Festivals and Events in Montreal : March 2020
Blueprints. Art Matters Festival
March madness anyone? The snow is slowly leaving our city streets and sidewalks (maybe). People are out, some are even wearing shorts, but they’re just crazy. March in Montreal is always a good time to be alive.
Francouvertes
Mondays, February 17 – May 4, 2020
Cabaret Lion d’Or, 1676 rue Ontario est, Montréal, QC, Canada
Only one can be the best, but over the next few months let your ears decide which of these artists deserves to advance to the next round. Get to listen to new and upcoming local talent. Info HERE.
Montréal en Lumière
February 20 – March 1, 2020
Quartier des Spectacles / Place des Arts
This is a large winter festival with a slide, domes and tents, outdoor activities, and of course food. There’s a nuit blanche and all the rest.Full schedule will be released for the free shows soon. For info, click HERE.
Montreal’s Olympic Stadium has a new event this winter, every weekend, with dozens of free life-sized games to play. In addition there’s a skating rink, warm up spaces, a snowskate park with four runs and free sliding equipment, and a slide. Details HERE.
Montreal Joue!
February 22 – March 8, 2020
Quartier des Spectacles
Montreal knows how to have a good time, even when it’s a board game. Montreal Joue celebrates playing in the city, from video games to analog ones. 200 free activities and 150 exhibitors are featured. Click HERE for details.
Les Rendez-Vous Québec Cinéma
February 26 – March 7, 2020
For 11 days, 400 cinema buffs and industry people can gather to see nearly 300 films, with around 100 premieres. Info and tickets HERE.
Salon de la Moto
February 28 – March 1, 2020
Palais de Congres, 1001 Jean Paul Riopelle
If you love motorcycles, this event is for you. Whether its touring, sports, or just plain old admiration for two wheels, there’s something here for you. Info HERE.
Art Souterrain
February 29 – March 22, 2020
Various
Wander the tunnels of Montreal to visit art exhibits set up for your viewing pleasure. It’s a good way to get out without really going “out.” For details, click HERE.
Montreal Reptile Expo
February 29 – March 1, 2020
College de Maisonneuve, 2700 Bourbonnière
If lizards, snakes, skinks, and other things that are reptilian excite you, check out this expo. There will be over 100 species of reptiles and a few others from the world of amphibians, arachnids, and what not. Some special “guests” include Margo the Albino Reticulated Python and Wally the Aligator. Info HERE.
Art Matters
February 29 – March 31, 2020
We at Montreal Rampage believe that art matters. Do you? The annual Concordia festival that celebrates art in its many forms has an appeal that goes well beyond students. Check out who is up and coming as both artists and curators in the city of Montreal. All areas are covered — writing, dance, design, theatre, video, theatre, and digital arts. Check out vernissage yielding to vernissage throughout the whole of March. Click HERE for more information.
FIFEM
February 29 – March 8, 2020
Various
Films for everyone who clocks in at underage, actually or in spirit. This charming and fun festival invites the best of international cinema focused on children’s films. Many are unreleased. For details, click HERE.
Festival International de Marionnettes Pour Adultes et Enfants/Festival des Casteliers
March 4 – 8, 2020
The magic of puppetry is always in how the puppeteer gets an inanimate object not just to move, but to move you. This annual festival has over 10 artists and their manipulated creatures. More info can be found HERE. Tickets range from $16 to 30 per show.
Not Your Baby Fest
March 5 – 8, 2020
Casa del Popolo, Sala Rosa, and B-Ward
This festival focuses on people who identify as femme, non-binary, trans, and counter cultural. Workshops and music are featured. Info HERE.
Festival Magic Montreal
March 6 – 8, 2020
Sandman Hotel
999 Rue de Sérigny, Montréal, QC J4K 2T1
Those interested in Magic the Gathering, Pokemon, Vanguard, Star Wars, and many other card games, along with their related ilk should check out this event. Cards will be traded. Info HERE.
Velouria Fest
March 6, 12, 13, 14, 2020
La Sotterenea
Darkwave, post punk, krautrock, and all other sorts of alternative musics get their moment at this music festival. Details HERE.
Barbegazi Festival
March 7 – 8, 2020
Esplanade of Olympic Park (4141 Avenue Pierre-de Coubertin)
free access to site; some activities are extra
Barbegazi means frozen beard. This festival is meant to get your warm ass outside so you can freeze your beard while doing weird winter sports. If you don’t have a beard, you can participate too. Try the obstacle course, snow skating, wood cutting, log toss, or arm wrestling. Okay, you can just watch others do these things if weird sports aren’t your thing. Info HERE.
Montreal National Home Show
March 12 – 15, 2020
Palais du Congres
1001 Place Jean Paul Riopelle
If you’re thinking about decorating, renovating, or even buying, this expo might be an ideal stopping place. For information check HERE.
Cabane Panache et bois rond
March 19 – 22 , 2020
Rue Wellington, Verdun
An urban lumberchack party? If getting to a sugar shack is out of the question, head to Verdun for all the maple syrup products you can eat. Other cool events as well like square dancing and woodcutting are all on. Details HERE.
Expo de Manger Santé et Vivre Vert
March 20 – 22, 2020
Palais des Congrès (1001 Place Jean Paul Riopelle)
An annual foodie event for everyone who likes free samples and green smoothies, the health food festival takes over Palais des Congrès with rows of people who want to help you improve your health. Try the latest organic chocolate and tempeh, learn about different holistic health methods, and enjoy the crowd. More info HERE.
Festival de la Voix
March 21 – April 5, 2020
Vox Aeterna presents concerts and workshops as a way to support music in the community. Among them Ensemble Noir, Spectrum Voices, and Choeur du Chambre du Quebec. More information can be found HERE.
Montreal Digital Spring
March 21 – June 21, 2020
Celebrating all of Montreal’s electro-talents, the Digital Spring unites different artistic venues and organizations and gives them recognition for their digital exhibits. Places to keep an eye on include the DHC/ART, the SAT, and the Phi Centre. More info HERE.
St Patrick’s Day Parade
March 22, 2020; 12 noon, starts De Bleury and De Maisonneuve
We’re all Irish on St. Patrick’s day. Some would vote it the best holiday in Montreal, though an Irish friend calls it Douchebag Christmas. I beg to differ. You can put a Guinness on that if you like. Watch the parade, squeeze into a packed bar on or off Bishop street, and enjoy. Info HERE.
Salon Audio Montreal
March 27- 29, 2020
Hotel Bonaventure (900 Rue de la Gauchetière Ouest)
Come and find the audio system of your dreams. Also, 20 spectacles, 300 different marks, a record fair. Music lovers get ready! Info HERE.
Women’s Festival
March 27 – 29, 2020
Palais de Congrès
Everything fo the ladies of Montreal and Quebec. Speakers, workshops, lots of exhibitors, and of course a pretty good shopping zone. More info HERE.
Salon des Insectes
March 28, 2020
CEGEP Ahuntsic
9155 St Hubert
Getting buggy with it. Butterflies and ants and all the rest of the things that crawl. You just needed the perfect excuse to go to Ahuntsic. Info HERE.
Upcoming
Revolution they Wrote: Short Works Feminist Theatre and Performance Festival
April 30 – May 3, 2020
Mainline Theatre
A four day event features intersectional feminist artists with works focused on the body. Performances explore power, vulnerability, and what it means to live life in a female or a non-binary body. More info HERE.
