Mid-November in Montreal is a funny mix: one week, a moment of silence for Remembrance Day; the next, mulled wine under twinkling lights. This week in Montreal has both, plus the final days of several fall festivals, two Habs home games and the CFL’s championship game on TV. Here’s our day-by-day pick for Monday, Nov. 9 through Sunday, Nov. 15. Dates were checked in late October; confirm with organizers before heading out.
Monday: festival week continues
CINEMANIA is in its second week, with screenings across the Odéon Quartier Latin, Cinéma du Parc, the Monument-National and the Cinémathèque québécoise. A weeknight is a good time to catch a film you missed, since screenings can be calmer than on the weekend. The ELEKTRA Biennale at the Arsenal in Griffintown is also open all week, and your ticket lets you return as often as you like.
Tuesday: the Wild and a lesson in film history
The Canadiens host the Minnesota Wild at the Bell Centre at 7 p.m. (TSN2, RDS), per the Bell Centre calendar. Over at the Monument-National, CINEMANIA presents Lumière! at 7 p.m.: Cannes Film Festival chief Thierry Frémaux introduces and comments live on restored films by the Lumière brothers, the very first movies.
Wednesday: Remembrance Day
On Wednesday, Nov. 11, a free ceremony is planned at Place du Canada, at Peel Street and René-Lévesque Boulevard, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., according to the Vimy Foundation’s listing. Guests are asked to arrive by 10:30. Wherever you are, Canadians are invited to observe two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. It’s also the last day of the Legion’s poppy campaign and the end of Veterans’ Week. The Legion’s national ceremony in Ottawa is broadcast live on TV and streamed on its Facebook page if you can’t attend in person.
Thursday: outlaw country
Wheeler Walker Jr. brings his very uncensored country act to MTELUS at 8 p.m. The Habs, meanwhile, are in Boston for a 7 p.m. game against the Bruins (TSN2, RDS).
Friday: the Christmas market opens
The Grand Marché de Noël de Montréal opens at the Place des Festivals on Friday, Nov. 13, and runs until Jan. 3. Expect 40 chalets with more than 50 Quebec artisans, over 150 free activities and plenty of vin chaud. Until Dec. 20, it’s open Wednesday to Friday from 3 to 10 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (closed Monday and Tuesday). Access is free, and the signature show “Noël à Montréal” is part of the program. Take the metro to Place-des-Arts or Saint-Laurent.
Saturday: Gipsy Kings, the Avalanche and more markets
- Gipsy Kings at MTELUS, 8 p.m. (see evenko’s listings).
- Canadiens vs. Colorado Avalanche at the Bell Centre, 7 p.m. (Sportsnet East, TVA Sports).
- Marché des Fêtes Locoshop Angus in Rosemont, with more than 100 makers, on Saturday and Sunday. Different artisans take part each weekend, and the market returns Nov. 21 and 22.
- Micro ouvert autochtone at Place des Arts on Saturday and Sunday, a gathering celebrating Indigenous cultures, from traditions to contemporary expression.
- Bach for families: “Bach Incognito,” a concert for ages 8 to 88, and the 12th Nuit des Choeurs, both at the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul, according to the Bach festival program.
Sunday: last calls and the Grey Cup
- The 113th Grey Cup kicks off at 6 p.m. Montreal time at McMahon Stadium in Calgary. It’s the CFL’s championship, capping a week-long Grey Cup Festival in Calgary. Find a bar with a big screen.
- Bach organ recital with Vincent Boucher at Saint Joseph’s Oratory.
- Slaughter To Prevail plays MTELUS.
- The Montreal Israeli Film Festival begins its 21st edition, running to Nov. 29.
Last chances this week in Montreal
Several big fall events wrap up on Sunday, Nov. 15: CINEMANIA’s 32nd edition, the ELEKTRA Biennale at the Arsenal and MTLàTABLE, the city’s restaurant week. If you’ve been meaning to go, this is your last chance until next year. Our MTLàTABLE guide can help you book a last-minute table.
For the rest of November, see Tourisme Montréal’s monthly guide, our November festivals calendar and our list of free things to do in November. More ideas in our Things to Do section. Bonne semaine!
More on MTL365
- Montreal Sports Week Ahead (Nov. 9–15): Wild and Avalanche at the Bell Centre, Then the Grey Cup
- The Best Chinese Restaurants in Montreal: 10 Spots From Dim Sum Carts to Sichuan Heat
- Olympic Stadium Roof: Emergency Repairs, a Roof Assembled and a 2028 Finish Line
- More things to do in Montreal on MTL365
Photo: Guilhem Vellut from Paris, France / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Sources: evenko (Bell Centre), evenko (MTELUS), CINEMANIA, Vimy Foundation, Le Grand Marché de Noël, Festival International Bach Montréal, Tourisme Montréal
