21 things to do in Montreal this weekend: November 22 to 24

When this weekend draws to a close, we’ll be able to officially start the one-month countdown until the big day.

Until then, here are 21 things going on around Montreal all weekend, November 22 to 24.

• See also:
  • 120-year-old Canadian photo shows Greta Thunberg’s doppelganger
  • The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is offering FREE admission during the holidays
  • Montreal launches pre-holiday pothole patching operation
  • Check out Montreal’s giant illuminated “scaffold Christmas tree” (PHOTOS)

Friday, November 22

Céline Dion – Bell Centre

The final performance of Céline Dion’s postponed September shows is happening tonight.

The Quebecois singer released her new album, “Courage,” on November 15 and her new tour of the same name is the superstar’s first in ten years.

You might be hard-pressed to snag tickets to tonight’s show but the singer/songwriter will return on February 18 and 19 for two more gigs at the Bell Centre.

When: Friday, November 22
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Centre Bell, 1909-avenue-des-Canadiens-de-Montreal
Price: $95 – $585, available online

Montreal Bach Festival

Montreal’s Festival Bach is devoted to classical music buffs and obviously, composer Johann Sebastian Bach. From local and international artists, the two-week festival will interpret the works of Bach.

When: November 22 – December 7
Time: Varying times
Where: Maison Symphonique de Montréal, 1600, rue St-Urbain
Price: $15 – $186, available online

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in Concert

It’s time to freshen up on your spell books, muggles. A live Harry Potter concert is coming to Montreal this weekend.

The cultural phenomena that is Harry Potter has delighted fans all over the world, and now, the magic is set to take over Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier for two dates at the end of the month.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will play on a giant screen while a full symphony performs Nicholas Hooper’s magical score from the movie. The film will be played in English with French subtitles.

When: November 22 and 23
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts
Tickets: $49.44 – $121.08, available online

Juliette & Chocolat – Free Hot Cocoa

November’s been tough on everyone, so Juliette & Chocolat is going to try to warm us up in one of the most nostalgic ways possible: hot cocoa.

The Quebec-based dessert shop will be dishing out free samples of their “dark chocolate” or “chocolat au lait” from November 22 to 24 at their Monkland location.

During the free tasting period, J&C will also be offering a 10% rebate on the “Nuit Magique hot chocolate mix,” a signature milk chocolate mix so you can have Juliette’s famous hot chocolate from the comfort of your own home.

When: November 22 – 24
Time: 9 am – 12 am
Where: 5549, Monkland avenue

Les Pastellistes

The 24th edition of the international exhibition ‘Les Pastellistes’ will be held at the Galerie Le HangArt for half of the month with its opening vernissage on November 15.

The exhibition promotes the expression of pastel art pieces.

When: From now until November 24
Time: 10 am – 6 pm
Where: Galerie Le HangArt Saint Denis, 3951 St-Denis Street
Price: Free admission

M for Montreal

M for Montreal, the annual festival that brings together performers from around Canada, highlights music of the alternative, indie, pop, hip hop and electric funk genres.

Check out the festival’s website for a list of  participating acts.

When: From now until November 23
Time: Varies per artist
Where: Varies per artist
Price: online$11.50 – $25, available

Comedy at the Art Loft

Comedy at the Art Loft continues to be one of the city’s hottest comedy shows and this weekend’s edition, the 151st, features Harrison Weinreb, a gem in Montreal’s comic scene.

Art Loft is the city’s only weekly bilingual show and is run out of a private loft on rue Saint-Laurent and is usually packed with people. It feels like a college party, except a comedian is slinging jokes into a microphone.

The venue features a DJ and snacks. BYOB and it’s 420 friendly (very 420 friendly).

When: Friday, November 22
Time: Doors open at 9 pm, show starts at 10:30 pm
Where: 4152 Boulevard Saint Laurent
Price: $10 at the door (cash only)

The Arnold Sisters – Honey Martin Pub

Honey Martin Pub never shies away from hosting solid bands and this weekend is no different.

According to the pub, The Arnold Sisters play “nice, simple tunes that are easy to drink to.”

What else do you need for a Friday night?

When: Friday, November 22
Time: 10 pm – 3 am
Where: Honey Martin Pub, 5916 Sherbrooke
Price: Free

Saturday, November 23

69th annual Santa Claus Parade

Santa Claus is coming to town this weekend as the 69th annual Santa Claus Parade hops over to René-Lévesque Boulevard this year.

The annual X-Mas extravaganza will feature 25 floats, elves, marching bands, dancers, and the lovely Christmas Fairy, while covering a two-kilometre trek between Guy and St-Urbain streets.

When: Saturday, November 23
Time: 11 am
Where: René-Lévesque Boulevard, between Guy and St-Urbain
Price: Free admission

Le Marché de Noël chez Maison Pepin

Maison Pepin has channelled a little bit of Harry Potter by turning its charming alleyway into a breathtaking rustic Christmas market.

The market itself features a variety of locally-made products for sale and DIY workshops from gift packaging to wreath making.

Without taking away from the local artisans, the alleyway is one of the most picturesque Christmas-time spots in the city. The narrow walls, dim lighting, light snow, and wreaths are begging to be shared all over Instagram.

This is the market’s first weekend and it runs until the end of December.

When: From now until December 22
Time: 10 am – 6 pm
Where: 378 Rue St-Paul Ouest

Lil Tjay – Corona Theatre

Tione Jayden Merritt, better known as Lil Tjay, is an 18-year-old American rapper, singer and songwriter from the Bronx, New York.

He’ll be performing at the gorgeous Corona Theatre on Saturday.

When: Saturday, November 23
Time: 8 pm
Where: Corona Theatre, 2490 Notre-Dame
Price: $38 – $45 , available online

Montreal Canadiens vs the New York Rangers

After tough back-to-back losses against the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Ottawa Senators, the Canadiens are hoping for better luck in a weekend game against the New York Rangers.

When: Saturday, November 23
Time: 7 pm
Where: Centre Bell
Price: Various prices, available online

Oasis Surf

Battle the weekend with some hardcore waves. Just because Montreal isn’t located on the coast, doesn’t mean you can’t tackle some killer tides.

Oasis Surf in Brossard is an indoor pool, open to amateur and experienced surfers looking to ride the waves.

Radical.

When: Saturday, November 23
Time: 10 am – 2 am
Where: Suite 01, 9520 Boulevard Leduc
Price: $30 for 30 minutes

The Irishman – Cinema Moderne

Martin Scorsese’s new film, The Irishman, assembles an all-star cast that includes Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Al Pacino and therefore shouldn’t be watched on the small screen.

The film will be screened at Cinéma Moderne for various runs until December and follows an epic saga of organized crime in postwar America told through the eyes of World War II veteran Frank Sheeran (De Niro).

The Guardian is calling it “one of Scorsese’s best films ever” which is some high praise.

When: November 23 – 25, 27-28, 30 and December 1-2, 5-8
Time: Varying times
Where: Cinéma Moderne, 5150 boulevard St-Laurent
Price: $15, available online

Sunday, November 24

Enchanted Worlds – McCord Museum

Ogilvy’s old Christmas window display, a holiday fixture at the corner of Ste. Catherine and rue de la Montagne since 1947, can now be found on Sherbrooke Street.

Last year, the annual scenes of stuffed animals interacting in mechanical settings, was donated to the McCord Museum and it is now on display until January 5, 2020.

Ogilvy’s old display has been split into two exhibits, “The Mill in the Forest” and the “Enchanted Village.”

The Mill in the Forest can be seen outside, 24 hours a day, at the corner of Sherbrooke and rue Victoria and the Enchanted Village is in a room on the McCord’s second floor.

When: From now until January 5, 2020
Time: 10 am – 6 pm (Enchanted Forest), 24 hours a day, outside (The Mill in the Forest)
Where: McCord Museum
Price: $14 – $19 (Enchanted Forest), free admission (The Mill in the Forest)

Collie Buddz – Corona Theatre

Colin Patrick Harper, better known by his stage name Collie Buddz, is a Bermudian reggae artist best known for his single “Come Around.”

Buddz will be performing at the Corona Theatre to cap off the weekend.

When: Sunday, November 24
Time: 7 pm
Where: Corona Theatre, 2490 Notre-Dame
Price: $77 – $105 , available online

Olde Orchard Sunday Game Show

Cap off your weekend in game show form as Ye Olde Orchard Pub is hosting their weekly “Game Show Night” hosted by Jay Devine.

The event offers classic games like Family Feud, Pictionary, and Word Finder but with a twist.

Plus, you’re at a pub so you know, drinking.

When: Sunday, November 24
Time: 7 pm – 9 pm
Where: Ye Olde Orchard Pub & Grill, 20 Prince Arthur
Price: Free admission

La Grande Roue de Montréal

Hit up Canada’s largest observational wheel and take in some absolutely breathtaking views of the city, during Montreal’s first snowfall.

Not to mention, some primetime photo ops that’ll make your Instagram crowd jealous.

When: Sunday, November 24
Time: 10 am to 11 pm
Where: 362 rue de Commune Est
Price: $14.79 – $25

Amaze Escape Room

You escaped the snow (sort of) so now try and 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: Saturday, November 16
Time: 2 pm – 10:30 pm
Where: 3550 Rue St. Jacques
Price: $15-$30 depending on your chosen mission (per person). Make your reservation online

Sunday Night Improv – Piano in the Snow Edition

Top the weekend off with some laughs at the gorgeous Théâtre Saint Catherine with some improv.

Professional improvisers will hit the stage, using the audience’s suggestions for some serious laughs.

The show is open to all ages, and “has food, drinks, a stage, performers, and all around good fun for everyone.”

When: Sunday, November 24
Time: 7 pm – 9 pm
Where: Théâtre Sainte Catherine, 264 Rue Sainte-Catherine Est
Price: $7, available online