19 things to do in Montreal this weekend: October 18 to 20

This weekend may not bring the tasty grub and off-day Monday that last week’s did but the city is still bustling with great events worthy of checking out from October 18 to 20.

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Friday, October 18

Gardens of Light

As it does every fall, the Gardens of Light returned to the city, shining thousands of bright lights at the Botanical Garden.

Espace pour la vie invites everyone to discover the cultural riches of the three gardens along an illuminated pathway in its flagship autumn event.

The venue is split up into three gardens: the Chinese Garden, the First Nations Garden, and the Japanese Garden.

When: Friday, October 18
Time: 9 am – 9 pm (Sunday – Thursday), 9 am – 10 pm (Friday – Sunday)
Where: Botanical Garden, 4101 rue Sherbrooke Est
Price: $8 – $16, available online

Montreal Burlesque Festival

Montreal is about to get a touch more glamorous as the prestigious Burlesque Festival returns to the city for its 11th edition.

The city never veers away from its nightlife, partying, and entertainment scene and the two-day Montreal Burlesque Festival will highlight all three.

From tonight until October 19, two events will feature costumes, dancing, music, and cabaret flaunting the best of male, female, and non-binary performers on stage at the renowned Club Soda.

When: October 17 – 19
Time: Doors at 7 pm, show at 8 pm
Where: Club Soda – 1225 Boulevard St. Laurent
Price: $49.25 – $179.25, available online

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. 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.

When: Every Friday until October 31
Time: 8:30 pm – 10 pm
Where: 1219 Boulevard Saint Laurent
Price: $26.50, available online

Bengt Washburn at The Comedy Nest

When: October 18, and 19
Time: 8 pm and 10:30 pm
Where: The Comedy Nest, 2313 Saint-Catherine Street (3rd Floor)
Price: $10 – $15, available online

Pumpkinferno

Upper Canada Village has transformed into an award-winning festival featuring mesmerizing installations of artist-inspired, glowing pumpkins.

The tour features an outdoor exhibit of 7,000 handcrafted pumpkins along a 1-km lit path in a picturesque 19th-century backdrop.

When: On now until October 27
Time: 6:30 pm – 10 pm
Where: Upper Canada Village, County Road 2
Price: online$12 – $18, available

Montreal Indigenous Fashion Week

Bringing forth some of the most eclectic Indigenous designers from across the globe, the Montreal Indigenous Fashion Week event will also include designer workshops and an interactive panel-style discussions

When: From now until October 19
Time: 5 pm
Where: Montreal City Hall
Price: Free

The Rocky Horror Show

See the sensational play that sparked an international phenomenon at the timeless Mainline Theatre, all weekend.

Worlds collide in Richard O’Brien’s musical-theatre masterpiece as camp sci-fi meets sexual exploration, glam-rock, and sensual daydreams to treasure forever. Experience the October classic in an intimate experience with a full live cast, band, dancers, and music.

When: October 17, 18, and 19
Time: 8 pm
Where: Mainline Theatre, 3997 Boulevard Saint-Laurent
Price: $20 – $30, available online

Saturday, October 19

DVBBS + DLMT – New City Gas

Dvbbs is a Canadian EDM duo formed in 2012, composed of brothers Chris Chronicles and Alex Andre. They’ll be spinning tunes at the always-busy New City Gas on Saturday.

When: Saturday, October 19
Time: 10 pm
Where: New City Gas, 950 Rue Ottawa
Price: $18, available online

Cité Mémoire

Head to Old Montreal to admire 25 of the world’s largest projection circuits. Montreal’s history is displayed on buildings and streets throughout the Old Port. Download the free “Montreal en Histoires” app for destinations, details, and schedules.

When: Saturday, October 19
Time: From nightfall until 11 pm
Where: Old Montreal
Price: Free

Dodgebow

DodgeBow is exactly what it sounds like: dodgeball fused with bow and arrows.

The exhilarating team-based archery combat sport is capped with cushion-ends so they don’t hurt when they hit you and you can channel your inner Legolas when flinging them.

Face-off with your friends in the DodgeBow arena and put your marksmanship skills to the test. That’ll show the rain who’s boss.

When: Saturday, October 19
Time: 2 pm – 8 pm
Where: 202-4767 Dagenais Street
Price: $24.95, available online

Egyptian Mummies: Exploring Ancient Lives

A handful of mummies will be continuing their world tour as they cozy up to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts for a few months.

The exhibition, Egyptian Mummies: Exploring Ancient Lives, will be the mummies’ first North American exposition, following “tremendous success in Australia, Hong Kong and Taiwan,” according to the MMFA.

As per the press release, the British Museum has reconstructed the lives of six individuals who lived along the Nile from about 900 BC to 180 AD.

If one of them gets up and starts haunting you, however, that’s NOT part of the exhibition.

When: Saturday, October 19
Time: 10 am – 5 pm
Where: Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, 380, Sherbrooke Street
Price: $23

Parc Safari Zoo

Get your animal fix by heading to Parc Safari, an easy 40-minute drive off the island. The park offers an optional Safari Adventure upon entering, you can drive up and see a variety of exotic animals from your car including zebras, ostriches, buffalo, llamas, and camels.

Inside the park, take a walk down the Forest Trail where you have an amazing vantage point view of monkeys, hyenas, and bears. Don’t forget the lions, but we didn’t have to tell you that.

When: Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until October 27, 2019
Time: 10 am
Where: 280 Rang Roxham, Hemmingford
Price: Prices vary depending on age. Tickets available at the entrance or online

Musee Grevin

Musee Grevin is Montreal’s very own version of Madame Tussaud’s in London. A wax museum hidden inside Centre Eaton, Musee Grevin will have you snapping pics of all your favourite celebrities.

The museum has creepily similar figurines of George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Michael Jackson, Charlie Chaplin, and so many more.

With an SQDC location easily walkable, you could turn this excursion into a real trip.

When: Saturday, October 19
Time: 10 am – 6 pm (Monday – Saturday), 11 am – 5 pm (Sunday)
Where: Centre Eaton de Montréal, 705 Rue Sainte-Catherine
Price: $13.60 – $19.95

Sunday, October 20

RuPaul’s Drag Race: Werq The World Tour 

Get ready Kweens! RuPaul’s Drag Race is coming to Montreal this weekend.

Your favourite drag stars will be hitting the stage for the Official RuPaul’s Drag Race WERQ the World Tour.

The show will be hosted by the fabulous Michelle Visage who “takes you on a journey to save the galaxy in the largest drag production ever produced.”

When: Sunday, October, 20
Time: 4 pm
Where: Théâtre Maisonneuve
Tickets: $90 – $101, 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: Sunday, October 20
Time: 10 am – 2 am
Where: Suite 01, 9520 Boulevard Leduc
Price: $30 for 30 minutes

Le Ceramic Cafe Studio

Test out that creativity this weekend.

If you’re a fan of art and coffee, Le Ceramic Cafe Studio is for you. Le Ceramic Cafe Studio allows Montrealers to sip on a latte or eat a sandwich, while creating some pretty magnificent ceramic art. Simply choose an object (like a mug or bowl), pick your colours, and get painting.

When: Sunday, October 20
Time: 10 am – 10 pm
Where: 4338 Saint Denis
Price: $7 – $15 (varies by time)

La Grande Roue de Montréal

Hit up Canada’s largest observational wheel and take in some absolutely breathtaking views of the city, during spring. Not to mention, some primetime photo ops that’ll make your Instagram crowd jealous.

When: Sunday, October 20
Time: 10 am to 11 pm
Where: 362 rue de Commune Est
Price: $14.79 – $25

Sunday Night Improv

Cap off the weekend with some laughs at the weekly improv comedy showcase at Theatre Sainte Catherine Café-Bar..

When: Sunday, October 20
Time: 7 pm
Where: Theatre Sainte Catherine Café-Bar – 264 Ste. Catherine Est, Montreal
Price: Online

Apple Picking – La Ferme Quinn

If that constant buzz of the big city is a bit draining, trade in your slacks and button-up shirt for a straw hat and overalls.

Take a quick drive out to Île-Perrot and enjoy a variety of farmyard activities at Quinn Farm and apple picking galore.

La Ferme Quinn harvests apples until the end of September, giving Montrealers one whole month to pick from their juicy varieties.

Open from 10 am to 4 pm 7 days a week, admission to La Ferme Quinn is just $5 and gives you access to the pick-your-own apples and tractor and wagon rides.

When: Sunday, October 20
Time: 10 am – 4 pm
Where: 2495 Perrot Boulevard Sud, Notre Dame de l’Île Perrot
Price: $5