On April 8, 2024, a rare total solar eclipse will sweep across North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada — with most of Montreal set to witness three minutes of complete darkness.
The once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon occurs when the Moon aligns precisely between the Sun and Earth, obscuring the solar disc entirely. The sky will undergo a dramatic dimming reminiscent of both dawn and dusk.
Weather permitting, the first point in continental North America to see totality will be the Pacific coast of Mexico, around 2:07 p.m. EST.
In Montreal, the partial eclipse will begin seven minutes later and reach totality at 3:26 p.m. The display will last for three minutes, ending at 3:29 p.m. The partial eclipse will then conclude at 4:37 p.m.
For those wondering about the best spots to view the total solar eclipse in Montreal, there are a handful of must-see areas in the city, many of which will provide free glasses for safe eclipse viewing.
Parc Jean-Drapeau
A completely free event will take place at Parc Jean-Drapeau, in collaboration with the Planetarium and Espace pour la vie. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the event offers 150,000 pairs of eclipse glasses, captivating art installations, informative science kiosks, and engaging talks by experts like Innu astronomer Laurie Rousseau-Nepton.
Attendees will also be able to catch a special performance by Diane Dufresne at 3:15 p.m., accompanied by the Orchestre Métropolitain and music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin.
More information about the event can be found here.
McGill University's Trottier Space Institute
From 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., a special free event will take place on the McGill campus to celebrate the solar eclipse. The Trottier Space Institute Eclipse Fair and viewing party will dive into the fascinating world of solar eclipses, allowing attendees to participate in hands-on activities and demonstrations for all ages.
More information about the McGill event can be found here.
The Montreal Science Centre
Attendees are welcome to the Science Centre from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for a free event featuring eclipse viewing and scientific activities. Participants will receive complimentary eclipse glasses to observe the celestial event and engage in various scientific demos. Science educators will also be present to explain eclipse phenomena.
Adding to the excitement, Cirque du Soleil's KURIOS performers will provide street-side entertainment. There will also be an on-site contest in collaboration with Cirque du Soleil, offering family prize packages including tickets to the KURIOS show and admission to the Science Centre.
More about the Montreal Science Centre event can be found here.
Université de Montréal's Centre d'éducation physique et des sports (CEPSUM)
UdeM will be hosting a ticketed event where 3,000 people will be able to watch the eclipse outdoors at the CEPSUM stadium, all while listening to live commentary by science journalist, Marie-Pier Élie.
Ticket holders will also be able to catch speeches from faculty members and research from a variety of disciplines including physics, veterinary medicine, anthropology and more.
Additionally, games and activities to "get people moving" will also be available, as will a photo booth.
Although the event is, unfortunately, sold out, you can still catch the live broadcast on UdeM's student radio station, CISM 89.3 FM. UdeM's website can also direct you to other good spots on campus to view the eclipse.
Parc du Mont-Royal
Offering gorgeous views of the city skyline, Parc Mont-Royal is a sure choice for optimal solar eclipse viewing. Whether you're sitting atop the Beaver Lake hill or standing at the chalet lookout, Montrealers are bound to catch the total eclipse from this location.
While park entry is always free, we would suggest getting to the lookout sometime before the partial eclipse starts if you want a spot right by the edge, as we anticipate the Mont-Royal lookout being a major hot spot on April 8.
St. Joseph's Oratory
Considered one of the best spots in Montreal to catch the sunset, the St. Joseph's Oratory lookout will also serve as an ideal location for an eclipse viewing — just make sure you've got some eye protection.
At home
A box set of Galaxium glasses for safe solar eclipse viewing.
Mike Chaar | MTL Blog
If you're stuck working from the office or will be staying put on April 8, the solar eclipse will still be viewable from wherever you are — granted you have a decent enough view of the dim sky and are within the totality parameters.
For those who still want to take part in the action, you can opt to purchase glasses from an array of trusted vendors, including Quebec's very own, Galaxium. The glasses are ISO 12312-2 certified, scratch resistant and fit all face shapes.
Considering looking directly at the Sun or via a camera lens, binoculars or a telescope without a specialized solar filter placed over the eyes can result in immediate and severe eye damage, NASA says. So, we definitely recommend purchasing your own glasses to take full advantage of the eclipse.
Galaxium offers a 25-pack of solar eclipse-safe glasses for $42 here.
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
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