Things to do in Montreal during November

The best things to do in Montreal during make the city feel taking a deep, relaxing breath before the full plunge into winter. Take from us after we took stock of it all: The leaves are mostly gone, the first snow flurries show up uninvited, and suddenly everyone's talking about Christmas markets even though it's barely mid-month. But between the jazz clubs staying warm and the festival circuit refusing to slow down, there's a rhythm to it.

Film festivals dominate the calendar, from francophone features to documentaries that tackle the world's biggest questions. Music venues fill with world beats and emerging indie acts looking to break through. Food festivals and wine tastings fuelled by the best restaurants and best wine bars in Montreal are a-plenty. And yes, the holiday season creeps in early, with Santa making his entrance and artisan markets popping up across town.

If you're the type who'd rather be inside watching bold cinema or hunting for handmade gifts than braving the wind off the river? November's your month.

MTLàTABLE: Montreal's dining festival returns

MTLàTABLE returns with over 150 participating spots offering fixed-price menus at $35, $50, $65, and $80 from October 30 to November 16. From casual neighbourhood gems to fine dining destinations, it's a chance to eat widely without draining your wallet. Some restaurants even add brunch into the mix, making it easier than ever to sample the city's culinary diversity without the usual sticker shock. Whether you've been meaning to try that new spot in Rosemont or finally splurge on a place you've been eyeing downtown, this is the window.

Arab World Festival of Montreal: Cultures in conversation

The Arab World Festival wraps up its 26th edition through November 16, continuing its tradition of bringing Arabic and Western cultures into dialogue. Organized by Alchimies, Créations et Cultures, the festival spans performing arts, cinema, and cultural forums—dance, music, theatre, and debates that refuse easy categories. Each year's program is built around a theme that shapes both the performances and conversations, creating space for artists and audiences to explore identity, memory, and the tension between tradition and reinvention. It's a festival that treats cultural exchange as both art form and necessity, and Montreal—already a crossroads city—makes the perfect host.

Montreal Punk Rock Flea Market: DIY spirit meets thrift culture

Presented by Loser Jamboree, the Montreal Punk Rock Flea Market lands at Foufounes Électriques on November 2 for a day of vintage clothes, vinyl, pins, patches, posters, skateboards, and whatever else fits under the banner of "weird and fun stuff." It's the city's answer to the punk rock flea markets that have been thriving across North America for nearly two decades—a community event built for people who appreciate old things, handmade things, and anything that exists outside the usual retail loop.

Free entry, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the kind of crowd that shows up ready to dig through crates and maybe run into old friends.

CINEMANIA: Francophone film at its finest

For 30 years, CINEMANIA has been North America's leading showcase for French-language cinema, and the 2025 edition from November 4 to 16 continues that legacy. The festival curates features, documentaries, and shorts from across the francophone world—France, Quebec, Belgium, North Africa, and beyond—bringing them to Montreal screens with masterclasses, talks, and red-carpet events that turn a film festival into a cultural experience. It's not just about watching movies; it's about celebrating the diversity of voices shaping contemporary francophone cinema, the kind of programming that reminds you why Montreal is one of the best cities in the world to be a film lover.

La Grande Dégustation: Wine, spirits, and early holiday shopping

The Grand Quay of the Old Port transforms into a wine lover's paradise from November 6 to 8 as La Grande Dégustation celebrates its 15th edition. Over 1,700 products from around the globe—wines, spirits, exclusive private imports—are available to taste and purchase, with producers and agencies on hand to talk terroir and technique. It's part tasting event, part holiday shopping spree, drawing crowds who know this is the moment to stock up before December dinner parties hit.

Ludicon: Three days of board games and strategy

The Palais des Congrès becomes a haven for board game enthusiasts from November 7 to 9 as Ludicon takes over with three days of gaming, tournaments, and community. Since its launch, the convention has carved out a space for players of all levels—whether you're deep into strategy games, love tabletop RPGs, or just want to try something new. Hundreds of participants fill the halls, playing everything from modern classics like Wingspan to epic campaigns of Battlestar Galactica. There are demo tables, prototype testing, play-to-win sessions, and tournaments for those looking to prove their skills.

The Debaters: Comedy's sharpest tongues

Canada's hit comedy show brings its 20th anniversary holiday special to L'Olympia on November 11, with host Steve Patterson presiding over a night of competitive wit. The Debaters has spent two decades proving that the funniest arguments are the ones that don't matter—expect sharp comedians taking ridiculous stances on absurd topics, all while trying to make the audience laugh hard enough to declare a winner. After 20 years, the format still works, and the energy in the room when two pros go head-to-head is exactly why live comedy beats a Netflix special every time.

Montreal Bachata Festival: Three days of rhythm and connection

The seventh edition of the Montreal Bachata Festival returns from November 14 to 16 at the Montreal Marriott Château Champlain, bigger and bolder than ever. Dancers from around the world gather for a weekend celebrating bachata in all its forms—traditional, sensual, fusion, and modern. Whether you're just starting out or you've been dancing for years, the festival offers workshops, social dancing, and performances that showcase why bachata has become one of the most passionate and expressive partner dances in the world.

RAW WINE Montreal: Natural wine comes to the Grand Quay

The Grand Quay of the Old Port hosts RAW WINE Montreal on November 15 and 16, bringing together some of the world's best natural, organic, and biodynamic winemakers for a weekend of tasting and discovery. Over 60 producers from Canada, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Germany, Japan, and beyond pour wines made with minimal intervention and maximum respect for the land. The philosophy is simple: transparency matters. Every wine's processing and additives are clearly listed, so you know exactly what's in your glass. It's open to trade, press, and the public—Saturday and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.

Expozine: Canada's self-publishing showcase

For over two decades, Expozine has been North America's largest bilingual festival dedicated to zines, self-publishing, and independent print media. The weekend fair on November 15 and 16 brings together over 300 authors, artists, and small presses, drawing around 15,000 visitors who come to browse, buy, and connect. In the lead-up, a week of events—artist talks, workshops, discussions—highlights the people making work outside traditional publishing channels. Handmade zines sit next to polished art books, risograph prints next to poetry chapbooks, and the whole thing feels like a reminder that print culture is alive, wonderfully weird, and thriving.

Festival végane de Montréal: Plant-based and curious

Windsor Station hosts Quebec's largest vegan event on November 15 and 16, with the Festival végane de Montréal offering a deep dive into plant-based living. Conferences, culinary demos, tastings, and vendors fill the space, covering everything from restaurants and local food initiatives to vegan clothing and cosmetics. Whether you're fully committed or just curious about cutting back on animal products, the festival makes it easy to explore.

Festival International Bach Montréal: Baroque brilliance across the city

From November 15 to December 7, the Festival International Bach Montréal fills prestigious venues across the city with music dedicated to—and inspired by—the work of Johann Sebastian Bach. Musicians, singers, and conductors from Quebec and abroad perform everything from well-known cantatas to rare chamber works, with the Festival Off-Bach adding public rehearsals, discussions, and performances in a Boulevard Saint-Laurent space near Place des Arts.

It's a chance to hear baroque music performed with precision and passion, whether you're a longtime classical fan or just discovering why Bach's work has endured for centuries.

Mundial Montréal: World music takes the stage

Known as North America's World Music Summit, Mundial Montréal runs from November 18 to 21 with over 100 musicians from every corner of the globe. The annual event blends afternoon showcases and late-night concerts—all open to the public—with industry panels and networking that draw 300 professional delegates from more than 20 countries. The programming honours cultural heritage worldwide, weaving together traditional and contemporary sounds, with a strong focus on Indigenous music.

M for Montréal: Launching the next wave

M for Montréal returns from November 19 to 22 with its mission to showcase emerging artists and launch them onto the international stage. For over a decade, the festival has been a springboard for Quebec and Canadian artists looking to break beyond provincial borders, with showcases, industry panels, and plenty of late-night energy. It's part music festival, part industry summit, and entirely focused on discovery. If you want to catch the bands that'll be headlining next year's festivals, this is where you start.

Salon du livre de Montréal: Books, authors, and literary life

The largest collection of French-language books in North America takes over Place Bonaventure from November 19 to 23 as the Salon du livre de Montréal draws book lovers, avid readers, and casual browsers alike. Authors from Quebec and around the world appear for readings, signings, round-table discussions, and debates, making it as much about conversation as commerce.

It's one of the most popular events of the year of its kind, and for good reason—where else can you discover your next favourite author, grab a signed copy, and spend an afternoon surrounded by people who still believe in the power of a good book?

Le Salon du Chocolat de Montréal: Decadence by the spoonful

Windsor Station transforms into a chocolate lover's paradise from November 20 to 23 as Le Salon du Chocolat de Montréal offers tastings, workshops, and plenty of opportunities to indulge. It's aimed at a gourmet audience of all ages, with artisans, chocolatiers, and pastry chefs showcasing their craft. Whether you're hunting for holiday gifts or just want to spend an afternoon sampling truffles and pralines, the festival delivers exactly what it promises: pure, unapologetic decadence.

Montreal International Documentary Festival (RIDM): Real stories, boldly told

One of North America's leading documentary festivals, RIDM runs from November 20 to 30 with around 100 Canadian and international films that tackle the most pressing issues of our time. Held in iconic cultural venues across Montreal, the festival also features the RIDM Forum, Quebec's only professional documentary market, bringing together the public and industry professionals for screenings, masterclasses, and discussions. The programming celebrates diverse voices and refuses to look away from difficult subjects, offering an immersive experience that sparks reflection and dialogue.

image+nation: Queer storytelling at its finest

Canada's first and oldest LGBTQ+ film festival, image+nation, runs from November 20 to 30 with a program that celebrates queer culture and storytelling from around the world. Founded in 1988, the festival has been championing LGBTQ+ cinema for nearly four decades, creating a space where audiences can see their lives reflected onscreen and engage with stories that humanize and create empathy. Representations matter, and image+nation has always understood that sharing one's story—and connecting with the stories of others—is a profound and impactful act.

Santa Claus Parade: The holiday season officially begins

On November 22, René-Lévesque Boulevard between Bishop and Saint-Urbain becomes the centre of Montreal's holiday spirit as the Santa Claus Parade makes its way through downtown. It's the most popular Christmas event in Quebec, a long-standing tradition that draws families, kids, and anyone who wants to mark the official start of the season with music, floats, and the big man himself. The energy is joyful, the crowds are huge, and for one afternoon, the city collectively agrees that yes, it's time to start thinking about the holidays.

Souk MTL: Two decades of bold design

Souk celebrates its 20th edition from November 25 to 30, marking two decades of showcasing Montreal's most creative designers and makers. This landmark anniversary is a tribute to everything the event has built as a community—exceptional designers, unforgettable encounters, and a platform that continues to energize the city's design scene.

Over time, Souk has become an essential part of Montreal's creative landscape, a place where bold vision meets local craftsmanship and where the next generation of designers gets to shine. It's a milestone worth celebrating, and the lineup this year reflects just how far the event has come.

Montreal's Christmas Village: Holiday magic at Atwater Market

Located near Atwater Market, Montreal's Christmas Village unfolds over four festive weekends starting November 27, offering a magical atmosphere perfect for seasonal discoveries. Santa himself waits in his charming office for free photo shoots, creating souvenirs for visitors of all ages in a setting straight out of a classic Christmas tale. The market brims with talented local artisans and unique products, making it an ideal destination for finding one-of-a-kind gifts for friends, family, and colleagues.