Six springtime activities in Montreal

1 – See the eclipse of the century

Impressive. It was an event not to be missed on April 8: the moon passed in front of the sun, creating a total eclipse of the sun, at 3:26 p.m. in Montreal.

I hope you enjoyed it: the next total eclipse will be visible in Quebec on July 17, 2205, according to the Société d’astronomie du Planétarium de Montréal.

To mark the occasion, free events were held in several locations:

• At the Montréal Science Centre;
• Parc Jean-Drapeau;
• At McGill’s Trottier Space Institute.

Wanda Koop will be unveiling new works featuring the moon. This event “invites us to reflect on our relationship with history, memory and the torments of our times”, according to the museum.

• Montreal Museum of Fine Arts ;
• From April 11, 2024. Until August 4, 2024.

3 – Popularizing science for children

At the Planetarium, children will be delighted to follow the adventures of the Kentucky chicken and J.O.S, a dreamy robot assistant. In the film “Total eclipse: in search of lost sleep”, they’ll discover the different types of eclipse.

• Planetarium ;
• Until June 21, 2024.

For film schedules, click here.

4 – Budding astronomers and spectacular constellations

The Société d’astronomie du Planétarium de Montréal is offering, for members only, two lectures by Damien Lemay and Sebastian Sajarof. A great opportunity to talk with enthusiasts.

• Astronomy: citizen science by Damien Lemay, April 26, 2024 from 7:30 p.m. ;
• Summer sky by Sebastian Sajarof, May 24, 2024 from 7:30 p.m.

The eclipse of the century kicks off activities for the 150th anniversary of Parc Jean-Drapeau. A host of events will be held to mark the occasion. Among outdoor activities, we suggest :

• The island trail. A 10 km course, traced directly on the ground, to get away from it all;
• Sound art. A 2-hour podcast-documentary to discover works of public art;
• The Floralies gardens. The ideal place for your first picnic, surrounded by flowers and trees;
• The climbing wall. Bouldering or top-roping on a natural rock face;
• Vélocité festival, May 4 and 5, 2024. Two days of diverse activities on the Gilles Villeneuve circuit;
• Finally, Piknic Électronik, which will launch on May 17, 2024.

To keep abreast of spring programming at Parc Jean-Drapeau, click here.

Here are 10 routes, taken from this book, to take on the metropolis:

• Hochelaga-Maisonneuve;
• Ville-Émard and Côte-Saint-Paul;
• Villeray;
• Rosemont;
• La Petite-Patrie;
• Le Plateau;
• Sainte-Marie;
• Ahuntsic;
• Mile-End;
• Verdun.

• The Metropolitan Challenge, Sunday May 26, 2024. A non-time trial of between 60 and 163 km to discover Greater Montreal;
• The 25th Tour la Nuit, Friday May 31, 2024. A festive 24-km route under the stars, starting from Parc Jeanne-Mance;
• Tour de l’île de Montréal, Sunday, June 2, 2024. Head southwest, starting from Parc Jeanne-Mance. Two formulas: classic (28 or 50 km) or discovery (68 or 96 km).

The 30th Mondial de la bière is an opportunity to discover unique imports: this year, Belgian, Brazilian and French beers will be in the spotlight. A total of 400 products will be available for tasting.

• May 24, 25 and 26, 2024;
• Windsor Station and Rio Tinto Yard.

Fans of Asian cuisine are sure to be satisfied with these three not-to-be-missed spring events:

• Japan Week invites you to discover Japanese restaurants, stores and cultural activities in participating businesses, from May 6 to 12, 2024 ;
• The ASIASIA Market offers you a wide range of products from several regions of Asia, including Cambodia and the Philippines, from May 23 to 26, 2024 at the Time Out Market ;
• YATAI MTL brings you the best of Japanese street food, from June 13 to 16, 2024 at Bassin Peel in Griffintown.

As for First Fridays, they’ll be back in June. This monthly event is dedicated to Montreal street food.

• From June 7, 2024;
• Olympic Stadium Esplanade.

• The Blue Metropolis international literary festival, April 25-28, 2024, in several venues. Around a hundred authors will be present at this 26th edition on the theme of “Dreams and Utopias”;
• Eureka Festival, May 24-26, 2024. Quebec’s biggest science festival returns for its 17th edition at the Biosphère;
• TransAmériques Festival, May 22 to June 5, 2024. North America’s largest festival of contemporary creation is celebrating its 18th anniversary in the Quartier des spectacles;
• EXCLAM, May 14-19, 2024. Comedy fans will discover the entertainers of tomorrow, notably at Espace St-Denis. The winning comedian will take to the stage at the next Montreux Comedy in Switzerland;
• Les Francos de Montréal, June 14-22, 2024. From hip-hop to rock to electro, this 35th edition will feature over 200 shows in the Quartier des spectacles;
• The Montreal Comics Festival, May 24-26, 2024. It’s the place to be for comic book fans on Le Plateau. The Bédélys prizes will be awarded on the opening night of this 13th edition;
• The Mural art festival, June 6 to 16, 2024. This 12th edition, to be held on boulevard Saint-Laurent in the heart of the Plateau, will feature a host of artists from near and far.

For all your spending in Montreal restaurants, bars or bistros, maximize your points accumulation with one of these cards:

• American Express Cobalt^® Card
• National Bank World Elite Mastercard

These cards give you 5 points for every dollar you spend, so you can quickly earn enough rewards to redeem on future trips (or simply as an account credit).