19 things to do in Montreal this weekend: October 25 to 27

There are plenty of Halloween-related parties throughout the city this weekend since it is October’s last weekend and the last before Halloween (hey, any excuse to party is fine).

From the Gardens of Light, to stand-up comedy, and everything in between, here is what’s cracking around town this weekend, October 25 to 27.

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Friday, October 25

Gardens of Light

As it does every fall, the Gardens of Light returned to the city, shining thousands of bright lights at the Botanical Garden.

Espace pour la vie invites everyone to discover the cultural riches of the three gardens along an illuminated pathway in its flagship autumn event.

The venue is split up into three gardens: the Chinese Garden, the First Nations Garden, and the Japanese Garden.

When: Friday, October 25
Time: 9 am – 9 pm (Sunday – Thursday), 9 am – 10 pm (Friday – Sunday)
Where: Botanical Garden, 4101 rue Sherbrooke Est
Price: $8 – $16, available online

Comedy Nest 40-ish Anniversary

One of the most respected comedy clubs in Montreal is turning 40 (ish) and will be celebrating all weekend starting tonight with the likes of Jeff Rothpan (The Tonight Show), Martha Chaves (Just For Laughs), Rick Bronson (Just For Laughs), Bowser & Blue (The Comedy Network), Heidi Floss (Comics Unleashed), Joey Elias (Just For Laughs), and Phil Shuchat (The Rick Mercer Report).

When: October 24-26
Time: 8 pm
Where: Comedy Nest, 2313 Ste. Catherine (3rd Floor)
Price: $12 – $24

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. 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: Every Friday until October 31
Time: 8:30 pm – 10 pm
Where: 1219 Boulevard Saint Laurent
Price: $26.50, available online

Pumpkinferno

Upper Canada Village has transformed into an award-winning festival featuring mesmerizing installations of artist-inspired, glowing pumpkins.

The tour features an outdoor exhibit of 7,000 handcrafted pumpkins along a 1-km lit path in a picturesque 19th-century backdrop.

When: On now until October 27
Time: 6:30 pm – 10 pm
Where: Upper Canada Village, County Road 2
Price:$12 – $18, available online

The Rocky Horror Show

See the sensational play that sparked an international phenomenon at the timeless Mainline Theatre, all weekend.

Worlds collide in Richard O’Brien’s musical-theatre masterpiece as camp sci-fi meets sexual exploration, glam-rock, and sensual daydreams to treasure forever. Experience the October classic in an intimate experience with a full live cast, band, dancers, and music.

When: October 25 and 26
Time: 8 pm
Where: Mainline Theatre, 3997 Boulevard Saint-Laurent
Price: $20 – $30, available online

Comedy at the Art Loft – Amer Rez

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 is usually packed with people. It feels like a college part, except a comedian is slinging jokes into a microphone.

The headliner for this week’s edition, Art Loft’s 147th, is the very funny Amer Rez. Featured acts include Yumi Blake, Mo Mrn,Demi Ellis, Pete Makarov, Erickson Alismed and the show is hosted by Quinn McMorrow.

The venue features a DJ and snacks. BYOB and it’s 420 friendly. Very 420 friendly.

When: Friday, October 25
Time: Doors open at 9 pm, show starts at 10:30 pm
Where: 4152 Boulevard Saint Laurent
Price: $10 at the door (cash only)

La Foire de l’Horreur

Halloween is quickly sneaking up and a horror fair has set up shop in Laval, expecting to do some sneaking of its own.

La Foire de l’Horreur, one of Canada’s largest mobile theme parks, is offering its visitors a multi-sensory horror experience filled with live actors, escape rooms, labyrinths, and of course, a chainsaw-wielding maniac.

Entering its second year, the horror fair features two different scare levels, available to the family-friendly crowd and the the more daring.

When: From now until November 3
Time: 6 pm – 10 pm (Monday to Friday), 3 pm – 10:30 pm (Saturdays), 3 pm – 10 pm (Sunday)
Where: 1799 Avenue Pierre-Péladeau, Laval
Price:$21.50 – $23, available online

Saturday, October 26

Montreal Canadiens vs Toronto Maple Leafs

Carey Price and the Montreal Canadiens welcome their rivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs, as the two storied franchises face off for the first time at home this season.

Expect things to get chippy and pretty loud. If you can snag tickets, you’re in for a treat.

When: Saturday, October 26
Time: 7 pm
Where: Centre Bell
Price:$95.50 – $450, available online

Fright Zone – Montreal Casino

As if gambling money away isn’t scary enough, the Casino de Montreal is getting into the Halloween spirit for select days this fall, starting this weekend.

The casino’s Fright Zone includes free live shows, costumed actors, spooky entertainment, and free candy.

Plus who knows, maybe you’ll even hit the jackpot.

When: October 25, 26
Time: 7 pm
Where: Casino de Montreal
Price: Free admission

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, October 26
Time: From nightfall until 11 pm
Where: Old Montreal
Price: Free

Halloween Matters a 90’s Sitcom Party

Le Tequila Bar is hosting a themed Halloween bash dedicated to all your favourite sitcoms from the 90s.

Besides $3 shots from 10 pm to midnight, Tequila Bar is also dishing out a $100 cash prize to the best “Grateful Dead” costume of the night.

If you’re looking to get an early start on Halloween partying, Le Tequila Bar might your go-to on Saturday.

When: Saturday, October 26
Time: 9 pm – 3 am
Where: Le Tequila Bar, 4401 Rue Notre-Dame
Price: Free admission

Dodgebow

DodgeBow is exactly what it sounds like: dodgeball fused with bow and arrows.

The exhilarating team-based archery combat sport is capped with cushion-ends so they don’t hurt when they hit you and you can channel your inner Legolas when flinging them.

Face-off with your friends in the DodgeBow arena and put your marksmanship skills to the test. That’ll show the rain who’s boss.

When: Saturday, October 26
Time: 2 pm – 8 pm
Where: 202-4767 Dagenais Street
Price: $24.95, available online

Egyptian Mummies: Exploring Ancient Lives

A handful of mummies will be continuing their world tour as they cozy up to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts for a few months.

The exhibition, Egyptian Mummies: Exploring Ancient Lives, will be the mummies’ first North American exposition, following “tremendous success in Australia, Hong Kong and Taiwan,” according to the MMFA.

As per the press release, the British Museum has reconstructed the lives of six individuals who lived along the Nile from about 900 BC to 180 AD.

If one of them gets up and starts haunting you, however, that’s NOT part of the exhibition.

When: Saturday, October 26
Time: 10 am – 5 pm
Where: Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, 380, Sherbrooke Street
Price: $23

Apple Picking – La Ferme Quinn

If that constant buzz of the big city is a bit draining, trade in your slacks and button-up shirt for a straw hat and overalls.

Take a quick drive out to Île-Perrot and enjoy a variety of farmyard activities at Quinn Farm and apple picking galore.

La Ferme Quinn harvests apples until the end of September, giving Montrealers one whole month to pick from their juicy varieties.

Open from 10 am to 4 pm 7 days a week, admission to La Ferme Quinn is just $5 and gives you access to the pick-your-own apples and tractor and wagon rides.

When: Satruday, October 26
Time: 10 am – 4 pm
Where: 2495 Perrot Boulevard Sud, Notre Dame de l’Île Perrot
Price: $5

Sunday, October 27

Mass Demonstration Against Racism

Montrealers plan to protest against racism and Bill 21 this weekend in Parc-Extension.

A group called Contre la haine et le racisme announced their plan to rally thousands of people together to march against the CAQ government’s religious symbol ban and “to denounce the racism and xenophobia that oppress thousands of people every day.”

On Sunday October 27, the fourth Mass Demonstration Against Racism will take place at Parc Metro at 2 pm.

When: Sunday, October 27
Time: 2 pm
Where: Parc Metro, Parc-Extension

Musee Grevin

Musee Grevin is Montreal’s very own version of Madame Tussaud’s in London. A wax museum hidden inside Centre Eaton, Musee Grevin will have you snapping pics of all your favourite celebrities.

The museum has creepily similar figurines of George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Michael Jackson, Charlie Chaplin, and so many more.

With an SQDC location easily walkable, you could turn this excursion into a real trip.

When: Sunday, October 27
Time: 10 am – 6 pm (Monday – Saturday), 11 am – 5 pm (Sunday)
Where: Centre Eaton de Montréal, 705 Rue Sainte-Catherine
Price: $13.60 – $1

Oasis Surf

Battle the weekend with some hardcore waves. Just because Montreal isn’t located on the coast, doesn’t mean you can’t tackle some killer tides.

Oasis Surf in Brossard is an indoor pool, open to amateur and experienced surfers looking to ride the waves.

Radical.

When: Sunday, October 27
Time: 10 am – 2 am
Where: Suite 01, 9520 Boulevard Leduc
Price: $30 for 30 minutes

Le Ceramic Cafe Studio

Test out that creativity this weekend.

If you’re a fan of art and coffee, Le Ceramic Cafe Studio is for you. Le Ceramic Cafe Studio allows Montrealers to sip on a latte or eat a sandwich, while creating some pretty magnificent ceramic art. Simply choose an object (like a mug or bowl), pick your colours, and get painting.

When: Sunday, October 27
Time: 10 am – 10 pm
Where: 4338 Saint Denis
Price: $7 – $15 (varies by time)

La Grande Roue de Montréal

Hit up Canada’s largest observational wheel and take in some absolutely breathtaking views of the city, during Montreal’s beautiful foliage. Not to mention, some primetime photo ops that’ll make your Instagram crowd jealous.

When: Sunday, October 27
Time: 10 am to 11 pm
Where: 362 rue de Commune Est
Price: $14.79 – $25