October starts to get chilly, but Montreal keeps the festival calendar going. It’s nothing like September, but in Montreal, that doesn’t really mean all that much. Here are the things you might want to check out

Gardens of Light

Jardins de lumière 2016 / Gardens of light 2016. Photo Sebastian Mora.

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.

MAPP_MTL Map Festival Montreal

September 29 – October 19, 2018

Mapping the city doesn’t seem like it would demand a festival, but this is Montreal! Along with the Moment Factory, there is an combination of music, visual art, and… yes… mapping that takes place. Find out more HERE.

La Ronde Fright Fest

October 6 – 28, 2018

Halloween runs an entire month at La Ronde with zombies and ghosts all over the park. Specific attractions include haunted mazes, the massacre museum, the cursed farm, and the maison rouge. More information HERE.

Annual Vigil for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

October 4, 2018, Place Émilie Gamelin, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Because one woman missing is one woman too many. Join the annual October 4th vigil to raise awareness and demand justice through your presence. Information HERE.

Festival de Nouveau Cinema

Oct 3-14, 2018

The festival de Nouveau Cinema showcases a variety of films from around the world. Find out what the future holds in terms of cinematic trends and talents. The films can be quirky, but also deeply moving. More info on the festival and its lineup can be found HERE .

L’Off Jazz

October 4-13, 2018

With summer gone who knows where and the Jazz fest with, time to bring out the Off Jazz. Over 140 artists, most local, will light up the city with concerts and release parties. For more info, click HERE.

Grand Prix Magic the Gathering

October 5-7, Place Bonaventure

Three day event for fans of the game that entails collecting cards. There’s monetary prizes and other events for those who know what it means to be a grand wizard or something like that. Info HERE.

Black and Blue / Luminocity

October 5-8, 2018

The Black and Blue festival is essentially a giant EDM party in Montreal. This year, the main event takes place at MTELUS and Club Soda with DJs Dan YUL, DJ Champion, Erik Villar, and Roger Sanchez. There are plenty of alternative events including a Twinkle Party and a Leather Ball. More info HERE.

Salon Jeux & Loisirs

October 6-7, 2018, Place Bonaventure

Cultivate a new hobby or learn a new game. Video games, board games, even large scale activities are all part of this one. This event invites you to try stuff out and relax a bit. Information HERE.

Phénomena Festival

Oct 12-20, 2018

Les Filles électriques is a creative company that runs the Phenomena festival, a playful, interdisciplinary festival with installations, performances, and all sorts of oddities. It never ceases to amaze with wonder and is perfectly timed for the spooky season. More info HERE.

MMMBlues Festival

October 12-15, 2018

Dance, listen, or just enjoy the blues. This is a social event for music lovers. This year features Dan Nash, Bharath and his Rhythm Four, and the Emily Estella Trio. More details HERE.

The Nature of Art Therapy

October 12-14, 2018; la Ruche d’Art St Henri (4525 Rue St Jaques)

The art hives around the city provide an opportunity to make art, but also a chance to enjoy some art therapy. Find out more about this healing modality at this event. Information HERE.

Akousma

October 15-20, 2018

Electroacoustic music isn’t just EDM and its variants. It’s range is enormous and includes experimental works, laptop orchestras, and many more forms of musical discovery. Details HERE.

Au Contraire Film Festival

October 16-19, 2018

A film festival dedicated solely to mental ilness. The opening night raises money for Donald Berman UP house. The festival shows that those with mental illness are not who they are stereotypically portrayed to be. Films showcase at the Musee des Beaux Arts. For more info, click HERE.

Montreal Burlesque Festival

October 18-20, 2018, Club Soda (1225 ST Laurent)

Burlesque or boylesque, the art of the tease while taking off a few garments makes this form of performance as titillating as it is entertaining. Though the end game is more or less the same, the journey there is different each and every time. Some are more story oriented, others less so. Alongside many of Montreal’s beloved performers, check out some international superstars. More info is HERE.

The Braderie de Québécoise

Oct 18-21, 2018

A few days of high end fashion at super low prices, the annual Braderie is a much anticipated event. Kollontai, Veinage, Stefano, Ca va de soi, Furlux, Myco Anna, Message Factory, Creation Encore, and many other familiar names have deep discounts on their fashion designs. Also, jewelry and accessories are there too. More info HERE.

SPASM

October 18-27, 2018

The cinema festival that is all about zombies and horror, with plenty of oldies to revisit. Keep an eye HERE to know more.

MUZ Music Festival

October 18-20, 2018; Place des Arts

Vision Diversité brings three nights of shows to the Quariter des Spectacles with the intent of showcasing the diversity of Quebec professional musicians with international influences. Details to come.

Festival International du Conte

October 2018

Storytellers come to Montreal from across Canada and around the world to share stories. Details for last year’s festival can be found HERE.

IF3 Festival

October 18-20, 2018

Freeski, freeride, and snow sports have their festival with equipment, exhibitors, and cinema. More details HERE.

Quebec Deathfest

October 19-20, 2018

Death metal your thing? At Foufs and Katacombes, check out your loud. Bring earplugs. Maybe. Information HERE.

Vegan Festival

October 20-21, 2018, Palais de Congres

Love to eat but want to avoid eating products that are made from animals. What about your clothing? What about all the products of your life. Whether you’re a full-time, part-time, or really-part-time vegan, this festival probably will get you more woke. Information HERE.

FFASMontréal — South East Asian Film Festival

October 26-28 and November 2-4, 2018; J.A. De Sève Cinema at Concordia University 1400 De Maisonneuve W.

Over two weekends, the festival showcases films from South Asia and those connected with the region. Panels and workshops are part of this thought-provoking and entertaining event. Details HERE.

Montreal Arab World Festival

Oct 26-November 11, 2018

Celebrating Arab culture and art through performing arts and cinema, the Arab World Festival delights the city with dance, theatre, film, debate, conference, lectures, and more. More info HERE.

Montreal Cannabis Expo

October 26 – 27, 2018, Place Bonaventure

If you’re not found of the stuff, you may want to avoid Place Bonaventure, but otherwise, find out about the wonders of Cannabis. Health, recreation, industry… More info HERE.

Marche des Zombies de Montreal

Montreal Zombie Walk (October 28th 2017) Photo by Jean-Frédéric Vachon

Oct 27, 2018

What was once upon a time an organic freak show of people who had a good giggle at the undead has turned into a rather large videotron sponsored event. Smear some ketchup on your face, roll around in a bit of earth, and join the march — slow or fast. More info HERE.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Mini Maker Faire

November 16 & 17, 2018, Engineering, Computer Science and Visual Arts Integrated Complex, Concordia University, Montreal (downtown campus)

Get your make on whether it is electronics, drones, Raspberry Pis, woodshop, knitting, or other creative form of creation. Information HERE.