Top Things to Do This Week in Montreal (September 21–27, 2026)

Updated for Monday, September 21 to Sunday, September 27, 2026. Montreal’s vibrant autumn brings world-class cycling, a major indie music festival, free museum days, historic rituals, concerts, and family activities.

Forecast note: Mixed sun and clouds, mild to cool temperatures, and periodic rain showers forecast Wednesday and Saturday. Outdoor events (cycling championships, POP Montréal outdoor shows, Mount Royal Tam-Tams, Jean-Talon Market) may be affected—verify organiser updates before you head out, especially with children. For indoor alternatives, see rainy-day things to do in Montreal.

Top picks this week

UCI Road World Championships (Cycling)

Friday, September 19 – Monday, September 22 · Citywide & Old Port · Free for spectators
The world’s best cyclists race through central Montreal, including the scenic Old Port and downtown, for the UCI Road World Championships. Expect major roads closed for races (including Saturday/Sunday)—busiest finish areas near Place Jacques-Cartier and the Old Port piers. Race details, start times, and best spectating info on the official Old Port site and UCI hub.

POP Montréal International Music Festival (25th Anniversary)

Wednesday, September 23 – Sunday, September 27 · Plateau/Uptown/Multiple Venues · Ticketed/free
Montreal’s homegrown indie music and arts fest marks 25 years with hundreds of acts: local stars, global guests, art shows, kids’ events, and film. Find nightly headliners, block parties, free daytime programming, and all-ages events. Many venues are accessible, with some outdoor and rain-resilient. See the full lineup, tickets, and schedules at popmontreal.com.

Journées de la culture (Culture Days)

Friday, September 25 – Sunday, September 27 · Citywide arts venues · Mostly free
Montreal’s big annual open-doors weekend: free concerts, participatory workshops, guided tours, family art sessions, and museum specials. Highlights include music with Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (Place des Arts events), demo classes, and youth workshops. For a full map and reservation links, see Journees de la culture (search by arrondissement or interest).

Mount Royal Tam-Tams (Drum Circle)

Sunday, September 27 · George-Étienne Cartier Monument · Free
Bongo drums, picnics, dancing, frisbee, and open-air Montreal. The weekly Tam-Tams run from noon to sundown every fair-weather Sunday. All ages welcome, and easy for families with kids. See lemontroyal.qc.ca for possible weather cancellations.

Pointe-à-Callière: Journées de la culture – Special Family Activities

Saturday, September 26 & Sunday, September 27 · Pointe-à-Callière, Old Montreal · Some free activities, general admission applies to exhibitions
Family-focused workshops join historic exhibitions at Montreal’s archaeology museum for Culture Days. Free participatory art on the outdoor square, kids’ storytelling and archaeology activities (French and English). Spots fill up; museum calendar has schedules and reservation options.

Free Admission at McCord Stewart Museum

Saturday, September 26 & Sunday, September 27 · McGill College Ave · Free
As part of Journées de la culture, the McCord Stewart Museum offers free entry all weekend. See the permanent Montreal Stories collection, rotating Indigenous culture exhibits, and family art activities (ages 4+). Details and access info online; accessible for strollers and mobility devices.

Orchestre symphonique de Montréal: Poulenc & Sibelius

Thursday, September 24 · Place des Arts, Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier · Ticketed
OSM welcomes fall with Payare conducting works by Poulenc and Sibelius, with soloist performances. Book tickets via Place des Arts – best for adults, teens, and keen listeners. Early booking recommended.

Art Pop Galleries & Workshops (POP Montréal)

Wednesday, September 23 – Sunday, September 27 · Various venues · Free/Pay What You Can
POP Montréal is more than music: galleries feature emerging artists, side events include DIY workshops and creative sessions for all ages (family-friendly hours, no ticket required). Details on Pop Montréal Art POP and the main festival page.

Dying Fetus & Sanguisugabogg (Concert)

Monday, September 21 · MTELUS · Ticketed
A heavy-hitting metal show in a major venue. For fans of extreme music, this is a signature Monday night event downtown. Purchase tickets via evenko

Community & Family Event Note

No separate city-run libraries, neighbourhood festivals, or new community workshops were source-verifiable for these dates. Family activities this week are mainly through museum open days, POP Montréal’s art and kid events, and Mount Royal’s Sunday rituals.

City usuals

Jean-Talon Market

Classic Montreal market for apples, cheese, flowers, and seasonal snacks. Open daily; easy Métro access. Market info

Time Out Market Montréal

Downtown food hall featuring local chefs, open daily for lunch, dinner, snacks, and group meetups. Venue details

Atwater Market

Riverside farmers’ hall with bakeries, butchers, specialty foods, and peak fall produce. Official site

Esplanade Tranquille (Quartier des Spectacles)

Central public square for street art, outdoor seating, water features, and casual play. Check what’s on via Quartier des spectacles.

Old Montreal riverfront walk

Cobblestone stroll from the Old Port to Place d’Armes: for skyline views, historic scenes, and local ice cream stops. Neighbourhood guide

Practical notes

• Transit and cycling access: Major downtown, Plateau, and riverfront closures for UCI Road Worlds Friday to Monday. Plan your trips, consult Old Port events, and use STM for uninterrupted travel.
• Outdoor events may be cancelled or moved inside due to rain; confirm day-of status on the organiser’s official sites.
• Bring layers: evenings cool off fast, especially at outdoor concerts and Mount Royal.
• For rainy-day plans and top indoor destinations—including options for kids—consult our rainy-day things to do in Montreal.