10 Things to Do in Montreal in September

September is the beginning of autumn in Montreal, so the streets are bathed in earthy colors, you can enjoy pleasant temperatures ranging from 13° to 21° and take advantage of seeing and doing things during the night. During this month I suggest you go to Burger Week, explore the light show at the Botanical Garden and join the Beneva Marathon.

To vibrate to the rhythm of music, I suggest you sign up for the International Pop Music Festival or the Nuits Blues Laurentides Festival, both events have a fairly complete musical repertoire. Audiovisual lovers have the opportunity to approach the International Festival of Black Cinema. If you want to live an interactive experience, take advantage of the Water Lantern Festival.

If you like adrenaline events, you must go to one of the biggest cycling races in North America. The Grands Prix Cyclistes should be on your itinerary during your visit in September, the activities are divided into three days of bike-riding adventures.

Spectators can enjoy a tour of the city, following the designated route through different areas with curves, adrenaline and special surprises, while admiring the cyclists giving their all on the track. The race starts around 10:00 a.m., so I suggest you arrive early to be able to appreciate the inauguration.

Details of interest: most activities are free.

Food, culture, music and rituals are part of the September festivals. If you want to live an unparalleled experience, then you can't miss them.

Montreal International Film Noir Festival

The Montreal International Film Noir Festival has been held since 2005, specifically between the last days of September and the first days of October. It is an event that presents films in English and French inspired by black communities from more than 50 countries.

Details of interest: the ticket price is around 80 € and gives you access to all screenings and special events.

International Pop Music Festival

One of the most fun things to do during September comes to life at the International Pop Music Festival, which features more than 400 bands of punk, pop, hip hop, rock, indie, rock, folk and electro, R&B, among others. The shows are distributed among 50 venues in the city, including speakeasies, terraces, rooftops, squares and parks.

It has an estimated duration of five days, workshops, talks, film screenings and documentaries are scheduled. Other entertainment options include barbecues, visual arts exhibitions and activities for children.

You can also attend the Puces POP Craft Fair where you can find jewelry, or the Record Fair, ideal for buying the physical vinyls of the artists performing during the festival.

Details of interest: to avoid queues and crowds, I recommend buying the Discovery Pass which costs around 95 € and gives you access to shows, art exhibitions, fairs, conferences and barbecues.

Omnivore Food Festival

French culture is very important in Canada, so you will find a variety of events that link the traditions of both countries. I suggest you visit the Omnivore Gastronomic Festival, brought especially from Paris to create a tasting space.

It has been held since 2012 and offers gastronomic demonstrations, presentations of new trends in French dishes and a unique menu.

Details of interest: the ticket for the tasting and other events have an average cost of 20 €.

Nuits Blues Laurentides Festival

During the first days of September comes to Montreal the Nuits Blues Laurentides Festival, a musical event that attracts dozens of bands and about 50 soloists.

In addition to dancing and jumping to the rhythm of the music, you can meet the local mascot, take a carriage ride, participate in surprises during the word games, watch puppet shows and if you go with children, take advantage of the train tours.

Without a doubt it is an ideal family festival to spend the afternoon. If you are hungry, the facilities have food stands and picnic areas. There are even activities on farms around the city, not to be missed!

Details of interest: it has an estimated duration of ten days, the entrance fee per person is around 20 €, but you can purchase a family passport for two adults and two children with a special discount of 30 €.

Water Lantern Festival

The Water Lantern Festival is a different proposal that takes place in Montreal during September.

It is a ritual of celebration that everyone can interpret as they wish, you can give thanks, make a wish, commemorate your deceased loved ones or live an atmosphere of reconciliation, peace, love and forgiveness. The lantern event has an estimated duration of two hours and for ecological and safety reasons it is not allowed to bring external lamps.

The cost of the tickets ranges from 23 to 27 € and includes the access bracelet, a water lantern to throw, which is completely ecological, as it is made with rice paper. Your kit also contains a bag with souvenirs of the festival, marker to decorate the lamp, a keychain in the shape of LED lantern and the cleaning tax to collect the waste after the celebration.

Details of interest: it is advisable to arrive around 4:00 pm, if you approach the festival after 6:00 pm you run the risk of missing the elevation of the lanterns, which is the main attraction. I recommend you to buy your ticket online, the day of the event they increase and are around 34 €.

If you want to visit the Montreal Botanical Garden**, September is the ideal month** to take this tour. During the fall, the Gardens of Light, an annual event where you can marvel at a colorful evening that bathes the gardens in silk lanterns, is installed.

The lights are spread over three areas, specifically the Chinese Garden, the Japanese Garden and the First Nations Garden. You can access by car, subway or bus by approaching the Olympic District on Sherbrooke Street, which is twenty-five minutes from downtown.

The easiest way to purchase tickets is on the official website, as it is important to book to avoid queues. Additionally, please note that there are no refunds and there are parking spaces nearby, but they can fill up during the Gardens of Light events.

Traveller Tip

The ticket for the light show in the Chinese Garden, Japanese Garden, First Nations Garden and Ode to the Moon, has an approximate cost ranging from 8 to 15 €, with this pass you can enjoy all the spaces of the Botanical Garden, but you must come at the time indicated on the ticket.

Ode to the Moon

Enjoy the Ode to the Moon, a ritual in which a fluorescent moon is positioned at the top, illuminating the three gardens. It allows you to enjoy an immersive and sensory experience. As you explore the visual spectacle, stay alert as the howling of wolves will guide you intuitively.

Chinese Garden

I suggest visiting the Chinese Garden at night, as the lights illuminate every nook and cranny, including the water paths. In addition, you can enjoy the traditional fishing history with annual performances. If you want to continue having fun, in the Terre Chine area, you can learn about authentic Chinese peasant communities and the legend of the giant Pangu.

Japanese Garden

In the Japanese Garden, the pavilions are illuminated and interactive paintings are installed, the colors of autumn are the protagonists of all the spaces. The most recommended time to visit is during the weekends as there is live music, Japanese exhibitions and kotatsu hot tables which offer tastings ideal for warming up in the cool nights of this season.

First Nations Garden

Finally, stop by the First Nations Garden and admire the lighting of the sacred aspen tree along with the drumming show honoring the heartbeat of Mother Earth. You can also take advantage of barbecues, fire projections and Aboriginal legends.

To enjoy Montreal from above, I suggest you purchase a helicopter tour, a unique experience that offers unparalleled views. You will be able to explore the main area of the province of Quebec. The estimated price is between 90 and 120 €, depending on the number of minutes.

Details of interest: the tour is usually in English and French.

Field hockey is one of the most popular sports in Canada, the games are held on ice and arouse the adrenaline of locals and tourists. One of the best known teams is the Montreal Canadiens or Le Club de Hockey Canadien, a professional field hockey club that has been operating since 1909 and participates in the National Hockey League.

Hockey season starts in the coldest seasons, so it belongs to the best activities of winter and autumn, specifically it takes place between late September and early October.

If this is the first time you see a game, keep in mind that it takes place on an ice surface known as rink, where 12 players divided into two teams skate through the attack and defense zones.

I suggest you buy tickets for field hockey games in advance, as they sell out quickly.

Details of interest: you can enjoy the shows of the mascot called Youppi. Try to wear something blue, red or white to match the team colors.

Montreal offers unrepeatable gastronomic experiences. For years, Le Burger Week or Burger Week has been celebrated in September. You can taste different proposals of burgers from selected restaurants in the city.

You can taste artistic burgers, vegan burgers and even classic Canadian burgers.

Interesting details: admission is free, but each stall or restaurant offers a menu with a variety of prices.

Get ready to work up a sweat during the Beneva Montreal Marathon. It's a fun event full of good energy that has been held annually in September since 1979. I suggest you wear your most comfortable sneakers to make the most of the course, and keep in mind that it has several routes that are spread over two days.

There are races for professional athletes, families and children, with courses ranging from 1 km to 42 km, so you can adjust it to your physical preparation. You can enjoy many free activities, such as healthy markets, live music stages, art shows and the Marathon Expo featuring booths focused on physical and mental health.

The best thing about this event is that it offers many activities to do with children. The prices of the races depend on the kilometers you want to run, keep in mind that short races are more affordable. Here are the estimated costs:

• The 1 km race is valid for children under 12 years old and has an approximate cost of 10 €.
• The 5 km race is around 24 € for children under 17 years old and 30 € from 18 years old.
• The 10 km race has an estimated cost of 38 € for children under 17 years and 43 € for 18 years and older.
• The 21 km race has an average price of 70 €.
• The 42 km race is around 82 €.

Details of interest: it is an ideal activity to run through Montreal from end to end.

During September the leaves of the city begin to change color and gradually leave the trees, this event is known as the autumn bloom. Many people come to Mount Royal Cemetery, a site transformed into a tourist paradise, ideal to appreciate the migration of birds, as well as the Japanese trees and Kentucky coffee trees.

Details of interest: it is a free outdoor activity.

In September you'll find a variety of parks that offer an ideal space for families to enjoy. Angrignon Park is one of the most visited during these dates, as you can have a picnic, organize a barbecue, ride a bike or enjoy the lagoon.

Additionally, I recommend you to visit it during this month, as the Angrignon District celebrates its anniversary and the park has surprise activities.

Details of interest: free admission and free use of the parking lot.

At the end of September the autumn temperatures start to drop, I suggest you sign up for a craft beer tour that will take you to see the Latin Quarter and the nightlife in the best bars of Montreal. Here you will be able to order French Canadian drinks and craft beers, I assure you that the alcohol will keep you warm and active to tour the city.

Details of interest: the estimated price is around 57 €.