The Bulletin: Techno in a church, $1 saloon hotdogs, and the Lachine Canal's 200th birthday [Issue #131]

The recent weather-induced emotional rollercoaster aside, Montreal is turning up this weekend with a jam-packed agenda of pop-ups, live shows, and street fairs to round out the end of May. 

The numbers are wild: 110+ animated films, 350 merchants lining Mont-Royal, and at least 3 places handing out free snacks just for showing up. There’s a street dance battle at Jardins Gamelin, a poetry launch at Osmo x Marusan, and enough DJ sets to keep the city buzzing from noon until well past dark. Plus, a performing arts festival, the Lachine Canal’s 200th birthday party, and a sensory workshop inspired by the colour green.

Over in the hospitality section, there's countless terrasse openings, collab menus, and anniversary parties to keep you busy all weekend—ranging from high to low, polished to casual, and indoor to outdoor. Montreal’s culinary scene is in full swing.

This weekend is bursting at the seams. Let’s get into it.

Activities, parties, points of interest, art exhibitions, you name it: These are the weekend events you don't want to miss.

Thursday

📽️ The 23rd edition of Montreal’s annual animated film festival is on at Cinémathèque Québécoise, complete with 110+ films, nightly outdoor screenings, industry discussions, a chaotic karaoke night, and plenty of free programming.

💖 Poetry meets performance as the friend / shapes friend / scapes book launch takes over Osmo x Marusan for an evening of interpretive dance performances set to live readings, followed by a DJ dance party.

🎭 Don’t miss Festival TransAmériques, the annual performing arts festival bringing together bold contemporary dance and theatre from Quebec and beyond for two weeks of innovative programming.

🎤 Opening night of the 11th season of the Jardins Gamelin kicks off with a free musical performance by guest artists DJ Blackgold, Shah Frank, and Pierre Kwenders at Place Émilie-Gamelin.

🪅 Mont-Royal Avenue will be taken over by stalls for the annual street fair, marking the start of the area’s pedestrianized summer season with 350 merchants, live music, extended hours for shops and terraces, and face painting for the kids.

🤯 Afrobeats, hip-hop, and a high-energy DJ line-up await at Soirée Coco, presented by Aire Commune in collaboration with Bonne Famille.

Friday

🎧 La Toscadura debuts Jam Club, an evening of music presented by La Pingouinerie featuring a vinyl DJ set and live performances by electro-Caribbean jazz collective Abondance.

🔥 Aire Commune hosts its first concert of the season, featuring DJ duo Nina Sky and a line up of guest artists for a night of dancehall, reggaeton, and R&B.

Saturday

🏖️ A beach party at 2656 Saloon turns up the heat with $1 hotdogs, live music, summer cocktails, and a colourful dress code calling for swimwear and sunnies.

🕺 Festival Accès Asie closes out Asian Heritage Month with an electrifying night at Jardins Gamelin featuring a free wacking workshop, dance battles, and live disco.

🥳 ProjetMILL rings in its first anniversary with a full-day family-friendly celebration of music, workshops, and community-building, culminating in a high-energy techno party in a church basement.

🛍️ Spend the afternoon exploring the first ever Saturday Marché by Loose Ends, a studio pop-up featuring several sustainable brands selling vintage clothing, accessories, pottery, and more.

🪴 Drop by Café Zab for a cash-only ceramics and illustrations pop-up by Ana Roy and La Poterie.

📖 A crew of experimental writers takes over Star Bar for a night of readings, DJ beats, and illustrations at Excusez-Moi by Oral Method.

🌉 Commemorate the Lachine Canal’s bicentennial with “Held Together” by Tableau D’Hôte Theatre, a solo performance by Deena Aziz exploring its 200 year history from the perspective of the canal itself.

Sunday

🎨 Mai/son “paints the town” with a vibey 5 à 7 zine launch and contributor vernissage–expect art, drinks, and to walk away inspired. 

🎶 Sip a coffee and enjoy laid-back guitar tunes at a cozy (and free!) pre-summer gig at TT Cafe.

💚 Dive into green with a synesthesia-inspired multi-sensory workshop led by Chimie and perfumer Léa Hiram, inviting participants to investigate all facets of green through scent, vision, and sensory mapping.

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WHAT TO EAT & DRINK IN AND AROUND MONTREAL

Scope the latest restaurant openings, recommendations on where to eat, plus new menus, old classics, and everything in between.

Super Condiments launches La Super Buvette on May 29, a new aperitivo-style menu offering wine and cocktails alongside small sharing plates.

A pizza party at Elena celebrates the launch of Cucina Fine Foods’ newest beverage line with a free menu of artisanal pizza and custom Zagara-based cocktails on May 29.

Cariño’s pop-up tapas will be available on May 29 and 30 at Dépanneur le Pick Up.

Beigne Habitude celebrates its first birthday in style, offering free cookies and coffee–plus donuts galore–in store on May 30.

Entre-Deux hosts Ottawa’s Le Poisson Bleu for a 4th anniversary dinner to remember on May 31, featuring an exclusive fixed menu collaboration and limited places.

New pop-up taco spot La Roma launches on May 31: pick up tacos, aguachiles, and aguas frescas from their bright blue shipping container, right along the canal.

Celebrate three years of Supernat on June 1 with a block party in Parc Morgan, complete with a menu of mushroom tacos and iced refreshments, plus free drag bingo!

Bar Vinvinvin hosts a “piquette and brochette” terrasse party–drop by on May 31 for grilled skewers, DJ sets, and a delicious lineup of wines.

For festive dishes and exclusive beer collaborations, drop by Reservoir's spring party on May 31–the brasserie will be bustling from noon to midnight.

Salle Climatisée hosts the creative duo behind NYC’s Mon Petit Canard for a two-night collaboration of playful plates, vibrant wines, and fun tunes, May 31 and June 1.

Nora Gray welcomes Irish chef Gareth Storey for his Canadian debut on June 1 with a Sunday lunch à la Européenne, featuring seasonal plates and signature classics alongside Dmetro Sinclair, plus curated wines.

Prezze Mollo opens with a bang in the Mile End, serving up pasta, crudo, wine, and more, plus a month of free lunches starting June 1 for one lucky giveaway winner.

La Finca Glacé returns with an ice-cream pop up kicking off May 29 and lasting through the summer.

Reservations for Chez Samedi’s pop up pizza event next weekend open on June 1–act fast to book a timeslot or risk missing out.

Menu Extra and Chef Danny Smiles join forces for a gourmet pop-up on June 1, featuring a lobster-focused menu, wine, and merch–come rain or shine.

Spend a sunny afternoon on Mui Mui’s terrasse for a pop-up collaboration with Primavin offering a special summer menu and plenty of wine.

Here, you'll find a weekly round-up of the latest local news, from entertainment to current affairs and more.

Skip the lines and take the scenic route: Our detour guide to Montreal uncovers low-key gems and off-route favourites that go beyond the usual tourist spots. Read more. 

Pedestrian streets are here to stay: Montreal makes its summer trial permanent thanks to overwhelming public support and the boost to local businesses. Read more.

What’s next for the Hudson’s Bay building? As retail trends shift, experts call for a bold reimagining of the iconic space with mixed-use potential. Read more.

Lyft rolls into Montreal to challenge Uber, offering more choices and competitive prices for riders and drivers alike. Read more.

Montreal’s east end is set for major transformation as the Langelier Project promises 7,000 new residential units, green spaces, and sustainable infrastructure by 2030. Read more.

Leave your wallet at home: ARTM launches a pilot program to test smartphone-based transit access, hoping to modernize fare payment and streamline the commuter experience. Read more.

These underrated neighbourhoods are off the beaten track, but offer history, heart, and charm that reveals the true character of the city. Read more.

Clear the roads! Montreal gears up for the Tour de l’Île this Sunday, when thousands of cyclists take over the streets for the city’s biggest bike fest. Read more.

Les Lauriers returns with renewed energy, celebrating Quebec’s culinary community and unveiling new gastronomy event Mange-Tout in partnership with the City of Montreal. Read more.

C2 Conference says Quebec is primed for entrepreneurs, thanks to its creative energy, public support, and global outlook. Read more.

Last but not least: Check out our collaboration with local publisher URBANIA for a custom Micromag that brings Anglo-Franco relations to another level.

The Main - An offbeat guide to Montreal | Micromag

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And that wraps yet another weekly bulletin. We’ll be back with more curiosities, local stories, and events to discover next week.

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👋 Masthead: Philip Tabah, Founder & Head of Creative / Daniel Bromberg, Co-Founder & Head of Operations / Jean-Philippe Lauzon, Co-Founder & Head of Tech / JP Karwacki, Managing Editor / Amber Spector, Social Media Manager / Anahi Pellathy, Editorial Intern