27 things to do in Montreal this weekend: October 26 to 28

Oct 25 2018, 11:56 pm

You’ll have to wait until 2019 for another October weekend after this one, so you might as well make the best out of it. From a slew of Halloween-themed events and the city’s usual weekend buzz, here are 27 things to check out in Montreal this weekend, October 26 to 28.

Friday, October 26

Malefycia’s Zone 4

Malefycia

Malefycia/ Facebook

With Halloween creeping up, it may be time to check out some serious frights. Malefycia’s Zone 4 is a fuse between the traditional haunted house and interactive theatre.

The event uses custom-built scenarios with professional actors, props and settings to bring their guests’ worst nightmares into reality.

This year’s theme is called Zone 4 and it focuses on military experiments gone wrong and the event’s antagonist, as per the Malefycia website, is “the most dangerous of all demons: the man.”

When: October 26-31
Time: 5 pm – 12 am
Where: 2085 rue Drummond
Price: $35 – $55, 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.

When: Friday, October 26
Time: 8:30 pm – 10 pm
Where: 1219 Boulevard Saint Laurent
Price: $26.50, available online

The Rocky Horror Picture Show Halloween Ball

Rocky Horror Picture Show

Rocky Horror Picture Show Montreal/Facebook

Halloween in Montreal isn’t complete without checking out our iconic screening of one of America’s favourite cult classic films, The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

The weekend event shows the original 1975 musical/comedy/horror film in its original version while a large ensemble cast performs live on stage with a wide range of audience participation.

Hosted at the beautiful vintage theatre in the heart of the Quartier des Spectacles, the film stars Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Richard O’Brien and Meat Loaf in what the RHPC website calls “a guaranteed party.”

Guests are urged to dress up, scream, dance and throw things in the screening room.

When: October 26, 27 and 31
Time: 7:30 pm and 11 pm
Where: Cinéma Impérial, 1430 rue Bleury
Price: $19.95 online, $21.95 at the door

Smitheman Family Haunted Yard

The Smitheman Family Haunted Yard is the spookiest attraction in the West Island. Entrance is by donation and all proceeds go to the Starlight Children’s Foundation. Prepare to be scared out of your wits by the incredible decor at this haunted attraction. There will be swamp monsters, werewolves, ghosts, mummies, witches, and of course, lots of candy.

When: October 26 – 31
Time: 6 pm – 9 pm
Where: 116 Maywood Ave., Pointe Claire
Price: Free

Comedy at the Art Loft

june 15-17

Comedy at the Art Loft/Facebook

Comedy at the Art Loft is the hottest underground comedy show in Montreal. It’s the city’s only weekly bilingual show and is run out of a private loft on Rue Saint Laurent and always packed with people. It feels like a college party, except a comedian is speaking into a microphone.

This week’s headliner is Colin Boudrias and the show is hosted by the very funny Quinn McMorrow, along with featured acts Jaime Villeneuve, Joze Piranian, Adam Susser, Andy Haynes, Shirley Whalen and Pascal Kameron.

There will be a DJ and snacks. BYOB and 420 friendly. Very 420 friendly.

When: Friday, October 26
Time: Doors open at 9 pm, show starts at 10:30 pm
Where: 4152 Boulevard Saint Laurent
Price: $10 at the door (cash only)

Clerel and Only the Righteous at Honey Martin Pub

Clerel and Only the Righteous are local musicians who know how to bring it. They play a Motown style of music – very unique and mellow vibes. The group will be playing at Honey Martin Pub on Friday, which is a perfect, intimate setting for the type of tunes Clerel and Co. bring.

When: Friday, October 26
Time: Honey Martin is open from 3 pm – 3 am, the band starts at 10 pm – 2:30 am
Where: 5916 Sherbrooke Ouest
Price: Free admission

The Room at Cinema du Parc

Cinema du Parc is screening the cult classic film, The Room, while inviting everybody to dress up in Halloween costumes. Join Johnny, Lisa, Denny and the spiral staircase for a super scary screening of The Room with prizes to be won for best costumes.

When: Friday, October 26
Time: 9:30 pm – 11:45 pm
Where: Cinema du Parc
Price: $17, available online

Festival SPASM

horror movie festival

Festival SPASM/Facebook

Besides candy and costumes, Halloween is all about scaring people. And what’s a better way to scare people than with a horror movie festival?

Returning for its 17th edition, the SPASM film festival was created to encourage and explore the various horror genre films from Quebec cinema and international French films.

Sure, Hocus Pocus and Casper were scary when you were a kid, but SPASM aims to showcase all films that are gruesome, quirky, terrifying, thrilling and edge-of-your-seat enjoyable.

When: From now until October 27
Time: Varying times
Where: 1225 Boulevard Saint Laurent – Club Soda
Price: $20.25, available online

Horror at Hogwarts

This 18+ event celebrates several screenings of the Harry Potter films with alcohol and scary surprises. There’s Harry Potter-themed singing, dancing, games and of course, costumes.

When: Friday, October 26
Time: 9 pm – 3 am
Where: Olympia de Montreal, 1004 rue Ste. Catherine Est
Price: $39.99 – $49.99, available online

Voiles en Voiles

pirate ship

Voiles en Voiles/Facebook

Friday is your last chance to climb aboard life-size replicas of both royal and pirate ships from the 18th century before it closes for the winter. They are over 100 feet in length and range from two feet high for the young pirates to 35 feet for Peter Pan wannabes.

The obstacle course features 61 different activities between the Royal Ship and the Pirate Ship. Activities include zip lining, rock climbing, and bouncy castles.

When: Friday, October 26
Time: 10 am – 6 pm
Where: Place des Vestiges, Old Port
Price: Online Prices vary depending on selected activities, tickets

Saturday, October 27

Montreal’s Zombie Walk

zombie walk

Marche des Zombies/Facebook

It’s time to zombie-fy yourself at this weekend’s Zombie Walk.

If you like blood, gore, and walking funny, then you best join in on one of the city’s undead-themed walks. All you have to do is show up with some tattered clothing, your best zombie makeup and maybe even a sword to the head or two.

Not the greatest at applying makeup? There will be makeup experts on hand at Place des Festivals starting at 3 pm sharp. $15 will cover a full application of makeup (wounds, gashes, blood and all).

When: Saturday, October 27
Time: 1 pm
Where: Place des Festivals
Price: Free 

The Gardens of Light

Gardens of Light festival

@jfsavaria/ Instagram

The Gardens of Light is a staple Montreal fall event that is oozing with gorgeous photo opportunities.

The lantern festival includes a lighted path through the Botanical Garden’s three cultural gardens, the Chinese, Japanese and First Nations Gardens, all looking at nature from a different perspective.

When: From now until October 31
Time: 6 pm – 9 pm (until 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays)
Where: Montreal’s Botanical Gardens
Price: $10.25 – $20.50

Electric Avenue Black Out Party

There’s a massive dance party happening at Electric Avenue on the Saturday before Halloween. The dance floor is decorated with neon lights for their Blackout Party.

The resident DJs will be blasting classic Halloween tunes and there are cash prizes ($275 to $675) to be won for both a costume and a dance contest.

Better start practicing those Thriller moves.

When: Saturday, October 27
Time: 7 pm
Where: Electric Avenue, 1476 rue Crescent
Price: online$8, available

Pumpkinferno

pumpkin lantern festival

Pumpkinferno/Upper Canada Village

Pumpkinferno (besides having a great name) showcases over 7,000 handcrafted pumpkins which are lit up at night along a one-kilometre path set against a 19th-century backdrop. Some are individual pumpkins and some are fused together to make some outstanding art.

When: October 19 – 21 and 25 – 28
Time: 7 pm – 10 pm
Where: Upper Canada  Village – County Road 2
Price: $12 – $16

Montreal Cannabis Expo

The cannabis expo is a place to learn and share everything there is to know about the marijuana industry. Like-minded professionals, working in all aspects of the community, including licensed producers, growers, investors, supplies, health care providers and job-seekers.

When: October 26 and 27
Time: 10 am – 5 pm
Where: Place Bonaventure
Price: $45

Haunted Mountain

Haunted Montreal conducts Ghost Walks and carries out research into ghost sightings, paranormal activities, historic hauntings, unexplained mysteries, and strange legends from Mont Royal.

Join a tour conducted by professional actors and storytellers and learn about the mountain’s frightening past.

When: Saturday, October 20
Time: 8:30 pm
Where: Fletcher’s Field – Jeanne Mance Park
Price: $23

La Ronde’s Fright Fest

La Ronde's

@rubenslimamoraes/Instagram

As if La Ronde’s wild rides aren’t scary enough, they’ve added some ghouls, zombies and witches to the park this month to give thrill-seekers some added jolts at Quebec’s biggest amusement park.

Fright Fest returns for select days in October, it’s a spooky time as costumed monsters take over the park at night.

The park will offer a wide variety of places to get your scare on including new haunted houses, scare zones, frightening mazes and themed rides.

When: October 20 and 21
Time: 11 am – 10 pm
Where: La Ronde – 22 Chemin Macdonald
Price: Varying prices

Nghtmre b4 Xmas at New City Gas

dancing

Pressmaster/Shutterstock

New City Gas is hosting a big costume Halloween party where the massive space’s DJs will be spinning Halloween tunes all night. There are prizes to be won, VIP deals and a scary amount of people going.

When: Saturday, October 27
Time: 10 pm – 3 am
Where: New City Gas, 950 rue Ottawa
Price: $16 – $36, available online

Lily Allen in Concert

Lily Rose Beatrice Cooper, known professionally as Lily Allen, is an English singer, songwriter, and television presenter. She’s at the gorgeous Théâtre Corona on Saturday as part of her No Shame tour.

Fun fact: She’s the sister of the Alfie Allen (who plays Theon Greyjoy in Game of Thrones).

When: Saturday, October 27
Time: 7 pm (doors), 8 pm (show) – 11 pm
Where: Théâtre Corona, 2490 Notre-Dame
Price: $42.50, available online

Sunday, October 28

BIXI Sunday

Bixi sharing program

BIXI/Shutterstock

Free BIXI Sundays are back for the third season in a row. On the last Sunday of every month, BIXI is offering free day passes to everyone in the city. All you have to do is swipe a credit card, solely for the fact that you don’t take these mini-choppers home with you.

Maybe you can get so lucky and nab a new BIXI with a laser light, or the electric model, just dress warmly!

When: Sunday, October 28
Time: 12 am – 11:59 pm
Where: Various locations throughout Montreal

The MTL Grand Open Round 8

The sixth round (of 10) features nine of Montreal’s funniest comedians battling out for their chance to win a $1000 grand prize.

Grand… prize… get it?

Round 7 includes an impressive slate of comedians, hosted by Lawrence Corber: Steve Patrick Adams, Nick Burden, Steve Love, Vance Moise Michel, Jacob Greco, Hart Less
Bashar Khan, Lorenzo Patino and Akeem Hoyte-Charles.

When: Sunday, October 28
Time: Doors at 7:30 pm, show at 8 pm
Where: Mckibbin’s Irish Pub – 1426 Bishop Street
Price: $5

Parc Safari Zoo

may 25 to 27

@curlykay77/Instagram

Take advantage of Parc Safari’s weekend deals during their “low season.”

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: Weekends in October
Time: 10 am – 5 pm
Where: 280 Rang Roxham, Hemmingford
Price: Prices vary depending on age. Tickets available at the entrance or online

Atwater Market

The Atwater Market is a massive farmers’ market located in Saint-Henri that’s been running since 1933. The market features both indoor and outdoor vendors from a vast variety of local options: meat, bread, cheese, fruit, vegetables, flowers, candy, pizza and ice cream.

The seasonal market is free to enter and if you’re looking for some October swag, it’s your spot.

When: Every day
Time: 7 am – 8 pm
Where: 138 Avenue Atwater

Barbie Exhibition

barbie expo

joshuajacobs81/instagram

The world’s largest permanent exhibit of Barbies is happening at Montreal’s Cours Mont-Royal. The upscale mall hosts over 1,000 entertainment industry Barbie dolls, all dressed by leading fashion houses.

When: The Barbie Exhibit happens year round
Time: 10 am – 7 pm
Where: Cours Mont-Royal, 1445 Rue Peel

Nextdoor Pub & Grill

Nextdoor is the place to on Sundays to eat and drink. They offer deals at both ends of their hours – bottomless caesars and mimosas in the afternoon and 29 cent chicken wings at night. Park yourself at the quaint, basement pub and see how many cheap and equally tasty wings you can devour.

When: Sunday, October 28
Time: 8 am – 3 pm caesar/mimosa deal, 4 pm – midnight wing special
Where: 5175A Rue Sherbrooke Ouest

Notre-Dame Basilica

Easter events Montreal

jiawangkun/Shutterstock

Celebrate today’s mass at Montreal’s most viewed structure at 11 am and hear a 25-person choir accompanied by the organ. Or, take a walking tour of the basilica which is an absolutely gorgeous spectacle. It is filled with hundreds of wooden carvings, several religious statues, and gigantic stained glass windows.

When: The Notre-Dame Basilica is open year round
Time: 12:30 pm – 4 pm on Sundays (mass starts at 11 am)
Where: 110 Rue Notre Dame Ouest
Price: Free

Montreal Alouettes vs Toronto Argonauts

montreal alouettes

Image: Montreal Alouettes / Twitter

The Toronto Argonauts bring their 4-12-0 record against Montreal’s 3-12-0 in a battle of the CFL East.

Bring plenty of warm clothes, some blankets and cheer on Johnny Manziel and the Alouettes.

When: Sunday, October 28
Time: 1 pm
Where: Percival Molson Memorial Stadium, 475 avenue des Pins
Price: $16 – $101, available online

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