21 Red Zone friendly things to do in Montreal this weekend: March 5 to 7

Montreal is currently in Red Zone, Level 4–Maximum Alert — the government’s strictest tier — in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19. Between 8 pm and 5 am, Quebecers must not leave their homes except in cases that justify travel. Travelling between regions is “not recommended” per the government, and all COVID-19 protocols (indoor mask-wearing, two-metre physical distancing, and frequent sanitization) must be followed.

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Montreal remains in the Red Zone as we enter the first weekend of March but there’s still a bevy of fun things to do, both virtually and in-person.

Whether you plan on heading out on the town or checking out things from the comfort of your own home, here are some worthwhile events to check out this weekend.

Some lights, plenty of food, and some virtual exhibitions might be right up your alley.

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Montréal en Lumière

Place des Festivals is offering a slew of COVID-19-friendly, physically-distanced outdoor exhibitions for this year’s Montréal en Lumière.

Check out the site’s Splinter, Chimes, Passage, Heat Island, and the timeless Grand Roue.

Bota Bota Spring Break Deal

 

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Bota Bota is offering a spring break deal to help improve the wellness of children and their parents.

The deal runs from March 1 to 5, offering $20 off for children under 18.

The past 12 months have been difficult, so take some time to relax.

Espace pour la vie

The newly renovated Biodôme de Montréal has reopened amid Quebec’s latest round of eased COVID-19 restrictions.

In fact, both of the Espace pour la vie venues have reopened as of two weeks ago. The Jardin Botanique is open to the public as well.

The Biodôme is open every day from 9 am to 5 pm, and the Jardin Botanique is open daily from 7:30 am to 5 pm. Tickets cost a smooth $19 to enter each one.

In September, before the second wave of COVID-19 shut down venues and museums across the province, Espace pour la vie reopened after more than two years of construction and refurbishment work.

The iconic space’s renovations are highlighted by a new “multisensory and immersive experience,” as guests can make their way through five ecosystems of the Americas.

The OASIS Immersion Gallery

The OASIS Immersion Gallery in Montreal opened last week, and the pictures of it look just as cool as we thought they would.

If you don’t already know what it is, OASIS is a new permanent immersive art centre at the Palais des Congrès. With 119 surround sound speakers, 105 laser projectors, and a whole LED lighting system, Montrealers are in for a breathtaking experience.

Take a ghost walk

With its paved streets and centuries-old buildings, it’s not hard to believe that Old Montreal is a haunted neighbourhood.

Well, you can find that out for yourself at one of Montreal’s Ghost Walks, which have resumed right on time for spring break.

In tours of up to eight people, you can learn about some of the city’s most harrowing tales. You’ll be guided by professional actors and street theatre performers who will take you through a 90-minute deep exploration of the oldest area of Montreal.

Order some local food

Montreal’s service industry has been completely decimated by the pandemic. If you’re not in the mood to cook, there’s a bevy of great options for takeout across a bunch of food delivery apps.

Tubing/tobogganing down Murray Hill

Murray Hill in Westmount is a great spot to tackle if you have a tube, toboggan, or magic carpet.

The City of Westmount has put up protective barriers, and the hill has piles of fake snow (as if it needs any this week) to really get you zooming down the slope.

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA)

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) has reopened its doors for the first time in over four months.

The four exhibitions on display are “brimming with artistic discoveries and reflections on the major issues of our time.”

The MMFA is following all COVID-19 protocols and “ensures customer safety.”

Festival de Casteliers

An online puppet show festival is taking place in Outremont until Sunday 7.

Go thrift shopping

 

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If there’s one thing Montreal and Macklemore have in common, it’s their love of thrift shopping.

Truly, there’s nothing like diving into a colourful rack of secondhand clothes and finding the sweatshirt you’ve been trying to find for months, or a skirt that fits like a glove and matches with everything you own.

As post-lockdown makeovers begin, it can be difficult to revamp your style in a way that is sustainable, ethical, and won’t make your wallet cry. Despite the vast big brand thrift stores like Value Village and the Salvation Army, finding something decent often takes many hours and hundreds of failed trips to the fitting rooms.

Take a stroll through Old Montreal

Restaurants and bars don’t need to be fully open in the Old Port to appreciate the European-like beauty of Old Montreal.

Enjoy cobblestone steps, narrow streets covered in snow, the Notre-Dame Basilica, the glistening dome of the Bonsecours Market, or soak up a breathtaking nighttime view of the landscape of downtown Montreal.

Time travel back to 1940s Montreal

If you’re in the mood for a little bit of time travelling, why not check out some photos of Montreal in the 1940s?

The photos, courtesy of Archives de la Ville de Montréal, feature rue Ste. Catherine, The Plateau, St-Henri, and more from over eight decades ago.

Luminothérapie – Loop

Quartier des Spectacles is lit.

The Quartier des Spectacles’ public square is hosting the 11th edition of Luminothérapie with Loop, a series of luminous, music-playing, interactive art pieces.

Because if anything can lighten up the bleak start of the year, it’s Luminothérapie, Quebec’s largest temporary public art installation. Loop will be on display every day from noon to 7:30 pm until March 14.

Illumi

Illumi has been shining bright in Laval since the fall. It was initially set to close after the holidays but has been extended until March 7.

The drive-thru site offers 17 different scenes, 15 million LED lights, and over 3,000 structures.

This year’s exhibition offers visitors a “magical and safe experience” by car, on foot, or by mini train. The mini-train journey costs $19.50 for children and $28.50 for adults. A family package for groups of four is available, starting at $64.

Go house shopping

Now might actually be the best time to sit at home and peek into the luxurious lives of million-dollar homes around Montreal.

We scoured Sotheby’s International Realty and put together a list of the most expensive properties for sale in Montreal. Because sure, it’s a pandemic, but now might be the time to pour $25 million into a home.