It’s the weekend, and what a weekend at that. The sun is shining (yet again) and the city is bumping with a wide range of events from food, to obstacle courses and hot air balloons. A nice mix. Here are 19 things to keep you busy today, August 11.
International Balloon Festival
Hot air balloons/heritageinninternationalballoonfestival.com
The International Balloon Festival of Saint Jean-sur-Richelieu is the largest gathering of balloons in Canada. The week-long event caters to the entire family and is an easy 40-minute drive off the island of Montreal.
The Balloon fest floats off today.
The event has grown to host food vendors, bar outlets, live bands, theatre performances, activities and has garnered a reputation on an international scale. This year’s outdoor party will feature hot air balloons from Canada, the United States, France and Brazil.
When: From today until August 19
Time:Â 12 pm to the end of the show
Where: 5 Chemin de l’Aéroport, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
Price: $10-$30
First Nations Festival
The 28th edition of the festival will bridge Montreal and the First Nation community with aboriginal heritage.
The festival will host a vast array of food, cinematography, poetry reading, electro concerts and dance, connecting the city to the Kahnesetake pine forest, in honouring the history of Canada’s First People.
When: From now until August 15
Time:Â Varies per selected activity
Where:Â Place des Festivals, Quartier des Spectacles
Price:Â Free
îleSoniq
ilesoniq/ Facebook
If you’ve recovered from last weekend’s Osheaga, îleSoniq is an electric dance music festival at Parc Jean-Drapeau.
Traditionally hosted by Île Sainte-Hélène, îleSoniq will hop over to Île Notre-Dame for the 2018 edition of the festival. A beautiful mixture of rolling pasture and forested areas highlighted by flowers and local open-air artwork.
The festival has three stages, an exotic decor, and more than 50 DJs and artists to give you a memorable and electric experience.
Every year îleSoniq brings a variety of food vendors and restaurant outlets from around the city sprinkled throughout the site. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are readily available.
When:Â Saturday, August 11
Time: 1 pm – 11 pm
Where:Â ÃŽle Notre-Dame, Parc Jean Drapeau
Tickets: Day passes start at $199 – available online
MudGirl Run
MudGirl is a 5 km foot race that includes over 17 obstacles to overcome. Whether you’re alone or with a team, the challenging course is committed to testing cohesion, endurance and good humour. The run is available to ladies over 7-years-old with any level of running/mud/obstacle course experience.
Men are encouraged to come support but cannot participate.
When:Â August 11 and 12
Time: 7:30 am – 5 pm
Where:Â Paintball Commando Rive Sud
Price:Â $20
Matsuri Japon
@matsurijapon/Instagram
Matsuri Japon is a massive festival that celebrates the Japanese community and culture.
The one-day event features Japanese food, karate lessons, desserts, drinks, drum and dance shows, kimono rentals, language workshops, art demonstrations and Japanese archery tutorials.
When:Â Saturday, August 11
Time: 11 am – 8 pm
Where:Â Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre of Montreal, 8155 rue Rousselot
Price:Â Free admission
La FALLA de Saint-Michel
La Falla is an urban festival that features the creation of collective work made of wood and paper and celebrates the art of fire.
The outdoor festival hosts concerts, family activities, fire dancing and breathing and hosts a massive bonfire every night.
When: Saturday, August 11
Time: 6 pm – 10 pm
Where:Â 2345 Rue Jarry Est
Price:Â Free
Italian Week
The massive Italian community in Montreal will be concluding its 25th annual Italian Week this weekend in the renowned Little Italy.
The festival aims to promote the Italian culture through music, fashion, cars, shops and obviously, food.
When: From now until August 12
Time: 9 am – 5 pm
Where:Â Boulevard Saint-Laurent between Rue Jean-Talon and Beabien
Price:Â Free
Cavalia’s Odysseo
Cavalia
Cavalia is a massive Canadian-owned company that specializes in live shows mixing equestrian performances with theatre, acrobatics and stagecraft.
Since 2003, the event has travelled to perform in front of more than 8 million spectators worldwide throughout over 70 destinations including North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East.
Renowned for being hosted at the world’s largest big-top tent, the spectacle returns to Rue St. Catherine this summer, right at the foot of the Jacques Cartier Bridge with over 70 horses.
When:Â August 11Â and 12
Time:Â 2 pm, 7:30 pm and 8 pm (varies per selected show)
Where:Â At the entrance of the Jacques Cartier Bridge
Price: $49.50 – $289.50
Outdoor Yoga Class
Inhale. Exhale.
Sivananda Yoga Montreal is offering free yoga every Saturday at two different locations.
Both classes start at 9:30 am to 10:30 am at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park and Outremont Park respectively and stretch out throughout August.
When:Â Saturday, August 11
Time:9:30 am – 10:30 am
Where: Park Outremont: St. Viateur & Avenue Outremont and Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park: Rue Mentana and Avenue Laurier Est
Price:Â Free
Art in Sky at Montreal Pride
Tiny House Festival
(Cory Woodruff/Shutterstock)
The Tiny House Festival sounds like it could be just a collection of Legos but it’s actually the gathering of exhibitors from North America who have made the move to tiny houses. The festival will showcase several tiny houses that you can visit, family games and lectures.
When:Â August 11 and 12
Time: 10 am – 5 pm
Where: Rue de la Commune, Ouest – Montreal’s Old Port
Price:Â Free admission
Youth BBQ at Montreal Pride
The Youth BBQ activity is a safe space reserved for young people (aged 14 to 25) who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, trans, intersex, queer, questioning, asexual and two-spirit. It’s an opportunity to mix with the diversity of peers and celebrate solidarity in a relaxed and festive atmosphere.
When:Â Saturday, August 11
Time: 6 pm – 8 pm
Where:Â Parc des Faubourgs
Price:Â Free
MTL SUP Festival
Image: Shutterstock
The MTL SUP festival celebrates stand-up paddleboarding, surfing, canoeing and paddleboard yoga.
This weekend, MTL SUP is hosting a festival including all water-based activities, swim gear, food and drinks. The site will have pop-up shops, beer, sangria, tacos and live music.
When:Â August 11 and 12
Time: 10 am – 7 pm
Where:Â 7770 Boulevard LaSalle, LaSalle
Price:Â $60
Haunted Mountain
Haunted Montreal conducts Ghost Walks and carries out research into ghost sightings, paranormal activities, historic hauntings, unexplained mysteries, and strange legends from Mont Royal.
Join a tour conducted by professional actors and storytellers and learn about the mountain’s frightening past.
When:Â Saturday, August 11
Time:Â 8:30 pm
Where: Fletcher’s Field – Jeanne Mance Park
Price:Â $23
Great Gothic Picnic
Montreal’s Great Gothic Picnic is back for another summer. Besides bringing your own food, the site will host live music, games, shows, artists, and vendors.
Organizers urge guests to bring a lantern if you want to stay out late.
When:Â Saturday, August 11
Time: 3 pm –
Where:Â Parc Mont Royal
Price:Â Free
Pete Zedlacher at The Comedy Nest
Comedy mic (Fer Gregory / Shutterstock)
As seen on Just for Laughs, Puppets Who Kill and his one-hour special on The Comedy Network, Pete Zedlacher is a force of nature when it comes to stand-up. Equal parts smart and silly, Zedlacher latches on to a Canadian routine and doesn’t let go.
The show is reserved for guests 18 years old and older.
When:Â Saturday, August 11
Time:Â 8 pm and 10 pm
Where: Comedy Nest, third floor – 2313 Rue Ste. Catherine
Price:Â $15
Big Trouble in Little China at Cinema du Parc
Swing Dancing Lessons
Studio 88 Swing is offering four 20-minute sessions to get young and old people swing dancing. Two costumed teachers perform acrobatic swing demonstrations followed by introduction classes.
In case of rain, the event will be cancelled. People sing in the rain, not swing.
When:Â Every Saturday in August
Time: 7 pm – 9 pm
Where: Promenade d’Iberville
Price:Â Free
Queer Market at Montreal Pride
Marc Bruxelle/ Shutterstock
Support local creatives and businesses in a market that celebrates Pride. The market prioritizes the participation of Black, Indigenous and people of colour and trans and gender non-conforming persons.
When:Â Saturday, August 11
Time: 12:30 pm – 4 pm
Where: Centre communautaire de loisirs Ste-Catherine d’Alexandrie