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OK, they say the days are getting longer. I barely noticed. But just the same, staying in and watching every single show on Netflix has its time and place… some other time and place. Buck up. Put on that parka and those hot boots and get out and see some stuff.

New Years Eve at the Old Port/ Le Party du Nouvel An

December 31-January 1, 2020, 7 p.m. – 2 a.m., Quai Jacques Cartier

Montreal has fireworks and usually a decent line-up of performers This year catch Bernard Adamus, Les Louanges, Heartstreets, and Bleu Jeans Bleu performing. It’s crowded, but kind of fun too. Totally free. Also, you can rid the metro ALL NIGHT LONG FOR FREE. Information HERE.

SAT Fest

January 7 – February 8, 2020
SAT (1201 St. Laurent)
$20

Seven, count ’em, seven short immersive films from around the globe fill the Satosphere. It’s a cool space if you’ve never been and an even cooler way to see a movie. Check out Core Collapse, Rendez-Vous, Immersive, Enigma, and more. Details HERE.

Wildside Festival

January 7 – 18, 2020
Centaur Theatre (325 St. Francois Xavier)
Tickets: $16/13

The Wildside gets the theatre scene of the city out of the house and in to see some hot hot hot productions. This year, Don’t Read the Comments, Her Songs My Story, Hollow Mountain, Multiple Organism, Wah Wah Wah, and Chattermarks are being performed. Two other productions, Tomorrow and Confabulation, are one night only! Get your tickets HERE.

Bouge d’ici

January 9 – 18, 2020
Mainline Theatre (3997 St Laurent)
Tickets: pwyc-$15

If you’re ready to find out just how awesome Montreal’s indie dance scene is, you better bouge!bouge!bouge! to Bouge d’ici. This annual dance festival pairs up and coming choreographers with established mentors to produce both short and long works. In addition to a few special events, like the Cabaret Bouge d’ici, there are workshops on different types of dance and the biz. The ambiance is welcoming and open minded. Info HERE.

Dômesicle Partys

January 11 – February 22, 2020, Saturday nights 22 – 3
SAT (1201 St Laurent)
$10-15

Get ready to dance to the DJs and let the music and the light spectacle free your mind. Ryan Playground, Das Mortal, The Fitness & Pony, and so many more. For information on who and when, check HERE.

Marions Nous/Salon National Marriage

January 11 – 12, 2020
Place Bonaventure (800 de La Gauchetière)

If you met someone cool on New Years Eve, well why not tie the knot too? See gowns for brides, bridesmaids, mothers of brides, and exes. Get ideas for how to turn the big day into something only a bridezilla would love. Meet wedding planners, sample cakes, and enjoy the spectacle. More info HERE.

Le Happening Gourmand

January 16 – February 9, 2020

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. Nine of the city’s best restaurants are offering lunch and dinner menus at costs of $25, $29, and $35, with a brunch at $17 and $12 for happy hour. After eating, you can get a discount ticket to Igloofest to dance off the extra dessert. A few of the participating restaurants are Jacopo, Bevo, Brasserie 701, Mechant Boeuf, and Maggie Oakes. There are also brunch meals available. For more information and to book a space, click HERE.

Igloofest

January 16 – February 8, 2020, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, 
Old Port Quai Jacques Cartier

Igloofest brings in the world’s coolest DJs and mixes them with those from the local scene. Know any of these: The Blaze, Loud, Rezz, Nina Kraviz, Rufus du Sol, Kaytranada, Zeds Dead, Charlotte de Witte, or the Boiler Room? (answer: they’re all amazing DJs). Bundle up and check out Igloofest and find out how they can make you move. The festival usually has all kinds of other cool things in the space to distract you when you need to relax in front of a fire pit. Tickets are here and all information is HERE.

Montreal International Auto Show

January 17 – 26, 2020
Palais de Congres de Montreal, 201 Viger W.
$13/17

Wall to wall cars of all kinds. Every major manufacturer will showcase their latest cars. Over 500 models are there to examine. But, if you’ve ever just wanted to sit in a Maserati, Tesla, Porsche, or Kia, now is your chance! Many cars are unveiled at the show like the Genesis Mint. For info click HERE.

Fête des Neiges

January 18 – February 9, 2020 Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Parc Jean Drapeau
free admission to site

Shows, events, music, Parc Jean Drapeau gives you a reason to get outside every weekend. To stay warm, try yoga in the snow or snow aerobics. 16 different tube sliding lanes including a super slide! There are many different outdoor activities overall with things like curling, cross-country skiing, and an ice pirate ship. Information and scheduling can be found HERE.

Jewish Public Library JPL Israeli Film Festival

January 18 – February 15, 2020
Various locations

Five films will be shown over a period of about a month. Films focus on Judaism or Israel. Among those to see are Shooting Life, Lady Titi Singing Blues, and Working Woman. Details HERE.

Hackatown

January 18, 2020,
Polytechnique Montreal (2900 Edouard Montpetit)

Programming anyone? Anyone who thinks they have something to contribute can join a team and participate in this free event. 24 hours and see what you can come up with. You don’t need to be a computer person, but seriously… who do you think goes to this stuff? More info HERE.

Banff Mountain Film Festival Tour

January 22 – 26, 2020 in French), February 7-8, 2020 (in English)
UQAM, Salle Pierre Mercure du Centre Pierre Peladeau (300 Boul. de Maisonneuve E) in French; University of Concordia (1455 De Maisonneuve Ouest, H-110) in English
$24.50

The Banff Mountain Film Festival tours the world, presenting the same line-up of films wherever it goes. The films are screened in their original languages with subtitles. The tour features the best films from its collection, each focusing on some aspect of man’s relationship to the mountains. Some of the films that will be screened include Charge, Reel Rock 14, and Hors Piste . For more info, click HERE.

Lux Magna Festival

January 22 – 26, 2020

Let your light shine, your great light, with this music, film, and spoken word festival held at the hub of Casa, Sala, la Vitrola, and La Sotterenea. The schedule includes Tranna Wintour, YlangYlang, Sarah Hennies, and more. Info HERE.

Montréal Taboo Show

January 24 – 26, 2020
Place Bonaventure (800 Gauchetière W)
$20/25/$35

If you want some inspiration for getting frisky or just enjoy expanding your knowledge about all things seductive, this annual salon is for you. Fashion shows, erotic circuses, seminars on topics like oral sex, squirting, and anal sex, as well as workshops are all part of the event. Major names in the erotic scene are coming as well. For more info on tickets and schedule, click HERE.

Laval en Blanc

January 24 – 26, 2020
Berge des Baigneurs, dans le Vieux Sainte Rose

If you want to take a trip, but not really travel, Laval is hosting a winter festival that includes concerts, a snow maze, ice skating, and all sorts of outdoorsy things. Info HERE.

Con U Hacks

January 25 – 26, 2020
Concordia University’s Sir George William’s Campus

Not to be outdone by the Polytechnique’s Hackatown hackathon, Concordia has its own. 600+ students participate in workshops and expositions as well as just general hacking solo or in teams of four. Students get to participate, and food is free. Info HERE.

Alternative Media Fair

January 30, 2020 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.,
Concordia University, 1515 Rue St Catherine Ouest

Concordia Co-op Bookstore likes to give independent writers, zinesters, activists, and all those of the DIY, fuck the fucked up system ilk a chance to share their works and creations. It happens monthly. Details HERE.

Taverne Tour

January 30 – February 1
Avenue du Mont Royal and surrounding

Check out music at many venues that line Mont Royal, St. Laurent, and St. Denis. Some top performers will bring their shows to tiny venues, so see if you can squish in and catch Deerhoof, the Sadies, Fred Fortin, Thus Owls, and so many others. Details and info HERE.

Upcoming Events

Je t’aime en Chocolat

February 8 – 9, 2020
Marche Bonsecours

Free entrance for all the chocolate. Okay, you have to buy it. But they give samples. Info HERE.

The Montreal Boat and Water Sports Show/ Salon du Bateau

February 6 – 9, 2020;
Palais des congrès (1001 Place Jean Paul Riopelle)
$18/14

If getting into your own yacht and sailing off into the great blue of the Caribbean all winter (or just your local lake all summer), this show is for you. Find out about what’s new in the realm of boats and everything you could possibly think of related to water sports. Info HERE.

If you have an event that should make our monthly list, give us a shout at [email protected]