Six springtime activities to do in Montreal

Activities in Montreal – Getting started in astronomy

1 – See the eclipse of the century

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

I hope you enjoyed it: the next total eclipse will be visible in Quebec on July 17, 2205, according to the Astronomy Society of the Montreal Planetarium.

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

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

2 – An exhibition dedicated to the moon

To stay in this magical atmosphere, head to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts to discover the creations of « Wanda Koop: Who Owns the Moon ». This is the very first solo museum exhibition in Quebec for the Vancouver-based artist.

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;
• Starting April 11, 2024. Until August 4, 2024.

3 – Popularizing science for children

At the Planetarium, children will enjoy following the adventures of Kentucky the chicken and J.O.S, a dreamy robot assistant. In the film « Total Eclipse: In Search of Lost Sleep, » they will discover the different types of eclipses.

• Planetarium ;
• Until June 21, 2024.

For film schedules, click here.

4 – Budding astronomers and spectacular constellations

The Montreal Planetarium Astronomy Society will offer two lectures hosted by Damien Lemay and Sebastian Sajarof to its members only. A great opportunity to exchange 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.

Activities in Montreal – Enjoying nature

The eclipse of the century marks the kickoff for Parc Jean-Drapeau’s 150th anniversary activities. A host of events will take place to mark this occasion. Among the outdoor activities, we suggest:

• The Island Trail. A 10 km route, marked 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 picnics, 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;
• Enfin le Piknic Électronik. Jusqu’au 31 juillet 2026, le concours Platine BNC donne une chance de gagner des billets VIP.

To stay up to date with Parc Jean-Drapeau’s spring programming, click here.

Activities in Montreal – Escaping into the back alleys

Montreal’s 500 km of back alleys, perfect places for encounters and daydreaming, often allow you to (re)discover your city. A new book has just been released, titled « Ruelles ».

This work, which offers several routes from Hochelaga to Villeray, passing through Rosemont and Le Plateau, also features contributions from Michel Tremblay, Pierre Huet, and Michel Rivard.

Here are 10 routes from this book to explore the city:

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

Activities in Montreal – Getting active on a bike

Bike lovers have been waiting for spring for a long time: pedaling without a hat or gloves, hair in the wind.

Even though the BIXI service is offered 365 days a year in seven boroughs as part of a pilot project, the official kickoff of the season will take place on April 15, 2024.

It will also see the return of the Go vélo Montréal Festival, from May 26 to June 2, 2024. The event will feature:

• The Metropolitan Challenge, Sunday, May 26, 2024. A non-timed route 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 Jeanne-Mance Park;
• The Tour de l’île de Montréal, Sunday, June 2, 2024. Heading southwest, starting from Jeanne-Mance Park. Two formats: classic (28 or 50 km) or discovery (68 or 96 km).

Activities in Montreal – Stimulating your taste buds

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, shops, and cultural activities at participating businesses from May 6 to 12, 2024;
• The ASIASIE Market offers diverse products from several regions of Asia, including Cambodia and the Philippines, from May 23 to 26, 2024, at Time Out Market;
• YATAI MTL offers the best of Japanese street food from June 13 to 16, 2024, at the Peel Basin in Griffintown.

As for First Fridays, they will return in June. This monthly gathering is dedicated to Montreal street food.

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

Activities in Montreal – Vibrating at a festival

The festival season has well and truly begun in the metropolis. Here’s a roundup of events to put in your diary.

• The Blue Metropolis International Literary Festival, from April 25 to 28, 2024, in several venues. Around a hundred authors will be present for this 26th edition on the theme « Dreams and Utopias »;
• The Eureka! Festival, from May 24 to 26, 2024. It is the largest science festival in Quebec, returning for its 17th edition at the Biosphere;
• The Festival TransAmériques, from May 22 to June 5, 2024. It is the largest contemporary creation festival in North America, celebrating its 18th anniversary in the Quartier des spectacles;
• EXCLAM, from May 14 to 19, 2024. Comedy fans will discover the entertainers of tomorrow, notably at Espace St-Denis. The winning comedian will perform at the next Montreux Comedy in Switzerland;
• Les Francos de Montréal, from June 14 to 22, 2024. From hip-hop to rock and electro, this 35th edition will offer over 200 shows in the Quartier des spectacles;
• The Montreal Comic Arts Festival, from May 24 to 26, 2024. It is the meeting place for comic book fans on Le Plateau. The Bédélys awards will be presented during the opening night of this 13th edition;
• The Mural Festival, from June 6 to 16, 2024. This 12th edition, which will take place on Saint-Laurent Boulevard in the heart of the Plateau, will showcase many artists from here and abroad.

Visiting: escape with the dots

For your expenses in Montreal’s 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 5 points per dollar spent, allowing you to quickly earn enough rewards to redeem for your next trips (or simply as a statement credit).

Take your time. Discover the activities and charm of Montreal at your own pace. How about staying a night in the heart of the city, for free or at a low price?

By using reward points, you could treat yourself. Among the credit cards in the country, those linked to the Marriott Bonvoy program offer a very attractive welcome bonus that would easily cover the cost of a night’s stay.

Not sure which Marriott Bonvoy hotel to choose? Here are our reviews in Montreal: