26 things to do in Montreal this weekend: September 28 to 30

It’s already the last weekend of the month and as we bid ‘au revoir’ to September, we’ve put together a big list of things for you to do this weekend, from September 28 to 30.

From the ever-constant food, to a film festival, the last Piknic Électronik
and everything in between, here are 26 things to do this weekend in Montreal.

Friday, September 28

Montreal International Black Film Festival

The Montreal International Black Film Festival, the largest of its kind in Canada, returned this week for its 14th edition.

The fest showcases 66 films while forming an innovative, bold and dynamic event that aims to stimulate the development of the independent film industry while fostering the creation of films on international black realities.

When: From now until September 30
Time: Varies per selected film
Where: Various venues around Montreal
Price: Varies per selected film, $195 all access pass

OktoberFest at Les Jardineries

Start your weekend off with some local suds.

The 3rd edition of OktoberFest at Les Jardineries returned on Thursday, putting an emphasis on locally brewed beer. The following breweries and microbrews will be available for purchase at varying prices: Brasserie artisanale La Succursale, Le Cheval Blanc, BENELUX, Isle de Garde, Boswell Brasserie Artisanale and L’Espace Public – Brasseurs de quartier.

The site will also host mini-putt, live music (Wookies of the Year), a giant ping-pong table, a mini train adventure and relaxation hammocks.

When: September 28 and 29
Time: 5 pm – 8 pm
Where: Les Jardineries, 4115 avenue Pierre de Coubertin
Price: Free admission

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, September 28 (until October 31)
Time: 8:30 pm – 10 pm
Where: 1219 Boulevard Saint Laurent
Price: $26.50, available online

Leon Bridges at Place des Arts

Todd Michael Bridges known professionally as Leon Bridges, is an American gospel and soul singer, songwriter and record producer. He is best known for his song “Coming Home,” which received regular airplay and was also a Top 10 Most Viral Track on Spotify.

He’s performing at the iconic Places des Arts tonight, you probably won’t want to miss it.

When: Friday, September 28
Time: 8 pm – 11 pm
Where: Place des Arts, 175 rue Ste. Catherine Ouest
Price: $71.05 – $101.50, available online

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, September 28
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

Saturday, September 29

John Jacob Magistery at POP

Fresh off their set at Osheaga and with the release of their new music video for “Harmoney,” Montreal’s own John Jacob Magistery will be making an appearance at this month’s POP Music Festival.

The folk and soul indie band will join Blitzen Trapper for a wild show.

When: Saturday, September 29
Time: 9 pm
Where: Le Ministre – Salle Saint Ambroise
Price: $15

EtsyMTL Marché Créatif : Fait à Montréal

The fifth edition of Etsy: Fait au Quebec, the free Etsy market, is coming to Montreal this weekend with the Marché Créatif.

Etsy: Fait au Quebec celebrates locally handmade products by Montreal crafters and artisans. The event will feature over 100 designers, makers, and artists as well as DIY workshops, food, drinks, entertainment and swag bags.

The market will be hosted in a 100-year-old building, located on unceded Native that has been converted into an eco-friendly space.

When: September 29 and 30
Time: 10 am – 6 pm on Saturday, until 5 pm on Sunday
Where: 2600 Rue William-Tremblay
Price: Free admission

Gardens of Light

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

Wolf Parade Concert

As part of the POP Montreal Festival, the indie-rock band that formed in Montreal, Wolf Parade, will be performing at the exciting Sala Rossa this weekend. The band had released three full-length albums before taking a five-year break in 2011. They released their fourth album, Cry Cry Cry in October 2017.

Tickets are selling quickly after a sold out show on Thursday and Friday so, get some before they’re all gone.

When: September 29 and 30
Time: Doors at 8 pm, show at 9 pm
Where: La Sala Rossa
Price: $30 – $45, available online

Montreal Model Train Exhibition

The miniature train show features the largest collection in North America of model railroads that children can operate.

More than 40 model trains and railroads are on display, including Thomas the Tank Engine, Harry Potter and Montreal replicas.

When: September 29 and 30
Time: 10 am – 5 am
Where: Sun Youth Organization Centre – 4251 St. Urbain
Price: $6 for children, $8 for adults

Parc Safari Zoo

Get your animal fix by heading to Parc Safari before the zoo swaps to their low season. 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: Saturday, September 29
Time: 10 am – 5 pm
Where: 280 Rang Roxham, Hemmingford
Price: Prices vary depending on age. Tickets available at the entrance or online

World Press Photo Exhibition

The 13th annual World Press Photo Exhibition in Montreal showcases some of the most prestigious photographs from around the world. This year, 73,500 photos from 125 different countries will headline the exhibition.

When: Saturday, September 22
Time: 10 am – 12 am
Where: Marché Bonsecours – 325 de la Commune East
Price: $11 for students, $14 general admission, free for kids under 12

Shuttle Bus to Yamaska National Park

Parkbus is offering free shuttle services from downtown Montreal to Yamaska National Park on Saturday.

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 every Saturday from the Montreal Tourism Info Centre on Rue Metcalfe. It leaves twice in the morning with two returns in the afternoon.

When: Saturday, September 29 (until October 13)
Time: 8 am and 6 pm
Where: Montreal Tourism Info Centre
Price: Free

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, September 22
Time: 8:30 pm
Where: Fletcher’s Field – Jeanne Mance Park
Price: $23

Beam Me Up Disco

Beam Me Up is a Disco jam that celebrates the underrated and the obscure of funk, jazz, soul, boogie, rare groove, reggae, and gospel. It’s an evening of tuneful transcendence in one of the hippest bars in town.

When: Saturday, September 29
Time: 10 pm – 3 am
Where: Groove Nation, 410 rue Rachel Est
Price: Free admission

Sunday, September 30

Tam Tams

Sundays in Montreal in the summer is synonymous with Tam Tams. It’s a giant outdoor party with dancers, sports and drummers all gathered around the Sir George-Etienne Cartier monument.

This is the last Tams of the 2018 season. The mountain’s longstanding tradition should be your go-to Sunday spot. Very 420 friendly.

When: Sunday, September 23
Time: Noon
Where: Mont Royal Park
Price: Free

Lamborghini Cars & Coffee

The 17th edition of Lamborghini Cars and Coffee returns on Sunday for exactly what it sounds like. Grab some free coffee and revel in the beauty of one of the most luxurious cars in the world.

When: Sunday, September 30
Time: 12 pm – 4 pm
Where: Lamborghini Montreal, 16710 Trancanadienne, Kirkland
Price: Free admission

Piknic Électronik

The weekly electronic dance festival also sums up the 2018 campaign with DJs Henrik Schwarz and Anti-Anti on Sunday.

Along with hundreds of people, the outdoor venue will host the usual dance floor, food trucks, relaxation zone and bar kiosks.

When: Sunday, September 30
Time: 2 pm – 9:30 pm
Where: Parc Jean – Drapeau – Plain des Jeux
Price: $14.50

The MTL Grand Open Round 4

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

Grand… prize… get it?

The third round is hosted by Chris Vendito and features nine comedians trying to laugh their way to a grand: Asaf Gerchak, David Brennan, Kathy Slamen, Kris D. Dulgar, Paul Ash, Aliya Kanani, Serag Meletian, Scott Andrew Carter and Gerry Hodges.

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

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

Notre-Dame Basilica

Celebrate Sunday 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

See also

• Montreal comedian takes to the streets to conduct his own Quebec Values Test (VIDEO)
• Check out the size of this giant cannoli at this Montreal restaurant
• 5 entertaining times John Gibbons lost his sh*t on MLB umpires (VIDEOS)
• Former McGill students convinced Will Smith to jump out of a helicopter (VIDEO)