October Festivals and Events in Montreal 2017
KM3
Aug 30 – Oct. 15, 2017
Quartier des Spectacles.
Over 20 new art works of different media will be on display in the Quartier des Spectacles. Look for projections on building sides, in windows, and on sidewalks. For more information, click HERE.
Gardens of Light
Sept. 8- October 31 2017
Botanical Garden (4101 Sherbrooke E)
The Botanic Gardens light up with hundreds of intricate lanterns shaped to look like animals, flowers, and objects. The lanterns come from Shanghai and take three months to mount in the Botanic Gardens. Every year there are about 200 new lanterns added to the group. This is one of the most beloved fall seasonal activities in Montreal and anyone can enjoy it. More info HERE.
Montreal International Black Film Festival
Sept 27-Oct 1, 2017
The MIBFF brings new black films on a range of topics. Culture, social issues, and socio-economics all figure in the films showcased. This year, Oliver Jones gets the lifetime screening award and opener Kalushi: The Story of Solomon Mahlangu opens at Cinema Imperial. In addition there are presentations on workshops on crowd funding films and the marketplace for films. More info on tickets and events can be found HERE.
Sight and Sound Festival
September 27 – October 1, 2017
Eastern Bloc (7240 Clark)
A festival celebrating all things digital. Expect installations and performances that will challenge. Eastern Bloc’s works are always mind expanding and fascinating. More info HERE.
MAPP_MTL Map Festival Montreal
September 29 – October 7, 2017
Mapping the city doesn’t seem like it would demand a festival, but this is Montreal! Along with the Moment Factory, there is an combination of music, visual art, and… yes… mapping that takes place. Find out more HERE.
Pin Patch MTL 2017
September 30 2017
Espace POP (5587 du Parc)
Creators of patches, pins, and enamel pins celebrate their very own fair. The Stay Home Club, Lady No Brow, and Lovestruck Prints will be there with their enamel pins on offer. Details HERE.
La Ronde Fright Fest
September 30 – October 29, 2017
Halloween runs an entire month at La Ronde with zombies and ghosts all over the park. Specific attractions include haunted mazes, the massacre museum, the cursed farm, and the maison rouge. More information HERE.
Annual Vigil for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
October 4, 2017
Place Émilie Gamelin
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Because one woman missing is one woman too many. Join the annual vigil to raise awareness and demand justice through your presence. Information HERE.
VIVA! Art Action
October 4- 7 2017
Ateliers Jean-Brilliant 661 Rose de Lima
Parties, events, VIVA! is all about art. Usually it includes public space infiltrations, but also performances, conferences, and even a “wild closing party.” Information about the event can be found HERE.
Festival de Nouveau Cinema
Oct 4-15, 2017
The festival de Nouveau Cinema showcases a variety of films from around the world. Find out what the future holds in terms of cinematic trends and talents. The films can be quirky, but also deeply moving. More info on the festival and its lineup can be found HERE . Highly anticipated films this year include the new Bladerunner 2049.
Black and Blue / Luminocity
October 5-9, 2017
The Black and Blue festival is essentially a giant EDM party in Montreal. This year, the main event takes place at Centre Pierre Charbonneau – Parc Olympique with DJs VIctor Calderone, Roger Snachez, Erez Ben Ishay, and Kev-J. There are plenty of alternative events including a Twinkle Party and a Leather Ball. More info HERE.
L’Off Jazz
October 5-14, 2017
With summer gone who knows where and the Jazz fest with, time to bring out the Off Jazz. Over 140 artists, most local, will light up the city with over 26 concerts and 4 new release parties For more info, click HERE.
Canadian International Organ Competition
Oct 6-21, 2017
In churches throughout the city, 20 talented musicians from around the world compete in this this biannual competition . The winner gets over $100,000 in prizes. Sadly, that’s probably not enough to buy an organ.
Montreal Burlesque Festival
October 19-21, 2017
Club Soda (1225 ST Laurent)
Burlesque or boylesque, the art of the tease while taking off a few garments makes this form of performance as titillating as it is entertaining. Though the end game is more or less the same, the journey there is different each and every time. Some are more story oriented, others less so. Alongside many of Montreal’s beloved performers, check out some international sueprstars. More info is HERE.
Phénomena Festival
Oct 7-20, 2017
Les Filles électriques is a creative company that runs the Phenomena festival, a playful, interdisciplinary festival with installations, performances, and all sorts of oddities. It never ceases to amaze with wonder and is perfectly timed for the spooky season. More info HERE.
Dansu: Japanese Choreographic Arts
October 18-28, 2017
Tangente
Three different choreographers with different aesthetics bring their works to Montreal. Find out the diversity of dance from Japan both through live performance and film. Click HERE for more details.
The Braderie de Québécoise
Oct 19-22, 2017
A few days of high end fashion at super low prices, the annual Braderie is a much anticipated event. Kollontai, Veinage, Stefano, Ca va de soi, Furlux, Myco Anna, Message Factory, Creation Encore, and many other familiar names have deep discounts on their fashion designs. Also, jewelry and accessories are there too. More info HERE.
SPASM
October 19-28, 2017
The cinema festival that is all about zombies and horror, with plenty of oldies to revisit. Keep an eye HERE to know more.
Festival International du Conte
October 20-29, 2017
Storytellers come to Montreal from across Canada and around the world to share stories. Listen to Joséphine Bacon, Mike Burns, Chirine El Ansary, Jeanne Ferron, and Alberto Garcia Sanchez, or take workshops with Ivan Coyote. More details HERE.
Akousma
October 20-28, 2017
Electroacoustic music isn’t just EDM and its variants. It’s range is enormous and includes experimental works, laptop orchestras, and many more forms of musical discovery. This year, check out Érick D’Orion, Martin Tétreault, Martín Rodríguez, Francis Dhomont, and more. Information can be found HERE.
IF3 Festival
October 26-28
Old Port Montreal
Freeski, freeride, and snow sports have their festival with equipment, exhibitors, and cinema. More details HERE.
Marche des Zombies de Montreal
Oct 28, 2017
What was once upon a time an organic freak show of people who had a good giggle at the undead has turned into a rather large videotron sponsored event. Smear some ketchup on your face, roll around in a bit of humusy earth, and join the march — slow or fast. More info HERE.
SLAM
October 20-November 6
Slam poetry is hot in Montreal, especially given our bilingual blessings. INTY/SLAMONTREAL celebrate 10 years of performances in the city with a lineup every night of the week. Most performances are at O Patro Vys. Find out more HERE.
Au Contraire Film Festival
October 24-27, 2017
A film festival dedicated solely to mental ilness. The opening night raises money for Donald Berman UP house. The festival shows that those with mental illness are not who they are stereotypically portrayed to be. Films showcase at the Musee des Beaux Arts. For more info, click HERE.
FFASMontréal — South East Asian Film Festival
October 27-29 and November 3-5, 2017
J.A. De Sève Cinema at Concordia University 1400 De Maisonneuve W.
Over two weekends, the festival showcases films from South Asia and those connected with the region. Panels and workshops are part of this thought-provoking and entertaining event. Details HERE.
Salon des Vins d’Importation Privée
Oct 28-30 2017
Marché Bonsecours
2000 private imported wines from 150 winemakers from around the world give everyone a chance to get exclusives that can’t be purchased in the SAQ. Details HERE.
The Arab World Festival of Montreal
Oct 27-Nov 12, 2017
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.