2025. The year I am learning to play pickleball… unless I take up bike packing. Either/or. Decisions. Probably both. So what are your resolutions? Pick at least one that has nothing to do with weight loss, exercise, alcohol or drug use, or money. For the Montreal Rampager, here’s some easy to do ones: donate unused clothing to Renaissance so your friends can buy it back, ride the REM to its end, spend some time in Espace Tranquille, attend more free city offerings both in your neighbourhood and in others, set up a Little Library or stick some books in one, go the MBAM for a new exhibition, subscribe to Lufa farms, try out the annual Tour de Nuit with a bike decked in LED lights, find Mordechai Richler’s grave, listen to the Montreal Chill list on Spotify.
Esplanade Tranquille Skating Rink
November 22 – April 6, 2025
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. Rent your skates on site or bring your own. There’s free instruction, musical lunches and Saturday night disco to make this a skate to remember. Details HERE.
LUMINO
November 22, 2024 – March 9, 2025
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. This year includes projections on buildings, a tunnel of light, and a giant hand. Info HERE.
Amnesty International Marathon of Writing
December 7, 2024 11 a.m. – Maison du développement durable
December 7, 2024 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Centre culturel et communautaire de Cartierville
December 8, 2024 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. – YMCA du Parc
January 26 2 p.m. – Bibliothèque interculturelle de Côte-des-Neiges
Stand up for human rights, especially political prisoners and the wrongfully detained by writing letters to governments and political leaders as part of Amnesty International’s writing marathons. Use a prepared letter or write one from your own heart. Info and details HERE.
Parc Jean Drapeau Winter Activities
December 21 – March 9, 2025
Parc Jean Drapeau
free admission to park
Ice skating, cross country skis, fat bikes, ice climbing, winter hiking, snow shoes, DJs — Parc Jean Drapeau gives you a reason to get outside every weekend. Rentals of fat bikes, cross country ski sets, snowshoes, and skates are available on weekends. And if you need one, there are warming refuges to heat up. Kids accompanied by adults who reside on Montreal island can rent skates for free. Information and scheduling can be found HERE.
Cirque de Boudoir Carnavalesque Snow Ball
December 31, 2024 – January 1, 2025
Theatre Paradoxe
Dance is back, in crowds, with music, with lights, with… a kinky dungeon, gogo dancers, and visuals to make sure any recreational substances you’ve taken to ring in the new year have their desired effect amplified or at least… entertained. Anyway, lots of New Years events are happening, but this one is usually kinda more… well… It requires fetish or themed costumes. That’s an event, isn’t it? Info HERE.
Igloofest
January 16 – February 8, 2025
Old Port
Jacques Cartier Pier
Strap on your snowpants and don the parka. Dance away the cold every weekend and claim the long nights. Igloofest brings in top DJs from around the world (Bladee, Zeds Ded, Michael Bibi) and offers a selection of art and other delights to bring the city back from the weeks of post-holiday quiet. Info HERE.
Après Ski Igloofest
January 16 – February 8, 2025
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.
Montreal International Auto Show
January 17 – 26, 2025
Palais de Congres de Montreal
201 Viger W./ 1001 Place Jean-Paul Riopelle
Wall to wall cars of all kinds. Every major manufacturer will showcase their latest cars. Luc Poirier is bringing over 500 autos to the show. 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 too. There’s a VR experience being a race driver in a Nissan Sentra Cup race. For info click HERE.
Banff Mountain Film Festival Tour
January 15 – 19, 2025
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 aims to share nearly 100 curated films (short and medium length) in many different countries. The three hours (plus) of 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. Sometimes all you can do is admire others doing it instead. For more info, click HERE.
Laval en Blanc
January 24 – 26, 2025
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.
Upcoming and Announced
La Poutine Week
February 1 – 7, 2025
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
Con U Hacks
February 1 – 2, 2025
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.
Chinese New Year Celebrations
Feb 1, 2025
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. Salle Wilfrid Pelletier features over 100 artists by Troupe Artistique Phoenix de Montréal.
Taverne Tour
February 6 – 8, 2025
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 The Sadies, Velours Velours, Gus Englehorn, Wombo, and so many others. Details and info HERE.
The Montreal Boat and Water Sports Show/ Salon du Bateau
February 20 – 23, 2025
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.
Winterworks Festival
February 2025
Centaur Theatre
325 St. Francois Xavier
It once was wild so you can get out your wildside, but now it’s winter. The Winterworks Festival stages new and hot theatrical productions. Info to come.
Montréal Bicycle Show / Salon du Velo
February 21 – 23, 2025
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.
Montreal Audio Fest
March 28 – 30, 2025
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
January
For Montreal Rampage’s daily events calendar, click HERE. If you have an event you would like to include, send an email to montrealrampage@gmail.com
