What to Do in Montreal : October Festivals and Events 2021

Half Moon Run at Osheaga 2021 Half Moon Run at Osheaga 2021. Photo Rachel Levine

The nights are darker and longer, perfect for walking along Rue Mt. Royal in search of misadventures. After a drink or two, let the rejuvenated nightlife carry you along past crowds of students waiting to get into clubs, hand-holding couples, and groups of friends chatting on every terrace.

Marché Asiatique de Montréal

August 12 – October 3, 2032
Thursdays (17-23), Fridays(17-23), Saturdays(12-23), and Sundays (12-23)
Place des Souhaits, Chinatown

Food market with inexpensive food fills the streets of Chinatown for a small feast of tiny bites. This is always worth checking out and a chance to get some yummy stuff. Info HERE.

Gardens of Light : An Ode to the Moon

Sept 3 – October 31, 2021

From 7:30 – 10 p.m. in the fall, take a walk around the Jardin Botanique and enjoy lanterns and light displays. The tradition returns with 500 people allowed in every half hour. Information can be found HERE. 

Montreal International Black Film Festival

September 22 – October 3, 2021

The annual festival celebrating films by, starring, and about black creators and related issues, brings films from all around the world to the city. Opening film, With Drawn Arms, looks at the raised fist gesture first popularized by Tommie Smith in 1968, while closing film, Under the Stars of Paris, is a fictional work about a woman who helps a Burkinabe boy search for his mother. In between are a wide variety of films, industry events, and lectures online. Details HERE.

FIL (Festival International de la Litérature)

September 24 – October 3, 2021
Various locations

Montreal celebrates the world of French writers, writing, and literature at the FIL. Readings and a pop up bookstore make this a delight for those into all things literary. More info HERE.

L’Off Jazz

September 30 – October 9, 2021
Various locations

With summer gone who knows where and the Jazz fest with, time to bring out the Off Jazz. Among the shows to catch are Rachel Therrien, Le Jager, Joe Sullivan, and Scott Thomson. For more info, click HERE

Lumifest de Longueuil

September 31 – October 2, 2021
St. Charles Ouest, Longueuil

Set to the theme of the 80s, with DJs and lights, Longueuil blows in a new wave of fun. The night time festival includes a night of new wave, a night of fracophone music, and a British Invasion. Details HERE.

Osheaga Les Retrouvailles / Get Together

October 1 – 3, 2021
Parc Jean Drapeau

If you’re missing Osheaga, well, everyone is. Fortunately, the gang is getting together to offer a limited capacity mini-Festival at Parc Jean Drapeau that includes Charlotte Cardin, Jessie Reyez, and Half Moon Run. Osheaga sponsored events are taking place throughout the summer at places like L’Astral and MTELUS. Info HERE.

Le Salon National de la Femme / The National Women’s Show

October 1 – 3, 2021
Palais de Congres

Ladies, ladies, ladies — shop for products and sample the food. Wine too. Free mini makeovers, cooking demos, and fashion shows. It’s a girl’s day out kind of thing. Info HERE.

First Fridays Food Trucks : Cancelled

October 1 – October 3, 2021 (Cancelled)
Esplanade du Parc Olympique (4141 Av PIerre de Coubertin)

A little longer than a Friday. Rather, two weekends of three days each with all the food trucks you can handle plus some special events, including musical groups and DJs. Info HERE.

Festipod / Un Festival de Podcasts

October 2 – 3 , 2021
L’Adversaire (403 Rue St Catherine E)

For two days, fans of the podcast can enjoy a festival that includes games, films, and of course, podcasts. Info HERE.

Piknic Electronik

October 3, with Off Piknic events October 2, 7, 8, 9

Is it the final Piknic? Don’t miss Pan Pot and Priori at the regular PIknic. Off Piknic events include Kaytranada, and DJ Claptone. $20. Tickets HERE.

Lebanese Film Festival

October 3 – October 7, 2021
Cinema Guzzo (3500 Blvd Cote Vertu Ouest)

Eight different films from Lebanon make an appearance at the Cinema Guzzo. Among the ones to check out is the red carpet C-section. Info and tickets HERE.

Au Contraire Film Festival

October 3 – 31 2021
Online

A film festival dedicated solely to mental illness. 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. Digital platform featuring 25 films for $25. For more info, click HERE.

Tonga Lumina

October 4 – 16, 2021
Mt. Tremblant

Tremblant proves to be an all-season stop with programming through the fall. You don’t need skis to walk around this evening 1.5 km walk will let you take in the sonic light festival put together by the Moment Factory. For info click HERE.

Mondial de la bière / Beer Festival

October 7 – 10, 2021
Rio Tinto Courtyard, Gare Windsor

The Montreal beer festival gives everyone a chance to check out over 100 different beers on site. There also will be food like cheese, cold cuts, pretzels, and nuts. You can even check out the mini brunch on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, check out the website HERE.

Festival de Nouveau Cinema

Oct 6 – 17, 2021
Various locations

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. Complete program unveiled September 28. More info on the festival and its lineup can be found HERE.

Phénomena Festival

Oct 7 – 22, 2021
Various venues

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. This year there are 8 shows in theatres, 8 outdoor shows, and 2 expositions. More info HERE.

The Braderie de Québécoise

October 14 – 17, 2021
Marché Bonsecours (350 St. Paul E and 325 de la Commune E)

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.

IF3 Festival

October 20 – 23, 2021
Bain Mathieu (2915 Ontario E)

Freeski, freeride, and snow sports have their festival. This year’s verison is a hybrid format, with online and in-person events. More details HERE.

Festival Interculturel du Conte / Montreal Intercultural Storytelling Festival

October 22 – 31, 2021
Various Venues

Artists and storytellers come to Montreal from across Canada and around the world to share stories. Opening night gala features intercultural storytelling around the theme of Generations, along with six others are given in English, mais pour les autres… français. Details can be found HERE. 

SPASM

October 29 – 31, 2021

The cinema festival that is all about zombies and horror, with plenty of oldies to revisit. Keep an eye HERE to know more.

Upcoming and Announced

Cinemania

November 2 -21, 2021

Bringing French films to an English speaking audience is the goal of this film festival. Info about the festival available HERE.

MEGA and MIGS

November 10 – 13, 2021

Players and creators celebrate all things video games. Considering how many studios are here, this a see and be seen events. Also a chance to check out the video games you’ve been waiting for ahead of everyone else. Info HERE.

RIDM / Montreal International Documentary Festival

November 10 – 21, 2021

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.

Monthly Festival Links

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

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]