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Montreal in September: the Big List of Things to Do

Things to Do · Montreal

Montreal in September: the Big List of Things to Do

September is the most rewarding month of the year in Montreal: the summer crowds are gone, the terraces stay open, and half of the month's big events are free. Here is the list, in date order.

1

UCI Road World Championships

★★★★★
sports fansfamiliesfree
Date

September 20 to 27, 2026.

Address

Courses on the streets of Montreal and the region.

Cost

Free.

September 20 to 27, free. Eight days of racing on the city's streets, a first in North America since 1974, per Tourisme Montréal. The courses use the streets: watch from the roadside, no ticket needed. It is the biggest sporting event in Montreal since the 1976 Olympic Games.

A once-in-a-generation chance to see the world's cycling elite pass metres from you, on your own streets.

The biggest sporting event in Montreal since the 1976 Olympic Games, a first in North America since 1974.

Thirteen races on the city's streets, from time trials to elite road races — watch from the roadside, no ticket.

Montrealers come out with their families along the courses in a free, festive, open-air atmosphere.

Tickets
  • No ticket needed — free access along the courses.
Recommended nearby sights
Paid

Notre-Dame Basilica

5 minutes from the course, one of the most spectacular interiors in North America, per its official site.

Free

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

Permanent collections, per its official site.

2

Grand Prix cycliste de Montréal

★★★★☆
sports fansfamiliesfriends
Date

September 13, 2026.

Address

Circuit around Mount Royal.

Cost

Free.

September 13, free. The UCI World Tour race climbs Mount Royal's slopes, per the Grands Prix' official site. Settle into a climb on the circuit: the peloton passes right in front of you several times.

The riders pass several times — pick a climb, bring a chair, and enjoy.

One of only two UCI World Tour races in the Americas.

The demanding circuit around Mount Royal, including the famous Camilien-Houde climb.

A free celebration day where Mount Royal turns into a natural grandstand.

Tickets
  • No ticket needed — free access along the course.
Recommended nearby sights
Free

Saint Joseph's Oratory

Gratuit · Canada's largest sanctuary on the flank of Mount Royal, per its official site.

Free

Jeanne-Mance Park

The tam-tams starting point at the foot of the mountain, per the City's page.

3

Burger Week

★★★★☆
foodiesfriendsbudget
Date

September 1 to 7, 2026.

Address

At participating restaurants across Montreal.

Cost

Promotional prices, varies by restaurant.

September 1 to 7. Dozens of restaurants offer their signature burgers at promotional prices, per the official Burger Week website. A budget-friendly way to discover the food scene, from famous spots to corner joints.

Discover Montreal's food scene on a budget, from well-known spots to corner joints.

An annual food celebration that turns the city into one giant burger menu.

Each restaurant offers its signature burger at a reduced price — poutine burgers, bagel burgers, local creations.

Montrealers use it to try places they would never have tried, often in groups.

Tickets
  • No ticket needed — order directly at the restaurant.
Recommended nearby sights
Free

Jean-Talon Market

Montreal's largest public market, ideal to extend the food experience, per its official page.

4

Taco Fest MTL

★★★★☆
familiesfriendsfoodies
Date

September 5 to 7, 2026.

Address

Old Port of Montreal, public square.

Cost

Free entry; dishes at varying prices.

September 5 to 7 at the Old Port. The Old Port of Montreal hosts a Mexican taco and street-food festival, with live music and terraces.

For the September sun, the music, and the best excuse for dinner outdoors.

The Old Port's Mexican gathering, outdoors on the public square.

Tacos, Mexican street food, a music stage and terraces facing the river.

A colourful, family-friendly end-of-summer party by the water.

Tickets
  • No ticket needed — free entry.
Recommended nearby sights
Paid

Montreal Science Centre

Interactive museum for the whole family at the Old Port, per the Old Port site.

Bateau-Mouche

St. Lawrence cruises departing from the Old Port.

5

Piknic Électronik

★★★★☆
friendscouplessolo
Date

Sundays, until October 18, 2026.

Address

Parc Jean-Drapeau.

Cost

Paid tickets — rates on the official site.

Sundays through the month, at Parc Jean-Drapeau. The 2026 season runs from May 17 to October 18, per the official site. Outdoor DJ sets facing the river; hours and prices (any free or discounted entry) are listed on the official site.

For a relaxed afternoon by the river, even if you don't know the artists.

The Sunday meeting point for electronic music, a ritual of the Montreal summer.

Open-air DJ sets facing the river at Parc Jean-Drapeau, with stages for every taste.

You come with a blanket, friends and a picnic — electronic music is enjoyed in the sun.

Tickets
Recommended nearby sights
Paid

Jean-Doré Beach

The park's supervised beach, perfect before or after the DJ sets, per the official site.

Free

Gilles-Villeneuve Circuit

The F1 track, per the official site.

6

POP Montreal

★★★★★
friendsculturediscovery
Date

September 23 to 27, 2026.

Address

Venues in Mile End and the Plateau.

Cost

Tickets and passes — rates on the official site.

September 23 to 27. The Mile End independent music festival turns 25: more than 400 artists, per the official 2026 lineup announcement. Talks, an artisans' market and family activities round out the concerts; part of the program is free.

To leave with dozens of new musical discoveries, in the heart of Montreal's creative district.

Montreal's great independent music festival, celebrating its 25th edition.

400-plus artists across dozens of small Mile End venues, plus an artisans' market and talks.

The festival where you discover the local emerging scene — small rooms, intimate vibe.

Recommended nearby sights
Free

Baldwin Park

Splash pad and greenery in the heart of Mile End, per the City's page.

Free

Bernard Avenue

Outremont's shopping street and cafés, per the City's page.

7

Culture Days

★★★★★
familiessolobudget
Date

September 25 to 27, 2026.

Address

Across Quebec, in neighbourhoods.

Cost

Free.

September 25 to 27, free. Hundreds of free workshops, guided tours and shows across Quebec, per the official website. Look up activities near you: it is the ideal gateway to local culture.

The ideal gateway to understanding local culture — and everything is free.

A national weekend when Quebec's culture opens its doors for free.

Workshops, guided tours, shows and circuits in neighbourhoods, museums and artists' studios.

The moment when artists and institutions open their doors to the curious, often for the first time.

Tickets
  • No ticket needed — free activities.
Recommended nearby sights
Free

Maison de la culture Maisonneuve

Gratuit · the perfect example of venues opening their doors during Culture Days, per the City's page.

8

Marché Créole

★★★★☆
familiesfoodiesfriends
Date

September 12 and 13, 2026.

Address

Old Port of Montreal, piers.

Cost

Free entry; shopping at your own pace.

September 12 and 13 at the Old Port. Caribbean music, crafts and food on the Old Port piers, outdoors and family-friendly.

A culinary and musical trip without leaving Montreal, with the whole family.

The Old Port's Caribbean gathering, outdoors on the piers.

Caribbean music, crafts and food, from rum cocktails to Creole dishes.

Montreal's Caribbean communities come together and share their culture with the whole city.

Tickets
  • No ticket needed — free entry.
Recommended nearby sights
Paid

The Great Wheel

Panoramic view over the city from the pier, per the Old Port site.

Paid

Montreal Science Centre

Interactive museum for the whole family, per the Old Port site.

Good to know for newcomers

Good to know for newcomers. Most events on this list need no ticket: the cycling races are watched from the roadside, Culture Days happens in your neighbourhood, For the others, book early — September weekends are the most in demand of the fall.

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