Montreal Festivals and Events Calendar for April 2023
Art Souterrain 2022. Photo Rachel Levine
Is that snow outside? We hope not. Get ready to enjoy April in all its slowly warming-up glory with a few spring festivals as Montreal reclaims its streets, now with more potholes. Watch out for the big ones. We’re not joking!
Parc at Midnight
Feb 24 – April 30, 2023, Fri and Sat at 9:30 p.m., Sun at 2:30.
Parc Cinema
3575 Parc Avene
Feeling creepy? excited? horrified? The lineup of classic films that are best seen on a big screen will raise your pulse. These are cult favorites, including Blue Velvet, Millennium Mabo, and Extra Ordinary. Info HERE.
Art Matters
February 25 – April 1, 2023
Various Locations
We at Montreal Rampage believe that art matters. Do you? The annual Concordia festival run by undergraduates celebrates art in its many forms has an appeal that goes well beyond students. Check out who is up and coming as both artists and curators in the city of Montreal. All areas are covered — writing, dance, design, theatre, video, theatre, and digital arts. Click HERE for more information.
Le Happening Gourmand
March 2 – April 2, 2023
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 $32, $42, and $52, with a brunch at $22. A few of the participating restaurants are Jacopo, Bevo, Gaspar, Nelli, Brasserie 701, Mechant Boeuf, and Maggie Oakes. There are also brunch meals available. For more information and to book a space, click HERE.
Francouvertes
March 13 – May 15, 2023
Various Locations
Only one can be the best, but over the next few months let your ears decide which of these artists deserves to advance to the next round. Check the website who is playing each week and also what local established artist will appear as a special guest. Info HERE.
International Festival of Films on Art (FIFA)
March 14 – 26 in theatres, and March 24 – April 2 online, 2023
Various Locations
The FIFA presents challenging and engaging films about art, artists, and the people who love and hate them. Dive in and explore this film festival that leaves no artistic discipline un-explored. Info HERE.
ART SOUTERRAIN: VOIES – La Fête
March 18 – April 9, 2023
Montreal Underground starting at Square Victoria Metro
Get ready to go underground with a festival that puts art where the people are. Art Souterrain works with international art institutions to make visual art more accessible by putting it in the tunnels of the underground city. 30 artists are featured, dozens of mediated activities, and five event based experiences, all for free. More info can be found HERE.
Festival de la Voix
March 19 – April 28, 2023
Various Locations
Vox Aeterna presents concerts and workshops as a way to support music in the community. Among them are Ranee Lee, Daniel Lavoie, and Claire de Sévigné & Danielle Macmillan. Some concerts are free. There are also master classes and workshops. More information can be found HERE.
La Cuvée
March 30 – April 1, 2023
Salon 1861
550 Ave Richmond
Fans of Quebec’s beer, wine, and spirits come together to enjoy drink, food, DJs and burlesque by Lady Joséphine. Each day features a different theme and the distilleries offer special concoctions. Details HERE.
GiggleFest
April 6 – 9, 2023
You calling me a clown? I hope not. But if you want to laugh, head to the Sud-Ouest and check out GiggleFest, four nights with 25 shows taking place in a variety of venues. Watch out for improv, stand up, and more. Information HERE.
Le Braderie de Monde Québécoise
April 13 – 16, 2023
Bonsecours Market
350 St. Paul E
The annual fashion show features hot designers with one-of-a-kind and sample pieces. Between 60 – 100 designers participate. Brighten up your spring and summer wardrobe by checking out this fab event. You can get stuff by Rudsak, Second Yoga, Lady Dutch, Mackage, Atelier B, Bodybag, and so much more. Details HERE.
The Odd Sound Festival : Jazz and Instrumental Music
April 13-15, 2023
Various
With 7 different concerts taking place in different venues, the ODD SOUND festival promises a wide array of jazz and instrumental music in the city. Among those to catch are Oliver Hébert, Philippe Côté, and Jacques Kuba Séguin. Information HERE.
Courts d’un Soir
April 12 – 16, 2023
Place des Arts
260 de Maisonneuve Ouest
Five nights of short films and music clips for all those with short attention spans. Info HERE.
Women’s Festival
April 14 – 16, 2023
Palais de Congrès
200 Viger O
Everything fo the ladies of Montreal and Quebec. Speakers, workshops, lots of exhibitors, and of course a pretty good shopping zone. More info HERE.
Bixi Season
April 15 – Nov 15, 2023
The Bixis are back. 9,500 bikes. 800 stations. They’re easier than ever to use in the city with different pricing levels based on how far you go and how long you use the bike plus the usual annual membership and other types of memberships. Electric Bixis will change your life. Info about Bixis is HERE.
Vues D’Afrique
April 20 – 30, 2023
Various locations
Cinema from Africa takes central stage at Vues D’Afrique. This annual festival aims to encourage both dialogue and public engagement as it showcases works from both Africa and Creole countries. There is also programming dedicated to films made in Quebec and Canada. Keep an eye HERE for details.
Metropolis Bleu
April 22 – 30, 2023
Hotel 10
10 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, Quebec H2X 4C9
Annual literary festival brings together writers, thinkers, and creatives for all things related to the written word. You can take a literary walking tour of the city, attend writing workshops, listen to authors read from and talk about their latest work including Carol Bensimon and Duncan Mecredi. Margaret Atwood will be videoing in on April 17 as part of a pre-festival virtual event. Details HERE.
Loser Jamboree : Montreal Punk Rock Flea Market
April 23, 2023 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Foufounes Electriques (87 St Catherine E)
What’s on offer? Drinks, laughs, dumb jokes, stuff, and coffee. With indie labels and self-promoting artisans, all things punk and weird will be on sale. Check out Young Pup lingerie, Slime City Toys, Stomp Records, and more. Info HERE
Bagel Burlesque Expo
April 21-22, 2023
Studio TD
305 Rue St Catherine O
This neo-burlesque extravaganza featuring acts that dare to go where no acts have gone before. Think Marvel universe, great geekery, absurdist humour, and more. Zyra Lee Vanity, Rosie Bourgeoisie, and Joy rider headlining, with Miss Sugar Puss as hostess Friday and Sucre à la Crème on Saturday. Get ready for the most fun you can have watching other people take their clothes off. Information HERE.
Montreal Electric and Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle Show and the Green Tech Festival
April 21-23
Olympic Stadium
4545 Pierre de Coubertin
So, Quebec is going to go all electric vehicles in a few years, and if you’re thinking of making the switch, this is a chance to try out all the electric cars. Well, some of them. You can just admire the rest. This is the largest EV gathering in all of Canada, with over 75 exhibitors and 30,000 attendees. For details, click HERE.
Plural
April 21 – 23 , 2023
Grand Quay, Port of Montreal (200 de la Commune St W)
The annual festival to promote artworks done on paper is always a great gathering for collectors, professionals, and creators. There are plenty of paper goods to collect on some of the nicest paper you will ever touch. Check this art festival and enjoy how a simple medium can be the basis of a myriad of works. Info HERE.
Concours Musical International de Montréal : Violin
April 22 – May 4, 2023
24 musicians (this year, violinists) from around the globe compete before a prestigious jury to compete for cash prizes and awards. They represent musicians at the start of their career, aged between 17 and 27. There is also a special event featuring some child prodigies aged 10 -15, who will be performing as well. Information HERE.
Oi! Fest
April 28-29, 2023
Foufounes Électriques
87 St. Cathrine E
So, two nights of international punk/ska music at Foufs. Where else would it take place? Bands from France, Germany, Ireland, and Canada will make sure your plaid little heart gets moshed properly. The Komintern Sect and 8-6 Crew headline. Tickets HERE.
South Asian Film Festival of Montreal
April 28 – May 7, 2023
Various locations
This festival showcases new artistic work that focus on South Asia and its diaspora. 58 films, including many premieres and award-winning features, will be showcased in theatres. Full length features, documentaries, and shorts are all part of the offerings. There is also an online portion available. Some films to watch for are Gandhi and Co and All that Breathes. Info HERE.
Announced and Upcoming
FIFEQ / Festival International du Film Ethnographique du Québec et Montréal
May 4 – 11, 2023
URSA
5589 du Parc Ave and various locations
Ethnography is immersion in an environment to understand variations of the human condition. Free of charge almost every night, check out the only ethnographic film festival in Canada. This year, in multiple venues in the city, catch films that want you to understand the human experience. It includes all genres of film: documentary, fiction, and experimental. Among the films being shown are Huahua’s Dazzling World and its Myriad Temptations and Inuktitut Languages in the 21st Century. Details can be found HERE.
Festival Accès Asie / Access Asia Festival
May 4-28, 2023
Various Venues
Want to go to Asia but can’t afford plane tickets (or a ship). Not to worry. Art, music, dance, and theatre comes here for this annual festival. Find out what goes into Dal at an Indian food tasting and meditation, enter the multi-sensory Bird Sanctuary, take a mask making workshop, or visit four sites in Chinatown with an artistic performance at each venue. That’s just a small sampler. For details, click HERE.
Festival Jamais Lu
May 5 – 13, 2023
Théâtre Aux Écuries (7285 Rue Chabot)
This festival looks at new, fresh works in French. Community projects and special events are included. Details HERE.
Montreal International Jazz Festival
June 29 – July 8, 2023
Place des Arts
Every year, the downtown core thrums with music from Montreal’s jazz fest. Although jazz is more like one of the many dishes on offer — blues, experimental, international rhythms, beats, and classic rock are all there too. It’s a great party and one of the summer highlights. The 2023 lineup is already up and you can check out Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, Herbie Hancock, Diana Krall, Vance Joy, George Benson, Buddy Guy, Melody Gardot, and many others. Get your tickets now. Information and tickets HERE.
Osheaga
Aug 4 – Aug 6, 2023
Parc Jean Drapeau
MUSIC. 3 DAYS OF MUSIC! And art. Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, and Rufus du Sol are headlining. Info HERE.
Monthly Festival Links
April
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]
