October in Montreal moves fast. One minute it is Thanksgiving apple picking, the next the leaves are on the sidewalk and the tuque is back in rotation. The good news: the second half of the month is still packed. Here is our pick of the events wrapping up this weekend and the can’t-miss dates before October is done, based on Tourisme Montréal’s October guide. (Looking for the spooky stuff? We already rounded up 15 Halloween things to do in Montreal.)
Last chance this weekend (Oct. 16-18)
1. Festival du nouveau cinéma
The Festival du nouveau cinéma wraps up on October 18 after more than 200 features and shorts from around the world, plus talks, workshops and a kids’ program. This is your final weekend to catch a screening before the films head off on their festival tours.
2. Piknic Électronik’s season finale
Electronic music fills Parc Jean-Drapeau every weekend through October 18 at Piknic Électronik. Dress warm, grab something from the food trucks and dance one more time before the island goes quiet for winter.
3. The Montreal Gem & Mineral Show
From October 16 to 18, the Annual Montreal Gem & Mineral Show takes over the Palais des congrès. A great rainy-day outing for curious kids and collectors alike.
4. “On the Menu” at the McCord Stewart Museum
Food lovers, this one closes October 18: On the Menu – Montréal: A Restaurant Story traces the evolution of the city’s restaurant scene since the 1960s. Pair it with a meal out (our best pizza in Montreal guide can help).
Coming up before Halloween
5. Jimmy Carr at Place des Arts (Oct. 20-21)
The British comedian brings his stand-up show Laughs Funny to Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier. Details on the Place des Arts event page.
6. Big nights at the Bell Centre
The Bell Centre calendar is loaded: Olivia Rodrigo on October 20 and 21, John Summit on October 23 and Aya Nakamura on October 24 and 25.
7. The Secret Chord: A Leonard Cohen Experience
Back by popular demand at the Segal Centre, this staged tribute concert to Montreal’s own Leonard Cohen runs until October 25.
8. Notre-Dame Basilica unveils its restored facade (Oct. 25)
This is the big one. After ten years of restoration work, the facade of Notre-Dame Basilica will be unveiled to the public on Sunday, October 25 starting at 12:30 p.m. To mark the occasion, the Société philharmonique du Nouveau Monde and organist Jean-Willy Kunz will give a free performance, both outside and inside the basilica. Un moment historique for Old Montreal.
9. Gardens of Light at the Jardin botanique
An autumn classic: the Gardens of Light lantern installation glows by night at the Botanical Garden, which also hosts harvest activities all month.
Plan ahead
Popular shows and timed entries can sell out, so book early and check each organizer’s site for the latest times. For more ideas, browse our Things to Do section and our local’s guide to Old Port events.
More on MTL365
- Perfect at Home: Alouettes Go 9-0 at Molson Stadium as Davis Alexander Tops 5,000 Yards
- MTLàTABLE 2026: 165 Restaurants, $38 to $90 Menus and How to Plan Your Montreal Restaurant Week
- Is Montreal Finally Ready for Winter? City Unveils $15.8M Snow Removal Overhaul
- Halloween 2026 in Montreal: 15 Things to Do This October
- All Things to Do on MTL365
Featured image: Photo: Louis Bouret / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Sources: Tourisme Montréal – Things to do in October 2026, FNC, Piknic Électronik, Gem & Mineral Show, Segal Centre, Place des Arts.
