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Leap year this year. Extra day. And there’s some rumour going around that we’re getting like two to three minutes more of sun per day. Aside from Valentine’s Day and Galentine’s Day and Black History Month, Groundhog Day, Mardi Gras, Brazilian Carnaval, Chinese New Year, and the start of Lent , there’s a few other cool holidays in February: National Golden Retriever Day (Feb 3), Make a Friend Day (Feb 12), Frozen Yogurt Day (Feb 4), Chocolate Mint Day (Feb 19), World Day of Social Justice (Feb 20), World Kombucha Day (Feb 21), and even Bachelor’s Day (Feb 29). OK, but let’s stick to what’s around, shall we?

Esplanade Tranquille Skating Rink

November 15 – April 7, 2024
Espace Tranquille, Quartier des Spectacles

Free to access and with skates to rent, take a few laps around the city’s calmest public space in the heart of the Quartier des Spectacles. Up to 400 skaters can skate at once around the Au bord du lac Tranquille by Mirari and Normal studio projected onto the ice. In addition, musical lunches and Saturday night disco make this a skate to remember. Details HERE.

Luminotherapie

November 30, 2023 – March 10, 2024
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. This year includes a 10 m high flower, Astera, and a tornado of light and sound with Cymopolée. Info HERE. 

Parc Jean Drapeau Winter Activities

December 23 – March 10, 2024.
Parc Jean Drapeau
free admission to park

Ice skating, cross country skis, fat bikes, snow shoes, warming refuges — Parc Jean Drapeau gives you a reason to get outside every weekend. There are tube sliding lanes including a super slide! Rentals of fat bikes, cross country ski sets, snowshoes, and skates are available on weekends. Kids accompanied by adults who reside on Montreal island can rent skates for free. Information and scheduling can be found HERE.

Wildside Festival

January 18 – February 8 2024
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. Shows appear at the Centaur as well as La Chapelle. On the program is Still Life, the story of a writer struggling with anxiety disorder, Ricki a fable about a woman who moves with her son to Motnreal to rebuild their lives, Choose Your End which makes use of a Casio keyboard, a night of Confabulation storytelling, a one night collection of shorts called Plays for the End of the World, and music by Sarah Segal and the Lasers. Get your tickets HERE.

Igloofest

January 18 – February 10, 2024
Old Port, Pier Jacques Cartier

Wow, now this is some lineup for the annual coldest dance party around. Pull out the big parka and work up your own heat in the crowd as you dance to DJs and electronic music. Some shows have already sold out (boo hoo) but here’s some that are still avails: Marc Rebillet, N’TO, 100 Gecs, Lane 8, Eric Prydz, Miss Monique. Info HERE.

Après Ski Igloofest

January 19 – February 10, 2024
Various locations

After dancing at 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. Among those performing are Sleep D, Mathame, Hey: Albert, Armin Van Buuren. Check out some of the Après-Ski events HERE at Francesco’s, Velvet, New City Gas, and Soubois.

Banff Mountain Film Festival Tour

January 21- 27 2024, English shows at Concordia on Feb 2 and 3
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.

La Poutine Week

February 1 – 7, 2024
Various

A bit like Bonjour-Hi, poutine is the signature dish of the city with chefs competing to make a mound of fries topped with gravy and cheese curds into something extraordinary. Who will be the people’s favourite this year? Send us your pictures and we’ll put them up! Details HERE.

Chinese New Year Celebrations

Feb 3, 10 – 24, 2024
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 on Feb 3 for a special gala.

Taverne Tour

February 8 – 10, 2024
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 Safia Nolin, Jon Spencher, TEKE::TEKE, Pypy, SUUNS, High Klassified , and so many others. Details and info HERE.

The Montreal Boat and Water Sports Show/ Salon International du Bateau

February 8 – 11, 2024
Palais des Congrès
1001 Place Jean Paul Riopelle

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.

Montréal Bicycle Show / Salon du Velo

February 16 – 18, 2024
Palais des Congrès
1001 Place Jean Paul Riopelle

Get on your bike and get ready to ride. 250 exhibitors feature bicycles, equipment, accessories, and just plain old good advice. Whether you prefer biking for fun or are training for a triathlon, this event is for you. Info HERE. 

Les Rendez-Vous Québec Cinéma

February 21 – March 2, 2024

400 cinema buffs and industry people can gather to see nearly 300 films, with around 100 premieres. Info and tickets HERE.

Montréal en Lumière

February 22 – March 2, 2024
Quartier des Spectacles / Place des Arts

It begins with a food festival in the Place des Arts mall and then includes lots of outdoor programming with free outdoor shows, outdoor activities, and an all-night culture party. Full schedule will be released for the free shows soon. It culminates in the Nuit Blanche on March 2, which is extra special for me as one of the last things I did before the first COVID lockdown. For info, click HERE. 

Art Matters

February, date tbd 2024

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.

World Aquatics Diving World Cup

Feb 29 – March 3

10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Olympic Park Sports Centre / Parc Olympique
3200 Rue Viau, Montréal, QC H1V 0A7

The weather outside doesn’t exactly scream swimming, but the world’s best athletes will be stopping in Montreal for the World Aquatics Diving World Cup circuit. 120 divers from over 20 countries will be in Montreal to compete. Many have their eyes on the Olympics. This is a chance to figure out who you are going to be cheering for in the Paris Games that are just a few months away. Info HERE.

Upcoming and Announced

Le Happening Gourmand

tbd but usually in March and April

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.

APIK

March 1 – 3, 2024
La rue Saint-Denis, between Sherbrooke Est et Ontario.

100 athletes gather together on Rue St Denis to snowboard, snowskate, and just generally hang. Learn to snowboard or bring some little ones who can do it instead. Info HERE.

Festival Filministes

March 6 – 11, 2024
Various Venues

Gather together for a festival celebrating feminist cinema. A vernissage, parties, workshops, and off course, films are all to be seen. Some interesting ones to catch might include Queendom by Agniia Galdanova and Éviction by Mathilde Capone. Info HERE.

Art Souterrain

March 16 – April 7, 2024
Underground Centre Ville

This annual festival brings together artists from many disciplines to place their works in the corridors leading from Victoria Metro Station to Place Bonaventure to PVM to other locations. It’s a fun way to get out and walk and delight your mind and senses. This year’s theme is Environnement Entends-Tu? Well worth checking out. Plus it’s free. Info HERE.

Montreal Audio Fest

March 22 -24, 2024
Hôtel Bonaventure
900 Rue De la Gauchetière Ouest

Music enthusiasts and audiophiles can discover the latest in sound technologies. Speakers – got ’em. Headphones – test ’em out. Compare and contrast, ask experts, and walk away with your own clouds of sound. Info HERE

Montreal Clown Festival

April 23 – 24, 2024
tbd

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. 

Monthly Festival Links

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

January

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]