28 things to do in Montreal this weekend: August 20 to 22

Don’t look now, but we’re really close to entering the final month of summer. As the days in August continue to zoom by, here are a bunch of things to do in Montreal this weekend.

MURAL Fest is summing up, there’s some hot air balloon action, puppets, pools to rent, fireworks, and everything in between.

• See also:
  • Here are some of the most delicious pasta places in Montreal
  • Some of the coolest art from the first week of Montreal’s MURAL Fest (PHOTOS)
  • A budget-friendly guide for visiting downtown Montreal

Just be sure to keep cool as temperatures are expected to reach feels like highs of 40ºC.

Hot days for hot events. Here’s what’s worth keeping on your Montreal radar from August 20 to 22.

Ciel en Fête

 

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This weekend, look up at the sky. It won’t be a bird, nor a plane. It won’t even be Superman. It’ll be dozens of hot air balloons.

When: August 21-22
Time: Varies per event
Where: Parc du Centre-de-Plein-Air-Ronald-Beauregard: 93 Rue Towner, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
Price: Free

Mini Fireworks

 

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Fireworks are usually synonymous with Montreal’s summer, but the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a bite out of the traditional summertime fest.

La Ronde is doing its best to light up the skies in some capacity, though.

Every Saturday, the amusement park is working with L’International des Feux Loto-Québec to bring a “mini fireworks festival” to a different borough of the island.

You have to follow a La Ronde Six Flags social media channel to find out when and where this week’s display will take place, a decent trade-off for free fireworks.

When: Saturday, August 21
Time: TBD
Where: TBD
Price: Free

Christian Dior Exhibition

 

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Fashion fans, Montreal’s McCord Museum is showing a one-of-a-kind Christian Dior exhibition from now until September 26.

The exhibition, presented by Holt Renfrew Ogilvy, is a historical showcase of “creations of the first decade of the haute couture house of Dior, created by the famous French couturier Christian Dior.”

When: Until September 26
Times: Monday – Friday, 8 am – 9 pm; Sunday, 10 am – 7 pm; Saturday, 8 am – 11 pm
Where: McCord Museum, 690 Sherbrooke St W,
Price: Tickets range from $9.50 to $19.00

Festival Marionnettes Plein la rue

 

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Giant puppets are taking over Verdun this weekend.

And for three weekends after that.

The 10th edition of the Festival Marionnettes Plein la rue celebrates marionettes, street theatre, magic shows, stop motion animation, and human-sized puppets.

And the shows are free (you just need to register your spot, right here.)

When: Fridays and Saturdays from August 20 – September 11
Time: 10 am – 4 pm
Where: Promenade Wellington
Price: Free

THE INFINITE

THE INFINITE is a new, groundbreaking virtual reality multi-sensory exhibition that takes guests on a journey aboard the International Space Station.

Freely explore a life-sized reproduction of the ISS in virtual reality as if you were there. Using several different mediums (VR, augmented reality, and projections), the exhibit offers “exceptional realism in an experience that lasts 60 minutes,” says the Centre PHI.

Go to space without having to leave Earth. Great deal.

When: From now until November 7
Times: Friday to Sunday, 10 am – 8 pm; Tuesday to Thursday, 10 am – 7 pm
Address: Arsenal Contemporary Art Montreal – 2020, rue William
Price: $10 – $40 (from Tuesday to Thursday), $12 – $50 (Friday to Sunday)

Riopelle: The Call of Northern Landscapes and Indigenous Cultures

 

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The countdown has begun.

There are just days left to see the nearly 110 paintings, sculptures and works on paper by Jean Paul Riopelle, presented at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA).

The exhibition Riopelle: The Call of Northern Landscapes and Indigenous Cultures sums up its six-month run on September 12.

When: From now until September 12
Time: 10 am – 5 pm
Where: 1380 rue Sherbrooke
Price: $16 – $24, available online

Aquazilla

 

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With the hot weather in line for this week, why not tackle some refreshing water?

Aquazilla is a 30-by-35 meters inflatable structure that’s made of slides, platforms, wiggle bridges, trampolines, monkey bars, and flip bags atop the water.

If the weather is too hot for you and you want a little more excitement than a traditional pool, give Aquazilla a try.

Aquazilla closes for the season after this weekend.

When: Every day until August 22
Time: 11 am – 6 pm
Where: Jean Doré Beach
Price: $12 to $15

The Canadian Railway Museum (Exporail)

 

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Did you know the largest railway museum is just outside of Montreal?

Featuring a collection of 188 vehicles and trains, this museum in Saint-Constant will be offering free admission this weekend, as they do on the first Sunday of every month.

Alllllllll aboard!

When: August 20 – 22
Times: 10 am – 5 pm
Address: 110 Rue St Pierre, Saint-Constant
Price: $12.75 – $21.20, available online and on-site

Walk Walk Dance

When: From now until September 6
Time: 24/7
Where: Place des Arts Esplanade
Price: Free

AURA 

 

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The Notre-Dame Basilica announced the return of AURA, one of the Old Port’s most popular events. The immersive light show is presented by Moment Factory, and a few new features have been added.

The updated version of the spectacle celebrates the materials and colours of Notre-Dame. The new musical accompaniment has also been added for the purpose of showing off the Basilica’s 7,000 pipe Casavant organ, which has been in operation since 1891.

When: August 20 – 22
Time: 6 pm and 9 pm
Where: Notre-Dame Basilica, 110 Notre-Dame St Ouest
Price: Ranges from $21 to $32, available online

Barbie Expo

 

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Montreal is home to the Barbie Expo, the largest permanent collection of Barbie dolls in the world.

Guests have the chance to see and snap pics of over 1,000 one-of-a-kind Barbie dolls, all dressed by the city’s leading fashion designers.

When: Daily
Time: Friday, 10 am to 9 pm; Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm; Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm
Where: 1455 Rue Peel
Price: Free admission

Rent a pool

 

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There’s a new way to beat the heat in Montreal.

A company called Swimply is letting users rent out backyard pools by the hour for a private swim experience. The website is an online marketplace similar to Airbnb, where homeowners can list their pools for rent.

There are currently more than 60 pools available on Swimply in the Montreal metropolitan area with enticing names such as L’Oasis, Paradise, and Luc’s Pool & Grill.

Rentable pool AND grill? What more could you want?

When: From now until the end of September
Time: Client’s choice
Where: 60+ places across Montreal
Price: $25 – $60 per hour

Musee Grevin

 

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Musee Grevin is Montreal’s very own version of Madame Tussaud’s in London. A wax museum hidden inside Centre Eaton, Musee Grevin, will have you snapping pics of all your favourite celebrities.

The museum has creepily similar figurines of George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Michael Jackson, Charlie Chaplin, and so many more.

With an SQDC location easily walkable, you could turn this excursion into a real trip.

When: Daily
Time: Monday – Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm; Sunday, 11 am – 5 pm
Where: Centre Eaton de Montréal, 705 Rue Sainte-Catherine
Price: $13.60 – $1

Cosmodôme

 

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Cosmodôme is a space science museum and education centre in Laval. If you want to learn about the infinitely expanding universe, give it a go.

When: Daily
Time: 10 am – 5 pm
Where: 2150 Laurentian Autoroute, Lava
Price: $5 (free for children under 6)

DodgeBow Archery

 

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Have you ever felt like shooting a friend with a bow and arrow? Because you totally can (completely safely).

DodgeBow, the only one of its kind in Montreal, is exactly what it sounds like — dodgeball fused with bow and arrows. They have a wide variety of activities, all of which include running around with a bow and arrow. Accuracy and agility are put to the test!

When: Daily
Time: 9 am – 9 pm
Where: 4767 Dagenais Street
Price: Starts at $25.95, available online

iSaute

 

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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 and literally jump around. It’s actually a fantastic workout and a soaring good time for the kids.

It’s fun for all ages.

When: Daily
Time: Monday – Thursday, 9 am – 9 pm, Friday – Saturday, 9 am – 11 pm; Sunday, 9 am – 8 pm
Where: 3220 Jean Yves, Kirkland
Price: $18 – $25, available online and in-person

Biodôme Montreal

 

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After being closed for more than two years for renovations (and a pandemic), the Biodôme de Montréal is finally reopened.

Using some elements from Biodôme’s original 1976 design, guests can now observe the birds in the Tropical Rainforest from treetop level, enter a beaver lodge, and really experience what subpolar cold feels like – just like the penguins.

Walk through replicas of four ecosystems found in the Americas without even leaving the island.

When: Daily
Time: 9 am – 6 pm
Where: 4777 Pierre-de Coubertin Avenue
Price: $16.50 – $21.50, available online

Voiles en Voiles

 

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Ahoy matey!

Channel your inner Jack Sparrow and climb through giant pirate ships in Old Montreal as part of a high-flying obstacle course.

When: Every day until September
Time: 10 am – 6 pm
Where: Place des Vestiges, Old Montreal
Price: $19 to $54 per person, depending on the type of swashbuckling adventure you choose.

Clock Tower Beach

 

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If the weather bodes well this week, check out Old Montreal’s free beach. Parasols, beach chairs, and a gorgeous view of Montreal — you can’t go wrong.

When: Every day this summer
Time: 11 am – 7 pm
Where: 1 Clock Tower Quay
Price: Free

Parc Safari

 

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Lions, tigers, and bears — oh my!

Parc Safari is up and running for the spring and summer season for anyone looking to get off-island and check out a slew of exotic animals, including zebras, elephants, big cats, hyenas, deer, and more.

They also have live shows and amusement park rides.

When: From now until September
Time: 10 am – 6:30 pm
Where: 242, Rang, Roxham Road, Lacolle
Price: $16 to $41, available online

Tyrolienne MTL Zipline

 

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Take a zip across Old Montreal.

For a smooth $19.99, zip across the Old Port and take in seriously breathtaking views of the Montreal skyline.

When: Every day until September
Time: 11 am – 9 pm
Where: Hangar 16, 363 Rue de la Commune Est
Price: $19.99

Stand Up Paddleboarding

 

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Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) literally puts you on top of the Saint Lawrence River. You can surf, trek down the river, do yoga or workouts, fish, and much more.

SUP is a full-body workout and a great way to soak up the summer and the refreshing river.

When: From now until September
Time: Varies per selection
Where: KSF LaSalle & KSF Parc Jean-Drapeau
Price: $45 – $70, varies per selection

Ghost Walk – Haunted Downtown

The end of summer marks the beginning of the spooky season.

And Haunted Montreal has you covered with their series of paranormal tours that you can take part in across the city, every Saturday until November.

Haunted Montreal conducts weekly ghost walks, which include haunted bars, abandoned graveyards, and hotels “rife with paranormal activity.”

Are you scared?

When: Saturday, August 21
Time: 8:30 pm to 10 pm
Where: Norman Bethune Square
Price: $24.50