Want to squeeze the last bit of fun out of summer? With Labour Day coming up, and Pumpkin Spice Lattes en route to Starbucks, you don't have much time to tackle your bucket list before the leaves start to fall.
So, fill your schedule with festivals, take in the beautiful scenery, go for a swim, dance the night away at a park, and taste all the yummy snacks at an outdoor market... these are the activities we long for all winter — the best moments of the year. And, since, as they say, the best things in life are free, none of it will cost you a single dime.
That's right — you don't have to empty your wallet to have a blast in this town. Here are seven awesome free things to do in Montreal this weekend.
Go to 'Korea Week' at the Clock Tower
When: Thursday, August 22 to Sunday, August 25
Address: Quai de l'Horloge (Old Port) – 1, rue Port-de-Montréal
Why You Need To Go: In partnership with the Korean Consulate, Korea Week brings Montreal's Clock Tower Pier to life this weekend, filling it with things that celebrate Korean culture: cooking workshops, calligraphy, traditional games, sticker photos, souvenir giveaways, B-boy performances, K-pop dance groups, K-pop cover songs and more.
There will also be around 30 vendors offering a variety of Korean delicacies to give you a unique and delicious culinary experience.
Entry is free, but you do have to pay for food and drinks.
Check out M.A.D. Festival
When: Thursday, August 22 to Sunday, August 25
Address: Quartier des spectacles – 175, rue Sainte-Catherine O.
Why You Need To Go: Fashion (mode), art (arts) and entertainment (divertissement) — hence the M.A.D. acronym — will be waiting for you at the Quartier des spectacles from August 22 to 25. This festival lets attendees to discover a dynamic program that encourages creativity and local talent, including fashion shows, dance performances, DJ sets, concerts and a pop-up market — all of which you can access for free.
Accessibility: All areas of the festival are accessible for people with reduced mobility, except the M.A.D. terrace (VIP area).
Salsa, hang out with butterflies and play games at the Gamelin Gardens
When: Until September 15
Address: Place Émilie-Gamelin – 1500, rue Berri
Why You Need To Go: Salsa night, a greenhouse tour featuring a flutter of butterflies and Randolph’s board game club are all on the program at the Jardins Gamelin this weekend. This lush green terrasse might just be the liveliest place in town this summer — and it's worth visiting at least once before the season ends. If you haven't been yet, take this as a sign to make it happen. And if you've been already, take this as a sign to go again.
Accessibility: Wheelchair and stroller accessible, outdoor site.
Experience 'High Fidelity' in the park
Girouard Park (aka Parc Notre-Dame-de-Grâce)'s main square at sundown.
When: Friday, August 23
Address: Girouard Park (aka Parc Notre-Dame-de-Grâce) – 3500, av. Girouard
Why You Need To Go: Join High Fidelity/Haute Fidélité Podcast co-host Brendan Kelly for a dance party in the main square of Girouard Park (aka NDG Park). "I spin cool dance floor-friendly new wave tracks from the '80s," explains Kelly in the Facebook event description, naming The Smiths, New Order, David Bowie and Depeche Mode as examples of the musicians you can expect to hear. "You dance, drink, munch on Mange-Tout sandwiches under the stars. Community man."
Chow down at Chinatown's Asian Night Market
When: Thursday, August 22 to Sunday, August 25 and Thursday, August 29 to Sunday, September 1
Address: Chinatown – 1111, boul. Saint-Laurent (at boul. René-Lévesque)
Why You Need To Go: Montreal may be chock-full of food festivals this summer, but Chinatown's Asian Night Market (Marché de Nuit Asiatique) is one you won't want to miss. This eighth edition is set to feature 30+ kiosks serving up mouthwatering bites, which you can nosh on while enjoying dance performances, DJs, face painting, interactive games and a mural-painting competition.
"You'll be able to admire a floor fresco, a garland of art and lights that project a warm, inviting glow throughout the event site. What's more, artist Bryan Beyung will be creating a mural on the corner of René-Lévesque and Saint-Laurent, right where the food market is located," the Facebook event page says.
Entry is free, with dishes costing between $9 and $12.
La Piscinette
A shipping container swimming pool in Montreal.
When: Daily from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. until August 25
Address: Parc Jos-Montferrand – 2560, boul. de Maisonneuve E.
Why You Need To Go: This is your last chance to take a dip in La Piscinette — at least for this season. Montreal's first swimming pool constructed out of a shipping container provides a fun and unique way to beat the heat.
This site also has a relaxation area with hammocks, Adirondack chairs and parasols, a volleyball court and a game box complete with rackets, shovels, pails, books, board games and more... everything you need for a last hurray in the sun.
Accessibility: The site and the La Piscinette patio (but not the pool) are designed to be universally accessible.
Veg out at the beach
When: Daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. until September 2
Address: Verdun Beach – 4110, boul. LaSalle
Why You Need To Go: If you're more into the beach than the pool, there's good news and there's bad news. You'd like to hear the bad news first? Okay. You've got it. The bad news is that, with Labour Day approaching, you're running out of time to visit the beach as well. The good news is you can still access the beach quickly and easily this weekend without leaving the city. Verdun Beach shuts down for the season on September 2. Until then, the sand, sun and Saint-Lawrence are all yours to enjoy!
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
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