What to Do in Montreal : November Festivals and Events 2022
Fernie. Photo Rachel LEvine
With fall colours at their last gasp, the only orange soon to see outside will either be orange cones or Canada Goose parkas. But not yet, not yet. There’s a few more weeks before we get serious snow, so get out there and enjoy those long dark nights.
Festival du Monde Arabe / Montreal Arab World Festival
October 29 – November 13, 2022
Various venues in the city
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. This year’s event includes Redwan el Asmar, Lila Borsali, Leila Gouchi, and many more. The offerings are extensive and diverse. More info HERE.
Coup de Coeur Francophone
November 3 – 14, 2021
Various Venues
Get ready for eleven nights of your favourite francophone artists performing all over the city. Three or more performances take place each night. Artists performing include Vincent Vallieres, Sylvie Paquette, Salomé Leclerc, Groovy Aardvark, Lumière, and others. Venues vary from large to small. More info HERE.
MTL à TABLE
November 3-13, 2022
Various restaurants
If there’s a restaurant you’ve been hoping to check out, perhaps it’s part of MTL à TABLE. Top restaurants around the city offer meals at fixed prices. It’s a chance to dine at old faves and try new places too. Information HERE.
Cinemania
November 4 -13, 2022
Various cinemas
Bringing French films to an English speaking audience is the goal of this film festival. Among the things to watch are Chien Blanc and Tempête, both adaptions of novels. Also highly anticipated is Close. Luxembourg gets special treatment this year. Info about the festival available HERE.
Salon National des Animaux de Compagnie / National Salon for Pets
November 5 – 6, 2022
Stade Olympique
4545 Pierre-de Coubertin Ave
A public event for the animal lover, pet fanatic. Breeders, vets, 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 national canine agility competition. Also, there are the famous Aqua-dogs.More info HERE.
Festival Sefarad de Montréal / Montreal Sephardic Festival
November 6 – 19, 2022
Various Venues
Sephardic culture is explored through comedy, song, film, and performance. Lectures are being offered as well, including the This year, musical guest and rapper Nissim Black performs, enjoy the comedy of Orel Gozlan, or check out Yaniv Cohen “The Spice Detective.” Info about this festival and tickets to events can be found HERE.
HTMLLES Festival
November 6 – 27, 2022
Various Locations
The HTMLLES is a media arts and digital culture festival that showcases local, national, and international individuals who take feminist perspectives and use new technologies. It’s always intriguing. Panels, art exhibits, and parties are all part of this much missed event. Details HERE.
Salon du Livre de Montreal / Montreal Book Fair
November 11 – 27, 2021
Palais de Congrès
201 Ave Viger O
The not-independent-book gets its moment at this festival that focuses on French publications. Quebec literature in particular gets plenty of visibility. It begins with activities in the city and then shifts to Palais de Congrès on November 23. Author talks, discussions, debates, and public readings make this an exciting event. More info HERE.
Mundial Montreal / North America World Music Summit
November 15 – 18, 2022
Various venues
This festival celebrates the diversity by bringing musicians from around the world to perform in Montreal. Over 40 different cultures and communities are represented thi syear. Some of the acts this year include groove& from Korea, Kayiri, Soukustek performing Afro-Colombian music, and The Brooks. For information about shows and venues, click HERE.
M for Montreal
Nov 16 – 19, 2022
Various Venues
Many 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. Who is there for sure: Clay and Friends, Ariane Roy, Fernie, Lisa Leblanc, Lydia Kepinski, Soran, Vanille, and Witch Prophet. Get tickets and info HERE.
RIDM / Montreal International Documentary Festival
November 17 – 27, 2022
Various cinemas
How lucky we are to get to see the world’s greatest documentaries in the cinemas of the city. There’s something for everyone in the selection. Info HERE.
Bach Festival
November 17 – December 9, 2022
Various venues
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. There’s also an Off-Bach Festival! More info HERE.
Best Canadian Essays Launch and Celebration
November 17, 2022
URSA mtl (5589 Ave Du Parc)
7:30 p.m.
The latest edition of the Best Canadian Essays gets its launch party at the little venue that can! Mireille Silcoff hosts and Stephen Marche, Jamaluddin Aram, and others will give readings. Details HERE.
Image + Nation: Montreal International LGBTQ Film Festival / Festival Film LGBTQUEER Montréal
November 17 – 27, 2022
This is the oldest film festival of its kind in Canada and often is the place to catch both innovative and new films that relate to the LGBTQueer community. Watch here for more details.
Expozine
November 19 – 20, 2022
Église Saint Arsène
1025 Bélanger
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.
Tibetan Bazaar and Cultural Fair
November 19, 2022
Eglise Santa Cruz (60 Rachel Ouest)
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Come for the momos, stay for the mask dances. The annual Tibetan cultural fair happens just in time for the holidays, so you can pick up a singing bowl, a set of flags, and some good eats all at once. Details HERE.
Indigenous Winter Market
November 19 and 20th
Native Friendship Centre (2001 St Laurent)
Two local and important organizations, the Southern Quebec Inuit Association and the Native Friendship Centre of Montreal, offer a winter market featuring over 20 Indigenous art and craft vendors as well as food. Details HERE.
The Great Montreal Christmas Market
November 19 – December 31, 2022
Quartier des Spectacles
Walk along St. Catherine Street in front of Place des Arts for booth after booth of unique boutique goods. Some are food, some are not. If you get lucky, you might catch a musical or theatre performance on the street too. The ambiance is lovely and festive. Info HERE.
Amnesty International Marathon of Writing
November 20 and 30, December 10
Bibliothèque interculturelle de Côte-des-Neiges (Nov 20), 2 p.m.
Maison des jeunes d’Outremont (Nov 30), 4 p.m.
Esplanade Tranquille at Place des Arts (Dec 11), 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Stand up for human rights, especially political prisoners and the wrongfully detained by writing letters to governments and political leaders as part of Amnesty International’s writing marathons. Use a prepared letter or write one from your own heart. Info and details HERE.
Jean Talon Christmas Market
November 26 – December 18, 2022
Jean Talon Market
If you’re up near the Jean Talon Market, this year’s market is kind of a go big or go home with twice as many vendors compared to last time. Get ready for food like cider and foie gras and lots of delicious foods to buy. Oh yes, of course, there’s shopping. Info HERE.
Atwater Christmas Market
November 24 – December 18, 2022
Atwater Market
Perennial favourite in the St. Henri hood, small cabins are set up to create a little outdoor village. There’s plenty to eat, a sugar shack and fries. There are also circus performances, sledding and movie nights, and kind of general joy. For info, click HERE.
100 Lux
November 28 – December 4, 2022
L’Espace Sans Luxe (6502 avenue du Parc)
Street dancing for all, with five free events at L’Espace Sans Luxe at 7 p.m. each night and two other ticketed events indoors at Theatre Fairmount. Check it out and find out what Montreal’s street dance community is up to. Info HERE.
Upcoming and Announced
Marché des Fêtes à la Japonaise
December 2-3, 2022
Centre Communitaire de Loisirs Saint Catherine d’Alexandrie (1700 Rue Akenaten)
Two days with over 15 vendors each day of goodies related to Japan. If you know a Japanophile or just love all things Japan yourself, don’t miss this annual market. Info HERE.
Brazilian Film Festival
December 2- 8, 2022
Cinema Du Parc
A week of films from South America’s biggest melting pot. Info HERE.
Marche de Noel Végane
December 10 – 11, 2022
Maison du Developpement Durable
50 Rue St Catherine Ouest
Think plant based and sustainable. Yes, there’s food, but also gifts. Go green. Save the planet. Eat kale. No single use plastics here. Info HERE.
K Fiesta
January 21, 2023
Cégep du Vieux Montreal
255 Rue Ontario E
11 AM- 7 PM
K-Pop or J-Pop? If you go K, this festival is for you. Eklipse MTL is helping to organize a convention for K-Pop that includes a dance off, merchandise, a show, and other surprises. For details, watch HERE.
Monthly Festival Links
November
January
February
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]
