Fête des Neiges de Montréal: Jan. 23 – Feb. 7, 2010

Time to embrace winter and enjoy what it throws at us, after all, it’s not like we have much of a choice if we’re stuck here.

Join Montreal’s La fête des Neiges de Montréal and see what we can do with winter!

When: January 23 through to February 7, 2010 – weekeends only.  10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Parc Jean-Drapeau (Île-Sainte-Hélène et Notre-Dame, Station de métro Jean-Drapeau)

What: Tubing, skating, outdoor games, mini scientific camp, trampoline, and much more. This section (in French only) describes more about the activities, in detail.

Biosphere: Get in Green Gear! Until Sept. 30, 2009

Presented on the lookout, this large 3D game on green transport allows players to use their knowledge, imagination and skills. Totalling nearly 200 square metres, the itinerary includes some 50 stations where participants can have fun discovering the current status of personal transport, available alternatives and solutions to make their travel more environmentally friendly, thereby reducing their environmental footprint. Electric bicycles and a ZENN car are also on exhibit.

When: Every day until Sept. 30, 2009, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily

Cost:

Adults: $12
Students (18 and older) and seniors (60 and older) with ID: $8
Youth (17 and under): FREE*
*Does not apply to groups

25% off to green transportation users with proof (metro, walking, biking or hybrid car) Montréal Museums Pass and Accès Montréal cards are accepted

Where:

160 Chemin Tour-de-l’Isle
Sainte-Hélène Island,
Montréal, Quebec
H3C 4G8

• By métro
  • Jean-Drapeau station (yellow line) 2-minute walk
• By bike…
  • From the South Shore or downtown Montréal, take the bike path on Jacques-Cartier Bridge. From the Old Port of Montréal, take the Concorde Bridge
• On the Jacques-Cartier Bridge

  From Montréal :

  • Take the exit for La Ronde/Parc Jean-Drapeau
  • Follow the signs to the Biosphère

  From Longueuil :

  • Take the exit for La Ronde/Parc Jean-Drapeau
  • Follow the signs to the Biosphère
• On the Bonaventure expressway (from downtown, via University)
  • Take exit 2, Pierre-Dupuy Avenue/Port of Montréal
  • Follow the signs to the Parc Jean-Drapeau
  • On the Concorde Bridge, at the 1^st stop, turn right (Macdonald Road)
  • Keep straight on as far as the Biosphère sign, then turn left

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Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Free Discovery Day, Aug. 28, 2009

Have you ever wanted to behind the scenes of motor racing but couldn’t afford it or didn’t know where to go? August 28 is your day.

What: Discovery Day at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve

“This Discovery Day for the general public is a premiere,” said François Dumontier, promoter of the event. “As far as we know, race fans have rarely been invited, free of charge, to see professional racecar drivers in action during open practice and official qualifying sessions. Visitors will be able to access all sections of the site that are open to the public; sit on the grassy knolls surrounding the track, or in the grandstands and enjoy the on-track action.

The official schedule for August 28 begins at 9:00 a.m. with a practice session for the Formula 1600 Series, followed at 10:00 a.m., by the Rolex Series GT class sports cars.

The Rolex Series Daytona Prototypes will then take to the track at 11:30 a.m. for their practice session. The afternoon action will begin with qualifying for the 1600
Series. The GTs and prototypes will go for a second round of free practice sessions starting at 1:00 p.m. Official qualifying for the Rolex Daytona Prototypes will start at 5:00 p.m., followed by the GT class sports cars.

There will be a final Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series combined class open practice from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. The organizers also plan to stage an autograph session for which, driver?s names will be unveiled at a later date.

When: Friday, August 28, 2009 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Where: Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Parc Jean-Drapeau. Metro will be the only way to access the event, say organizers.

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Image: StockXchnge.com

Stewart Museum New-France Festival, July 26, 2009

Taken from Parc Jean-Drapeau website:

July 26^th, 2009 (12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.)

A family event where the visitor will get to experience18th century culture in Canada. Whether one is a native of the country or a new arrival in Canada, everyone will be able to taste, see, hear and play the way our ancestors did, and thereby be more familiar with the foundations of our country.

Cost: Free

Site : Carrefour du monde

Organization: David M. Stewart Museum

Website: www.stewart-museum.org

Where:

• Aire de pique-nique

Metro station

• Station de métro Jean-Drapeau

Montreal International Créoles Celebrations, July 26, 2009

Taken from Parc Jean-Drapeau website:

July 26^th, 2009 (12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.)

A family festival presenting artists and craftspeople from the Montreal Créole communities originally from the Caribbean: Haïti, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Dominique, Sainte-Lucie; from the Indian Ocean: Maurice, Seychelles, Madagascar, Cap-Vert; and Louisiana.

Rates Free

Site : Parterre

Organization: Le Comité participation Haïti-Québec-Canada Inc.

Website: www.fetescreole.com/

Where:

• Parterre de l’île Sainte-Hélène

Metro station

• Station de métro Jean-Drapeau

EUROFEST Romania & the European cultures in Montreal, July 25, 2009

From the Parc Jean-Drapeau website:

July 25^th, 2009 (11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.)

The most comprehensive artistic image of the European cultures will be conveyed through theatre, music, dance, multidisciplinary arts, visual arts and crafts art.

Rates Free

Organization: Association Rocade

Website: www.eurofest.ca

Where:

• Aire de pique-nique

Metro station

• Station de métro Jean-Drapeau

Lévis Tower Sundays, 2009

What: A guided tour that takes visitors back through the history of Île Sainte-Hélène. Starts at the Biosphere and brings you to the top of the Lévis Tower

When: Every Sunday during the 2009 summer season,

10:30 a.m.- Noon – 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Where: Biosphere Ticket Booth, Parc Jean-Drapea, Ile St. Helene

Cost: 2.00 per person

Week-ends du monde, July 17 to 26, 2009

Free events during Montreal’s Week-ends du monde.

According to their website:

Travel the world in two weekends… this summer at Parc Jean-Drapeau! A unique crossroads of cultural diversity, the Week-ends du monde offer an extraordinary window on Montreal life in the 21st century. This special event, held on the weekends of July 17th and 26th, encourages visitors to discover the richness of the different cultures that give Montreal its flavor, through a wide range of activities. The program includes music, dance, and culinary delights, not to mention the event launch on July 17th  with the Belle et Bum Tour that is guaranteed to thrill. By metro, it’s so easy!

Cost: Free

Where: Parc Jean-Drapeau, St. Helene’s Island

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Outdoor Ballroom Dancing, Summer Fun

Enjoy dancing? Enjoy being outdoors? Here’s an activity for you:

What: Ballroom dancing in Montreal: cha-cha, salsa, and more. Doesn’t matter what your skill level is.

Where: Parc Jean Drapeau, facing the Jean Drapeau Metro station

When:

• On June 17^th, 2009 : 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• On June 24^th, 2009 : 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• On June 27^th and 28^th, 2009 : 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• On July 1^st, 2009 : 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• On July 4^th and 5^th, 2009 : 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• On July 8^th, 2009 : 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• On July 11^st and 12^nd, 2009 : 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• On July 15^th, 2009 : 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• On July 18^th and 19^th, 2009 : 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• On July 22^nd, 2009 : 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• On July 25^th and 26^th, 2009 : 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• On July 29^th, 2009 : 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• On August 5^th, 2009 : 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• On August 8^th and 9^th, 2009 : 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• On August 12^nd, 2009 : 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• On August 19^th, 2009 : 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• On August 22^nd and 23^rd, 2009 : 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Cost: Free

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