Things to do this Thanksgiving weekend in Montréal

Montréal satisfies the seasonal palate with classic and non-traditional dinners alike, including fine-dining luxuries and local delicacies at Montréal’s award-winning restaurants. For excellent Thanksgiving and seasonal means, dine in these establishments, which excel in market cuisine with a focus on local produce. 

For twists on tradition, try classics at Europea and Leméac, Impasto for Italian comforts, or incredible creative meals at Jatoba, Marcus and Vin Papillon, as well as Liverpool House, Nora Gray, Candide or Perles et Paddock in the city’s south-west. Find Parisian flair at these authentic French restaurants or tap into Montréal's DIY spirit at these cheerful bring-your-own-wine eateries.

Whether you’re in Montréal this fall for a weekend with your sweetheart or a solo excursion, you’re sure to find food you’ll love – and for families exploring the city, Montréal has plenty of great places to eat with kids. By day, go for an excellent brunch, pick up something sweet or savory at Montréal's best bakeries and pastry shops, and sip the perfect latté at the city’s indie cafés. For something light, check out these health-conscious restaurants, great sushi restaurants and our ultimate guide to vegan eating in Montréal.

Discover more Montréal neighbourhoods on a local food tour. Visit Montréal’s public markets, including Jean-Talon Market and Atwater Market for in-season fruit and vegetables, meats and cheese and all manner of Thanksgiving-worthy pies. 

An enchanting autumn must-do, visit the Botanical Gardens to walk along the illuminated paths of exhibition Gardens of Light, featuring hundreds of colourful lanterns inspired by Chinese, Indigenous and Japanese cultures. By day at the Botanical Gardens, join harvest and Halloween activities. Roam through nature in the city at Mount Royal Park and see all of downtown and the St. Lawrence River from the lookout and chalet. Watch the leaves fall in beautiful Parc La Fontaine in the Plateau and cross the St. Lawrence River to visit Parc Jean-Drapeau and the famed geodesic Biosphère, Environment Museum.

See the city from great heights on La Grande Roue de Montréal in the Old Port. Even take a boat tour on the St. Lawrence River with Croisières AML and Navark. Or take a day trip dedicated to fall harvest activities, like apple picking, pumpkin picking and finding your way through corn mazes.

Also in the Old Port of Montréal, climb high at the Voiles en Voiles adventure park every weekend in October, wander through the SOS Labyrinthe (dressed up for Halloween all month) or visit the Montréal Science Centre for science activities, interactive experiments and 3D IMAX films. And add chills and thrills to weekends in October  at La Ronde amusement park, featuring a Kids Pumpkin Festival, Fright Fest and Adrenaline Nights all month long.   

In the heart of downtown Montréal, explore the Quartier des spectacles. 

For film fans, watch new films from around the world at Festival du nouveau cinéma, from October 9 to 20. The Montréal OFF Jazz Festival returns with live jazz at Place des Arts and several other venues from October 3 to 12.Go for dinner and live soul and jazz music at Le Balcon. Or simply relax for an extended moment at Bota Bota, spa sur l’eau and other world-class spas. 

While the trees provide their own colourful display, Montréal’s galleries and museums pop with bright offerings as well. Among this year’s fall exhibitions, see  the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts' exhibition, Saints, Sinners, Lovers and Fools: Three Hundred Years of Flemish Masterworks featuring nearly 150 works and art objects, most of them from the Phoebus Foundation's remarkable collection of Flemish art. The Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal presents Alanis Obomsawin: The Children Have to Hear Another Story, a groundbreaking exhibition devoted to the work of Alanis Obomsawin, one of the world's most acclaimed Aboriginal filmmakers.

Experience virtual reality at the Phi Centre and explore Ancient Egypt with The Horizon of Khufu immersive experience, where you'll be transported in an out-of-this-world experience on the King Edward Pier. Step into another immersive exhibition Root for Nature and Van Gogh-Distortion  at OASIS immersion at the Palais des congrès de Montréal. Search out public art everywhere in the city, including murals and more. Bring a work of art home with you while gallery hopping and antiquing, and even pick up arts and crafts at these genuinely cool souvenir shops.

Downtown, check out the McCord Stewart Museum’s exhibition, Manasie Akpaliapik. Inuit Universe, which highlights the work of contemporary artist Manasie Akpaliapik, originally from Ikpiarjuk (Arctic Bay) on Baffin Island (Nunavut). While you are there, be sure to go to the permanent exhibition Indigenous Voices of Today: Knowledge, Trauma, Resilience. History buffs will also love Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal Archaeology and History Complex’s exceptional exhibition layouts that take you on a journey through history. Another place you absolutely must visit is the Château Ramezay Québec history museum. And in Old Montréal on weekend nights, look for the historic projections of smart-phone enhanced tour Cité Mémoire.

With so many things to do, sights to see and amazing food to eat, a Thanksgiving long weekend in Montréal is truly something to be thankful for.