September when all the students are busy back at their desks, texting away, trying to figure out what festivals they’re going to hit on the weekend. Fall’s the time to find a new love so you have someone to keep you warm all winter. So get out and socialize.

The Montreal World Film Festival

August 23 – September 3, 2018

Diversity is the buzz word of this international high-quality film festival. Over 750 films, both long and short, are screened and come from every country. Most films will never open commercially (though some surely do), so this is a chance to see some hard-to-find films that won’t make it to the theatres or Netflix. China and documentaries get a special nod too. More info: HERE.

World Press Photo

August 29 – September 30, 2018, Marché Bonsecours (325 rue de la commune East)

Challenge yourself with the gorgeous photojournalism on display at the World Press Photo exhibit. This prestigious exhibition features 150 prizewinning photographs on display. Some capture world news events, others make small events into world news. It never disappoints. $13/10. More info HERE.

Montreal Fetish Weekend

August 29 – September 4, 2018

In the kink and fetish friendly city that is Montreal, Canada’s largest international gathering of sex positivity takes place. There is a Fetish pride parade, play parties, workshops, marketplaces, and more. Details can be found HERE.

Surfaces L’Expo d’Art Urbain

Aug 30 – Oct. 28, 2018, Quartier des Spectacles.

16 artists and collectives put up 14 artworks in and arund Quartier des Spectacles. Look for projections on building sides, in windows, and on sidewalks by 123Klan, Cedar Eve, Ashop, Labrona, and more. For more information, click HERE.

WIND INSTRUMENT – ÉTIENNE PAQUETTE. Metro St. Laurent. Photo Rachel Levine

Montreal Erotic Art Festival

August 30 -Sept 2, 2018; Circus — 917 St. Catherine E

Many years running, the Erotic Art festival celebrates sex and erotica. Among other things are a pop-up erotic art museum and displays of vintage erotica. For info, click HERE.

Montreal Electric Groove (MEG)

August 30 to Sept 2, 2018

Get your dance shoes and glowsticks on at the MEG festival. With a line up of bands that focus on digital production, this festival keeps it going all night long at small and large venues. Check out top performers like Kris Tin, Quantic, and Arnaud Rebotin. For more information click HERE.

Quantic. 2015. Photo Rachel Levine

Piknic Electronik

September 1, 2, 3, 9, 16, 23, 30; at Plaines des Jeux

A Sunday wouldn’t be a Sunday without the weekly dance parties. Check out the best of the local DJs along with those from abroad. September 1 has Quantic, Was Bibi, and the Tupi Collective. September 2 brings back Mistress Barbara, features Mistress Barbara and Poirier. Go Local! On September 3, come see Charlotte de Witte and Da’Gil b2b with Phil Fiction. September 9 has Danny Daze headlining. September 16 brings Guit Boratto and Planet Giza. September 23, offers up Omar S and Akufen. Last one September 30 is Henrik Schwarz. Details can be found HERE.

Le Burger Week

Sept 1-7 2018

The mighty burger gets its moment in the spotlight among Montreal’s many food weeks during Le Burger Week. This festival takes place across Canada, though, so even if you slip out to Hudson or Halifax, burger week is happening. Multiple restaurants create special burger week burgers, but really it’s just an excuse to put meat in your mouth (or mushrooms and tofu, if you’re vegetarian). Info HERE.

La Semaine du Bacon

September 1 – 9, Quartier Dix30

18 different restaurants have plates featuring bacon. Maybe not for vegetarians? Info HERE.

Mile Ex End Musique Montréal

Sept 1-3, 2018, Marmier and Henri-Julien Sts., under the Van Horne overpass

Perhaps Osheaga was a little too pricey. Not too worry. For a more affordable, check out some of Montreal’s most beloved musicians and groups performing in the arty neighbourhood. The Barr Brothers, Broken Social Scene, Loud, and Hubert Lenoir are headlining. To find out more, click HERE

MAC Nocturne. Montreal May 2016. Photo Rachel Levine

Ladyfest

September 3-9, 2018

Theatre St. Catherine and other venues will be packed when the ladies take to the stage to showcase comedy with a little more XX-chromosome attitude. Standup, improv and storytelling shows have a lady or queer focus. For information and tickets, click HERE.

Crowd and stage on St. Denis. L’OUMF. Photo Rachel Levine

L’OUMF

Sept. 5-8, 2018

An outdoor arts festival in the Quartier des Spectacles up to Rue Saint Denis with visual art, cinema, literature, music, and knowledge, the OUMF is one of those cheery festivals that are always worth checking out. This year, the Dead Obies, VNCE Carter with Mike Shabb, and Ghostface Killa are on the lineup. More info: HERE.

Quartiers Danses

Sept. 5-15, 2018

Dance isn’t just for snobby folks and it doesn’t come in one form. Quartiers Danses wants to democratize contemporary dance and make it available for everyone. With a diversity of artists at different skill levels, dance is made accessible to all. This year expect to see ballet, urban, contemporary dance, and all the rest of the movement arts. More info on locations and tickets, click HERE.

Tangente

September 6 – Dec 15, 2018

Emerging artists in dance and choreography have a chance to show off their talents. Details on the performances are HERE.

Ukrainian Festival

Sept. 7-9, 2018, Parc Beaubien (Beaubien E and 9e)

Okay, if you don’t like EDM and prefer your music more traditional, as well as a bowl of borscht, come to the Uke Festival instead. And by Uke, we mean Ukrainian. Crafts, folk dancing, music, singing, exhibitions, and of course food are all there for the taking. Free. More info HERE.

Montreal In Water Boat Show

September 7 – 9, 2018; Old Port

Get out of town on your own yacht. Well, even if you can’t, you can check a bunch out at this major gathering of boats in the old port. For info, click HERE.

Paul Wolk. Montreal Art Tattoo. Photo C.L. Illsley. Camera courtesy Adrian White

Verdun’ Art

September 7 – 9, 2018; rue Wellignton

Music, music, music. Verdun is pumpking. Headliners include Colectivo, Anonymus, and Pépé et sa guitare. Verdun is pretty awesome these days. Details HERE.

Art Tattoo Show

Sept. 7-9, 2018 Gare Windsor (1160 Ave des Canadiens de Montreal)

Thinking about inking. Well, a great place to see what you can do as well as what you might not want to do will be on display at the Art Tattoo show. Gifted tattoo artists from around the world will showcase their talents and offer their services. Some even compete. There are also seminars and lectures on the art of tattooing and its history. Tickets are $20 for one day, $50 for all three. More info HERE.

Fair of America

Sept. 7-9, 2018; Vieux Port

The old port celebrates all things America — South, Central, and North. Walk along the Old Port and take in over 140 artisans and folklore from 17 different countries. Details are HERE.

Gardens of Light

Sept. 7- October 31 2018, Botanical Garden (4101 Sherbrooke E)

The Botanic Gardens light up with hundreds of intricate lanterns shaped to look like animals, flowers, and objects. The lanterns come from Shanghai and take three months to mount in the Botanic Gardens. Every year there are about 200 new lanterns added to the group. This is one of the most beloved fall seasonal activities in Montreal and anyone can enjoy it. More info HERE.

Journées des Ruelles Vertes

September 8-9, 2018

Celebrate those green alleyways this weekend in Montreal. Every green alleyway that participates will have its own way of celebrating. Yay!

Pork Tacos. La Capital Tacos. Chinatown. Photo Rachel Levine

Mercado del Taco de Montréal

September 9, 2018, L’Espace Canal (4020, rue Saint-Ambroise, porte #140)

Fans of tacos may have noticed the plethora of taco joints in the city these last few years. Well, St. Henri steps up with a culinary competition as well as plenty of tacos on offer. Who will have the best taco of all? Find out… Details HERE.

Portes Ouvertes for the Fermes Du Québec (Open Door Days for Quebec Farms)

Sept 9, 2018, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

This free event invites the public to visit Quebec’s agricultural powerhouses. There are little farms, organic farms, even big farms that have open doors. Find out where the food comes from and meet the farmers who make it happen. Info HERE.

YUL Eat

Sept. 10-16, 2018

The Old Port offers up brunches, dinners, classes, as well as workshops on things like urban beekeeping to the art of making cocktails. Check out the Parcours Gourmand where 30 unique stations of chefs and artisans will feed you. Info HERE.

Les Escales Improbables Montréal – Construsions Monumental

Sept. 10-16, 2018

Escales Improbables focuses on performing arts. The festival has spread into a sprawling event with many small subsections, but one entails building constructions from around the world on a small scale out of cartons. Another has people crying in public spaces. Info HERE.

Montreal Clown Festival

September 12 – 16, 2018

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. Details HERE.

Great Montreal Rib Fest

September 13 – 16, 2018

Ribs are beloved in the US. So let’s face it. We in Montreal love ribs too. Eat your saucy and dry rubbed meat at this festival. Info HERE.

Night Race

September 14, 2018 Old Port

A 10 k race in the dark set to music. Get out and run in this fun event. Details HERE.

48 Hour Bike Ride by the Make A Wish Foundation

September 14-16, 2018; Circuit ICAR Mirabel

Teams of up to six riders spend the weekend biking their hearts out to raise money for the Make A Wish foundation. It’s still possible to register or support those participating. Each teach donates a minimum of $3600 for the cause. more details are HERE.

Villa Paradizo

Sept. 14-15, 2018 Rue Crescent

Who doesn’t like EDM? This free festival gets Crescent Street moving. Headliners are SBass Jackers and Hook N Sling on September 14 and Vinai and Juicy M on Sept 15. Music begins around 11 a.m. and continues until 11 p.m. More info: HERE

Festival du Film Libanais au Canada

September 16-21, 2018; Cinema Guzzo

Lebanese films, both those enjoying wide release and some not are on offer. Opening is L’Insulte by Ziad Doueri. Tickets HERE.

The Montreal Stop Motion Film Festival

Sept. 14-16, 2018 Concordia University

Montreal’s annual festival dedicated to this special form of animation includes master classes, guest speakers, and film screenings. There are plenty of opportunities to schmooze and meet the filmmakers too. More info HERE.

Hip Hop You Don’t Stop

Sept. 19-23, 2018, NDG-CDN

Urban arts festival includes concerts, films, workshops, and lectures. There are free activities all related to hip hop culture. For more information, click HERE.

FIL (Festival International de la Litérature)

Sept. 21-30 2018

Montreal celebrates the world of French writers, writing, and literature at the FIL. Readings and a pop up bookstore make this a delight for those into all things literary. More info HERE.

Go Global Expo

September 23, 2018; Palais de Congres

If traveling the world is your thing and you want to volunteer, work, study, or travel around the globe, check this expo out. Here are representatives from over 100 countries with something to tell you. Info HERE.

Oasis Rock n’ Roll Montréal Marathon

Sept. 22-23, 2018

One of the biggest running events in the city, this is a race worth participating in or watching. Try anything from the 1K to the full marathon. Training usually helps. Finish in La Fontaine Park for all races on Sunday. More info HERE.

The Barr Brothers @ Breakglass Studios for POP Montreal 2017. Cred: Joel Mak

POP Montreal

Sept. 26-30, 2018

The folks at POP Montreal deliver on the musical culture and culture more generally year round in the city, but their big moment is the diverse and challenging music festival, POP Montreal. The festival brings together both no-names and big-names for a mash-up of concerts, symposiums, art, film, and of course, parties. It’s the Eton Mess of music festivals — spontaneous or chaotic, depending on your sense of random. More info HERE.

A Varning from MTL Fest

Sept. 27-29, 2018, Katacombes (1635 St Laurent)

With punk and experimental music at its heart, the A Varning festival attracts those who really like it loud and wild. This three day festival might require a few earplugs. Just saying. Tickets HERE.

Montreal International Black Film Festival

Sept. 26-30, 2018

This festival celebrates black participation in the film industry as well as films that look at international black realities. Awards are given to documentaries, shorts, and feature films. Ground-breaking cinema, some of which will never have commercial release on the big screen, is shown. More info HERE.

100 Thousand Poets for Change Festival

September 28, 2018; 6:30-9:30 p.m., Mariposa Cafe (5434 Chemin de la Cote Saint Luc)

This global event brings together poets with the intent of demonstrating and celebrating as a way to promote peace, sustainability, and to promote social, environmental, and political change. Global website can be found HERE.

Festival International de Poésie de Hochelaga-Maisonneuve

September 28-30, 2018; Bistro Le Ste Cath (4264 Ste Catherine)

Poetry on parade. Brunch with poets. Launches of chapbooks. Get ready to enjoy this full on weekend of poetry. Info HERE.

Les Journées de la Culture

Sept. 28-30 2018

Province-wide Québec’s culture gets its spotlight with the Journées de la Culture. The people of Montreal will be out in full force showing their talents in public spaces. This is a voluntary activity and artists and performers register their activities. Expect everything from performance to workshop to conference. More info HERE.

The Montreal Rampage daily events calendar can be found HERE.