 different countries will headline the exhibition.

When: Saturday, September 22
Time: 10 am – 12 am
Where: Marché Bonsecours – 325 de la Commune East
Price: $11 for students, $14 general admission, free for kids under 12

Oasis International Marathon

Why not burn off some of this summer’s unwanted burgers?

The Oasis International Marathon is the largest running event in Quebec. Registration is open for a marathon, a half marathon, and the 1 km, 5 km and 10km races. A little something for everyone.

When: Sunday, September 23
Time: Varies per course
Where: Varies per course
Price: $33.99 – $143.99 depending on selected course

What the Pop!

What the Pop! is a festival that spotlights over 50 emerging artists from all over Quebec from a variety of different art forms.

Along with live musical performances, the festival hosts original art pieces, dance troops, ceramics, jewellery, clothing shops and writing and painting workshops.

Visit What the Pop! website for a full list of scheduled events.

When: Sunday, September 23
Time: 6 pm – 10 pm
Where: Eastern Bloc – 7240 Rue Clark
Price: Varies per artist

The MTL Grand Open Round 3

Round 3 (of 10) features nine of Montreal’s funniest comedians battling out for their chance to win a $1000 grand prize.

Grand… prize… get it?

The 3rd round is hosted by Troy Stark, is headlined by Shirley Whalen and features 9 comedians trying to laugh their way to a grand: Kate Hammer, Rena Taylor, Wardie Leppan, Oren Shbiro, Marko Kulik, Michael Lifshitz, Jason Hatrick, Matt Santos
and Brian Millward

When: Sunday, September 23
Time: Doors at 7:30 pm, show at 8 pm
Where: Mckibbin’s Irish Pub – 1426 Bishop Street
Price: $5

Summer Concert Series

The historic Saint Joseph Oratory is hosting an indoor concert with live projections on a giant screen today. This weekend features musician Raphael De Castro at one of Montreal’s most viewed buildings.

When: Sunday, September 23
Time: 3:30 pm
Where: Saint Joseph Oratory
Price: Free

Tam Tams

Sundays in Montreal in the summer is synonymous with Tam Tams. It’s a giant outdoor party with dancers, sports and drummers all gathered around the Sir George-Etienne Cartier monument.

This is the penultimate Tams of the 2018 season. The mountain’s longstanding tradition should be your go-to Sunday spot. Very 420 friendly.

When: Sunday, September 23
Time: Noon
Where: Mont Royal Park
Price: Free

Gothfest

The biggest gothic festival in the province returned for its 3rd edition yesterday and it sums up tonight. Headliners include Hexapheen, The Electric Dead, Nechromancer, The House of Haunt and Peter Turns Pirate.

When: September 22 and 23
Time: 6:30 pm
Where: COOP KATACOMBES – 1635 Boulevard Saint Laurent
Price: $20, available at the door

Nextdoor Pub & Grill

Nextdoor is the place to on Sundays to eat and drink. They offer deals at both ends of their hours – bottomless caesars and mimosas in the afternoon and 29 cent chicken wings at night. Park yourself at the quaint, basement pub and see how many cheap and equally tasty wings you can devour.

When: Sunday, September 23
Time: 8 am – 3 pm caesar/mimosa deal, 4 pm – midnight wing special
Where: 5175A Rue Sherbrooke Ouest

Notre-Dame Basilica

Celebrate today’s mass at Montreal’s most viewed structure at 11 am and hear a 25-person choir accompanied by the organ. Or, take a walking tour of the basilica which is an absolutely gorgeous spectacle. It is filled with hundreds of wooden carvings, several religious statues, and gigantic stained glass windows.

When: The Notre-Dame Basilica is open year round
Time: 12:30 pm – 4 pm on Sundays (mass starts at 11 am)
Where: 110 Rue Notre Dame Ouest
Price: Free

Barbie Expo

The world’s largest permanent exhibit of Barbies is happening at Montreal’s Cours Mont-Royal. The upscale mall hosts over 1,000 entertainment industry Barbie dolls, all dressed by leading fashion houses.

Imagine starting off the day at the Barbie Expo and then ending it with some AQUA? It’s almost too perfect of a Sunday.

When: Sunday, September 23
Time: 10 am – 7 pm
Where: Cours Mont-Royal, 1445 Rue Peel
Price: Free

See also

• This 'no marijuana' sign has popped up at the Canada-US border
• Food critic who trashed Montreal bagels is now slamming maple syrup
• This Montreal spot was just named one of the ‘Top 50 Cafes on Earth’
• Quebec restaurant offers free poutines to motorists who don't drink and drive