Peel Street (between Ste. Catherine and Sherbrooke) will be closed off to vehicular traffic to host a street-side party full of terraces, luxurious cars, bars, and entertainers all weekend.
Regarded as one of the most prestigious and respected tourism events in the county, Peel Street business owners come together and host over 450,000 people for four days.
Plus, admission is free. Just expect shoulder-to-shoulder groups and long wait lines.
Who knows, you might even see a ghost.
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.
The tour takes place at what is currently known as the Quartier des Spectacles, known for its festivals and entertainment. But Secret Montreal takes its guests on a historical journey of another form of entertainment.
As seen on Just For Laughs, Marvel’s The Punisher and Gotham Comedy Live, Daniel Tirado, originally from Montreal, will be at the Nest all weekend.
Daniel is fluent in four languages and grew up surrounded by a diverse range of cultures, giving him a unique perspective on the world and his place in it.
Tirado will enjoy his homecoming all weekend at the Nest.
Fans will have the chance to experience what the drivers feel (albeit at a much slower pace) at the historic Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve.
See the rubber marks left by cars on the track from the same day, the grandstand that will have already started to welcome thousands of fans, and touch the walls, curbs, and ridges.
Ticket holders for the Grand Walk will receive a free Grandstand 47 ticket for Friday’s time trials.
Alegria by Cirque du Soleil
The world-renowned Cirque du Soleil production will be at the Big Top all weekend.
Alegria, which was first performed by Cirque in 1994, stole the eyes and ears of more than 14 million spectators. Performed under a traditional Big Top tent, the show made its way to 255 different cities over 19 years of touring, until its last performance in 2013.
The show mixes the high energy acrobatics which Cirque du Soleil is famous for with a “rallying theme for change, hope, and optimistic renewal.” The cast is made up of more than 50 performers and musicians, all renowned internationally for their craft.
When: June 7 and 8
Time: 8 pm
Where: Big Top, Old Port – Jacques-Cartier Quay, de la Commune Street Est
Price: $150 – $412, available online
Crescent Street Grand Prix Festival
montrealgrandprix.com
Ever since 1999, the Crescent Street Festival has transformed the popular street into a free venue for race fans, tourists, and Montrealers to celebrate the biggest race in Canada.
From race car displays to mini-games, live music, DJs, and a bunch of great restaurants and bars, Crescent Street is the go-to spot for Grand Prix madness.
When: From now until June 8
Time: 12 pm
Where: Crescent Street (Between de Maisonneuve and Ste. Catherine)
Price: Free admission
Saturday, June 8
Adam Sandler/Facebook
Adam Sandler spent some time in Montreal last summer, crashing weddings and eating bagels, and this weekend, the legendary funnyman is brining his hilarious antics with him to stage.
The actor, writer, producer, and musician has been travelling across North America this spring with his 100% Fresher tour which touches down in Montreal on Saturday.
100% Fresh was released on Netflix on October 23 and marked Sandler’s first comedy special in twenty years, according to Live Nation.
When: Saturday, June 8
Time: 8 pm
Where: Bell Centre, 1909-avenue-des-canadiens-de-Montreal
Tickets: Tickets start at $49,75 at evenko.ca
Ormstown Fair
The Ormstown Expo, known locally as the Ormstown Fair, has geared up for its 105th anniversary this weekend and it’s a dandy of a time for city-slickers and country-folk alike.
Hosted on the ancient Ormstown fairgrounds, the fair is a mixture of carnival rides, barn animals, derbies, tractor pulls, live music, and agriculture awareness.
Whether you’re driving down from Montreal or you live up the road, the Ormstown Fair is a fan favourite for all ages.
When: From now until June 9
Time: Gates open at 8 am, midway rides at 11 am and close at midnight.
Where: 1 McBain Street, Ormstown
Price: $5-$20, dependent on days and age. Passes available online
py1_experience/Instagram
The first-of-its-kind pyramid-shaped entertainment venue, PY1, created by Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté opened to the public last weekend and continues its strong showing this weekend as well.
The innovative venue will offer a multi-sensory experience, state-of-the-art technology and “a unique playground” for multimedia entertainment combining high tech with the talent of the greatest digital creators.
The PY1 experience is slated to make its worldwide debut with Through the Echoes, a show produced exclusively for the pyramid, on June 1, located near the Clock Tower grounds in the Old Port.
When: Saturday, June 8
Time: Varies
Where: Montreal’s Old Port
Price: $28.50 – $51, available online
newcitygas/Instagram
From racing to dancing, New City Gas might be the go-to spot if you want to boogie late into the night.
Rappers Tyga and Benny Benassi will be at the club on Friday and Saturday, respectively because of the Grand prix.
When: June 7 and 8
Time: 10 pm
Where: 950 rue Ottawa
Price: $40 – $90, available online
La Ronde – PAGE OFFICIELLE/Facebook
Quebec’s biggest amusement park opened three weekends ago and it’s sure to be busy this one as well.
Though the weather forecast may not be on our side, try battling The Goliath, get rocked on Le Ednor or check out the park’s newest ride, Chaos.
When: Saturday, June 8
Where: 22 Chemin Macdonald
When: 10:30 am – 8 pm (11:30 pm during the fireworks)
Price: Available online or at the box office
Old Port of Montreal
The Montreal Clock Tower (Tour de l’Horloge) is now open to the general public so get ready to climb some steps to get your Instagram game buzzing.
The 45-metre-high tower, built in 1922, marks the entrance to the Old Port and pays tribute to the sailors lost at sea in wartime.
According to the Vieux-Port de Montreal website, the clock mechanism was made in England and is a replica of London’s Big Ben. “Like Big Ben,” reads the page, “its accuracy is legendary, and sailors would set their own timepieces by it.”
When: Saturday, June 8
Time: 9 am – 10 pm
Where: Quai de l’Horloge, Old Montreal
Price: Free
From May 26 to June 2 of 1969, The Queen Elizabeth Hotel welcomed John Lennon and Yoko Ono for their famous Bed-in for Peace.
In honour of the couple’s 50th anniversary of the famous bed-in, the hotel’s lobby will transform into a showroom that showcases photos and guest testimonials pulled from the book, “Give Peace a Chance: John and Yoko’s Bed-in for Peace” by Joan Athey and photographer Gerry Deiter.
Deiter was the only photojournalist covering the 1969 event.
The free exhibition will be on display until October 9, Lennon’s birthday. Visitors are encouraged to share peace vows on their social networks with the hashtags #bedin50 and #givepeaceachance.
When: From now until October 9
Time: 8 am – 10 pm
Where: Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel, 900 René-Lévesque Boulevard Ouest
Price: Free
http://www.lagranderouedemontreal.com
Hit up Canada’s largest observational wheel and take in some absolutely breathtaking views of the city, during the weekend. Not to mention, some primetime photo ops that’ll make your Instagram crowd jealous.
When: Saturday, June 8
Time: 10 am – 11 pm
Where: 362 rue de Commune Est
Price: $14.79 – $25
ISaute/Facebook
Take your kids to iSaute Kirkland and pretend it’s for them when it’s really for you.
iSaute is a massive venue that has over 30 giant trampolines, trampoline basketball, wall climbing and a trampoline jungle gym. You pay by the hour, there’s a lot to do and it’s actually a fantastic workout. Fun for all ages (and a great workout).
When: Saturday, June 8
Time: 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Where: 3220 Jean Yves, Kirkland
Price: $16 for the first hour, $10 for the second. Tickets are sold at the doo
Vigfus Birgisson/Reykjavik Art Museum
Yoko Ono’s new art exhibition debut in Montreal at the end of April.
As part of the Japanese multimedia artist’s ongoing installation called “Arising,” Ono is asking women to share stories of harm that has been brought on as a result of being a woman. Participants are asked to also send in a photo of their eyes as part of the project.
The installation will be shown accompanied by other interactive works by Ono in which specific instructions will be given to visitors.
When: From now to September 15
Time: 12 pm – 7 pm
Where: Fondation Phi pour l’art contemporain, 451 rue St-Jean
Price: Free
Sunday, June 9
nadimsoued/Instagram
Tam-Tams returned to the city three weeks ago and the iconic party keeps up its weekly trek on Sunday.
Tams, the weekly outdoor party at the base of the mountain, is a perfect summary of Montreal, open to both locals and tourists.
The magical outdoor bash is where Montrealers from far and wide, gather in Parc Mont Royal for an afternoon of food, vendors, fun, music, and maybe even a couple of beers and some smoking (shhh, don’t tell anyone).
When: Sunday, June 9
Time: 12 pm until sunset
Where: Sir George-Etienne Cartier Monument
Price: Free
Piknic Electronik
Piknic Electronik returns for its fifth edition of 2019 this weekend.
Piknic is an outdoor electric music dance festival featuring DJs and artists from all over the world. There are obviously good tunes, but there’s also good food, good drinks, and plenty of activities to keep you going. Best of all – the show goes on rain or shine.
When: Sunday, June 9
Time: 2 pm – 9:30 pm
Where: Parc Jean Drapeau
Tickets: $16, available online
Voiles en Voiles/Facebook
Climb aboard life-size replicas of both royal and pirate ships from the 18th century in Montreal’s Old Port (how fitting).
They are over 100 feet in length and range from two feet high for the young pirates to 35 feet for Peter Pan wannabes.
As the obstacle course gears up for its final stretch run, check out the 61 different activities between the Royal Ship and the Pirate Ship. Activities include zip lining, rock climbing, and bouncy castles.
When: Sunday, June 9
Time: 10 am – 6 pm
Where: Place des Vestiges, Old Port
Price: Prices vary depending on selected activities, tickets online
Putting Edge
With golf season quickly approaching, you might want to hone your putting skills.
Putting Edge is an indoor mini-putt course that (besides having a great name), glows in the dark. Every hole has Canadian-based trivia questions plus the venue has an arcade and they serve alcohol. Need we say more?
When: Sunday, June 9
Time: 10 am – 1 am
Where: 1259 rue Guy
Price: $11.99
Old Port of Montreal
The IMAX Telus Theatre at the Montreal Science Centre invites guests to a “very hot immersive experience.” Volcanoes 3D will take patrons where few humans dare to venture: into the heart of a volcano.
Using state-of-the-art 3D technology, Volcanoes 3D will offer viewers a thrilling experience, exposing them to the lava erupting at over 700ºC.
The documentary will plunge daringly into the heart of various volcanoes from around the globe, exploiting IMAX with new laser technology.
When: Sunday, June 2
Time: Various times
Where: 2 de la Commune Ouest
Price: $10.50 – $12, available online
We’ve escaped the workweek, now try to get out of an escape room.
Try your luck at escaping from a prison, military facility, lost temple, or laboratory. Make a reservation, choose your adventure and then you have anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to get out of any respective room. Each mission is reserved solely for your group and you’re given a walkie-talkie in case you need hints/get scared.
When: Sunday, June 9
Time: 2pm – 10:30pm
Where: 3550 Rue St. Jacques
Price: $15-$30 depending on your chosen mission (per person). Make your reservation first online.