As Canada’s second biggest city and the capital of Quebec, Montreal has lots going on all year round but if you are planning a trip to the city this September be sure to check out these events.
Gardens of Light
The world-famous Montreal Botanical Garden is being magically transformed at night for the month of September into a vibrant, glowing canvas of light. The Japanese Garden will present a subtle, delicate facade, while the Chinese Garden glories in a parade of traditional colored lanterns. This beautiful setting will become an enchanting, otherworldly place that will have you ‘oohing’ and ‘aahing’ every step of the way. Unsurprisingly, the Gardens will be best seen at night but it gets very popular so try to go there as soon as the sun begins to go down. From dusk onwards special pathways will emerge to illuminate the way for guests and animals, flowers and trees will be beautifully (and sometimes eerily) transformed. The event is hugely popular so purchasing tickets online is recommended (especially for weekends).
Water Wonders!
The biosphere is a spectacular site located in the center of Montreal and offers a truly unique water based experience to visitors, both adults and children alike. Immersing guests in everything water related, the exhibition refreshes the individual’s creativity with eight interactive models. Visitors can play games, build and sink ships, try to harness water by developing an environmental waterway and design a landscape using the power of water. The exhibit even allows children and adults to walk on water using the same techniques of water-based insects that walk and run across the surface. One of the exhibits that is not to be missed is The Brain Shaker – a virtual machine that will upend you as it virtually propels you through a water cycle.
Montreal Festival of Poker
Quebec’s capital city also hosts an international poker event with a guaranteed C$1 million prize fund (details here). Suitable for adults, the tournament carries on for three days in September with player entry allowed on each of the three days. The festival attracts in the region of 1,600 players and is considered one of the big events on an international circuit that includes tournaments in the UK, Ireland, Brazil, Australia and New Zealand. Finalists on the last day will receive a commemorative poker jacket and the eventual winner gets a customised avatar on the Full Tilt Poker’s online game. One certain way to keep the holiday alive!
