20 FREE Montreal events worth checking out in October

Sep 26 2017, 3:45 am

Fall has officially arrived in Montreal and we couldn’t be happier!

October is bursting with fun (and free) activities that the entire family can enjoy. From outdoor art installations and music festivals to Halloween inspired events and activities, there are plenty of things to do this month that won’t cost you a dime.

Not sure what to check out first? Here are the top 20 free Montreal events to check out this October.

KM3

What: Stroll through the Quartier des spectacles this October and you’ll discover nearly twenty art installations scattered throughout on facades, squares, parks, sidewalks, and shop windows completely changing how you see the city.

Where: Quartier des spectacles
When: Now until October 15

The Home Movie Factory

What: Urban art festival Chromatic presents Michel Gondry’s Home Movie Factory, a free film production workshop. The Home Movie Factory is dedicated to offering participants the opportunity to explore the process of filmmaking through an interactive and engaging approach. From scriptwriting to filming, to choosing costumes and accessories, groups up to 15 participants are invited to create a film in only 3 hours.

Where: The Dompark Complex, 5524 Rue Saint-Patrick
When: Now until October 15

Mont Sutton Fall Festival

What: Get into the fall spirit by heading to Mont Sutton’s annual fall festival. Come take in autumn and all its beauty by enjoying a variety of free activities including obstacle courses, guided hikes, slackline trail zone, outdoor concerts, yoga hike on the mountain, and a nature photo exhibit.

Where: Mont Sutton, 671 Rue Maple C.P.
When: Now until October 15

Montreal Culture Days

What: Culture Days is expected to feature over 500 free activities in the city of Montreal. Roughly 2,000 events spread over three days are planned across the province of Quebec.

Where: Locations throughout the city
When: September 29 to October 1

Les Jardineries

What: You still have a few weeks to check out the beautiful space at Les Jardineries. Located at the foot of the Olympic Stadium, Les Jardineries is a green space created as a re-appropriation of post-Olympics infrastructure. Here you’ll find a big landscaped garden, bistros with an illuminated terrace, a greenhouse, a circular beach and a host of free games and activities.

Where: Montréal Olympic Park, Corner of Pierre-De Coubertin Av. and Pie-IX Blvd.
When: Now until October 13

Passages Insolites

What: If you don’t mind going on a bit of a drive, we highly recommend checking out Passages Insolites before it closes for the season. Located throughout the Old Port district, Quartier Petit Champlain and Place Royale, Passages Insolites will feature a number of unusual and surprising temporary art installations set up by professional artists.

Where: Throughout the Old Port district, Quartier Petit Champlain and Place Royale
When: Now until October 15

La Balade pour la Paix: An Open-Air Museum

What: This major international public art exhibition brings together 72 works of art by renowned artists, each carrying a message of peace and reflecting the universal values of humanism, tolerance and openness. These are the values that all inspired the creation of Montréal’s 1967 International and Universal Exposition, Expo67.

Where: 1380 Sherbrooke Street West
When: Now until October 29, 6 am to 6 pm

Barbie Expo

What: Come and check out the world’s largest Barbie exhibit this month. The exhibit will feature Barbies of various ethnicities, dressed in traditional clothes, as well as great Hollywood stars (Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, etc.). A separate section is reserved for haute-couture dolls, which have been dressed by Dior, Chanel, Givenchy and many more notable names from the fashion industry.

Where: Les Cours Mont-Royal, 1455 Peel Street,
When: Now until December 31

View the Fall Foliage

What: If one thing’s for certain, Montreal in the fall is absolutely stunning. This October, make the most of the incredible scenery (free of charge), as the technicolored hues are seriously off the charts and worthy of a few Instagram photos.

Where: Locations throughout the city
When: October 1 to 31

Harry Potter Magic Night

What: Lockhart, Montreal’s Harry Potter-inspired bar, will be hosting a free ‘Magic Night’ this month. Magic Night kicks off on Tuesday, October 3, with prestigious Magician, Marc Trudel. So come on down, grab yourself a cold Gin Weasley (yes, that’s a real drink on Lockhart’s menu) and watch real-life magic happen right before your very eyes.

Where: Lockhart Montreal, 3979 Rue St. Denis
When: October 3, 7 pm

Humanorium

What: Get into the Halloween spirit by checking out Humanorium this month. This fair celebrates the strange and unusual and is a nod to the travelling carnivals of the 19th and 20th century. But this carnival comes with a twist as all of its attractions are created by contemporary artists. Take a ride on the shopping-cart carousel, check out cabinets of curiosities packed with assorted sculptures, photographs and soundscapes. And don’t miss the bone-chilling Museum of Death.

Where: Jardins Gamelin – Place Émilie-Gamelin
When: October 5 to 15

Les Premiers Vendredis

What: Before fall officially takes off, enjoy one more delicious meal from Les premiers Vendredis – First Friday – will feature the best food trucks from Montreal and all over Quebec that will be serving up some crazy good food, not to mention entrance is totally FREE.

Where: Esplanade Financière du Stade Olympique
When: October 6

Montreal Compost Weekend

What: For Montreal residents looking to live a more green lifestyle, you’re invited to help yourself to compost free of charge at the St. Michel Environmental Complex this month. You must show proof of residence.

Where: Saint-Michel Environmental Complex, 2235 Michel-Jurdant Street
When: October 7 & 8, 8 am to 4 pm

Canadian International Organ Competition

What: The fourth annual Canadian International Organ Competition will be taking place this month and will welcome young organists to Montreal from around the world. Each year, the organization works to promote the organ as a major instrument in the world of music and also contributes to the development of the careers of the young organists.

Where: 1600 Saint-Urbain Street
When: 
October 10 to 21

Cooperation Launch Night

What: Cooperation, the largest open innovation competition in Canada, invites you to attend its famous social mixology, where you can have a chance to meet with industry-leading mentors and experts. 

Where: New City Gas, 950 Ottawa Street
When: October 12, 6 pm to 10 pm

Cineplex Community Day 2017

What: On October 14, select Cineplex theatres across Canada will be showing FREE screenings of several films. Popcorn, drinks, and select candy will be available to purchase at a reduced price, with proceeds going towards WE (formally known as Free The Children). Be sure to check the Cineplex website for updates on what movies will be playing and ticket information.

Where: Cineplex theatres across Montreal
When: October 14

Exotic Animal Show

What: The exotic animal show is back for another exciting year. Guests will see a variety of exotic animals including lynx, lemurs, wallabies, parrots, reptiles, skunks, African porcupines and more!

Where: 552, Boul. Wilfrid-Hamel, Borough of Les Rivières
When: October 14 to 15

Tandem Nomade

What: Come and enjoy a beautiful evening of music with Tandem Nomade as part of the Festival of Arabic Music and Arts. The musical duo will be playing the guitar and violin, taking the audience on a journey that overlooks languages and borders.

Where: Espace Georges-Emile Lapalme, Place des Arts, 175 Sainte-Catherine Street West 
When: October 27, 5 pm to 6 pm

Sound of Ney

What: Rachid Zeroual will be performing in Montreal for one evening this month, with his enchanting performance of Sound of Ney. The Morocco-born musician will host an intimate concert that should not be missed.

Where: Space Gateway, 8506 rue St Denis
When: October 28, 6 pm to 7 pm

Montreal Zombie Walk

What: There’s no better way to get into the festive spirit than by dressing up in your most frightening attire and joining the zombie walk.

Where: The walk will start at Place des festivals – De Maisonneuve/ Bleury, West on Maisonneuve boul., South on McGill College Ave., East on Sainte-Catherine St, and end at Place des festivals
When: October 28, 4 pm

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