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September is never dull in Montreal.

World Press Photo

August 30-Oct 1, 2017, Marché Bonsecours (325 rue de la commune East)

Challenge yourself with the gorgeous photojournalism on display at the World Press Photo exhibit. This prestigious exhibition features 150 prizewinning photographs on display. Some capture world news events, others make small events into world news. It never disappoints. $13/10. More info HERE.

The Montreal World Film Festival

August 24 – September 4, 2017

Diversity is the buzz word of this international high-quality film festival. Over 750 films, both long and short, are screened and come from every country. Most films will never open commercially (though some surely do), so this is a chance to see some hard-to-find films that won’t make it to the theatres or Netflix. China gets a special nod too. More info: HERE.

KM3

Aug 30 – Oct. 15, 2017, Quartier des Spectacles.

Over 20 new art works of different media will be on display in the Quartier des Spectacles. Look for projections on building sides, in windows, and on sidewalks. For more information, click HERE. 

Montreal Erotic Art Festival

August 30 -Sept 2, 2017; 917 St. Catherine E

10 years and still running, the Erotic Art festival celebrates sex and erotica. Among other things are a pop-up erotic art museum, and displays of vintage erotica. For info, click HERE.

Montreal Electric Groove (MEG)

August 31 to Sept 3, 2017

Get your dance shoes and glowsticks on at the MEG festival. With a line up of bands that bring music electronically, this festival keeps it going all night long at small and large venues like the SAT, Sala Rossa, Divan Orange, and Le Belmont. Check out top performers like Kllason, Douchka, Robert Robert, Ryan Playground, Clement Bazin, Cri, and Guts. For more information click HERE.

Piknic Electronik

September 1, 3, 4, 10, 17 and 24; Plaines des Jeux

A Sunday wouldn’t be a Sunday without the weekly dance parties. Check out the best of the local DJs along with those from abroad. September 1 is the 15th anniversary of Piknic and features Alix and Sébsatien Léger. September 3 features Mistress Barbara, Green and Lateez and Paskal Daze, as well as a special brunch. On September 4, come see Nicole Moudaber and Ostrich. September 10 has the Black Madonna headlining. September 17 has Honey Dijon headlining and a set by Ghost Club records. September 24, offers up Josh Wink. Details can be found HERE.

Le Burger Week

Sept 1-7 2017

The mighty burger gets its moment in the spotlight among Montreal’s many food weeks during Le Burger Week. This festival takes place across Canada, though, so even if you slip out to Hudson or Halifax, burger week is happening. Multiple restaurants create special burger week burgers, but really it’s just an excuse to put meat in your mouth (or mushrooms and tofu, if you’re vegetarian). Info HERE.

Électro Parade

Sept 2, 2 p.m. – 11 p.m., Quartier des Spectacles

Berlin has the Love Parade. In Montreal, we have the Electro Parade. With floats of sound systems and international DJs, get ready to move and dance. More info HERE.

Mile Ex End Musique Montréal

Sept 2-3, 2017, Marmier and Henri-Julien Sts., under the Van Horne overpass

Perhaps Osheaga was a little too pricey. Not too worry. For a more affordable, check out some of Montreal’s most beloved musicians and groups performing in the arty neighbourhood. To find out more, click HERE.

YUL Eat

Sept. 2-4, 2017

The Old Port offers up brunches, dinners, classes, as well as workshops on things like urban beekeeping to the art of making cocktails. There’s a daily farmers market too and the famous waiter’s race where teams run a distance of 800 meters with a tray in hand with pitchers and glasses full to the brim. Keep them full to win. There is also a Saputo Pizza challenge where you can see which pizza wins. Oh, and music. What Montreal festival doesn’t include music? Info HERE.

Les Escales Improbables Montréal

Sept. 2 – ?? 2017

Escales Improbables focuses on performing arts. Many events are free and take place in public spaces. Others are reasonably priced. These include musical siestas and an artistic convoy with over 40 artists. More info HERE.

Ladyfest

September 4-10 2017

Theatre St. Catherine and other venues will be packed when the ladies take to the stage to showcase comedy with a little more XX-chromosome attitude. Regular shows like There’s Something Funny Going On and Joketown will have a lady focus, while there are also sketch shows, improv shows, stand up nights, and more. For information and tickets, click HERE.

Quartiers Danses

Sept. 7-17 2017

Dance isn’t just for snobby folks and it doesn’t come in one form. Quartiers Danses wants to democratize contemporary dance and make it available for everyone. With a diversity of artists at different skill levels, dance is made accessible to all. This year expect to see ballet, urban, contemporary dance, and much more. More info on locations and tickets, click HERE.

OUMF

Sept. 6-9, 2017

An outdoor arts festival in the Quartier des Spectacles up to Rue Saint Denis with visual art, cinema, literature, music, and knowledge, the OUMF is one of those cheery festivals that are always worth checking out. More info: HERE.

Villa Paradizo

Sept. 8-9, 2017, Rue Crescent

Who doesn’t like EDM? This free festival gets Crescent Street moving. Headliners are Sander van Doorn and Offtama on September 9 and Gazzette and Thomas Gold on Sept 10. Music begins around 11 a.m. and continues until 11 p.m. More info: HERE

Gardens of Light

Sept. 8- October 31 2017, Botanical Garden (4101 Sherbrooke E)

The Botanic Gardens light up with hundreds of intricate lanterns shaped to look like animals, flowers, and objects. The lanterns come from Shanghai and take three months to mount in the Botanic Gardens. Every year there are about 200 new lanterns added to the group. This is one of the most beloved fall seasonal activities in Montreal and anyone can enjoy it. More info HERE.

Ukrainian Festival

Sept. 8-10 2017, Parc Beaubien (Beaubien E and 9e) 

Okay, if you don’t like EDM and prefer your music more traditional, as well as a bowl of borscht, come to the Uke Festival instead. And by Uke, we mean Ukrainian. Crafts, folk dancing, music, singing, exhibitions, and of course food are all there for the taking. Free. More info HERE.

Art Tattoo Show

Sept. 8-10 2017, Gare Windsor (1160 Ave des Canadiens de Montreal)

Thinking about inking. Well, a great place to see what you can do as well as what you might not want to do will be on display at the Art Tattoo show. Gifted tattoo artists from around the world will showcase their talents and offer their services. Some even compete. There are also seminars and lectures on the art of tattooing and its history. Tickets are $20 for one day, $50 for all three. More info HERE. 

Ancient Future Festival

Sept. 8-9, 2017, Vieux Port

Promising to wake Montreal up from its “frantic ticking” this music festival with art installations will create an atmosphere to keep you moving every evening and on into the night at the Old Port’s Quai de l’Horloge. Multiple stages feature different DJs and electronic artists including Fritz Kalkbrenner and The Underachievers. $28 for a day ticket, $55 for a day/night ticket, $85 for a passport, and more. For more info click HERE.

PORTES OUVERTES for the FERMES DU QUÉBEC (Open Door Days for Quebec Farms)

Sept 10, 2017

This free event invites the public to visit Quebec’s agricultural powerhouses. There are little farms, organic farms, even big farms that have open doors. Find out where the food comes from and meet the farmers who make it happen. Info HERE.

Festival du Film Libanais au Canada

September 10-15, 2017; Cinema Guzzo

Lebanese films, both those enjoying wide release and some not are on offer. Opening is Kteer Kbeer’s comedy, Very Big Shot. Tickets HERE.

 

POP Montreal

Sept. 13-17, 2017

The folks at POP Montreal deliver on the musical culture and culture more generally year round in the city, but their big moment is the diverse and challenging music festival, POP Montreal. The festival brings together both no-names and big-names for a mash-up of concerts, symposiums, art, film, and of course, parties. It’s the Eton Mess of music festivals — spontaneous or chaotic, depending on your sense of random. More info HERE.

Friday Noctunres

Sept. 15, 2017, MAC (185 St. Catherine W.)

The Montreal Museum of Contemporary art hosts its four times a year late night parties with DJs, a cash bar, art workshops, and guided tours through the exhibits (In Search of Expo 67, Olafur Eliasson, Women and Her World, State of the World, and The Video Installation Project 1-10). It’s great fun, and a welcoming atmosphere for all. For details, click HERE.

Le Super Méga Continental

Sept 15-Sept 17, Place des Festivals

If you’ve ever been to the flea market found north of Laval, you know that Quebeckers love line dancing. Le Super Mega Continental is a gigantic contemporary line dance. Choreographer Sylvain Émard conceived this project with 375 amateur dancers. Information HERE.

The Montreal Stop Motion Film Festival

Sept. 15-17, 2017, Concordia University

Montreal’s annual festival dedicated to animation includes master classes, guest speakers, and film screenings. There are plenty of opportunities to schmooze and meet the filmmakers too. More info HERE.

A Varning Festival

Sept. 21-24, 2017, Katacombes (1635 St Laurent)

With punk and experimental music at its heart, the A Varning festival attracts those who really like it loud and wild. This three day festival might require a few earplugs. Just saying. Information HERE.

 

FIL (Festival International de la Litérature)

Sept. 22-Oct. 1 2017

Montreal celebrates the world of French writers, writing, and literature at the FIL. Readings and a pop up bookstore make this a delight for those into all things literary. More info HERE.

Oasis Rock n’ Roll Montréal Marathon

Sept. 23-24, 2017

One of the biggest running events in the city, this is a race worth participating in or watching. Try anything from the 1K to the full marathon. Training usually helps. Finish in La Fontaine Park for all races on Sunday. More info HERE.

Les Journées de la Culture

Sept. 29 – Oct 1 2017

Province-wide Québec’s culture gets its spotlight with the Journées de la Culture. This year, cinema is the theme and the people of Montreal will be out in full force showing their talents in public spaces. This is a voluntary activity and artists and performers register their activities. Expect everything from performance to workshop to conference. More info HERE.

Montreal International Black Film Festival

Sept. 27 – Oct 1, 2017

This festival celebrates black participation in the film industry as well as films that look at international black realities. Awards are given to documentaries, shorts, and feature films. Ground-breaking cinema, some of which will never have commercial release on the big screen, is shown. More info HERE.

Rep your Flag Fest Montréal

Sept 29, Café Campus 7 p.m. – 2 a.m.

Rep your Flag Festival has been big and small, but the popular event lets people who come from all around the world to celebrate their identity and dance. Tickets HERE.

Paint Party Fest

September 30, Club Boom

Hip hop, black lights, C02 shows, and paint blasters. Get dirty (in a good way) and colorful. Music and laser lights. This one also sounds like its for the students and those who enjoy tripping out to glowsticks. Tickets HERE. 

Awaiting confirmation:

Nextwave Festival

Musical theatre gets its moment in Montreal with this festival celebrating new pieces.

Montreal Independent Games Festival

Not everyone works at Ubisoft or EA. Montreal has many talented game makers who range from solo basement labourers to teams making use of the city’s rentable shared workspaces. Independent games get their moment with the MIGF.