October festivals & major events

As the weather shifts into fall, Montreal festival season doesn’t stop: Montreal’s fall festivals and other major events celebrate artistry, culture, food and the city itself! A few car-free pedestrian streets, from lively activities on downtown’s Sainte-Catherine Street West to the calm of tree-lined Bernard Avenue in Outremont and de Castelnau Street near the Jean-Talon Market. And downtown’s Quartiers des spectacles transforms for its 20th anniversary: see multimedia creation Vibrer ensemble, 20 ans d'expériences mémorables and video projection 20 ans d'audace et de culture onto the façade of UQAM's Pavillon Président-Kennedy.

Festivals continue to entertain downtown and throughout the city – including performances and activities at outdoor venues, some of many free things to do this fall. The Festival du nouveau cinéma screens over 200 features and short films from 60 countries from October 4 to 15, and hosts panel discussions, workshops, tech-focused events, a children's program, and parties! Later in the month, the Arab World Festival delights with music, dance, art, film and more from October 28 to November 11 at Place des Arts and other major venues.

Sit back and listen to fantastic tales, traditional storytelling and emotional true stories at the Montréal Intercultural Storytelling Festival, offering a program for audiences of all ages from October 20 to 29, including Confabulation storytelling event “Boo! Stories of goosebumps, ghostly encounters and the things that still haunt you” on October 28.

For families, Disney On Ice presents ice-skating musical Find Your Hero, with all your favourite characters, from October 5 to 9 at the Bell Centre. And legendary songwriter and musician Raffi comes to Montreal’s Place des Arts on October 21 – get ready to sing along! For more cultural activities made for families, read our Montreal cultural guide for children and teens.

Festival CORRIDOR shines its spotlight on the city’s art and cultural creations: stop by the Musée Pointe-à-Callière, the Phi Centre, Hangar 1825 in the Old Port and more venues to experience free art events and guided tours. Art meets technology during ELEKTRA at the PHI Center in audiovisual performances, discussions and an exhibition from October 18 to 22. Festithéâtrecréole celebrates the international day of Creole languages ​​and cultures with theatre and more on October 28. At historic Marché Bonsecours, see global events, hidden corners of the world and more through a photojournalism lens at the Expo World Press Photo Montréal. And the Annual Montreal Gem & Mineral Show shimmers, shines and rocks at the Palais des congres from October 20 to 22.

 L'OFF Festival de jazz de Montréal showcases eclectic jazz artists from October 5 to 15, with a Carte Blanche à François Bourassa, Elizabeth Shepard, Chet Doxas Trio and much more. The MUZ music festival fills Studio TD with a diversity of talented local musicians and their unique sounds influenced by world music, jazz and more to the stage from October 5 to 8.

Meanwhile, Piknic Électronik, extends summer vibes into October with two more Sundays of electronic dance music: Astra Club (Carlita B2b Dj Tennis) and Laurence Mate on October 1 and Myd, Mézigue, Akufen, Claire and Alina on October 8 – the final Piknic of the year! Scroll down to our music section for all the live music in Montréal in October. All this and food festivals too – check the food section below for details!

Harvest season, Halloween and Thanksgiving

For the Canadian Thanksgiving long weekend (from October 6 to 9) or any time this month, enjoy local harvest season activities, seasonal food and more at public markets like Jean-Talon Market and Atwater Market – or try apple picking in and around Montréal at several locations, including at Verger Labonté, where you can also find your way through a corn maze and play new maze game Pomanji! An autumn must, visit the Gardens of Light lantern installation by night at the Botanical Garden, which also hosts Halloween Shivers and harvest activities all month.

There’s more Halloween fun in Montréal with thematic events and parties at month’s end, including the Château Ramezay’s annual family event Pick a Peck of Pumpkins event, the Montréal Intercultural Storytelling Festival’s The true and terrifying story of fairy tales at Pointe-à-Callière museum. Meanwhile, interactive cult film experience The Rocky Horror Picture Show Halloween Ball screens the original 1975 film at the historic Cinéma Impérial downtown from October 26 to 28 – dress up, sing along and do the time warp again!

Sights & adventures in Old Montreal

There’s so much to do in the Old Port of Montréal, from walking along cobblestone streets to sight seeing to river boating. Before heading down to the Saint Lawrence River, visit Notre-Dame Basilica (one of Montréal’s most famous icons) – inside, wow at the Gothic Revival architecture and see gorgeous multimedia show AURA. By nightfall, the projections of Cité Mémoire illuminate history on Old Montréal building facades.

See views of the city and the river from Montréal’s Grand Quay, where you’ll find a cruise ship dock, marine history displays, green spaces and two new attractions: the Port of Montreal Tower and the BONJOUR structure, a perfectly oriented photo op! Nearby, treat yourself to bird’s-eye views on La Grande Roue de Montréal Observation Wheel. Or boost your adrenaline while zipping over the water on the MTL Zipline.

Explore the river on beautiful boat tours with Navark, Croisières AML, Bateau-Mouche, and Petit Navire. For the adventurous, you can ride the river’s waves with Rafting Montréal, take jet-ski tours with Wet Set MTL or try jet boating on the Lachine Rapids into October. On October 20, enjoy the only drag show on the river in Montréal with Croisières AML. Taste a delicious bistronomic 3-course menu prepared on board.

A must for families, climb high at adventure ropes park Voiles en Voiles, based around two history-inspired sailing ships or find your way through the SOS Labyrinth – this month featuring the SOS special witches ball. Also visit the Montréal Science Centre for hands-on exhibitions like Inspiring Nature, Inspired Techno – Biomimicry and Transport and incredible IMAX film Animal Kingdom 3D: A Tale of Six Families at the IMAX®TELUS Theatre.

October sports

The NBA Canada Series holds two pre-season NBA games this year – and one of them is in Montréal on October 12! See the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Detroit Pistons in action at the Bell Centre. Following that game, the NHL season continues in full force at the Bell Centre as the Montréal Canadiens play the Chicago Blackhawks on October 14, Minnesota Wild on October 17, Washington Capitals on October 21, and New Jersey Devils on October 24, Columbus Blue Jackets on October 26 and Winnipeg Jets on October 28.

It’s also still soccer season, so don’t miss Major League Soccer team CF Montréal at Saputo Stadium on October 4 against Houston Dynamo and October 7 against Portland Timbers. CFL team Montreal Alouettes brings the game home at Percival-Molson Memorial Stadium on October 9 against the Ottawa Redblacks and on October 18 against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. If you can’t be at the games, watch hockey, soccer, football and other sports at Montréal’s sports bars.

For skateboarders, the Vans Skatepark on the Olympic Park Esplanade is the place to be – it’s also where you can try rock climbing at Nomad Bloc, and kids can play on the inflatable games of Îlots76. And, not quite a sport but definitely an adrenaline booster, La Ronde amusement park is all about thrill rides and fun – this month La Ronde adds Halloween activities to the mix with frightening Fright Fest and friendly Kids Pumpkin Festival activities on weekends.

Downtown sights & sounds

Explore the Quartier des spectacles on a luminous pathway of video projections and lighting installations, including on the esplanade of Place des Arts, where you’ll see Montréal’s cultural institutions in a new light in Insitu, a visual poem projected on the facade of Maison symphonique. Inside Place des Arts – this year celebrating its 60th anniversary – experience the artistry of Michel Lemieux of 4D ART and Édouard Lock in exhibition New Media Pioneers.

On the Esplanade Place Ville Marie by night let massive art installation The Ring wow you. Or take a break at Esplanade Tranquille at the corner of Clark and Sainte-Catherine Street, where you might see a pop-up performance this month. Nearby in the LGBTQ+ Village, see amazing Montréal drag shows at Cabaret Mado and Bar Le Cocktail.

For a quick bite to eat downtown, you’ll find a variety of great food at gourmet food halls, including Time Out Market, Marché Artisans, Le Cathcart Restaurants et Biergarten and Le Central - Manger Montréal. Have a meal on Restaurant Bivouac’s terrace, where you’ll also be treated to a magnificent view of downtown Montréal, or try the new rooftop piano-bar-terrace Le Marie-Louise at Espace Saint-Denis with views of the Quartier Latin. Or head to Chinatown for noodles, dumplings and so much more.

City tours and pop-up events

Discover the city with expert guides on Montréal tours. Set your own agenda with private walking tours at your own pace. See the city like a local with MTL Detours. Take a free walking tour of the Quartier des spectacles to explore the heart of downtown – and even go on a tasting tour of the Latin Quarter.

If you’re wondering about why Montréal has so many colourful murals, hear more about them and their artists on a street art tour with Spade & Palacio, including new murals from this year’s Mural Festival and others, like the brand new mural tribute to artist Françoise Sullivan at 1281 rue Saint-Christophe. Tour Montréal sights or take a day trip outside the city with N-Tours. Or take yourself on self-guided audio tours thanks to TourBird.

Montréal is known as a bike-friendly city, with hundreds of kilometres of bike paths – October is still a great time to bike around and see the sights, especially as the leaves begin to turn colour in the parks. Rent a bike or bring your own to bicycle around the city, take a bike tour, or simply get from A to B (and back again) on a BIXI shared bike.

Nature & relaxation

Among the many free things to do this fall, visit Montréal's parks, green spaces and cultivated gardens to experience an abundance of nature in the city. See gorgeous fall colours and incredible city views in Mount Royal Park: take a walk through the park and up the stairs to the lookout, take a bus or drive up to Beaver Lake, or go on a guided discovery walk on the mountain. 

Another picturesque sight, Parc La Fontaine in the Plateau neighbourhood is perfect for taking a stroll after shopping, a bike ride, or after a great meal and entertainment on Mont-Royal Avenue, St. Denis Street or Rachel Street. Cross the river to Parc Jean-Drapeau for a riverside walk and a view of Old Montréal – while there visit the Space for Life Biosphère’s environment exhibitions. Take a tour of Montréal parks on your own or with a tour guide like Héritage Montréal.

There’s much to see and do for all ages at the Space for Life museums. Stroll the Montréal Botanical Garden grounds and tropical greenhouse – this month featuring Halloween activities and the wondrous Gardens of Light lantern installation. Experience several wild ecosystems at the Biodôme, where you’ll see penguins, otters and more animals of all kinds. Explore the mysteries of the universe in immersive films and exhibitions at the Planetarium Rio Tinto Alcan. And learn about butterflies, moths and other insects at the Insectarium. See local wildlife in their natural habitats at the Ecomuseum Zoo. Visit dozens of Montréal attractions, museums and more at a discount with the MTL Passeport MTL!

For ultimate relaxation any time of the day, visit Bota Bota, spa sur l’eau on the Saint-Lawrence River in the Old Port and other world-class spas like Scandinave Spa Vieux-Montréal, Avie Spa & Coiffure, Rainspa and Strøm Nordic Spa.

Local food and drink

Montréal’s many food festivals happen throughout the year and there are more than a few this month. Don’t miss food truck fest First Fridays on October 6 at the Olympic Parc Esplanade – for the final First Fridays of the year, feast on all things smoked, from meat to desserts, created by local gourmet food truck chefs, with a side of music and entertainment. Ramen Ramen Festival packs a flavourful punch with ramen dishes and more served up at several restaurants from October 9 to 22 – plus an opening night event of food, cinema, music and Suntori cocktails in collaboration with au Festival du nouveau cinéma.

Don’t miss Montréal’s annual event for wine and spirit lovers, La grande dégustation de Montréal from October 19 to 21 at the Grand Quai du Port de Montréal, featuring producers and their delicious products from around the world! Sake festival Kampai Montréal offers sampling of over 150 sakes and spirits from Japan, along with food from some of the city’s best Japanese restaurants, on October 5. 

Sample seasonal dishes at the city’s restaurants throughout harvest season in Montréal. Discover what Montréal’s newest restaurants are cooking up or grab a seat for a light meal at the city’s “buvettes.” Whether you stayed up way too late or are up early, don’t miss a classic Montréal brunch any day of the week! Also try some of Montréalers’ favourite lunch restaurants, from Old Montréal and downtown to Villeray or the South-West, and favourite French restaurants.

Among the many restaurants to check out, stop for a bite at newly reopened Café Constance in Place des Festivals, have a meal with a view at Muze lounge & terrace in Hôtel HONEYROSE downtown, and eat well at globally inspired Azalea restaurant and seafood specialists Maestro SVP in the Plateau. It’s also an excellent time to have dinner and see a show at the Casino de Montréal: live music and cabaret shows entertain while incredible seafood and more is on the grill at Le Montréal, there’s a gourmet buffet at Pavillon 67, and quick delicious eats at L’Instant.

Get your caffeine fix at Montréal's indie coffee shops – and fresh-baked doughnuts to go with it! Add more sweetness to your life with creations from Montréal's best bakeries and pastry shops, best chocolate shops and candy shops. By night, discover award-winning bars, the city’s 30 top cocktail bars, inventive Montréal microbreweries and late-night eats. Or mix Montréalesque cocktails at home with gin, vodka, rum and more specialty spirits from these Montréal specialty alcohol and spirit makers. Explore restaurants and cafés along Beaubien Street in the Rosemont-La-Petit-Patrie neighbourhood (also where you’ll find Little Italy and some of Montréal’s best Italian restaurants). And downtown, enjoy dinner and a show at restaurant-cabaret Le Balcon.

Dig into Quebec classics like smoked meat, poutine and Montréal bagels – and discover more classics with these retro places to stay, eat and drink. And check all the boxes on your “must-eat list” with these musts for foodies in Montréal. Go for Japanese ramen and Vietnamese pho. Eat the best of plant-based food with our ultimate guide to vegan eating in Montréal. And join the debate over who makes the best pizza or tacos in Montréal!

Shopping in Montréal

Go shopping for wardrobe staples and dinner-party glam in Old Montréal’s boutiques, downtown along Sainte-Catherine Street and in the underground city malls – discover the latest styles at Montréal Eaton Center and Place Montréal Trust, including Uniqlo, Nike, Aritza, Decathlon and many more boutiques (and remember to ask for a VIP Visitor Card at Guest Services for exclusive discounts only for tourists). Head further into Old Montréal and to the Plateau and Mile End for unique boutique finds: keep your eye out for items made by Montréal designers, relaxing self-care staples and plenty of home decor.

Visit the Volume 6 MTL! Art Book Fair on October 14 and 15 at Casa Italia near the Jean-Talon Market for unique books and creative publications. Add sparkle to your life at the coolest Montréal jewelry stores. Shop local and eco-friendly at the most fabulous vintage boutiques in the city. Pick out the perfect new books for friends and family from Montréal’s bookstores. And dive into a wide world of music at Montréal's excellent vinyl stores.

October art exhibitions

Montréal’s cultural calendar is as packed as ever in October, and museums and art galleries are no exception. Momenta Biennale de l’image showcases cutting-edge artists from around the world at 15 of Montreal’s leading museums and galleries, including the Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal, Leonard & Bina Ellen Art Gallery, Galerie de l’UQAM, Vox and more, with many venues offering free entry until October 22.

At the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts, new exhibition Marisol: A Retrospective dives into the art and life of the groundbreaking multidisciplinary artist who was famed for her edgy work and her role in New York’s art scene – opening on October 8. Also see exhibition The Pop of Life! Pop Art in the Collection of the MMFA, showcasing iconic works of Pop art from the Museum’s collection, while outdoors the Inflorescence fresco adds a pop of colour to Du Musée Avenue until October 22.

The Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal presents MOMENTA Biennale exhibition SocialSim, populated by 3D avatars, Anna Binta Diallo’s new mural Fluid fossils and Cyprien Gaillard’s 3D film Nightlife (screening at Cinémathèque québécoise) – and, opening October 25, the Velvet Terrorism: Pussy Riot’s Russia exhibition, based on the Russian feminist punk art collective. At home, explore immersive online exhibition Leonard Cohen: A Crack in Everything, a recreation of the MAC’s monumental show.

At the Phi Foundation, see multidisciplinary solo exhibition Moridja Kitenge Banza: Inhabiting the Imaginary, including paintings and video work that reflect current geopolitical situations, colonization and racial discrimination, until October 8. At Arsenal art contemporain in the Little Burgundy neighbourhood, see the large-scale works of renowned Canadian photographer Edward Burtynsky until mid-October.

Also see new exhibitions at Bradley Ertaskiran in the neighbourhood of St. Henri, Darling Foundry in Old Montréal, Hugues Charbonneau, Patel Brown, Galerie B-312, SBC Gallery, McBride Contemporain and Ellephant downtown, as well as Pierre-François Ouellette art contemporain, Oboro, MAI in the Plateau, Centre Clark and Dazibao in Mile End, Art Mûr in La Petite-Patrie, and many, many other amazing art galleries in every neighbourhood. Find out more in our Montréal guide to gallery hopping and these affordable places to buy contemporary art. And hunt for public art everywhere in the city!

Digital & VR immersive experiences

Montreal is a hub for thought-provoking digital art throughout the year. Experience what it’s like to be on board the international space station in VR in Space Explorers: The Infinite, created by Montréal company Felix & Paul, continuing throughout the year. For more award-winning digital art and VR go to the Phi Centre for multisensory exhibition Sex, Desire and Data, a unique deep dive into the complex mapping of our sexualities as they merge with technology. Also at the Phi Centre, tune out the noise inside listening room Habitat Sonore.

A massive immersive art experience in surround sound and laser light, Oasis Immersion takes over the ground floor of Palais des congrès, with the quirkiness of Sweet Folie and the return of immersive experience VAN GOGH - Distorsion. Under the 360-degree, surround-sound SAT dome, lose yourself in audiovisual experience Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon, celebrating the album’s 50th anniversary, or enter the psychedelic landscape of Recombination, created by fractal artist Julius Horthuis.

For a playful new virtual reality experience, converse with an AI built from professor, philosopher and social critic Noam Chomsky’s digital traces in CHOM5KY vs CHOMSKY at the NFB Space in the Quartiers des spectacles until October 15. And the newest addition that must be experienced to be believed, the Museum of Illusions Montréal has us questioning our perceptions, located at 54 Rue Saint-Antoine O. in Old Montréal.

October at the museum

Among the Montréal museum exhibitions this season, go to Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal Archaeology and History Complex in Old Montréal to learn about not only the city’s history but cultures from around the world: explore 3000 years of history in major exhibition Egypt. Three Millennia on the Nile, until October 15; follow the story of Montréal through historic objects in Favourites! Our Collections on Display; and kids of all ages can step into history in interactive exhibition Come Aboard! Pirates or Privateers?

The McCord Stewart Museum bridges past and present in its exhibitions. Outside, see Building Montreal, historic photographs on McGill College until October 16. Inside, see Momenta Biennale exhibition Mother Memory Cellophane by Séamus Gallagher; Becoming Montreal: The 1800s Painted by Duncan, artist James Duncan’s documentation of the city’s development from 1830 to 1880 alongside artist Iregular’s AI-powered digital reinterpretation of the paintings; Indigenous Voices of Today: Knowledge, Trauma, Resilience; and opening October 20, new exhibition Wampum: Beads Of Diplomacy featuring over 40 wampum belts that have traded hands for over two centuries.

October also marks the opening of new museum MEM – Centre des mémoires montréalaises, with exhibitions, performances and more dedicated to the voices of Montrealers, located in the heart of the Quartier des Spectacles at the corner of Saint-Laurent Boulevard and Sainte-Catherine Street. At the Canadian Centre for Architecture, see Visibly Iroquoian, an installation by interdisciplinary performing artist Ange Loft, Far from Nostalgia: The Letters of Amancio Williams, dedicated to one of the key figures of modern architecture in Latin America, The Lives of Documents—Photography as Project, and archives exhibition File Under: Law and Policy.

Travel back in time as you tour the rooms of Château Ramezay (step into the garden for seasonal event Pick a Peck of Pumpkins!) and visit historical site Chateau Dufresne near the Olympic Stadium. The Musée des Hospitalières de l’Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal marks the bicentennial of Mount Royal Park’s creator, architect Frederick Law Olmsted with exhibition Our Mountain: Memories of Mount Royal.

Not far from the city, climb aboard railway cars, learn about the history of the railroad and explore miniature railways at the Exporail the Canadian Railway Museum. Take a historic walking tour of Jewish Montréal with the Museum of Jewish Montréal, and learn more about Montréal’s Jewish culture, food and more. Explore the Afromuseum, representing the contributions of Afro-Canadians to the cultural landscape of Canada. Discover the vivid history and present of Québec ceramics at the Musée des métiers d'arts du Québec. And for another slice of Québec history, visit Montréal’s stunning churches and sacred sites.

Make the most of your visit and save big on museums and other attractions with the Passeport MTL: discover five Montréal attractions for one low price, and get discounts at many more! And don’t miss these top 10 attractions to see with the Passport MTL.

On stage in October

World-class theatre, dance, opera, circus and more grace the city’s stages throughout October. Les Grands Ballets Canadiens welcomes back choreographer Peter Quanz, presenting his neo-classical ballet La Dame aux Camélias at Place des Arts from October 19 to 28. Flamenco dancers Raul Ortega and Rosanne Dion star in Flamenco Passion at Théatre Maisonneuve on October 13, while Tangologie gathers tango dancers and musicians on the same stage on October 20. And La TOHU presents circus show NYX, a dreamlike journey by Johanne Madore and Collectif Chimère from October 25 to 29.

In Montréal theatre, see the award-winning Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, the inspiring true story of King’s journey from teenage songwriter to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, from October 15 to November 5 at the Segal Centre for Performing Arts. Also at the Segal, from October 10 to 22, Tableau D’Hôte Theatre presents Mizushōbai (The Water Trade) by playwright Julie Tamiko Manning, exploring the life of Kiyoko Tanaka-Goto, a Japanese picture-bride turned ‘underground’ businesswoman in 1930s British Columbia.

Centaur Theatre starts its season strong with playwright Drew Hayden Taylor’s alterNatives, an English-language revival of alterIndiens, a comedy of manners set at a dinner party that shines a light on the cultural divides between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada, from October 17 to November 5. The Battle of the Sexes by David Bonk explores sexuality past, present and future at Le Théâtre la Comédie de Montréal from October 6 to 21. Children’s theater experts Geordie Theatre presents Other Worlds, a unique story of friendship, survival, self-identity and belonging, for ages 10+ at Maison Théâtre from September 29 to October 7.

In contemporary dance, Danse Danse presents Montréal-based choreographer Andrew Skeels’s creation Past Rooms for seven dancers, at Place des Arts’ Cinquieme Salle from October 17 to 21. At nearby Agora de la danse in the Wilder Building, choreographer and dancer Alexandre Morin presents his solo piece Other Animals from October 25 to 28, and choreographer Hélène Blackburn presents Pinocchio Project, designed for children aged 7 to 11 on October 21.

MAI celebrates its 25th season this year – in October, see Lucie Grégoire Danse and Corpuscule Danse performance À perte de vue - intégrale from October 11 to 14, as well as composer Caroline Shaw and choreographer Vanessa Goodman’s Graveyards and Gardens from October 26 to 28. At Théâtre La Chapelle, see Jean-François Boisvenue and Giverny Welsch’s dance meets digital art creation Æmulus from October 2 to 5 as well as more this month.

Over at MainLine Theatre, things get wildly comedic (with live music too) in the rollicking annual production of Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show, from October 19 to 31. A no-holds-barred interdisciplinary and bilingual festival of performing arts, Phénomena presents cabarets, theatre, puppeteering, dance and more from October 6 to 20 at Usine C, Studio 303 and several other venues. Step into a bygone, glitzy, sexy era during the Montréal Burlesque Festival at Club Soda, dazzling with a roster of performers from around the world, from October 13 and 14.

RuPaul’s Drag Race alumni, Season 15 runner-up Anetra headlines Cabaret Mado on October 11. Montréal drag queens Prudence, Marla Deer, Tracy Trash and Lana Dalida lip sync to classic sitcom The Golden Girls at Cabaret Mado on October 18. And in comedy, Scottish comedian Danny Bhoy brings his “Now Is Not A Good Time” stand-up show to Montreal on October 21 at L’Olympia. And drag culture festival Rendez-vous de la drag comes to Montréal with Drag artists, shows, conferences, workshops and more from October 28-29.

On screen in October

The Festival du nouveau cinéma screens over 200 features and short films from 60 countries from October 4 to 15, opening with La Passion de Dodin Bouffant (The Pot-au-Feu) by Trần Anh Hùng – the festival also hosts panel discussions, workshops, tech-focused events, a children's program, and parties! For Halloween, dress up and sing along at interactive cult film experience The Rocky Horror Picture Show Halloween Ball at the historic Cinéma Impérial downtown from October 26 to 28. And watch Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 2 accompanied by a symphony orchestra at Place des Arts on October 6 and 7. Or relive an 80s classic at Dirty Dancing in Concert on October 14.

For anyone with happy memories of MuchMusic, go see documentary 299 Queen Street West at the Rialto Theatre on October 17 on The MuchMusic Experience Tour, also featuring a live Q&A with MuchMusic VJs and film director Sean Menard. Experience family-friendly cinematic shows on the domed screens of the Planétarium de Montréal, including Starmap to the Unseen Universe, Celestial Chronicles, Worlds Beyond Earth and more for all ages. The Montréal Science Centre’s IMAX cinema puts nature on the giant screen in all its glory – this month see the incredible Animal Kingdom 3D: A Tale of Six Families.

See independent features, family films, documentaries and more at Cinéma Moderne. Discover new art house films and more from Montréal indie cinemas' programming at Cinéma du Parc (including late-night cult classics at Parc at Midnight screenings), Cinéma du Musée at the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts, and the iconic Cinémathèque québécoise in the Quartier des spectacles. Explore the city through cinema in these Hollywood movies made in Montréal. And see the art world in a whole new light thanks to the International Festival of Films on Art year-round ART FILM program.

Classical music in October

Orchestre symphonique de Montréal plays live music to accompany a remastered version of Charlie Chaplin’s first talkie The Great Dictator at the Maison Symphonique on October 18 and 19. Maestro Rafael Payare conducts the orchestra and  internationally-acclaimed violinist and OSM Concertmaster Andrew Wan in Andrew Wan and Beethoven’s Immortal Violin Concerto in three concerts at the Maison Symphonique on October 25 and 26.

The Orchestre Classique de Montréal shines the spotlight on Ukraine’s rich musical heritage with Slava Ukraïni at Pierre‑Mercure Hall on October 17, a fundraiser for Ukrainian artists. The Orchestre Métropolitain’s artist-in-residence Austrian virtuoso Andreas Ottensamer conducts From Soloist to Maestro at the Maison Symphonique on October 13. And Ensemble Caprice, the Jerusalem Baroque Orchestra, and the women’s choir of Ensemble ArtChoral perform Vivaldi’s Gloria on October 15 at Maison Symphonique.

Talented ensembles and soloists make Bourgie Hall at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts a must-visit: among the highlights this month, see pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason on October 10 and mandolinist Avi Avital on October 12. And, after fire at the historic Chapelle historique du Bon-Pasteur, their free concert series returns this season at the Canadian Center for Architecture, this month with the Brahms Piano Quintet played by pianist André Laplante and the Arthur LeBlanc Quartet on October 11, Schulich @ Bon-Pasteur series on October 22, and more.

More live music in October

From festival stages to the city’s classic venues, any time of year there’s plenty of live music in Montréal, with many can’t-miss concerts this season. The Wu-Tang Clan and Nas come to Place Bell on October 2, classic Canadian band Blue Rodeo performs at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier on October 4, while English singer-songwriter RAYE headlines MTELUS on the same night. The Police guitarist Andy Summers brings his Cracked Lens & a Missing String tour to Le National on October 6. Devendra Banhart comes to Beanfield Theatre on October 7, while CRi gets everyone dancing electronic beats at MTELUS.

Grammy-winning English singer-songwriter James Blake is at L’Olympia on October 10, while The Mission UK, The Chameleons and Theatre of Hate bring their Déjà Vu Tour to the Fairmount Theatre. French rapper-singer Lomepal plays Place Bell on October 11 and 12. October 12 is busy with folk legend Bruce Cockburn at the Gésu, cult icon Nick Cave at Place des Arts, and Violent Femmes at MTELUS. Montreal hard-rockers Mobile with opening act We Are Monroe play Le National on October 13. Christine and the Queens is at MTELUS and Kim Petras at L’Olympia on October 15. Catch British progressive metal band TesseracT at the Beanfield Theatre on October 17, Will Butler & Sister Squares at Bar Le Ritz on October 18, and Chromeo at MTELUS on October 19.

A superstar triple bill, see Enrique Iglesias, Pitbull and Ricky Martin at Bell Centre on October 20. Also on that night, local hero Matt Holubowski headlines Le National. Godsmack comes to Place Bell on October 21, while Leif Vollebekk performs unreleased songs in a special concert at La Tulipe. Iconic Canadian music star Shania Twain slides into at Bell Centre on October 25. And none other than Bob Dylan performs at Place des Arts’ grand Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier on October 29.

The 15th edition of the Montréal Ska Festival kicks loose with The Kingpins and many more bands from October 19 to 22 at Petit Campus. And the MTL Punk Rock Flea Market will be held at Foufounes Électriques on October 15. At the Phi Centre, see London-based DJ and singer Eliza Rose on October 8 and singer and pianist Sarah McCoy on October 12. See these shows and more co-presented by Evenko, Greenland, Blue Skies Turn Black, I Love Neon, and other show promoters at venues citywide, including Fairmount Theatre, Corona Theatre, Bar Le Ritz PDB, Casa del Popolo and Sala Rossa, L’Escogriffe and elsewhere throughout the month.

Every Sunday afternoon and into the night, outdoor dance party Piknic Éléctronik keeps the beat going at Parc Jean-Drapeau – for the final two weekends of the season, dance to Astra Club (Carlita B2b Dj Tennis) and Laurence Mate on October 1 and Myd, Mézigue, Akufen, Claire and Alina on October 8. Dance to more electronic music at the SAT (including a Halloween party on October 28), Newspeak, New City Gas, Stereo and other electro venues in the city.

Groove to live Motown, soul, disco, jazz, salsa, Cuban music and more at Le Balcon, where you can have dinner with a show, go dancing, and enjoy a gospel brunch on weekends. Experience the Legends of Motown stage show on October 27 at Place des Arts. Hear live jazz nightly at Montréal’s amazing jazz and blues clubs, like Diese Onze and Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill. And go out dancing late into the night at Montréal's dance clubs.