25 things to do in Montreal this Labour Day weekend: August 30 to September 2

As August starts drawing to a close and we welcome in September, here are 25 things worthy of checking out across Montreal this long Labour Day weekend, August 30 to September 2.

See also:

• Here is what’s open and closed in Montreal on Labour Day
• English Montreal School Board to comply with Quebec’s religious symbol ban
• Canada’s first free-fly roller coaster is coming to La Ronde next spring

Friday, August 30

Lenny Kravitz – Bell Centre

As part of an extension to a monumental two-year world tour, Lenny Kravitz is returning to North American stages this weekend, including two stops in Quebec.

The legendary rockstar will be at the Bell Centre on Friday before hitting the Amphitheatre Cogeco in Trois-Rivière the next day.

When: Friday, August 30
Time: 8 pm
Where: Bell Centre, 1909-avenue-des-Canadiens-de-Montreal
Tickets: $64.25 – $151.25, available online

World Press Photo Exposition

The World Press Photo exhibition started its month-long run in Montreal this week.

The worldwide tour showcases the stories that matter through photography.

The 2019 exhibition features the World Press Photo of the Year, and for the first time, the World Press Photo Story of the Year. The winners were chosen by an independent jury that reviewed more than 78,801 photographs entered by 4,738 photographers from 129 countries.

When: Friday, August 30
Time: 10 am – 10 pm
Where: Marché Bonsecours, 325 de la Commune
Price:$14, available and at the door online

Mile Ex End Musique Montreal

Buckle up for another music festival this weekend, Montreal.

Entering its third edition, the Mile Ex End music festival is returning to take over the Van Horne overpass all weekend.

Besides taking place in a pretty hip venue under an overpass, the Mile Ex End fest has assembled a pretty stellar lineup which includes both comedy and music.

The festival’s full lineup can be found online but headlining acts include Feist, Kevin Morby, Adam Naas, Mélissa Laveaux, A Tribe Called Red, La Force, Jeanne Added, and Chromeo.

When: August 30 to September 2
Time: Doors open at 4 pm (on August 30) and 1 pm (August 31 – September 2)
Where: Corner of Rue Marmier and Rue Henri-Julien
Price: $29.75 – $79.75, available online

BLVD – Boulevard Piéton Block Party

Boulevard Saint-Laurent will be closed off to vehicular traffic between Sherbrooke and Mont-Royal Avenue this weekend as it welcomes a giant block party.

Featuring a slew of terraces, food, music, shops, live performances, and free activities, BLVD is the “the perfect event to say goodbye to August.”

When: August 30 – September 1
Time: 11 am – 10 pm
Where: Boulevard Saint-Laurent
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.

Who knows, you might even see a ghost.

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

Asian Night Market 2019

For the third consecutive year, FoodfestMTL in collaboration with Montreal’s Chinatown Development Council hosts the Asian Night Market.

The food market will have 50 kiosks and over 30 Chinatown merchants.

The majority of food will be priced at $3 to $5 with high-end items going for $7 to $8.

When: August 30 – September 1
Time: 5 pm – 11 pm (Friday), 11 am – 11 pm (Saturday and Sunday)
Where: 1018 St-Urbain, Chinatown
Price: Free admission

Saturday, August 31

Montreal Fetish Weekend

Yes, this is for real.

From now until September 3, Montreal will be hosting the 15th annual edition of Fetish Weekend.

Described as a “fantasy-filled experience unlike anything else in the world,” Montreal’s Fetish Weekend (MFW) promises to be anything but boring.

“The festival is Canada’s largest international fetish gathering,” reads the event’s Facebook page. “It is set in the world’s fetish-friendliest city. A grand celebration of alternate lifestyle. An urban fetish happening unlike anything else in the world. You are the star!

Located in the heart of the Gay Village, Fetish Weekend will comprise of fantasy-themed events, play scenes, demos, workshops, and a fetish photo walk.

When: From now until September 3
Time: 5:55 pm – 11:30 pm
Where: 1415 St-Hubert
Price: $25 – $300, available online

Taco Fest

Taco ’bout a good way to end the month.

Tthe Old Port’s Jacques Cartier Pier will welcome over 10,000 taco lovers for a three-day fiesta of Mexican food and culture in what is appropriately titled, Taco Fest.

The long weekend celebration will feature over 75 varieties of tacos, churros, Mexican street corn, and enchiladas from the city’s top chefs and restaurants.

Now might be a good time to invest in some seriously stretchy pants because 75 varieties of Mexican cuisine is a seriously high bar to jump eat over.

Speaking of the bar, taco fans will be able to wash down the delicious dish with renowned sangrias, margaritas, tequila, and mezcal.

When: August 31 – September 2
Time: 11 am – 11 pm
Where: Jacques-Cartier Pier, Old Montreal
Price: $7.95 – $12.95, 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, August 31
Time: From nightfall until 11 pm
Where: Old Montreal
Price: Free

Through the Echoes

The first-of-its-kind pyramid-shaped entertainment venue, PY1, created by Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté continues its showing all month.

The innovative venue will offer a multi-sensory experience, state-of-the-art technology and “a unique playground” for multimedia entertainment combining high tech with the talent of the greatest digital creators.

The PY1 experience made its worldwide debut with Through the Echoes, a show produced exclusively for the pyramid last month, located near the Clock Tower grounds in the Old Port.

When: Saturday, August 31
Time: Varies
Where: Montreal’s Old Port
Price: $28.50 – $51, available online

CluedUpp’s Montreal Detective Day

If you think you have what it takes to solve a murder mystery, you and your friends could finally meet your match.

CluedUpp, the British detective game, is on its way to Montreal this weekend.

The Montreal version of the outdoor game is called “Sneaky Finders,” set in the Golden Square Mile which will become the fictitious town of Millingham.

“Your team of detectives will be tasked with cracking the case as you stalk the streets, tracking down virtual witnesses and eliminating suspects,” reads the game’s website.

When: Saturday, August 31
Time: 10 am – 5 pm
Where: Golden Square Mile
Price: $65 – $80, available online

Sunday, September 1

Tam-Tams

Tam-Tams returned to the city last month and the iconic party keeps up its weekly trek on Sunday.

Tams, the weekly outdoor party at the base of the mountain, is a perfect summary of Montreal, open to both locals and tourists.

The magical outdoor bash is where Montrealers from far and wide, gather in Parc Mont Royal for an afternoon of food, vendors, fun, music, and maybe even a couple of beers and some smoking (shhh, don’t tell anyone).

When: Sunday, September 1
Time: 12 pm until sunset
Where: Sir George-Etienne Cartier Monument
Price: Free

Tonga Lumino

Mont-Tremblant wants to make sure you have giant plans this weekend. Literally.

The renowned ski mountain has transformed into an enchanted hiking trail where participants embark on a quest to find the last sleeping giant of its kind.

Uh. Yes, please.

The adventure, Tonga Lumina, is produced by Moment Factory, the same company known for their illuminations of the Jacques-Cartier Bridge.

This summer’s Mont-Tremblant trail will be illuminated with light projections and mythical storytelling as giant-seekers must trek through a 1.5 km nocturnal hike to find the slumbering giant.

When: Sunday, September 1
Time: Every 15 minutes from 9:15 pm – 10:45 pm
Where: 1000 Chemin des Voyageurs, Mont-Tremblant
Price: $11.99 – $27.99, available online

Piknic Electronik

Piknic Electronik returns for its sixteenth and seventeenth edition this weekend.

Piknic is an outdoor electric music dance festival featuring DJs and artists from all over the world. There are obviously good tunes, but there’s also good food, good drinks, and plenty of activities to keep you going. 11est of all – the show goes on rain or shine.

When: September  1 and 2
Time: 2 pm – 9:30 pm
Where: Parc Jean Drapeau
Tickets: $16, available online

HUM(AIN) – We Could Be Human: A Learning Machine

It seems like Siri has some SIRIous competition as a new art exhibition in Montreal features an AI robot that learns from visitors the more it interacts with them.

As part of musician David Usher’s Hum(ai)n exhibition, a digital character named Ophelia will be speaking with humans all summer. This interaction will help to evolve her cognitive state.

When: From now until September 15
Time: 10 am – 8 pm
Where: Phi Centre, 407 Saint-Pierre
Price:$21.97 – $25.50, available online

Parc Safari

Sneak away from the busy city life and head to the country for some zoo fun this weekend.

Parc Safari has over 500 animals, exciting rides, and fun activities to keep you going back all season long.

The park starts off with the “Safari Adventure” where guests can get close to exotic animals like never before. While driving to the main park entrance, the optional adventure path allows for the more docile but equally large animals to check you out in your car.

Oh, how the tables have turned.

Animals on the “Safari Adventure” include buffalo, zebras, llamas, gazelles, ostriches, deer, peacocks, and camels. You’re encouraged to feed and pet the animals during the low-speed trek and you’ll always want to keep your windshield wipers handy. Your car might get dirty but it’s worth it.

It’s not often you get to brag about llama saliva on your windshield.

When: Sunday, September 1
Time: 10 am – 5 pm
Where: 280 Rang Roxham, Hemmingford
Price: Prices vary depending on age. Tickets available at the entrance or online

Stand Up Paddle Boarding – Parc Jean Drapeau

The St-Lawrence River is a gorgeous sight to look at and this weekend, it could be a gorgeous sight to stand on as well.

Lasalle KSF is a store that specializes in surfing, kayak, and paddleboarding and they are teaming up with Parc Jean-Drapeau to get you stand-up paddleboarding this summer.

This great way to stay active, and to be part of the historic River is offered in three different varieties: SUP (stand-up paddleboarding), SUP Yoga, and SUP Fitness.

When: Sunday, September 1
Time: 10 am – 7 pm
Where: 350 Circuit Gilles Villesneuve, Parc Jean-Drapeau
Price: $20 – $56.50, based on activity chosen

La Ronde

Try battling The Goliath, get rocked on Le Ednor or check out the park’s newest ride, Chaos.

When: Sunday, September 1
Where: 22 Chemin Macdonald
When: 10:30 am – 8 pm (11:30 pm during the fireworks)
Price: Available online or at the box office

Voiles en Voiles

Climb aboard life-size replicas of both royal and pirate ships from the 18th century in Montreal’s Old Port (how fitting).

They are over 100 feet in length and range from two feet high for the young pirates to 35 feet for Peter Pan wannabes.

As the obstacle course gears up for its final stretch run, check out the 61 different activities between the Royal Ship and the Pirate Ship. Activities include zip-lining, rock climbing, and bouncy castles.

When: Sunday, September 1
Time: 10 am – 6 pm
Where: Place des Vestiges, Old Port
Price: Prices vary depending on selected activities, tickets online

Aquazilla

Parc Jean Drapeau is bringing Montrealers another challenge this summer: staying afloat.

Aquazilla, the floating obstacle course on water, is returning to the man-made island again this summer.

The 30-by-35 metre inflatable structure is combined with obstacles, slides, and platforms. Your job is to complete the course without falling into the Jean-Doré beach.

When: Sunday, September 1
Time: 10 am – 7 pm
Where: Parc Jean Drapeau
Price: 6 – 13 years: $13 for an hour/$25 unlimited, 14 and over: $15 for an hour/$28 unlimited, family deal: $50 f0r an hour, $98 unlimited (tickets available on-site)

Monday, September 2

iSaute Kirkland

Take your kids to iSaute Kirkland and pretend it’s for them (when it’s really for you).

iSaute is a massive venue that has over 30 giant trampolines, trampoline basketball, wall climbing and a trampoline jungle gym. You pay by the hour, there’s a lot to do and it’s actually a fantastic workout. Fun for all ages (and a great workout).

When: Monday, September 2
Time: 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Where: 3220 Jean Yves, Kirkland
Price: $16 for the first hour, $10 for the second. Tickets are sold at the door

Dollar Cinema

Dollar Cinema is an absolute gem of a find. They show second-run movies at a two-screen venue (only in English). It’s great for a date or for people who want to watch a relatively new movie on the big screen instead of Netflix.

The dive theatre is currently highlighted by Crawl, The Art of Self-Defence, John Wick Chapter 3, The Dead Don’t Die, Avengers: Endgame, Pokémon: Detective Pikachu, and Wonder Park to name a few, but check out the website for complete listing.

But for Labour Day, the theatre is also showing the 1978 classic, Grease.

Oh yeah, snacks are $1.