Montreal Festivals and Events for January 2023
MTL en Lumière sign. Photo Rachel Levine
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 your fm boots and get out and see some stuff.
Luminotherapie
December 1, 2022 – March 5, 2023
Quartier des Spectacles,
12:30 – 8:30 p.m. daily
In the days of darkness, it’s time to check out the light and video show near the city centre. Follow the path to check out different sound and light exhibits. A massive skating rink is featured at the Esplanade Tranquille. Info HERE.
McGame Jam
January 6 – 8, 2023
McGill University
L.M. Trottier Building
3630 University Street
Programming anyone? Make new friends, learn skills, and create a game with a bunch of strangers in 48 hours. There won’t be much sleep. You don’t need to be a computer person, but seriously… who do you think goes to this stuff? More info HERE.
Parc Jean Drapeau Music Events and Activities
January 7 – 22, 2023
Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Parc Jean Drapeau
free admission to park
An ice wall to climb, fat bikes, snow shoes, a warming lodge, and music — Parc Jean Drapeau gives you a reason to get outside every weekend. There are tube sliding lanes including a super slide! On the weekends are themed musical events. Information and scheduling can be found HERE.
SAT Parallèles
January 10 – February 24, 2023
SAT
1201 Boul. St. Laurent
$22
10, count ’em, 10 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 Brèche, Isometric, Monrts, and more. Details HERE.
Dômesicle Winter 2023
January 14 – February 18, 2023, Saturday nights 22 – 3
SAT
1201 Blvd. St Laurent
$10-15
Get ready for an immersive party experience hosted by the SAT. DJs and video projections in 360 degrees to dance under. A few names to watch out for Claire Rousay (live), Daura, Orchestroll (live), and lots more. For information on who and when, check HERE
Festival du Nouvel An Vetnamien / Vietnamese Tet New Years Festival
January 14, 2023
Gare Windsor,
9 a.m. – midnight
Food, kiosks, parades, artists, and more will be set up at Gare Windsor to celebrate the Tet Vietnam style. Info HERE.
Wildside Festival
January 16 – February 11, 2023
Centaur Theatre
325 St. Francois Xavier
Tickets: $16/13
The Wildside gets the theatre folk of the city out of the house and in to see some hot hot hot productions. This year, there’s an extra long program that goes all the way into February. Huzzah. On the program is Wildfire (yes, as the festival itself is called) which is based on the original French production, Planting an Apple Tree about the Ukraine, Proje(c)tLes Bonnes which is an adaption of Jean Genet’s play The Maids by Roxane Loumède, Theatre for One with six films, six actors, and three directors, and Confabulation offers Me, My Selfie, and I! Get your tickets HERE.
Banff Mountain Film Festival Tour
January 18 – 22, 2023 (in French), February 3 – 4, 2023 (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
$31.50
The Banff Mountain Film Festival tours 20 cities in Quebec, and aims to share nearly 100 curated films (short and medium length) in many different countries. The films are screened in their original languages with subtitles. It’s a night out for the person who’d rather be in nature cycling, skiing, kayaking, mountaineering, climbing. You get the point. For more info, click HERE.
Igloofest
January 19 – February 11, 2023,
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: CRi, Tiesto, Tiga, Kavinsky, CFCF, Black Tiger Sex Machine, Bob Moses? (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 and all information is HERE.
Après Ski Igloofest
January 20-21, 2023
Various locations
After Igloofest, if you want to dance indoors (and you probably do), there are a number of venues that will keep the music going until 3 a.m. for the afterparties. Check out some of the Après-Ski events at the Phi Centre and Francesco’s MTL.
Montreal International Auto Show
January 20 – 29, 2023
Palais de Congres de Montreal
201 Viger W.
$8/$13.50
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, Mini, Polestar, Lotus, or Kia, now is your chance! Many cars are unveiled at the show like the Genesis Mint. For info click 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.
Chinese New Year Celebrations
January 22, 2023
Chinatown
Blvd. St. Laurent and Blvd. Rene Levesque
New Year’s Eve take two. Chinatown hosts festivals, including a special Lunar New Year Parade complete with dancing lion and dragon performances. Try and get your hands on some lucky money red envelopes for prosperity in the year ahead. Theatre Maisonneuve features over 100 artists from the Hua Xing Artistic Troupe as well.
Laval en Blanc
January 27 – 29, 2023
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 fireworks, a circus, concerts, and performances. Info HERE.
Con U Hacks
January 21 – 22, 2023
Concordia University’s Sir George William’s Campus
Not to be outdone by the rest of the globe, Concordia has its own hackathon in-person. 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.
Upcoming Events
Let’s Get Married / Marions-Nous Salon
Feb 5, 2023
Palais de Congres de Montreal
201 Viger W.
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.
Taverne Tour
February 9 – 11, 2023
Avenue du Mont Royal, Blvd St. Laurent, and Rue St. Denis
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 Julie Doiron and Dany Placard, Thisquietarmy, ofMontreal, the King Khan and BBQ Show, the Sadies,, and so many others. Details and info HERE.
The Montreal Boat and Water Sports Show/ Salon du Bateau
February 9 – 12, 2023
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.
Monthly Festival Links
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]
