22 things to do in Montreal this weekend: May 10 to 12

Even though the weather isn’t forecasted to be on our side this weekend, the city is still oozing with worthwhile events to check out from May 10 to 12.

From tasty food, to free events, and the opening of La Ronde, here’s what’s happening around Montreal.

See also

• A gorgeous new pub from the Burgundy Lion Group has opened in Old Montreal
• The City of Montreal and the STM team up to give kids free transit rides
• The Stanley Cup playoffs are down to the final 4 teams (SCHEDULE)
• You can fly from Montreal to Bogota, Colombia for under $260 return this fall

Friday, May 10

Cirque Du Soleil: Alegria

Saturday, May 11

La Ronde

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, May 11
Where: 22 Chemin Macdonald
When: 10:30 am – 8 pm (11:30 pm during the fireworks)
Price: Available online or at the box office

Montreal Sketchfest

Things have gotten sketchy in Montreal – in a good way.

The 14th edition of Montreal Sketchfest has returned to the city for 10 days of live sketch comedy and laughs, which sums up today.

The Montreal Sketch Comedy Festival is an annual celebration of sketch comedy assembled by Le Nouveau International, a not-for-profit arts company that resides at Theatre Ste. Catherine.

Since its inception in 2006, the festival has welcomed over 300 troupes from all over the world.

When: Saturday, May 11
Time: Varying times
Where: Theatre Sainte-Catherine, Café Bar and Montreal Improv
Price: $15 – $65, available online

MLB Pitch, Hit & Run

Boys and girls, aged 7 to 14, are welcome to join NDG Baseball for a home run derby produced by Major League Baseball at Parc Loyola in Cote St-Luc.

When: Saturday, May 11
Time: 11 am – 3 pm
Where: Parc Loyola, Cote St-Luc
Price: Free

Plum Secret Society Game Night

The Westmount Public Library is bringing guests after-hours board games to make sure you’re not bored on Saturday.

The event will be hosted by Randolph Pub Ludique and feature a variety of classic and popular board games, with a 90s twist, for members to challenge friends and newcomers.

Westmount’s Library will host snacks, music, a 90s-themed photo booth, and a cash bar (one drink included per ticket). Since it’s an after-hours event and alcohol will be included, the event will be open to people aged 18 and older only.

When: Saturday, May 11
Time: 7 pm – 10:30 pm
Where: Westmount Public Library – 4574 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest
Price: $5, available online

$1 coffee day in Montreal

Le Café Fest is returning to Montreal this weekend and it’s celebrating a trio of great things: coffee, things that cost a buck, and independent businesses.

On Saturday, May 11, participating coffee shops at over 50 independent spots around Montreal will be offering coffee without milk for a loonie and coffee with milk for a toonie.

The event aims to highlight the craftsmanship of Montreal’s baristas who serve up some of the city’s best java.

For the full list of participants click here.

When: Saturday, May 11
Time: Varies per location
Where: Various participating spots around Montreal
Price: $1 – $2

Coup Sûr

With baseball/softball season right around the corner, head to the cages and get your swing timing down.

Coup Sûr has six pitching machines all throwing at various speeds and each machine throws either baseballs or softballs. They have a closed off radar section too if you want to practice pitching. They supply bats and helmets and boast an impressive Baseball Town store if you’re looking for some gear.

Their pro shop, Baseball Town, is offering 25% on selected items on Saturday in preparation for the upcoming season.

When: Saturday, May 11
Time: 9 am – 10 pm
Where: 3835 Boulevard Curé-Labelle, Laval
Price: 1 token (20 pitches): $5.75/ 5 token special (100 pitches): $23.00

Jeux d’échecs géants

Montreal is going to be enlarging a classic hobby this month for you to check(mate) out.

Four giant, playable, chess sets are returning to the Quartier des Spectacles from now until May 31 and it’s free to play.

The giant boards consist of all the required pieces to play an official game and each piece is made out of a light plastic that’s easily moveable.

Sure, it might be a little more difficult to strike your opponent’s queen emphatically, but that’s all part of the fun.

The outdoor chess sets will work on a first come, first served basis as there’s no registration or sign-up required.

When: From now until May 31
Time: 10 am – 8 pm
Where: Corner of Ste. Catherine and rue Jeanne Mance
Price: Free

Our DNA

A centrepiece of Montreal’s architectural heritage, this spiral staircase, created by local artist, Patrick Pérubé embodies “neighbourly culture and friendly back alleys.”

Suspended in mid-air, the double helix of a DNA molecule aims to remind on-lookers that our differences, put together, make up our collective identity.

When: From now until May 28
Time: 24/7
Where: Quartier des Spectacles
Price: Free

Yoko Ono’s Arising

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

Thierry Mugler at the MMFA

The world premiere of the Thierry Mugler: Couturissime exhibition which was christened by Kim Kardashian is at Montreal’s Museum of Fine Arts.

Set against a spectacular backdrop, the exhibition brings together more than 140 garments made between 1973 and 2001, most of which have never been shown before.

When: Saturday, May 11
Time: 10 am – 5 pm
Where: Musée des beaux-arts de Montreal, 1380 rue Sherbrooke
Price: $16 – $24, available online

La Grande Roue de Montréal

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, May 11
Time: 10 am – 11 pm
Where: 362 rue de Commune Est
Price: $14.79 – $25

Sunday, May 12

Tam-Tams

Tam-Tams returned to the city last week 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, May 12
Time: 12 pm until sunset
Where: Sir George-Etienne Cartier Monument
Price: Free

Fabuleux Chez Serge – Game of Thrones Viewing Party

“This last season should not be watched alone,” claims the popular Fabuleux Chez Serge, who will be screening every episode of the final season on all of their giant screens, with surround sound.

Chez Serge will be dishing out free popcorn and guests who bring their own chalice, stein, or drinking horn will get $1 off on all drinks.

Plus, the bar has that mechanical bull. If any of the episodes get too intense, that bull might be a good ride to let off some steam.

Chez Serge stresses that “your silence is golden” during the screening.

When: Sunday, May 12
Time: 8 pm
Where: Fabuleux Chez Serge, 4281 boulevard Saint-Laurent
Price: Free admission

iSaute Kirkland

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: Sunday, May 12
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 door

Volcanoes 3D – IMAX

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, May 12
Time: Various times
Where: 2 de la Commune Ouest
Price: $10.50 – $12, available online

Amaze Escape Room

You escaped the winter’s cold, 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, May 12
Time: 2pm – 10:30pm
Where: 3550 Rue St. Jacques
Price: $15-$30 depending on your chosen mission (per person). Make your reservation first online.

Musée Grévin Montreal

Say hello to this weekend by saying hello to some wax figurines.

Check out your favourite actors, athletes, and artists in wax form. The figurines are displayed beautifully through the four-floor museum that also features optical illusions and interactive displays. It’s admittedly pretty creepy staring into Elvis’ eyes, especially if he starts blinking.

When: Sunday, May 12
Time: 10 am to 6 pm
Where: 705 Rue Saint Catherine (4th floor of the Eaton Centre)
Price: $19.50 for adult, $13.50 for children, $15.50 for youth and students and $18 for seniors

Rose Bowl Bowling

The Rose Bowl is a Montreal landmark.

The 72-lane bowling alley offers both 10-pin and 5-pin bowling and opening hours that appeal to everyone.

The Rose also hosts a casse-croute, a bar, and an arcade room.

Strike some bowling off the list for this weekend.

When: Sunday, May 12
Time: 8 am – 3 am
Where: 6510 rue St-Jacques Ouest
Price: $5 per game plus $2.39 shoe rental (mandatory)