August is zooming by, it’s almost unfair. Today is already the last Saturday of the month and Montreal will attempt to remedy the fact that the summer is dwindling down by offering a vast amount of stuff to do today, August 25.
NomadFest Urban Rodeo
Immerse yourself in the wild west in an urban setting as NomadFest brings the city some serious country today.
The outdoor festival features rodeos, bull riding, equestrian competitions, live country music, and gourmet food experiences.
When: From now until August 27
Time: 4 pm – 12:30 am
Where: Jacques Cartier Pier – Old Port
Price: $39 – $270
The Montreal World Film Festival
On the heels of the Fantasia Film Festival, the 42nd edition of the Montreal World Film Festival encourages cultural diversity and understanding between nations and hosts cinema from all continents.
The festival features short films, genre pieces and both competitive and non-competitive selections from films all over the world.
The MWFF is spread throughout various outdoor and indoor venues across the city. Check out their website for specific spots showing select films.
When: From now until September 3
Time: Varies according to selected film
Where: Various venues across Montreal
Price: $11 per film
Cavalia’s Odysseo
Photo: Dominick Gravel/Cavalia
Cavalia is a massive Canadian-owned company that specializes in live shows mixing equestrian performances with theatre, acrobatics and stagecraft.
Since 2003, the event has travelled to perform in front of more than 8 million spectators worldwide throughout over 70 destinations throughout regions like North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East.
Renowned for being hosted at the world’s largest big-top tent, the spectacle returns to Rue St. Catherine this weekend, right at the foot of the Jacques Cartier Bridge with over 70 horses.
When: From now until August 26
Time: 2 pm, 7:30 pm and 8 pm (varies per selected show)
Where: At the entrance of the Jacques Cartier Bridge
Price: $49.50 – $289.50
Mutek
Locally renowned DJs will be spinning beats during an immersive digital and audiovisual display located in the historic Quartier des Spectacles.
When: From now until August 26
Time: 5 pm – 11 pm
Where: Place des Festivals
Price: Free
RU
RU Mont-Royal
RU is a massive street festival in The Plateau.
The renowned end-of-summer event will play host to a wide range of artists, murals, concerts, DJs, art installations, digital art, contemporary dance and a modern zoo.
The street festival will be highlighted by RU’s ‘Psychozoo’ in which 15 professional artists showcase art and animals like no other. Using sculptures, installations, photographs, digital form and performance pieces, artists will create a massive exhibition to honour the animal kingdom in hundreds of different ways.
When: From now until August 26
Time: 11 am – 1 am
Where: Avenue Mont-Royal
Price: Free
ITU World Triathlon Montreal
The Montreal World Triathlon runs today, literally. Though it’s too late to enter, spectators can watch along the course’s sidelines as athletes compete in a 750 m swim, a 5 km run and a 20 km bike scattered around the Old Port.
When: August 24 – 26
Time: 6 pm
Where: Jacques Cartier Quay
Price: Free
Walking Figures
Photo © Sébastien Roy
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts just unveiled their newest exhibition as the ‘Walking Figures’ stroll to the museum’s third-floor Path of Peace section.
The three monumental sculptures weigh just under a ton each and stand at 9’3″. They were sculpted by the late Polish sculptor Magdalena Abakanowicz and the headless humanoids represent humanity’s desire to survive.
When: Saturday, August 25
Time: 10 am – 5 pm
Where: 1380 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest
Price: $23 for general museum admission
Yoga on the Pier
Yoga teacher, Érika Gauvin, welcomes yogis to a calm and welcoming setting right on the Old Port Pier. She fosters discovery of the human body’s subtleties and its awakening to breathing and movement, as a way to develop freedom of mind and body. Her background in contemporary dance and yoga encourages her to explore the balance between sthira (effort/strength) and sukha (grace/gentleness).
Participants are asked to bring their own yoga mat. The event goes on rain or shine.
When: Saturday, August 25
Time: 9 am – 1o am
Where: Promenade d’Iberville
Price: Free
18th Century Public Market
Journey back in time and experience what life was like in New France in the 18th century with this massive historical re-enactment.
There’s a military regiment, an Amerindian camp, musicians, artisans, and over a hundred historical figures reproducing period scenes.
They also offer a market with an opportunity to purchase the kind of products available back in the days of New France.
When: August 25 and 26
Time: 10 am – 8 pm (until 6 pm on Sunday)
Where: 350 place Royale, OldPort
Price: Free
Old Port Swing Lessons
Studio 88 Swing is offering four 20-minute sessions to get young and old people swing dancing. Two costumed teachers perform acrobatic swing demonstrations followed by introduction classes.
In case of rain, the event will be cancelled. People sing in the rain, not swing.
When: Saturday, August 25
Time: 7 pm – 9 pm
Where: Promenade d’Iberville
Price: Free
Princess Mononoke at Cinema du Parc
Movie Theatre/Shutterstock
Cinema du Parc is hosting a morning movie today as they screen Hayao Miyazaki’s 1997 animated film, Princess Mononoke.
The film follows a confident young warrior, Ashitaka, who protects his village from a rampaging boar-god/demon with the help of a brave princess, Mononoke. From there they must go on a quest to save not just Ashitaka’s village, but also his life.
When: Saturday, August 25
Time: 10 am – 12 pm
Where: Cinema du Parc – 3575 Avenue du Parc
Price: $12.50
Free Matcha and Tiramisu Brownies
Juliette & Chocolat is introducing two new brownies this weekend and they’re giving out free samples.
In total, 10,000 free brownies are up for grabs.
Both brownies are gluten-free and handmade. The Matcha brownie contains white chocolate with Matcha green tea and raspberries over a dark chocolate brownie base. Meanwhile, the Tiramisu brownie boasts a soft mascarpone and coffee flavoured brownie over a dark chocolate and coffee brownie base.
When: Saturday, August 25
Time: 11 am – 11 pm
Where: Juliette & Chocolat locations in Montreal
Promenade Fleuve-Montagne
You can experience two of Montreal’s most stunning landmarks in one trek: the St. Lawrence River and Mont Royal Park. Stroll from one to the other on a beautiful 3.8-km promenade that features wide sidewalks, pedestrian crosswalks, rest areas, greenery and access to various restaurants along the route. The multimillion-dollar investment from the city’s 375th birthday celebrations is a site to see.
When: Every day in August
Time: The path is open 24/7
Where: Rue de la Commune Ouest and Place Royale to Avenue des Pins and Rue McTavish
Price: Free
Shuttle Bus to Yamaska National Park
@pascalegaucher/Instagram
Parkbus is offering free shuttle services from downtown Montreal to Yamaska National Park today.
Yamaska is located in La Haute in the Montérégie region of Quebec, northeast of Granby. Its hilly landscape hosts creeks, mountain trails, and breathtaking open spaces. The majority of the land is forested and boasts over 40 tree species including maple, fir, eastern hemlock, grey birch, and basswood. Not to mention a library of wildlife and birds.
The shuttle will depart Saturday from the Montreal Tourism Info Centre on Rue Metcalfe. It leaves twice in the morning with two returns in the afternoon.
When: Saturday, August 25
Time: 8 am and 6 pm
Where: Montreal Tourism Info Centre
Price: Free