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November doesn’t need to be cold, grey, rainy, and dull. Put on your parka and a Dr. Who sized scarf and check out the multitude of festivals that make every weekend (and weekday) of November worth stepping out for.

The Arab World Festival of Montreal

Oct 20 – Nov 11, 2018

Celebrating Arab culture and art through performing arts and cinema, the Arab World Festival delights the city with dance, theatre, film, debate, conference, lectures, and more. More info HERE.

Festival Sefarad de Montréal

October 27 – November 11, 2018

Sephardic culture is explored through comedy, song, and dance. Check out this cultural festival HERE.

Cinemania French Film Festival

October 30 – November 11, 2018

Imperial Cinema (1430 Bleury)

French film gets its day(s) on the screen at Cinemania and as long as you can read English, you can follow along. The films are subtitled en anglais (in English). Amateurs de film can check out all the latest offerings from around the French speaking world. For more info on what’s showing and when, click HERE. 

La Grande Dégustation de Montreal

November 1-3 2018

Place Bonaventure (800 Gauchetiere St W)

Over 200 wine producers come to Montreal to showcase their reds, their whites, and everything in-between. Tastings vary in price, but at the very least, you walk away with a glass. $15. More info HERE.

HTMLLES

November 1-3, 2018

Various locations

Around the theme of “Beyond the # – Failures and Becomings”, this festival takes a look at the path and its many twists and turns in digital technologies. The focus in on women and female identified people. Concerts, films, workshops, karaoke, vernissages, and much more. Details HERE.

MTL À Table

November 1-11, 2018

various places

Trying new restaurants (and old favorites) is a breeze with this food festival. Select restaurants price their menus with plates and complete meals at set price points ($23, $33, $43, $17 brunch). It’s a bargain and an adventure. The favourites sell out quickly, so make reservations early. There are over 150 to choose from. Some good ones to try: Invitation V, Slk Rd, Le Valois, Bonaparte, and Madre sur Fleury. More info HERE.

Coup de Coeur Francophone

November 1 – 11, 2018

Get ready for eleven nights of your favourite francophone artists performing all over the city. Artists performing include Témé Tan, Dany Placard, and Tu/Lips. Venues vary. More info HERE. 

Salon National des Animaux de Compagnie

November 3-4 2018

Place Bonaventure (800 Gauchetiere St W)

A public event for the animal lover, pet fanatic. Breeders, vets, behaviorists, and anyone associated with pets will be around to talk about their expertise. And this isn’t just cats and dogs — it’s also reptiles, rodents, ponies, and exotic birds. Not quite Crufts, but this is Montreal’s cat show and dog agility competition. $15 adults/ $13 seniors and students/ $ 11 for children / free for children under 5. More info HERE.

Festival Zero Déchet

November 3-4, 2018

Marche Bonsecours

A festival that wastes not. Composting, minimalism, ecology, and more are the features of this unusual new event in the city. For information, click HERE. 

Montreal Improv Festival

November 5-12, 2018
Montreal Improv Theatre

The Montreal Improv festival gets bigger and more diverse each year. Three days of French programming are followed by a line up of groups you don’t want to miss.Tickets range from $6 per show to $25 for the night (3 groups perform per night). Click HERE for details.

RIDM

November 8-18, 2018

Lovers of documentary film can catch RIDM’s offerings all year round at their doc circuit. Their festival happens in November. The best documentaries from around the world screen in Montreal in this 11 day festival. Find out what issues you need to know about yesterday. More info HERE.

MIGS 18

November 12-13, 2018

Palais de Congès, 1001 place Jean Paul Riopelle

The Montreal International Game Summit is the largest technical conference on the East Coast. It brings together developers and industry professionals, with exhibitors including indie gaming studios and the big guns like EA. More info HERE. 

Mundial Montreal

November 13-16, 2018

This festival celebrates the diversity of Montreal through its many residents. Cultural events, but especially concerts are on offer. For information about shows and venues, click HERE. 

M for Montreal

November 14-17, 2018

various

Over 100 bands play at this festival, designed to spotlight Montreal’s music community. These are bands about to break through to “selling out” or just widespread acclaim. Music industry types come in to see what’s hot right now. Among those playing are Reuben and the Dark, Dress Well, Kero Kero Bonito, Milk & Bone, Loud, and more. Info HERE. 

Salon du Livre

November 14-19, 2018

Place Bonaventure, 800 Gauchetiere St

The not independent book gets its moment at this festival that focuses on French publications. Quebec literature in particular gets plenty of visibility. Author talks, discussions, debates, and public readings make this an exciting event. $6.  More info HERE.

Tibetan Cultural Fair

November 17, 2018; 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Eglise Santa Cruz (60 Rachel W)

Tibetans have migrated around the world. Those in Montreal, and those connected to Montreal gather this weekend to perform Tibetan dances and music, as well as vend wares from the Himalayas. Get what you need most this winter, a kidney/butt warmers. These handy things are used by sherpas to stay warm. $5/$3, under 12 free. More info HERE.

Bach Festival

November 17 – December 7, 2018

various

As the church composer and hired musician extraordinaire, enjoy works by Bach in a variety of venues performed by musicians who range from classical to avant-garde. More info HERE.

Sommets du Cinéma d’Animation

November 21-25, 2018

Cinémathèque Québécoise (335 de Maisonneuve E)

This international festival celebrates animation in all its forms, both new and old. Exhibits, discussion forums, workshops, film classes, it’s all there. There are also prizes awarded at this festival. More info HERE. 

Image + Nation: Montreal International LGBT Film Festival

November 22 – Dec 2. 2018

This is the oldest festival of its kind in Canada and often is the place to catch both innovative and new films that relate to the LGBTQ community. Watch here for more details.

Montreal Startup Weekend AI

November 23-25, 2018

Notman House, 51 Sherbrooke St W.

Montreal joins cities around the world in offering a startup weekend. No surprise that this is themed around Artificial Intelligence because that’s what we seem to do most these days. More info HERE.

Annual Gem and Mineral Show

November 23-25, 2018

Place Bonaventure (800 Gauchetiere St W)

If rocks are your thing, this show is a good place to pick up a few of your favorite things! Gems, jewelry, sculptures, pearls, beads, fossils, tools, and minerals are all available here. The stones come from around the world too. Professional jewelers are on site to turn your purchases into jewellery. Also, representatives from the école de gemmologie de Montréal will provide you with information about your gems. $8/$7/$6. Info HERE. 

Expozine

November 24-25, 2018

454 Laurier East 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Every year Montreal Rampage relishes in this celebration of the zine, small press, pinback button, poster, and other indie creations. It’s a total madhouse, but a good one. Artists draw, knitters knit, and everyone who loves the written word gathers. All you need to know HERE. 

Mini Comiccon

November 24 – 25, 2018

Palais de Congrès de Montréal, 1001 place Jean Paul Riopelle

Get your geekiest fix in plastic toys, superheroes, cosplay, card games, and the occasional guest. It’s not as big as Comiccon, but it’s perfect for getting some gifts together. Info HERE. 

CP Holiday Train

November 27, 2018

Stops at Montreal West (6:35 p.m.) and Beaconsfield (8:20 p.m.)

With lights and music, the annual train raises money for local food banks. Terri Clark, Sierra Noble and Kelly Prescott perform at each stop.  Info HERE.

SAT Souk

November 28 – December 2, 2018

SAT, 1201 St Laurent

The annual Christmas market at the SOUK is a not to be missed event where you can get one-of-a-kind gifts from local artisans who produce high quality stuff. It has a real designer flair. Keep an eye HERE for more info.

Nutcracker Market

November 29 – December 9, 2018

Mall of Palais de Congrès de Montréal, 1001 place Jean Paul Riopelle

Enjoy shopping for all kinds of goods in this Austrian style Christmas market. The market raises money to allow disadvantaged children to attend a free performance of the Nutcracker as well as participate in educational workshops.  Info HERE.

Luminothérapie

November 30 – January 28, 2018

Quatier des Spectacles

As days get shorter and there is less light, Luminothérapie puts on an annual light show in Place des Arts. Impulse, in particular, has seesaws of different sizes with lighting and sound. Information HERE.

Le Grand Marché de Noël de Montréal

November 30 – December 23, 2018

Quartier des Spectacles

Shopping. But also some other fun stuff like karaoke, a kiddie play area, workshops on cookie making. It’s festive. For more info, click HERE. 

Got another event that we didn’t cover here. Let us know at [email protected]