32 things to do in Montreal this weekend: August 17 to 19

Hopefully, you enjoyed your workweek and can be rewarded with a very eventful weekend here in Montreal from August 17 to 19.

From an adrenaline-fused festival, to a plethora of food and ZZ top, the city’s got you covered in what is slated to be a sunny weekend.

Here are 32 things to get you started.

Friday, August 17

kartSTART Montreal

As part of their drivers’ safety education for kids, the kartSTART National GoKart tour has zoomed in to St-Eustache this week.

Led by former professional race car driver, Russ Bond, the tour travels across Canada every summer and puts kids behind the driver’s seat to teach them about road safety and environment faced by motorists.

When: Friday, August 17
Time: 8:30 am – 2 pm and 12 pm – 6 pm
Where: Autodrome St- Eustache – 1016 Boulevard Arthur-Sauve, St-Eustache
Price: $79

Haunted Red Light Ghost Walk

Local tour company, Secret Montreal is giving guests a chance to learn about the city’s indecent past.

The tour is led by a professional actor and storyteller and the path leads to tales about the dark and lewd history of Montreal’s old Red Light District. Many of the sites are even said to be haunted.

When: Friday, August 17
Time: 8:30 pm – 10 pm
Where: 1219 Boulevard Saint Laurent
Price: $26.50, available online

International Balloon Festival

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.

In what started off as a balloon festival, 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 now until August 19
Time: Weekdays from 2:30 pm – the end of the show, weekends from 12 pm – the end of the show
Where: 5 Chemin de l’Aéroport, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
Price: $10-$30

ZZ Top at Place Bell

ZZ Top is an American rock band that formed in 1969, since 1970 they’ve featured the same squad: Dusty Hill, Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard.

The bearded trio is in Laval on Friday as part of their new tour.

Since they’re in Canada, is it pronounced ZedZed Top?

When: Friday, August 17
Time: Doors at 7 pm, show at 8 pm
Where: Place Bell – 1950 Rue Claude-Gagné, Laval
Price: $71.50 – $113.75

Cavalia’s Odysseo

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 weekend, right at the foot of the Jacques Cartier Bridge with over 70 horses.

When: August 17 – 19
Time: 2 pm, 7:30 pm and 8 pm (varies per selected show)
Where: At the entrance of the Jacques Cartier Bridge
Price: $49.50 – $289.50

RibFest Montreal

RibFest is a three-day celebration of rock and roll music and BBQs, specializing in, you guessed it, ribs.

The festival welcomes over 30,000 attendees, has live bands, a massive kid’s zone and local grillers from respected Montreal steakhouses.

Meal prices vary per selected meal and a word of advice, don’t forget paper towels, things get greasy.

When: August 17 – 19
Time: 11 am – 10 pm
Where: 13665 Boul de Pierrefonds
Price: Free admission

Jackalope 2018

Jackalope is an adrenaline-based festival, the entire event is staged outside at the Olympic Stadium. The event hosts a slew of activities that include: skateboarding, BMX, bouldering, motocross, slacklining and water gun fights.

There will also be a Jackalope pop-up shop on sight, food trucks, live music and the legendary Tony Hawk will be there.

According to the Jackalope website, the three-day festival is “an international showcase of raw talent, outdoor fun and stimulating exchanges at a unique event.”

When: August 17 – 19
Time: 5 pm – 10 pm on Friday and 1 pm – 10 pm on Saturday and Sunday
Where: Montreal Olympic Park, 4549 Avenue Pierre-de-Coubertin
Price: $25-$200, tickets available online

Asian Night Market

A giant all-Asian night market cooks its way to Montreal this weekend.

The market will be hosted by Foodfest MTL and will feature more than 60 authentic Asian restaurant outlets on site.

Concerts, special performances and activities will be included in the night market.

The majority of food is in the $3 to $5 range so try to show up hungry.

When: August 17 – 19
Time: 5 pm – 11 pm on Friday, 11 am – 11 pm on Saturday, 11 am – 9 pm on Sunday
Where: Clock Tower Beach – Montreal’s Old Port
Price: Free admission

Clash at Montreal Pride

Clash invites you to dust off your leather jacket, your jeans with the holes and your glitter make up for an evening all about electro-glam and glam rock.

The electronic dance music festival will feature DJ FRIGID, Van Hechter, Fischerspooner, Queen of the Underground and Canadian icon Peaches.

When: Friday, August 17
Time:  6 pm – 11 pm
Where: Parc des Faubourgs
Price: Free

Nomad’Stones Concert

Nomad’Stones is a Montreal band that’s put together from various members of different musical genres. The French-singing musicians fuse folk, funk, and electric pop together. They’re at the very trendy Jardins Gamelin on Friday.

When: Friday, August 17
Time: 7 pm – 8:30 pm
Where: Jardins Gamelin – 1500, Rue Berri
Price: Free

Yoga on the Canal

Moksha Yoga Griffintown is bringing guests yoga on the canal tonight. The session is open to everyone from any (or no) yoga background. The class happens in the evening to give you a cool and calming practice while watching the sunset.

When: Friday, August 17
Time: 7 pm – 8 pm
Where: Madeleine-Parent Park
Price: Free (recommended $5 donation)

Holy Musical Batman

This superhero musical follows Batman as he dances and sings his way to cleaning up the mean streets of Gotham City. The comedy-based script is written by Nick and Matt Lang and features a big and impressive professional cast of actors from all over Montreal.

When: August 17 and 18
Time: 8 pm
Where: Howard S. Billings High School – 210 Rue McLeod, Chateauguay
Price: $15 at the door, $10 reserved

Clerel and Only the Righteous at Honey Martin Pub

Clerel and Only the Righteous are local musicians who know how to bring it. They play a Motown style of music – very unique and mellow vibes. The group will be playing at their usual Friday spot, Honey Martin Pub, the perfect intimate setting for the type of music Clerel and co. bring.

When: Friday, August 17
Time: Honey Martin is open from 3 pm – 3 am, the band starts at 10 pm – 2:30 am
Where: 5916 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest
Price: Free admission

Saturday, August 18

Lolë White Tour

The Lolë White Tour returns to Montreal this weekend for one day of yoga fun in the sun.

The annual event takes over Old Port for one day and invites hundreds of Montrealers to join in one massive yoga session.

When: Saturday, August 18
Time: 8 am – 10 pm
Where: Quai Jacques-Cartier – Montreal’s Old Port
Price: $54 – $144

Haïti au Pied-du-Courant

Montreal’s urban beachside village is celebrating Haïti on Saturday with 6 different DJs, food trucks, cocktails, hammocks, volleyball and of course, the beach.

DJs include DJ Rocksteady, Fresco Klub, Aurée Danse-Création, Rara Soley and DJ S’tuba.

When: Saturday, August 18
Time: 4 pm – 11:59 pm
Where: Village au Pied-du-Courant – 2100 Rue Notre-Dame Est
Price: Free admission

Literary Pride Open Air Book Fair at Montreal Pride

The Montreal Literary Pride Open Air Book Fair has become a Pride tradition. It gives opportunities for people to discover great new books from LGBTQ authors who write pieces about people and issues.

Though books are purchased on site, free meet and greets, Q&A and autographs are available.

When: Saturday, August 18
Time: 11 am – 5 pm
Where: 1700 Rue Amherst
Price: Free admission

Kaskade at Beachclub

The American DJ, record producer and remixer is spinning tunes at Beachclub on Saturday. As North America’s biggest outdoor club gears up for its final few weeks, they’ve intensified their weekends.

Besides the music, Beachclub has a massive pool, wave boarding, food trucks and plenty of booze to go along with all the beaches.

$50 VIP passes are available to get up close with the DJ.

When: Saturday, August 18
Time: 12 pm – 7 pm
Where: 701, 38e Rue, Pointe-Calumet
Price: $25 – $50

Vintage Car Exhibition

The South Shore district of Beloeil is hosting a massive vintage car exhibition this weekend. From old school cars to motorbikes, Parc des Loisirs will have a slew of vehicles for fans to look at.

The venue will also host a BBQ and live music.

When: Saturday, August 18
Time: 9 am – 4 pm
Where: Parc des Loisirs, Saint-Mathieu-de-Beloeil
Price: Free

Walking Figures

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts just unveiled their newest exhibition as the ‘Walking Figures’ stroll to the museum’s third-floor Path of Peace section.

The three monumental sculptures weigh just under a ton each and stand at 9’3″. They were sculpted by the late Polish sculptor Magdalena Abakanowicz and the headless humanoids represent humanity’s desire to survive.

When: Saturday, August 18
Time: 10 am – 5 pm
Where: 1380 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest
Price: $23 for general museum admission

Hook at Cinema du Parc

Cinema du Parc is hosting a morning, family-friendly movie this Saturday as they screen Steven Spielberg’s 1991 classic, Hook.

The film stars Robin Williams as an adult Peter Pan who’s lost touch with his Neverland routes and must return to the magical island to thwart Captain Hook’s plans after kidnapping his children.

When: Saturday, August 18
Time: 10 am – 12 pm
Where: Cinema du Parc – 3575 Avenue du Parc
Price: $12.50

Station F-MR Vegan Pop-Up Shop

Station F-MR is hosting a vegan pop-up shop which is selling a variety of local vegan products. From bagels, teas, soaps, milk and sweets, the urban park has it all.

The venue also hosts food trucks, music and a comfortable place to relax.

When: Saturday, August 18
Time: 11 am – 8 pm
Where: La Station F-MR – Allée des Barges
Price: Free admission

Sunday, August 19

The Pride Parade

The Pride Parade is an LGBTQ tradition that has been going on since 1979. It’s a show of the community’s solidarity, strength, and demand for the same respect, dignity, and basic rights as those granted to heterosexuals.

Streets from Rue Metcalfe to Rue Alexandre-DeSève on Boulevard René-Lévesque will be completely closed off to motorists and makes way for 2.7 km of dancing, music, costumes and a whole lot of colours.

When: Sunday, August 19
Time: 1 pm and 4 pm
Where: Rue Metcalfe to Rue Alexandre-DeSève on Boulevard René-Lévesque

Migos at Beachclub

The American hip-hop trio, Takeoff, Quavo and Offset will be spinning beats at Beachclub on Sunday, sure to be a packed house/beach.

The venue will host the usual pool, beaches, food trucks and plenty of booze.

When: Sunday, August 18
Time: 12 pm – 7 pm
Where: 701, 38e Rue, Pointe-Calumet
Price: $90

Film Noir on the Canal

Film Noir au Canal is showing free film noir classics at St-Patrick Square on the canal. Today’s showing is David Lynch’s 2001 classic, Mulholland Drive. It’s screened in its original English version with French subtitles on a massive screen.

A musical show will open the nighttime screening.

When: Sunday, August 19
Time: 7 pm – musical introduction, 8:20 pm – film screening
Where: St-Patrick Square
Price: Free

Electric BIXI

Electric BIXI bikes have rolled into the loading docks all over Montreal this week. They’re the same price as regular BIXIs but, they’re battery powered. So while everyone else is pedalling today, you can zoom right past them in a mini-chopper.

They’re spread out among the city but the blue, electric-assisted bikes stand out versus their grey and green counterparts. Try and catch one.

When: From now until mid-October
Time: 24/7
Where: Various locations throughout Montreal
Price: $2.95 one way, $5 for a day pass, $10 for a weekend pass

Lighting of the Olympic Tower at Montreal Pride

For the fifth year in a row, the Olympic Stadium’s Tower will be illuminated with the colours of the rainbow. The curved spine of the famous structure is a spectacular sight and is totally Instagram-worthy.

When: Sunday, August 19
Time: 8 pm – 3 am
Where: Olympic Park
Price: Free

311 Concert

The American reggae, rap, funk and rock band will be performing today at the MTelus Theatre.

“Come original, you got to come original.”

When: Sunday, August 19
Time: 8 pm – 11 pm
Where: MTelus – 59 Rue Ste. Catherine Est
Price: $56.25

Notre-Dame Basilica

Celebrate Sunday 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: 11 am – 4 pm
Where: 110 Rue Notre Dame Ouest
Price: Free