What to Do in Montreal : October Festivals and Events 2022
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.
World Press Photo Exhibition

August 31 – October 2, 2022
Marché Bonsecours
325 Rue de la Commune East
Challenge yourself with the gorgeous photojournalism on display at the World Press Photo exhibit. This prestigious exhibition features 150 prizewinning photographs on display. Some capture world news events, others make small events into world news. It never disappoints. More info HERE.
Gardens of Light : 30 Years of Magic
Sept 2 – October 31, 2022
Jardins Botanique
4101 Sherbrooke St E
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 a limited number of people allowed in every half hour. Sometimes it sells out, but at other times, you can just register same day. Information can be found HERE.
Montreal Grand Comedy Competition
September 5 – October 11, 2022
Diving Bell Social Club
3956 St Laurent
Throughout September and October, watch the preliminary rounds of the Montreal Grand comedy competition as local comics strive to be the best. It’s a chance to see who among the up and coming is destined for their own Netflix Special. Info HERE.
FIL (Festival International de la Litérature)
September 23 – October 2, 2022
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.
POP Montreal

September 28 – October 2, 2022
Various Venues
The folks at POP Montreal deliver on the musical culture and culture more generally year round in the city, but their big moment is the diverse and challenging music festival, POP Montreal. The festival brings together both no-names and big-names for a mash-up of concerts, symposiums, art, film, and of course, parties. It’s the Eton Mess of music festivals — spontaneous or chaotic, depending on your sense of random. More info HERE.
Montreal Clown Festival
September 29 – October 2, 2022
Mainline Theatre
3997 St Laurent
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.
Les Journées de la Culture
Sept. 30 – October 2, 2022
Province-wide Québec’s culture gets its spotlight with the Journées de la Culture. The people of Montreal will be out in full force showing their talents in public spaces. This is a voluntary activity and artists and performers register their activities. Expect everything from performance to workshop to conference. More info HERE.
Afriki – Festival d’Humour Africain
September 30 – October 1, 2022
Maison Théâtre
245 Rue Ontario E
Comedians who either come from or have a connection to Africa bring their comedic best forward for two days of standup. Among those performing are Michel Mpambara, Soraya, and Edgar Yves. For info and tickets, click 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.
Lumifest de Longueuil
September 29 – October 1, 2022
St. Charles Ouest, Longueuil
Set to the theme of the 90s, with DJs and lights, Longueuil blows in a new wave of fun. The night time festival includes a night of grunge, a night of hip hop, and a night of dance brought by Catherine Pogonat. Details HERE.
Oktoberfest at Marché Atwater
October 1, 2022
Atwater Market
138 Avenue Atwater
The posh farmer’s market on the Lachine Canal hosts its annual Oktoberfest. Entry is free, as is the music, but to enjoy the food and drinks, you’ll have to purchase coupons. Over 15 microbreweries from Quebec will have beer to sample. Info HERE.
Piknic Electronik
October 1, 2, 8, 9
Plaine des Jeux
Parc Jean Drapeau
Is it the final few Piknics of the season. It seems so. But among those dj-ing are beloved Cri, VTSS, and Partiboi69. Pull out those glowsticks and bring an extra hoodie for the chill and dance the last weekend until Igloofest in January. Tickets HERE.
Tonga Lumina
October 1 – 15, 2022
1000 Chem. des Voyageurs
Mont-Tremblant, QC
Tremblant proves to be an all-season stop that includes programming through the fall. You don’t need skis to walk around this evening 1.5 km walk through a sonic light festival put together by the Moment Factory. For info click HERE.
Festival du Thé / Tea Festival
October 1, 2022
Marche Bonsecours
350 Rue Saint-Paul E
Fans of flavoured water can get their green, black, oolong, and herbal on at this day long event. Attend tastings, workshops, tea ceremonies, and of course a market. For more information, click HERE.
Phénomena Festival

Oct 2 – 21, 2022
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 the festival kicks off with a parade and then includes over 10 performances in different locales. More info HERE.
Bach Festival
October 3 – December, 2022
Various locations
Don’t tell anyone, but this year’s Bach’s festival is starting a little earlier in the year with a performance by Sir András Schiff performing the Goldberg Variations on October 5th. For the rest of the festival, which takes place in November and December, expect some of the world’s best classical musicians to perform pieces by Bach. There are generally around 30 events held. Info HERE.
Festival de Cinéma latino-américain
October 4 – 7, 2022
Université de Montreal Pavillon Lionel-Groulx, Salle C-1017-02
A student initiative brings Latin American film around the theme of invisibility. Each night at 6 p.m., check out a series of both short and long form film, all free. Info HERE.
Festival de Nouveau Cinema
Oct 5 – 16, 2022
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. More info on the festival and its lineup can be found HERE.
L’Off Jazz
October 6 – 15, 2022
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 the National Jazz Orchestra of France, Mikrokosmos, Jaques Kuba Seguin, and Oli Astral. For more info, click HERE
Black & Blue Festival
October 6 – 10, 2022
Main event October 9 – 10, 22 p.m. – 8 a.m.
TOHU
Think DJs DJs DJs, but there are a few other prequel parties with other DJs including a Bal en Cuir and a District Party. People who go need about five days to recover afterwards. Info HERE.
First Fridays Food Trucks
October 7, 2022
Esplanade du Parc Olympique
4141 Av Pierre de Coubertin
The First Friday Food trucks are a Friday fave as they take over the Esplanade at Olympic Stadium. including musical groups and DJs. This last event of the season promises BBQ is on the menu. Info HERE.
Montreal Vegan Festival

October 8 – 9, 2022
Palais des Congres
1001 Place Jean-Paul Riopelle
Eat and taste your way through aisles of animal-free products. There is plenty of food, but also booths for activists and more. All totally free too. Click HERE for more info.
Ramen Ramen Festival
October 11 – 16, 2022
Whether you slurp or daintily sip, ramen prepared in as many ways as you can imagine is the focus of this delicious festival. Info HERE.
Montreal Barista Championships/ Championnat Aeropress Montréal
October 13, 2022, 5 p.m.
7335 Rue du Mile-End
Only one will make the best coffee. Who will be the barista to rule them all? 27 competitors will be given the same amount of coffee grains and use their equipment to produce some tasty brew. For info, click HERE.
Montreal Burlesque Festival 2022
October 14-15, 2022
Club Soda
1225 St Laurent Blvd
Scarlett James hosts the annual burlesque festival where taking it off is what it’s all about. Although, burlesque is so much about the journey AND the destination. New Zealander Chris Oh! headlines. Enjoy some of the best performers in the city and those from elsewhere. Info HERE.
Festival Japania
October 15 – 16, 2022
Marche Bonsecours
350 Rue Saint-Paul E
Lovers of Japanese anime and pop culture have another festival to delight in — Japania. Martial arts, food, music, fashion, mangas, and video games are all available. Info HERE.
MEGA and MIGS

October 19 – 22, 2022
Bonaventure Hotel
900 Rue De La Gauchetière O
Players and creators celebrate all things video games. Considering how many studios are here in Montreal, this a see and be seen events. Also it’s a chance to check out the video games you’ve been waiting for ahead of everyone else. Info HERE.
The Braderie de Québécoise
October 20 – 23, 2022
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.
Festival de Tango Queer MTL / Queer Tango Festival
October 20 – 22, 2022
Various locations
Promising both shows and lots of dancing, LGBTQ+ tango dancers find a welcoming space for a little milonga or two. Courses as well as group dances are available. For info, click HERE.
IF3 Festival
October 22 – 29, 2022
Various Venues
Freeski, freeride, and snow sports have their festival. This year’s version has screenings, activities, and an after-party. More details HERE.
Annual Gem and Mineral Show
October 28 – 30, 2022
Palais des Congres
1001 Place Jean-Paul Riopelle
If you’re seeking crystal revelations or if you just want a really sweet fossil to put on your desk, the annual gem and mineral show is the right place to go. Gem identification, tools, carvings, beads, and of course rocks are available for purchase. With over 100 dealers, you’ll have an easy time finding your ore. Info HERE.
SPASM
tbd, 2022
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.
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
Monthly Festival Links
October
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]