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March crept in with some gorgeous sun and a day warm enough to melt some snow. Is Spring close??? The festivals are starting to pump up!

Les Jeux d’Hiver

January 26, 2019 – March 9, 2019
Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Olympic Park (4141 Avenue Pierre-de Coubertin)
free access to site; some activities are extra

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.

Les Rendez-Vous Québec Cinéma

February 20 – March 2, 2019

For 11 days, 400 cinema buffs and industry people can gather to see nearly 300 films, with around 100 premieres. Info and tickets HERE.

MNM Festival/ Montreal Nouvelles Musiques

February 21 – March 2, 2019

The Société de musique contemporaine du Québec presents its biennial festival with more than 20 concerts featuring orchestras, ensembles, soloists, and more. Information HERE.

Illuminart

February 21-March 3, 2019

Might as well light up the city with art making use of… um… light. Check out this interesting festival. Keep an eye for details HERE.

Montréal en Lumière

February 21 – March 3, 2019
Place des Arts

This is a large winter festival with a slide, domes and tents, outdoor activities, and of course food. Among those playing and performing, look for Whitehourse, Dominique Fils-Aimé, Soran. Full schedule will be released for the free shows soon. For info, click HERE. 

Butterflies Go Free

February 28-April 28, 2019
Botanical Garden, 4101 Sherbrooke E

Butterflies fill the Jardin Botanique’s main exhibition greenhouse. Walk in the tropical habitat and see how many creatures land mistake you for their favourite flower. Information HERE.

Montreal Robotics Festival

Feb 28 – March 2, Stade Olympique

Competitions between robots, yes please. Info HERE.

Montreal Digital Spring

March 1-7, 2019

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.

Nuit Blanche

March 2 2019
various

Montreal doesn’t go to sleep as things stay open all night to offer performances, sports, comedy, exhibitions and more. Info HERE. 

Montreal Reptile Expo

March 2-3, 2019

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. Info HERE.

ART SOUTERRAIN: Le Vrai du Faux

March 2 – 24 2019

Montreal Underground + Satellite Locations

Get ready to go underground with a festival that puts art where the people are. Art Souterrain works with international art institutions to make visual art more accessible by putting it in the tunnels of the underground city. More info can be found HERE.

FIFEM — Montreal International Children’s Film Festival

March 2-10 2019

The very best of international children’s cinema from over 30 countries plays at Cinema du Parc. Just $9 per film. More info HERE. 

Art Matters

March 2 – 26, 2019

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.

Francouvertes

Mondays, March 4 – May 6 2019

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: Info HERE.

Festival International de Marionnettes Pour Adultes et Enfants/Festival des Casteliers

March 6- 10, 2019

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.

G Festival 

March 7 – March 17, 2019

Griffintown’s eateries offer prix-fixe menus, including brunch, 5@7s, and dinners. Participating restaurants vary, but include the Burgundy Lion, Le Bird Bar, Licence IV, and Meatball House.  The Sud Ouest continues to make itself a must-eat destination. Info HERE.

Montreal National Home Show

March 8 – 17, 2019, Place Bonaventure

If you’re thinking about decorating, renovating, or even buying, this expo might be an ideal stopping place. For information check HERE.

Salon de la Course à Pied de Montréal

March 8 -10, 2019

Palais de Congrès,  (1001 Place Jean Paul Riopelle)

Running, jogging, slow walking. It’s all good. Find out more at this salon that will cover everything from gear to how to pace yourself. More info HERE.

FIKAS (Festival Immersif de Kulture and D’Art Scandinave / Nordique)

March 8-15, 2019

No one else understands snow and cold and dark nights quite like Canadians do… except maybe Scandinavians. Our global climate friends from Europe come to share their culture with us at the FIKAS. Music, food, design are all featured. Information HERE.

Slow Wine 2018 — Salon des Vins Biologiques et Québécois

March 13, 2019

Montreal has an annual slow food and organic wine show. Learn to eat and drink like you have the time to do it. Or at least, enjoy food that you would eat if you had the time to take your time. Details HERE. 

Festival de la Voix

March 16- 31, 2019

Vox Aeterna presents concerts and workshops as a way to support music in the community. Among them Choralissimo!, Kim Richardson, and Kongero! More information can be found HERE.

St Patrick’s Day Parade

March 17, 2019; 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 a close 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.

International Festival of Films on Art (FIFA)

March 19 – 31, 2019
Various

Films about art, artists, and the people who love and hate them, make for a rich series of mostly documentaries. This is a fantastic festival that leaves no discipline un-explored. Info HERE.

Salon Audio Montreal

Hotel Bonaventure

March 22-24, 2019

Come and find the audio system of your dreams. Also, 20 spectacles, 300 different marks, a record fair. Music lovers get ready! Info HERE.

Revolution they Wrote: Short Works Feminist Theatre and Performance Festival

March 21-24, 2019 at 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. 

Cabane Panache et bois rond

March 21-24 , 2019

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 15-17, 2019; 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.

Magic The Gathering Festival

March 22-24, 2019

Those interested in Magic the Gathering, Pokemon, Vanguard, Star Wars, and many other card games, along with their related ilk should check out this salon at the Palais de Congres. Info HERE.

Montreal Kizomba Festival

March 22-25, 2019

Espace des Arts, 9 St. Catherine E, 2nd floor

Kizomba is a type of dance from AFrica. At this festival, artists from different parts of the world come together to dance and enjoy in a giant party. For more info, click HERE. 

Under the Snow

March 30-31, 2019

Under the snow started as a series of indie concerts. Now, it’s grown into a proper underground arts festival to help us get out from under whatever weather is still keeping us down. In addition to music, there’s a bazaar where you can enjoy comix, graphic novels, records, t-shirts, seriographic prints, and all manner of awesome goods. Info HERE.

Women’s Festival

March 22-24, 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.