17 things to do in Montreal today: Sunday, August 26

It’s Sunday-Funday, Montreal. There’s a slew of fun events happening all over the city today, August 26, a lot of them happen to be free.

What else could you need to end the weekend?

Cavalia’s Odysseo

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: Sunday, 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

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 fosters cinema of 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

NomadFest Urban Rodeo

Immerse yourself in the wild (wild) west in an urban setting as NomadFest brings the city some serious country this weekend.

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

Mutek

Locally renowned DJs will be spinning beats during an immersive digital and audiovisual display located in the historic Quartier des Spectacles.

When: Sunday, August 26
Time: 5 pm – 11 pm
Where: Place des Festivals
Price: Free

RU

RU is a massive street festival in The Plateau that’s been around all weekend, and finishes up today.

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.

When: Sunday,  August 26
Time: 11 am – 1 am
Where: Avenue Mont-Royal
Price: Free

ITU World Triathlon Montreal

The Montreal World Triathlon crosses the finish line today. 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: Sunday, August 26
Time: 6 pm
Where: Jacques Cartier Quay
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: Sunday, August 26
Time: 10 am – 8 pm (until 6 pm on Sunday)
Where: 350 place Royale, OldPort
Price: Free

Free Matcha and Tiramisu Brownies

Juliette & Chocolat is introducing two new brownies this weekend and they’re giving out free samples to those lucky enough to show up.

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: Sunday, August 26
Time: 11 am – 11 pm
Where: Juliette & Chocolat locations in Montreal

Polski Piknik

The Polish Community of Montreal is hosting their ‘Polski Piknik’ today, so, you’ll have a bevy of authentic Polish cuisine to choose from: pierogies, sausages, potatoes, sauerkraut, ham and fried schnitzels.

The venue will also host genuine dance performances, language workshops, live music and a kids’ corner featuring bouncy castles, face painting and colouring tables.

As if devouring an array of Polish grub wasn’t enough, the one-day festival will also provide refreshing beers native to Poland as well as a selection of Poles’ vodka.

When: Sunday, August 26
Time: 11 am – 8 pm
Where: Parc Mederic-Martin, Ville-Marie
Price: Free admission

The Dead Daisies Concert

The Australian-American heavy rock band is at Foufs tonight if you want to end your weekend with some head banging and possibly some mosh pits.

When: Sunday, August 26
Time: 7 pm
Where: Foufounes Electriques
Price: $27

Free BIXI Day

As Sunday is the last Sunday of the month, BIXI is offering free rides to everybody. You’ll need to swipe your credit card, but you won’t be charged.

Maybe if you’re lucky, you can even nab the new electric-motored BIXI.

When: Sunday, August 26
Time: All day
Where: Every station around Montreal
Price: Free

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: Sunday, August 26
Time: 11 am – 4 pm
Where: 110 Rue Notre Dame Ouest
Price: Free

Borgore at Beachclub

Yosef Asaf Borger, known professionally as Borgore, is an Israeli EDM producer, DJ, singer-songwriter and rapper.

He’s spinning tunes at Beachclub today.

Beachclub is exactly what it sounds like. a club on a beach. It’s the biggest outdoor club in North America and has plenty of booze, food trucks, a massive pool, sandy beaches and wave boarding.

When: Sunday, August 26
Time: 12 pm – 7 pm
Where: 701, 38e Rue, Pointe-Calumet
Price: $20

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. If the weather is nice on Sunday (still worth it even if it’s raining) head over to the mountain and enjoy a longstanding Montreal tradition and vibe. It’s 420 friendly.

When: Sunday, August 26
Time: Noon
Where: Mont Royal Park
Price: Free

Tales and Legends of Seafarers

Local sailors Éric Michaud, Francis Désilets and Yoda Lefebvre tell tales of the watery depths and hidden legends of the sea. Stevedores and captains recount tales of courage, betrayal and lost love during memorable storms and encounters with terrible monsters and mythical sea creatures.

Each performance lasts 30 minutes in French only. The activity takes place inside at the Port Centre in case of rain (not that the sailors mind).

When: Sunday, August 26
Time: 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm
Where: In front of the Grand Quay
Price: Free

Nextdoor Pub & Grill

Nextdoor Pub & Grill is the place to be on Sunday. 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 Nextdoor for as many caesars or mimosas you can handle and then relax by eating all the 29 cent wings as you can.

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

GoTopless Day

On Sunday, August 26, Montreal women are invited to converge and stand up for a woman’s right to go topless in public with the new religious movement, the Raelians.

The meeting spot as per tradition, is at the Monument Sir George Etienne Cartier on Parc Mont Royal.

Montreal’s Go Topless Day will run simultaneously with the constantly packed Tam Tams party, meaning there will be a lot of people there.

The nipples won’t be the only thing free, as the event has no entry cost.

When: Sunday, August 26
Time: 1 pm – 4 pm
Where: Monument Sir George Etienne Cartier – Parc Mont Royal
Price: Free

See also

• The Old Farmer's Almanac has released Canada's long-term winter forecast
• Everything coming to Netflix Canada in September 2018
• La Ronde is hosting an all-night after hours party this fall
• Kathy Griffin gives shout out to Canada's most famous indie-weather reporter