Festivals and Events in Montreal : March 2023
Spring flowers. Photo by Rachel Levine
The snow looked as if it would never end… and then it did. Temperatures are climbing, but don’t forget your layers when you head out to enjoy the return of longer days and shorter nights!
Luminotherapie
December 1, 2022 – March 5, 2023
Quartier des Spectacles,
12:30 – 8:30 p.m. daily
In the days of darkness, it’s time to check out the light and video show near the city centre. Follow the path to check out different sound and light exhibits. A massive skating rink is featured at the Esplanade Tranquille. Info HERE.
Montréal en Lumière
February 16 – March 5, 2023
Quartier des Spectacles / Place des Arts
This is a large winter festival combining food, concerts, free outdoor shows, outdoor activities, and an all-night culture party. Full schedule will be released for the free shows soon. For info, click HERE.
Les Rendez-Vous Québec Cinéma
February 22 – March 4, 2023
400 cinema buffs and industry people can gather to see nearly 300 films, with around 100 premieres. Info and tickets HERE.
Parc at Midnight
Feb 24 – April 30, 2023, Fri and Sat at 9:30 p.m., Sun at 2:30.
Parc Cinema
Feeling creepy? excited? horrified? The lineup of classic films that are best seen on a big screen will raise your pulse. These are cult favorites, including Blue Velvet, Millenium Mabo, and Extra Ordinary. Info HERE.
APIK
February 24 – March 5, 2023
La rue Saint-Denis, between Sherbrooke Est et Ontario.
100 athletes gather together on Rue St Denis to snowboard, snowskate, and just generally hang. Learn to snowboard or bring some little ones who can do it instead. Info HERE.
FIFEM
February 25 – March 5, 2023
Various Locations
Films for everyone who is underage, whether in actuality 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.
Art Matters
February 25 – April 1, 2023
Various Locations
We at Montreal Rampage believe that art matters. Do you? The annual Concordia festival run by undergraduates 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. Click HERE for more information.
Festival Montréal Nouvelles Musique
February 26 – March 5, 2023
This Biennial festival is run by la Société de musqiue contemporaine du Québec. This time the theme is music and spirituality and celebrates composers and songwriters. Info HERE.
Festival International de Marionnettes Pour Adultes et Enfants/Festival des Casteliers
March 1-5, 2023
Various Locations
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 productions. Ones of particular interest include the King Stinks by Surreal Soreal and Vertip Scapegoat Carnivale, There are also workshops for those interested in puppetry. More info can be found HERE.
Le Happening Gourmand
March 2 – April 2, 2023
If trying new and old restaurants is on your bucket list, you might want to take advantage of Le Happening Gourmand, a mini-restaurant month happening in Old Montreal. Nine of the city’s best restaurants are offering lunch and dinner menus at costs of $32, $42, and $52, with a brunch at $22. A few of the participating restaurants are Jacopo, Bevo, Gaspar, Nelli, Brasserie 701, Mechant Boeuf, and Maggie Oakes. There are also brunch meals available. For more information and to book a space, click HERE.
Le Festival Filministes
March 8-16, 2023
Various Locations
The Filministes Festival focuses on cinema that addresses contemporary feminist issues. In addition to screenings of documentaries, short films, and longer pieces. The screenings are arranged thematically, including Filminounes – Plaisirs pornographiques, Roule-moi l’clip!, There are Other Worlds, and many others. Also expect master classes, evening parties, a quiz night, art, and dance. Finally, 50 films are available to watch at home for free. For info, click HERE.
Francouvertes
March 13 – May 15, 2023
Various Locations
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.
International Festival of Films on Art (FIFA)
March 14 – 26 in theatres, and March 24 – April 2 online, 2023
Various Locations
The FIFA presents challenging and engaging films about art, artists, and the people who love and hate them. Dive in and explore this film festival that leaves no artistic discipline un-explored. Info HERE.
Expo Manger Santé et Vivre Vert
March 17 – 19, 2023
Palais de Congrès
200 Viger O
If you’re cleaning up your diet, it’s worth coming to check out this delicious expo that lets visitors gouge on organic produce, vegan meat substitutes, chocolate, yogurts, and protein shakes. Come hungry. Leave full. Info HERE.
ART SOUTERRAIN: VOIES – La Fête
March 18 – April 9, 2023
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. 30 artists are featured, dozens of mediated activities, and five event based experiences, all for free. More info can be found HERE.
St Patrick’s Day Parade
March 19, 2023, noon.,
Starts St Catherine and Du Fort and travels along St. Catherine Street
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 on the parade this year can be found HERE.
Festival de la Voix
March 19 – April 28, 2023
Various Locations
Vox Aeterna presents concerts and workshops as a way to support music in the community. Among them are Ranee Lee, Daniel Lavoie, and Claire de Sévigné & Danielle Macmillan. Some concerts are free. There are also master classes and workshops. More information can be found HERE.
Cabane Panache et bois rond
March 23 – 26, 2023
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. Performers include the Urban Science Brass Band and Le Diable à Cinq. Attache ta tuque! Details HERE.
Salon Audio Montreal
March 24 – 26, 2023
Hotel Bonaventure
900 Rue la Gauchetière O
Come and find the audio system of your dreams. 100 different exhibitors who geek out on high fidelity. Music lovers get ready to debate the best noise cancelling headphones on the market! Info and tickets HERE.
The Outdoor Adventure Show
March 25-26, 2023
Palais de Congrès
200 Viger O
From hiking boots to tents to white water rafting to traveling to anything that can be done outdoors and qualifies as an adventure, this salon is for you. Information HERE.
La Cuvée
March 30 – April 1, 2023
Salon 1861
550 Ave Richmond
Fans of Quebec’s beer, wine, and spirits come together to enjoy drink, food, DJs and burlesque by Lady Joséphine. Each day features a different theme and the distilleries offer special concoctions. Details HERE.
Kink Art 4
March 31, 2023
Tension
1121 St Catherine E
Over 20 artists who work in the domains of fetish and kink will be showcasing their visual works, performances, slam poetry, photos, textiles and zines. For info, click HERE.
Upcoming and Announced
Courts d’un Soir
April 12 – 16, 2023
Place des Arts
Five nights of short films and music clips for all those with short attention spans. Info HERE.
Women’s Festival
April 14 – 16, 2023
Palais de Congrès
200 Viger O
Everything fo the ladies of Montreal and Quebec. Speakers, workshops, lots of exhibitors, and of course a pretty good shopping zone. More info HERE.
Metropolis Bleu
April 22 – 30, 2023
Annual literary festival brings together writers, thinkers, and creatives for all things related to the written word. Details HERE.
Osheaga
Aug 4 – Aug 6, 2023
Parc Jean Drapeau
MUSIC. 3 DAYS OF MUSIC! And art. Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, and Rufus du Sol are headlining. Info HERE.
Monthly Festival Links
March
For Montreal Rampage’s daily events calendar, click HERE. If you have an event you would like to include, send an email to [email protected]
