OK, OK, "never" is *checks notes* maybe a bit too strong of a word to use, but we can all agree that when Montréal en Lumière and its accompanying all-nighter of art, culture, and STM rides Nuit Blanche comes to town?

It turns the weekend into a celebration that, when you're in the thick of it, never seems to have a beginning or end.

Now, whether you're the type to try hitting up multiple venues in a single evening, place all your bets on one party or event, or avoid the crowds altogether, we've put together an especially robust selection of things to do this weekend plus—believe it or not—things to plan for next weekend as well.

Activities, parties, points of interest, art exhibitions, you name it: These are the weekend events you don't want to miss.

Thursday

💡 Maybe you noticed that giant festival and source of light setting up in the middle of downtown?

🎨 The Art Matters Festival, North America’s largest student-run arts festival, begins and runs until March 28. Lots to check out here.

🍕 The fifth edition of Nouveau Poem will be at Star Bar, featuring readings of poetry, prose, pizza, and existential reflections.

🖼️ The vernissage Summoning the Ineffable takes place at Patel Brown Gallery, exploring the histories and emotional resonance of materials through their transformations across time and generations.

Friday

🛁 LUMINARIUM brings an electrifying Nuit Blanche prelude to Bain Mathieu, fusing techno and psytrance across two dance floors with immersive visuals, lasers, live performances, and 13 hours of non-stop music.

🦇 Nevermore presents a New Romantic Dance Party at Cabaret Berlin, celebrating the sounds of New Romantic, Post-Punk, ’80s New Wave, Cold Wave, and Goth—dress the part and dance all night.

🎤 Unrigged’s PROGRESSIVE PUBLICS conference on February 28 and March 1 at Concordia University connects independent media and scholarship with speakers from The Breach, Pivot, Desmond Cole, Paris Marx, and more—free to attend.

Saturday (& it's Nuit Blanche!)

🤩 Nuit Blance is coming, and there's so much happening that we curated a lineup of events you should to check out.

⭐️ Plaza St-Hubert lights up with urban art, all-night DJ sets, a pop quiz, and a special menu at Montréal Plaza—plus, bars and restaurants keeping the energy going until dawn.

🪩 Moonshine takes over MTELUS with a free, all-night party featuring an East African lineup alongside residents—going strong until 6 AM.

🍷 Vino Disco’s Nuit Blanche party features JP Groove and Lost Heroes spinning groovy beats until 6 AM, featuring a signature cocktail by Mate Libre—$10 cover before midnight, $15 after.

🎨 LESPACEMAKER’s INSOMNIA 3000 returns woth a retro-futuristic 2000s world plus a handcrafted mini-golf course, a nostalgic DJ set, an on-site bar.

🫖 The Erratics, a ceramics exhibition by Lysanne Larose inspired by glacial erratic boulders, opens at Poterie Foster with a vernissage from 4-8 PM.

🏛️ Join Écomusée du fier monde at 7pm for the 10th edition of “Nuit aux Flambeaux 2025” in Centre-Sud.

🌻 Pansy Café pops up at Flori Flora with specialty coffee, cardamom buns, surprise pastries, and fresh flowers—arrive early on either March 1 or 2.

Sunday

🎬 Watch the Oscars live at Cinémathèque québécoise with a special screening of the red carpet, themed cocktails, and a chance to win drinks in a festive atmosphere.

🎺 BalkanFest Montréal brings back its monthly Balkan Jam sessions at Café La Ligne Verte, inviting musicians of all levels and lovers of Balkan music to play.

Your complete 2025 guide to Montréal en Lumière

Among all the events you can experience for cold-weather culture around the world, Montréal en Lumière—and the all-night entertainment of Nuit Blanche it bookmarks—reign supreme.

This year, the 26th edition of Montréal en Lumière takes place from February 27 to March 9 in the city’s cultural district Quartier des Spectacles.

The Main has partnered with the festival to bring you the best guide possible: Read it here.

WHAT TO EAT & DRINK IN AND AROUND MONTREAL

Scope the latest restaurant openings, recommendations on where to eat, plus new menus, old classics, and everything in between.

Tinc Set bids farewell with its final service on March 1 before making way for Bar Luz, a new concept celebrating Mexican cuisine and ancestral corn, opening spring 2025.

Dancing at the Diner is happening March 1 at NDG Luncheonette—DJ MKS will be spinning vinyl all night, bringing good vibes and great jams.

Celebrate a birthday with an LA Mexican-inspired pop-up blending Chinese and Filipino flavours at Buboy MTL on March 3, featuring tacos, burritos, drinks, desserts, and DJ sets—starting at 6 PM until sold out.

K2 Bistro has officially opened a new spot downtown, offering an all-you-can-eat sushi experience in a Studio Ghibli-inspired setting.

Nevski celebrates Maslenitsa with a pop-up crêpe menu from Feb 27 to Mar 1, kicking off with a launch featuring folkloric music, mulled wine tastings, and a surprise staff dance.

Ward & Associés hosts a wine tasting at Café Lézard on Feb 27, where David Ward will guide guests through five exceptional cuvées for $35.

Top dining for less returns with Happening Gourmand and its special table d’hôte menus at ten Montreal restaurants, including Brasserie 701, Maggie Oakes, Méchant Boeuf, Vieux-Port Steakhouse, and others.

Wine bar Polari hosts an Oscars Night screening on March 2—arrive early to catch the red carpet on their brand-new TV.

Bistro La Franquette is closing out before vacation with a Feast of St. David bar takeover alongside Independent Spirits Co. on March 1, featuring cocktails and Welsh rarebit.

Shawbridge's Herman Brasserie hosts a ramen pop-up on March 1 with handmade bowls of Tonkotsu and Spicy Vegan Tantanmen plus discounts on bottles.

Mellön Brasserie joins Nuit Blanche with a karaoke night featuring gin tonics on tap, pogos (plus veggie options), Fireball shots, and big beer specials.

Spaghetti Western hosts the OG Swag Party on March 6, featuring $8 Coors Original tall cans, giveaways, and a country line dancing lesson.

June Buvette welcomes Ottawa’s finest, Arlo and Fauna, for a one-night-only culinary collaboration on March 8: Four courses with wine pairings.

BONUS: Recommended reservations at Montréal en Lumière

Bar St-Denis welcomes Michelin-starred chef Adeline Grattard for a menu inspired by her Parisian restaurant Yam’Tcha.

Gia Vin & Grill welcomes Jess Shadbolt of New York’s acclaimed KING, featuring a $135 table d’hôte menu inspired by seasonal Italian cuisine.

Bar George hosts guest chef Martine Bauer alongside Executive Chef Kevin Ramasawmy, celebrating the bold, refined flavours of Mauritian cuisine.

Le Club Chasse et Pêche celebrates its 20th anniversary with a special collaboration featuring Michelin-starred chef Noam Gedalof and sommelier Etheliya Hananova of Paris’s Comice.

Restaurant Île de France welcomes Chef Amanda Ray of Drake Devonshire for a special à la carte menu blending raw bar delicacies, canapés, and signature dishes from both culinary teams.

Aube Boulangerie welcomes California chefs Christina Hanks and Jacob Fraijo for a special evening of wine, desserts, and whole grain-focused dishes.

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Here, you'll find a weekly round-up of the latest local news, from entertainment to current affairs and more.

The old ways are in. The future of Montreal dining looks a lot like its past when looking at the new Mile End brasserie Molenne. Read more.

Following our story last week on Montreal's third spaces in nightlife, we look at what's been lost. Read more.

From a stuntman to a barber. Our latest with URBANIA tells the story of one Grecian immigrant's journey from WW2 to a shop in the Mile End. Read more.

A portrait of Black Montreal: Here are the stories behind a photo series on Little Burgundy by Andrew Jackson running at McCord Stewart Museum. Read more.

If you're a big fan of Jeff Goldblum, it turns out that he'll be playing Jazz Fest with the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra. Read more.

"French-Canadian culture is very cunt." Azealia Banks even got the attention of Journal de Montréal and MP Pascal Bérubé after making a whole mess of statements during her recent trip to the province and our city. Read more.

Chug! Chug! Chug! Move over, maple syrup, Quebec companies are looking to get the world drinking maple tree sap and take on the coconut water market. Read more.

Montreal's emerging as a crucial destination for French hip-hop artists to gain access to North American audiences. Here's a look at why. Read more.

Snow problem. All this close-to-record-breaking weather has got people looking back on the city's rich history of snow removal. Read more.

While the city's seen criticism over the speed of its snow removal, others are pointing to how our 'white beret' army is the envy of the world. Read more.

Montreal prides itself on being a student-friendly city, but its students no longer seem to be able to afford housing. Where to from here? Read more.

"Le Within" is the name of some student residences reimagined with modern designs and splashes of colour by Sid Lee Architecture. Read more.

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And that wraps yet another weekly bulletin. We’ll be back with more curiosities, local stories, and events to discover next week.

If ever you catch something we should know, don't hesitate to reach out to us on Instagram.

👋 Masthead: Philip Tabah, Founder & Head of Creative / Daniel Bromberg, Co-Founder & Head of Operations / Jean-Philippe Lauzon, Co-Founder & Head of Tech / JP Karwacki, Managing Editor / Amber Spector, Social Media Manager