It’s a huge sports Saturday in Montreal, but not everyone wants to spend the weekend in front of a screen. If you’d rather shop, eat and discover something new, this is the weekend for markets: the long-running Tibetan Bazaar takes over a Plateau church for one day only, and one of the region’s biggest craft fairs opens in a brand-new location. Here’s your plan for Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 7 and 8.
The Tibetan Bazaar and Cultural Fair (Saturday)
According to Sortir au Québec, the Tibetan Bazaar and Montreal Cultural Fair returns on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Santa Cruz church, 60 rue Rachel Ouest, at the corner of Saint-Urbain. Well established after many years, this one-day community event brings warmth, colour and flavour to the city.
- Shop: artisans and merchants from Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto bring handmade treasures from Tibet, Nepal, India and Mongolia, a great place to find an original holiday gift.
- Watch: traditional music and dance performances.
- Eat: authentic Tibetan cooking, especially fresh momos, the Tibetan dumplings that are a huge visitor favourite.
- Give: the $5 admission goes to the Canada Tibet Committee to support its advocacy work.
Tip: momos tend to draw a line at lunchtime, so arrive in the late morning or mid-afternoon. The church is a short walk from Mont-Royal metro or a bus ride along Saint-Laurent.
The bazaar is organized to share the richness of Tibetan heritage with Montrealers, and the mix of shopping, food and performance makes it feel more like a village fair than a market. It’s also very family-friendly: kids tend to love the dancing, and adults will love the dumplings.
The DDO Fine Arts and Crafts Holiday Market (Friday to Sunday)
One of the biggest events of its kind for more than 30 years, the Dollard-des-Ormeaux holiday market has a new location this year: Galeries des Sources, 3237 boulevard des Sources. Hours are Friday, Nov. 6 from 3 to 7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- More than 80 vendors of handmade crafts
- The Artists’ Association of Dollard’s annual art exhibition
- Raffle prizes, coffee and food, local charities and mini games for kids
Organized by the Centre des arts de Dollard, the market bills itself as one of the community’s most anticipated events, a chance to meet local artists and artisans in person and get a head start on holiday shopping without the December crowds.
More holiday markets coming soon
This is just the opening act of market season. The Grand Marché de Noël de Montréal opens at the Place des Festivals on Friday, Nov. 13, and the Marché des Fêtes at Locoshop Angus in Rosemont runs the weekends of Nov. 14 and 15 and Nov. 21 and 22.
More this weekend
Saturday, Nov. 7
- La Grande Dégustation pours from 1 to 9 p.m. at the Old Port’s Grand Quai; admission is $23 plus taxes with 10 tasting coupons.
- CINEMANIA’s first ciné-concert, Europe : la bataille des sièges with live music by the Singülar Orchestra, at the Monument-National at 8:30 p.m. (details).
- A Walk to Remember in Montreal West leaves the Sports and Recreation Centre at 11 a.m., ahead of Remembrance Day.
- Sports: the Rocket host Cleveland at 3 p.m. at Place Bell, the Alouettes host the Eastern Final at 3 p.m., and the Canadiens visit Toronto at 7 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 8
- Remembrance ceremony in Montreal West, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the cenotaph on Westminster South, with a piper-led procession at 12:15, per Veterans Affairs Canada.
- Bach on the big organ: the Festival International Bach Montréal opens its complete organ works cycle with German organist Christian Schmitt at Saint Joseph’s Oratory (see the program).
- Last day of Festithéâtrecréole, the festival celebrating Creole cultures through theatre, readings, humour and poetry, listed in Tourisme Montréal’s November guide.
Weekend tips
- Bring cash for small vendors at the bazaar and craft fair, along with a reusable bag.
- Combine the bazaar with a stroll on the Plateau and a coffee on Saint-Laurent.
- If you’re heading to the Grande Dégustation, plan your ride home in advance.
Planning ahead? Our November festivals calendar and list of free things to do in November have more, and our public markets guide is perfect for stocking up. More ideas in our Things to Do section. Bon week-end!
More on MTL365
- Game Day: Canadiens vs Maple Leafs Caps an Eastern Final Saturday
- The Best Cookies in Montreal: 10 Bakeries and Cafés Worth the Detour
- Montreal Potholes: How to Report One and File a Claim Before Winter Hits
- More things to do in Montreal on MTL365
Photo: Sarkar Sayantan / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Sources: Sortir au Québec, Centre des arts de Dollard, CINEMANIA, Veterans Affairs Canada, Festival International Bach Montréal, Tourisme Montréal
