10 Things to Do in Montreal in September

September is the start of autumn in Montreal, so the streets are bathed in earthy colours, you can enjoy pleasant temperatures ranging from 13° to 21° and take advantage of the nighttime sightseeing and things to do. During this month I suggest you check out Burger Week, explore the light show at the Botanical Gardens and join the Beneva Marathon.

To groove to the beat of the music, I suggest you sign up for the International Pop Music Festival or the Nuits Blues Laurentides Festival, both of which offer a full repertoire of music. Audiovisual lovers have the opportunity to visit the International Film Noir Festival. For an interactive experience, take advantage of the Water Lantern Festival.

If you're into adrenaline-pumping events, you'll want to check out 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 it 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 of charge.

Food, culture, music and rituals are all part of the September festivals. If you want to live a unique 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 in September comes to life at the International Pop Music Festival, which features more than 400 punk, pop, hip hop, rock, indie, rock, folk and electro, R&B and other bands. The shows are spread across 50 venues in the city including speakeasies, terraces, rooftops, squares and parks.

It lasts an estimated five days, with workshops, talks, film screenings and documentaries. Other entertainment options include barbecues, visual arts exhibitions and children's activities.

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

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

Omnivore Food Festival

French culture is very important in Canada, so you'll 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 an unbeatable menu.

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

Nuits Blues Laurentides Festival

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

In addition to dancing and jumping to the music, you can meet the local mascot, take a horse-drawn carriage ride, participate in word games, watch puppet shows and, if you're with kids, take advantage of the train tours.

It's definitely a great family festival to spend the afternoon. If you're hungry, there are food stalls and picnic areas. There are even activities on farms around the city - not to be missed!

Details of interest: it's estimated to last ten days, admission per person is around €20, but you can buy a family passport for two adults and two children at a special discount of €30.

Water Lantern Festival

The Water Lantern Festival is a different kind of festival that takes place in Montreal during September.

It is a celebratory ritual that everyone can interpret as they wish, whether you want to give thanks, make a wish, commemorate loved ones who have passed away or experience an atmosphere of reconciliation, peace, love and forgiveness. The lantern event is estimated to last two hours and for ecological and safety reasons no external lamps are allowed.

Tickets range from €23 to €27 and include an access bracelet, a water lantern to throw, which is completely ecological as it is made from rice paper. Your kit also contains a festival souvenir bag, marker pen to decorate the lantern, an LED lantern key ring and the clean-up tax to collect post-festival waste.

Details of interest: it is advisable to arrive around 4:00 p.m., if you approach the festival after 6:00 p.m. you run the risk of missing the lantern raising, which is the main attraction. I recommend buying your tickets online, they go up on the day of the event and cost around €34.

If you want to visit the Montreal Botanical Garden**, September is the perfect month** to take this tour. During the autumn, the Gardens of Light, an annual event where you can marvel at a colourful evening bathed in silk lanterns, takes place.

The lights are spread over three areas, specifically the Chinese Garden, the Japanese Garden and the First Nations Garden. You can get there by car, metro or bus by approaching the Olympic District on Sherbrooke Street, which is a twenty-five minute walk from the centre.

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

Tickets for the light show in the Chinese Garden, Japanese Garden, First Nations Garden and Ode to the Moon cost approximately €8 to €15, with this pass you can enjoy all areas of the Botanic Garden, but you must be there at the time stated 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 corner, including the water paths. You can also enjoy the traditional fishing history with annual performances. If you want to keep the fun going, in the Terre Chine area you can also visit 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 colours of autumn are the protagonists of all the spaces. The best time to visit is on weekends when there is live music, Japanese exhibitions and kotatsu hot tables offering tastings to warm you up on cooler evenings.

First Nations Garden

Finally, stop at the First Nations Garden and admire the lighting of the sacred aspen tree along with the drumming show in honour of Mother Earth's heartbeat. 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.

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

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

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

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

Interesting details: you can enjoy the mascot shows called Youppi. Try to wear something blue, red or white to match the team colours.

Montreal offers unrepeatable gastronomic experiences. For years now, Le Burger Week or Burger Week has been celebrated in September. You can try a variety 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 and has been held annually in September since 1979. I suggest you wear your most comfortable sneakers to make the most of the course, as it has several routes that are spread over two days.

There are races for professional athletes, families and kids, with courses ranging from 1 km to 42 km, so you can adjust it to your fitness level. You can enjoy many free activities, such as healthy markets, live music stages, art shows and the Marathon Expo featuring stalls 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 number of kilometres you want to run, but keep in mind that the shorter races are more affordable. Here are the estimated costs:

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

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

During September the leaves in the city begin to change colour 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 for viewing migrating birds, as well as Japanese trees and Kentucky coffee trees.

Details of interest: this is a free, open-air activity.

In September you will find a variety of parks that offer an ideal space for the whole family to enjoy. Angrignon Park is one of the most visited during this time of the year, where you can have a picnic, have a barbecue, go cycling or enjoy the lagoon.

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

Interesting details: free admission and free use of the car park.

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

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