The weekend is fast approaching and with that comes some of the best things to do in Montreal. While there are plenty of activities, festivals and restaurants to enjoy, many of you might be on the hunt for something that won't break the bank.
Luckily, we've got you covered with over a dozen free things to do in Montreal, so you can take advantage of the many fun and exciting events taking place across the city without paying an arm and a leg.
Whether you're looking for a night out playing board games, jamming out at an open mic night or getting zen at a free yoga session, there's plenty to choose from.
Here are 13 free things to do in Montreal this weekend:
Snap the night away with some free poetry
A poster for a free poetry night in Montreal, Quebec.
Courtesy of Biblioasis
When: Saturday, April 20 at 7 p.m.
Where: De Stiil Books — 361 av. Duluth E.
Why You Need To Go: Guests can enjoy an evening of captivating readings from esteemed contributors and editors, including T. Liem, Rhiannon Ng Cheng Hin, and Bardia Sinaee as well as experience the poetic voices of Montreal's very own Susan Elmslie, Mary Dean Lee, and Nyla Matuk, to name a few.
Browse through a vintage pop up market
A poster for a free vintage pop up market in Montreal.
Courtesy of Le Marché Vintage
When: Saturday, April 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Église St-Ambroise — 6510, rue de Normanville
Why You Need To Go: With over 35 vendors showcasing an eclectic array of vintage clothing, jewelry, and unique finds, there's something for everyone to discover and take home at this vintage pop-up market. During your shopping visit, you'll also be able to groove to the retro beats spun all day by vinyl DJ extraordinaire, @parkaavenue.
Pedal for the planet
An animated bike with flowers as wheels in a pot.
Courtesy of Trek Bicycle Montreal Plateau Mont-Royal
When: Saturday, April 20 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: 4210, rue Saint-Denis
Why You Need To Go: You can show your care for the environment and join Trek Bicycle for a fun ride to celebrate Earth Day. Everyone is welcome to this casual outing, so bring along your friends, family members, and neighbours. Plan to cover 20 km during this relaxed group ride to mark this significant day for our planet.
Participate in a spoken word workshop
A poser for a spoken word and music writing workshop event taking place in Montreal.
Courtesy of Black Mental Health Connections Montreal
When: Sunday, April 21 from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Where: SHIFT Centre — 1400 boul. de Maisonneuve O.
Why You Need To Go: Guests are invited to join an immersive workshop where they will be able to delve into writing tools and prompts, inviting them to channel their anger into poetry and music. Spend three enriching hours exploring your inner voice, with two dedicated to crafting and sharing your pieces, followed by refreshments and a discussion on the creative process, and the transformative nature of anger expression.
Decompress at a free yoga session
A poster for a free yoga event sponsored by Decathlon in Laval, Quebec.
Courtesy of Centre Laval
When: Saturday, April 20 at 10 a.m. or Sunday, April 21 at 10 a.m.
Where: Centre Laval — 1600, boul. le Corbusier, Laval, QC
Why You Need To Go: Escape to a free yoga session in a giant immersive dome at DUO Centre Laval, reconnecting with nature and yourself. Choose between a rainforest-themed session on Saturday, April 21, or a beach-themed session on Sunday, April 20, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. All levels are welcome, with a participation prize for each attendee, courtesy of Decathlon. While the event is free, it is mandatory to reserve a spot as there are only 16 spaces available for each yoga session.
Mix up your wardrobe at a free clothes swap
A poster for an Earth Day-inspired clothes swap in Montreal.
Courtesy of the Westmount Public Library
When: Saturday, April 20 at 1 p.m.
Where: Westmount Public Library — 4575, rue Sherbrooke O.
Why You Need To Go: Revamp your wardrobe sustainably at this free clothing swap event. You can bring up to 10 gently used items to Victoria Hall between April 18 to 20, drop them off during specified hours, and then browse for new treasures to refresh your style. Don't forget, any unclaimed items can be taken back or left for donation.
Enjoy an open mic night
A poster for a free open mic night in Montreal.
Courtesy of Friday Fuddle Montreal
When: Friday, April 19 at 7 p.m.
Where: Café La Ligne Verte — 2531, rue Ontario E.
Why You Need To Go: Experience a welcoming environment for sharing art, creativity, and food, with opportunities for music, poetry, and more. Each on-stage session lasts up to five minutes, fostering a space of inclusivity and respect where all voices are heard.
Vibe out on 4/20
A poster for a DJ set event on 4/20 in Montreal.
Courtney's of Redd Dredd & Mimi
When: Saturday, April 20 at 10 a.m. until Sunday, April 21 at 3 a.m.
Where: 2061, rue Saint-Denis
Why You Need To Go: Enjoy the free 'Music Makes Me High' event this weekend in celebration of 4/20. You can jam out to DJ sets from Redd Dredd, Mimi and Godfather D, to name a few. While the event is free, it's recommended to reserve a spot in advance.
Celebrate Earth Day
A poster for an Earth Day celebration event in Montreal.
Courtesy of LESPACEMAKER
When: Sunday, April 21 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: LESPACEMAKER — 2875, rue Hochelaga
Why You Need To Go: Guests are invited to join LESPACEMAKER for a special Réparathon and Earth Day celebration weekend, featuring a bustling Réparathon where you can learn to repair, repurpose, or transform your items, alongside volunteer-led workshops. You can also enjoy sound interventions by Montreal-based artist Anne-F Jacques. Plus, dive into a garage sale with LESPACEMAKER members and neighbours, exchanging goods and fostering community spirit.
Enjoy a free game night
A collage made up of arcade games, consoles and people partying promoting a game night in Montreal.
Courtesy of GOGO-VR
When: Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20 at 8 p.m.
Where: 2010, boul. Saint-Laurent
Why You Need To Go: Every Friday and Saturday from 8 p.m. to midnight, Montrealers can enjoy a free-for-all game night extravaganza. You can enjoy music, snacks, and drinks while you play Xbox, PC, Switch, and retro games like Game Cube and PlayStation 2. You can also challenge your friends in popular titles like FIFA 2023, Call of Duty, and Super Smash Ultimate, or relive the classics with over 30 retro games. Plus, dive into favourites like Street Fighter and Super Smash, featuring over 300 games. All games are free to use except for the VR games.
Test out your trivia skills
A graphic poster for a free trivia night in Montreal featuring an alien walking its pet scorpion.
Courtesy of Michael Brodie
When: Sunday, April 21 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: Grumpy's Bar — 1242, rue Bishop
Why You Need To Go: Guests will be able to test their wits, try their luck, and compete for prizes in this free event open to all. Whether solo or with a team, everyone's welcome. Michael Brodie will be hosting the event where participants will play four rounds of trivia with prizes for each round, plus grand prizes for the top-scoring teams.
Learn about Arab cuisine
A poster for a Palestinian cuisine event at a Montreal bookstore.
Courtesy of Librairie Drawn & Quarterly
When: Sunday, April 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Librairie Drawn & Quarterly — 176, rue Bernard O.
Why You Need To Go: Guests can delve into the rich history of Palestinian cuisine with host Isabella Geddes, Palestinian chef Suzanne Husseini, and Amanda Abdelhadi. Bring an optional dish to share or simply come to enjoy discussion and solidarity.
Get down at a free mini-concert
A poster promoting a choir event in Montreal.
Courtesy of the NDF Encore Singing Chorus
When: Sunday, April 21 at 11:45 a.m.
Where: Monkland Community Centre — 4498, av. West Hill
Why You Need To Go: Guests are invited to the Monkland Centre for the inaugural public performance of the NDG Encore Singing Chorus at the Community Centre's flea market fundraiser. You will be able to witness community history unfold as the chorus debuts with lively renditions of beloved tunes including Overture Curtain Lights (The Bugs Bunny Theme Song), Baby on Board (The Simpsons), and the Family Guy Theme Song, to name a few.
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
- Montreal is hosting a career fair this week with over 15,000 available jobs ›
- Montreal's Japan Week festival returns next month with sushi showdowns and a Shiba parade ›
- 11 of the best things to do in Montreal this spring ›
- Bath & Body Works Canada is hosting a buy-one-get-one-free sale on all its candles - MTL Blog ›
- Montreal This Week: Wishy-washy weather, robot servers, a way to win $15K and more - MTL Blog ›