The last weekend of February snuck up on us pretty quickly, but it’s here. Here’s a slew of great outdoor events, concerts and festivals to keep you busy this weekend, from February 22 to 24.
Friday, February 22
Milk Urban Slide – Montréal en Lumière
The Milk Urban Slide returns to the Quartier des Spectacles tomorrow, zigzagging its way across the outdoor party site of Montréal en Lumière.
The 110 metre-long slide starts at the illuminated launch tower and zooms its way around the site, at full speed, screaming with photo opportunities.
When: February 22 – 24, 28, March 1 – 3
Time: 5 pm – 11 pm (from 2 pm on Saturdays and Sundays)
Where: Quartier des Spectacles, corner of rue Ontario and Jeanne-Mance
Price: Free
Les Rendez-Vous Québec Cinéma
This weekend, cinema buffs can gather to see nearly 300 films and 100 premiers from Quebec’s film industry.
When: From now until March 2
Time: Varying times
Where: Quartier des Spectacles
Price: Varying prices, available online
Volcanoes 3D – IMAX
The Montreal Science Centre invites guests to a “very hot immersive experience” as Volcanoes 3D takes over the IMAX screen for the first weekend, taking patrons where few humans dare to venture: into the heart of a volcano.
When: From now until June
Time: Various times
Where: 2 de la Commune Ouest
Price: $10.50 – $12, available online
Montreal Bicycle and Triathlon Show
Over 250 exhibitors will be on site showing off and selling bicycles, equipment, accessories, and bike seminars.
When: February 22 – 24
Time: 12 pm – 9 pm (Friday), 10 am – 6 pm (Saturday) 10 am – 5 pm (Sunday)
Where: Place Bonvaenture, 800 de la Gauchetière
Price: $11, available online
Festival de la Bête Noire Horror Theatre Festival
If Quebec cinema doesn’t do it for you, how about some horror?
The film festival focuses on horror cinema and features everything from comedy, thrillers, horror and gore films.
When: From now until February 24
Time: Varies per selected film
Where: Mainline Theatre, 3997 St-Laurent
Price: Varies per selection, available online
MNM Festival
For its 50th anniversary, the Société de musique contemporaine du Québec (SMCQ) is presenting the 8th annual festival Montréal / Nouvelles Musiques (MNM).
The festival hosts more than 20 concerts, orchestras, solo shows and conferences as a celebration of contemporary music for 10 days.
When: From now until March 2
Time: Varying times
Where: Quartier des Spectacles
Price: Various prices
Quebec Maple Ferris Wheel – Montreal en Lumière
Montrealers will have the chance to ride the fairest Ferris wheel of them all this weekend.
As part of the city’s week-long Montréal en Lumière festival, the giant, neon wheel will stand out among the Quartier des Spectacles’ outdoor activities, food, music and performances.
The festival aims to light up the city during the dark days of winter and the top of the wheel will give guests a spectacular vantage point of Montreal.
When: February 22 – 24, 28 and March 1 – 3
Time: 5 pm -11 pm
Where: Quartier des Spectacles
Price: Free
Deerhunter and Mary Lattimore Concert
Deerhunter is an American rock band from Atlanta, Georgia, formed in 2001. The band consists of Bradford Cox, Moses Archuleta, Lockett Pundt, Josh McKay and Javier Morales.
Deehunter will be joined by American harpist Mary Lattimore on Friday at Le National.
When: Friday, February 22
Time: 9 pm – 12 am
Where: Le National, 1220 Ste. Catherine
Price: $35, available online
Ramones Tribute
The well-known Ramones tribute band, “The Raymonds” swing by Barfly on Friday to play homage to the American punk rock band of the 1970s.
When: Friday, February 22
Time: 9 pm – 11:59 pm
Where: Barfly, 4062A Saint-Laurent
Price: $5
Saturday, February 23
Bhad Bhabie Concert
The American teen, who is also a “social media personality” and “rapper,” became internet famous with her catchphrase “cash me outside, how about that” on Dr. Phil.
The 15-year-old, whose real name is Danielle Bregoli, is now on tour, and will be stopping in Montreal on Saturday.
When: Saturday, February 23
Time: 8 pm
Where: Théâtre Corona, 2490 Notre-Dame
Price: Available online from $44.80 and you can meet her for $124 through a Meet & Greet package
Cheese Festival – Montreal en Lumière
For its 13th edition, “the festival of cheeses” (La Fête des fromages d’ici) will once again offer the opportunity to meet a slew of Quebecois cheesemakers.
Guests are invited to ask questions about cheeses and its production process along with the chance to taste a variety of Quebec “classics.”
When: From now until February 23
Time: 11:30 am – 7 pm (until 5 pm on Saturday)
Where: Grande-Place du complexe Desjardins
Price: Free admission
Parc-Nature du Cap-Saint-Jacques
The City of Montreal wants you to see more of this gorgeous province this winter by checking out the city’s biggest national park – for free.
So, pack a lunch, hop on a shuttle bus and spend the day in the great Canadian outdoors!
Parc-Nature du Cap-Saint-Jacques is offering free shuttle services from downtown Montreal this weekend (and six days afterwards).
With 330 hectares of land, the Parc-Nature du Cap-Saint-Jacques is the largest park in Montreal. It’s bordered by Lac des Deux Montagnes and the Rivière des Prairies, offering magnificent views of icy, snowy, land.
The park is also boarded by ecological farms that include cows, goats, sheep, donkeys, rabbits, ponies and pigs as well as a rustic sugar shack where guest can enjoy locally produced maple syrup.
When: Saturday, February 23
Time: 9 am – 4:15 pm
Where: Shuttle pick up Dorchester Square
Price: Free
POP Yoga Neige
Downward dog-sled, anyone?
Montreal-based fitness company POP Spirit is hosting a series of outdoor snow yoga sessions this winter.
Aptly titled POP Yoga Neige, classes will take place every Saturday and Sunday from now until March 24 at Parc La Fontaine and Parcours Gouin, respectively.
All classes are free to the public and boast top-notch, professional instructors. All you have to do is bring your own mat and dress warmly (and we mean, really warm).
When: February 23 and 24
Time: 1 pm on Saturdays, 10:30 am on Sundays
Where: Parc La Fontaine and Parcours Gouin
Price: Free
Sucrerie de la Montagne
And guess what? You can have it.
There’s also horse-drawn sleighs, wagons and an all-you-can-eat sugaring off feast.
When: From now until March 10
Time: 10 am – 7:30 pm
Where: 300, Chemin St-Georges, Rigaud
Price: online$14 – $34, available
Salon de la Moto
With mere weeks until the weather gets toasty, a motorcycle exhibition is on its way to Montreal this weekend.
From Harleys to sport bikes and accessories, the Salon de la Moto has got you covered if you’re a fan of the two wheels.
When: February 22 – 24
Time: 10 am – 9 pm
Where: Palais de Congres, 1001 Jean Paul Riopelle
Price: $16.50, available online
Romeo + Juliet Film Screening and Masquerade
Head over to Turbo Haüs for a viewing of Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy.
Stay after the movie for a masquerade dance party with music from and inspired by the movie. Organizers urge that dressing up is highly encouraged and some masks will be available for purchase, with proceeds going to a local organization.
There will also be drink specials and a photobooth.
“From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-cross’d lovers take their life”*
*SPOILER ALERT*
When: Saturday, February 23
Time: 7:30 pm – 3 am
Where: Turbo Haüs, 2040rueSaint–Denis
Price: Free
Natrel Skating Rink
Known for its outstanding quality of ice, excellent facilities, and breathtaking views of the city and the Saint Lawrence River, this is the place to go outdoor skating in Montreal.
There’s no better way to stick it to winter than bundling up and hitting the ice.
The chilled 2,500-square-metre rink features a cozy village right in front of the ice and is a puck’s throw away from Bistro Bonsecours for a little post-game refresher.
Natrel’s Skating Rink plays rock, classical and jazz music on large outdoor speakers to add to your soundtrack of whizzing down the ice.
When: Saturday, February 23
Time: 10 am – 10 pm
Where: Natrel Skating Rink, Bonsecours Basin
Price: $6.95 general admission, $4.90 kids aged 6 – 12, free for children under 6
Pente à Neige
No offence, Mont Tremblant, but we might hit the slopes a bit closer to home this weekend as La Pente à Neige has constructed a man-made ski hill at Parc Ignace-Bourget.
If you’re up to braving the cold, the second edition of the urban hill is big enough for up to 250 people and there’s also a mini slope on site to accommodate up to 50 mini-skiers.
The hill welcomes skiers, snowboarders, tubers and sledders of any age and features a cozily heated yurt, mulled wine, hot chocolate and music.
Guests can bring their own equipment or it can be rented on site.
When: Saturday, February 23
Time: 10 am – 6 pm
Where: Parc Ignace-Bourget
Price: Free admission
Sunday, February 24
The Oscars Screening
Cinéma du Parc is inviting guests to watch the 91st Academy Awards on a big screen.
Two of their theatres will be dedicated to the event, which is free to attend. The theatre will also be drawing prizes and selling goodies and treats.
(Tuxedo optional).
When: Sunday, February 24
Time: 7 pm – 12 am
Where: Cinéma du Parc, 3575 avenue du Parc
Price: Free
Jessica Moss and Julia Holter Concert
Jessica Moss is best known for playing violin and singing backing vocals in the Canadian post-rock band Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band and is a founding member of Black Ox Orkestar.
Time: 8 pm – 11:30 pm
Where: La Sala Rossa, 4848 boulevard Saint Laurent
Price: $23, available online
Mont Avila Snow Tubing
If you haven’t gone snow tubing yet, it’s not really winter.
This weekend might be perfect for some snow tubing on Mont Avila. 12 of the mountain’s 13 trails are open and the snow surface is “solid,” as per the website, which means you can zoom down the hill real fast.
Nobody will blame you if you knock back some taffy on a snow stick either.
When: Sunday, February 24
Time: 8:30 am – 10 pm
Where: 500 Chemin Avila, Piedmont
Price: $32 – $38
Alan Parsons Live Project
The Alan Parsons Project were an English rock band active between 1975 and 1990, whose core membership consisted of Alan Parsons and Eric Woolfson.
The band is back together on tour and will be at the gorgeous Théâtre Maisonneuve on Sunday.
When: Sunday, February 24
Time: 8 pm – 11 pm
Where: Théâtre Maisonneuve, Place des Arts
Price: Various prices, available online
La Grande Roue de Montréal
When: Sunday, February 24
Time: 10 am – 11 pm
Where: 362 rue de Commune Est
Price: $14.79 – $25
Snow Tubing on Mont Royal
Take advantage of the pride of Montreal by snow tubing down it.
Discover the exhilaration of snow tubing down reserved lanes next to the toboggan hill overlooking Beaver Lake.
When: Sunday, February 24
Time: 10 am – 4 pm (until 6 pm on Saturdays and Sundays)
Where: Mont Royal Park
Price: $5 for 4 – 11-year-olds, $9 for 12 years old and up