Montreal Festivals and Events March 2024
Spring flowers. Photo by Rachel Levine
If there’s one good you can say about March, it’s that there’s a holiday in the middle of it that is ostensibly about Ireland, but more practically a chance to day drink without shame. Not that there should be any shame whether you day drink, night drink, or don’t drink at all. St Pats always feels like the gateway into Spring and after this freeze-thaw-freeze cycle… bring on some crocuses and tulips. Yeah.
Esplanade Tranquille Skating Rink
November 15 – April 7, 2024
Espace Tranquille
Quartier des Spectacles
Free to access and with skates to rent, take a few laps around the city’s calmest public space in the heart of the Quartier des Spectacles. Up to 400 skaters can skate at once around the Au bord du lac Tranquille by Mirari and Normal studio projected onto the ice. In addition, musical lunches and Saturday night disco make this a skate to remember. Details HERE.
Luminotherapie
November 30, 2023 – March 10, 2024
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. This year includes a 10 m high flower, Astera, and a tornado of light and sound with Cymopolée. Info HERE.
Parc Jean Drapeau Winter Activities
December 23 – March 10, 2024.
Parc Jean Drapeau
free admission to park
Ice skating, cross country skis, fat bikes, snow shoes, warming refuges — Parc Jean Drapeau gives you a reason to get outside every weekend. There are tube sliding lanes including a super slide! Rentals of fat bikes, cross country ski sets, snowshoes, and skates are available on weekends. Kids accompanied by adults who reside on Montreal island can rent skates for free. Information and scheduling can be found HERE.
Les Rendez-Vous Québec Cinéma
February 21 – March 2, 2024
400 cinema buffs and industry people can gather to see nearly 300 films, with around 100 premieres. Info and tickets HERE.
Montréal en Lumière
February 22 – March 2, 2024
Quartier des Spectacles / Place des Arts
It begins with a food festival in the Place des Arts mall and then includes lots of outdoor programming with free outdoor shows, outdoor activities, and an all-night culture party. Full schedule will be released for the free shows soon. It culminates in the Nuit Blanche on March 2, which is extra special for me as one of the last things I did before the first COVID lockdown. For info, click HERE.
Art Matters
February 27 – March 30, 2024
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.
World Aquatics Diving World Cup
Feb 29 – March 3
10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Olympic Park Sports Centre / Parc Olympique
3200 Rue Viau, Montréal, QC H1V 0A7
The weather outside doesn’t exactly scream swimming, but the world’s best athletes will be stopping in Montreal for the World Aquatics Diving World Cup circuit. 120 divers from over 20 countries will be in Montreal to compete. Many have their eyes on the Olympics. This is a chance to figure out who you are going to be cheering for in the Paris Games that are just a few months away. Info HERE.
Parc at Midnight
March 1-3, 8-10, 15-16, 22-24, 29031; April 5-7, 12-14,19-21, 26-28
Cinéma du Parc
3575 Av du Parc
How do you want to feel at midnight? 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 Possession, Daisies, Dune, Riddle of Fire, and Eyes Wide Shut in March. Info HERE.
APIK
March 1 – 3, 2024
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. Snow skating, trick skiing, and an after-ski fireball party are all in the schedule. Info HERE.
Le Happening Gourmand
March 1 – 30, 2024
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. Over 10 of the city’s best restaurants are offering lunch and dinner menus at costs of $39, $49, and $59, with a brunch at $29. A few of the participating restaurants are Jacopo, Bevo, Gaspar, Nelli, Brasserie 701, Mechant Boeuf, Pincette, Kyo Bar Japonais, Modavie, and Maggie Oakes. There are also brunch meals available. For more information and to book a space, click HERE.
FIFEM : Festival International du Film pour Enfants Montéal / Children’s International Film Festival
March 2 – 10, 2024
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. Who will win the pro jury pick and who will will the child jury pick? For details, click HERE.
Festival International de Marionnettes pour Adultes et Enfants/Festival des Casteliers
March 6 – 10, 2024
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 Lunch with Sonia and Ingrid Hansen’s The Epidermis Circus. More info can be found HERE.
Festival Filministes
March 6 – 11, 2024
Various Venues
Gather together for a festival celebrating feminist cinema. A vernissage, parties, workshops, and off course, films are all to be seen. Some interesting ones to catch might include Queendom by Agniia Galdanova and Éviction by Mathilde Capone. Info HERE.
International Gymnix
March 6 – 10, 2024
Complexe Sportif Claude Robillard
1000 Émile-Journault Ave
International competition for Women’s Gymnastics lands here in Montreal.Junior, Senior, and Elite level compete in all the ones you’re familiar with: parallel bars, balance beams, floor. Information HERE.
Circus Cabaret
March 8 – 16, 2024
Le Monastère
1439 Rue St Catherine Ouest
Presenting circus acts as a form of cabaret, the season kicks off with works featuring over a dozen artists from Montreal and further abroad. Jerry Tremblay hosts with DJ Olipage to make the Cabaret feel even more special as you watch hoops, wheels, straps, tumbling, and even magic. info HERE.
FIKA(S) – Festival of Scandinavian / Nordic Kultur and Art
March 9 – 15, 2024
Various Venues
What do we have in common with Scandinavia? Dark winters, cold winters, skiing, a love of coffee, unique art, socialist leanings, quirky style. Well, find out more about other people who live like we do (sorta) but over in Europe. Films, storytelling, some Hygge sorts of stuff, literary readings. Info HERE.
Francouvertes
March 11 – May 13, 2024
Various Locations
Francouvertes kicks off with a launch party on March 4, and shows starting later in the month, figure out who will win. 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 – 24 in theatres, and March 22 – 31 online, 2024
Various LocationsThe 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 15 – 17, 2024
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 sample, buy, and contemplate rows and rows of organic produce, vegan meat substitutes, chocolate, yogurts, and protein shakes. Come hungry. Leave full. Info HERE.
Art Souterrain
March 16 – April 7, 2024
Underground Centre Ville
This annual festival brings together artists from many disciplines to place their works in the corridors leading from Victoria Metro Station to Place Bonaventure to PVM to other locations. It’s a fun way to get out and walk and delight your mind and senses. This year’s theme is Environement Entends-Tu? Well worth checking out. Plus it’s free. Info HERE.
St Patrick’s Day Parade
March 17, 2024, 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.
ISU World Figure Skating Championships
March 18 – 24, 2024
Four main skating events are the focus of this international event that showcases 200 of the best athletes from 50 countries. Get ready for everything from ice dance, pair, men’s and women’s competitions. Japan has dominated the men’s and women’s and pair skating, with the US a not far off contender taking gold in the ice dance. Who will it be this year? Check it out HERE.
Festival de la Voix
March 20 – April 13, 2024
Various Locations
Vox Aeterna presents concerts and workshops as a way to support music in the community. Among them are Karen Young and trio & Steel Rail, Martine St-Clair, and Connie Kaldor, Nadia Di Lauro & Rob Lutes. Some concerts are free. There are also master classes and workshops. More information can be found HERE.
FOKUS Film Festival
March 21, 2024
CInema du Parc
3575 Ave du Parc
Television McGIll (TVM) runs an annual film festival. Previously it was only open to McGIll students, but now the entire Montreal community can take place. Screenings are held at Cinema du Parc with an after part at Ye Olde Orchard Pub right after. A good time! Info HERE.
Cabane Panache et bois rond
March 21 – 24, 2024
Rue Wellington, Verdun
An urban lumberjack party? If all the Communautos are booked and 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 Burning Brass Band and Matiu. Attache ta tuque! Details HERE.
Le Grand Éphémère
March 22 – 24, 2024
Passerelle du Vieux Port de Montréal
There are over 100 festivlas in Quebec representing over 16 artistic disciplines. Get a taste of them at this collection of performers including Ariane Moffat, Hanorah, Steve Winchester, Tristan Ginger, and Barbada. Info HERE.
Montreal Audio Fest
March 22 -24, 2024
Hôtel Bonaventure
900 Rue De la Gauchetière Ouest
Music enthusiasts and audiophiles can discover the latest in sound technologies. Speakers – got ’em. Headphones – test ’em out. Compare and contrast, ask experts, and walk away with your own clouds of sound. Info HERE
Women’s Festival
March 22 – 24, 2024
Palais de Congrès
200 Viger O
Everything fo the ladies of Montreal and Quebec. It promises fashion, food, and fun (go Barbie!). You can also check out speakers, workshops, lots of exhibitors, a travel and experience zone, a wellness and health zone, and of course a pretty good shopping zone. More info HERE.
The Outdoor Adventure Show
March 23-24, 2024
Palais de Congrès
200 Viger Ouest
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.
Montreal Anti-Jazz Police Festival
March 26 – 29, 2024
URSA Montreal
5589 Du Parc
Whoever the jazz police are, we don’t want to know. AJPAB, I guess. But this four day festival brings together New and Old Jazz with local and non-local musicians hitting the lovely URSA for some music making. There are early, late, and late-late shows, as well as whole evening tickets, as well as a four day pass. For info click HERE.
BADING Film Festival
March 29-30, 2024
CJE
460 St. Catherine O #602
18:00
During the pandemic, a group of Montreal creatives created a public outdoor film festival. Since then, the event has continued yearly, curated by Jela Dela Pena. The works feature Queer and BIPOC filmmakers in the categories of fiction/narrative, documentary, and experimental. Register for this free event. A Q&A follows. Info HERE.
Upcoming and Announced
Montreal Clown Festival
April 23 – 24, 2024
tbd
Who are you calling a clown? Get ready to laugh and laugh and laugh as performers of all sorts show you the variety that clowning can be. Workshops as well as performances. Send ’em in! Details HERE.
Metropolis Bleu
April 25-28, 2024
Annual literary festival brings together writers, thinkers, and creatives for all things related to the written word. Details HERE.
Jamais Lu
May 3 – 11, 2024
You can say you read it here first at the Jamais Lu festival. Well, saw it, is more likely, because this is a theatre festival where new pieces are highlighted. Check it out HERE.
Osheaga
August 2 – 4, 2024
Parc Jean Drapeau
MUSIC. 3 DAYS OF MUSIC! And art. The line up is up. SZA, Smashing Pumpkins, Green Day, Noah Kahan, Melanie Martinez are the big names. But also expect bands you need to hear and a mix of rising stars and well established acts too: Sleater Kinney, Blonde Readhead, Amyl and teh Sniffers, CRI, Mochakk, Two Door CInema Club, and more. 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]
