Yup, this weekend's just about as weird as that title sounds.

But weird in a good way.

Being weird, offbeat, or different is often spoken of in a negative light but it's seldom a bad thing. It's a descriptor that fits the city so perfectly, and the best of us know it's better to embrace it, because being weird is what makes this multilingual place of crumbling infrastructure and high design, freak flag flying and red tape wrapping, beautiful days and freakishly cold nights so special.

This weekend's news, events, pop-ups, openings, and more are no exception. Join in the fun of it—especially when you can come hang out with us in person.

Read on to see what we mean.

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

Come join us this weekend

It ain't all about hockey in Montreal—we're a huge city for football (soccer) too. You'll see why at @goalinitiatives's 14th annual soccer chairty festival, GOAL MTL 2024, at McGill’s Percival Molson Stadium from 10am to 6pm.

There's free entry, and we'll be there with some surprises, too. 😉 (The Main)

The GOAL Initiatives Foundation & GOAL MTL: The depths of Montreal’s football community

Competition becomes collaboration at this interactive Montreal sports charity where the city explores the cultures of health, wellness, and inclusivity through play.

The Main

Thursday

• @festivalhaitienfolie's promotion of the diverse, rich culture of Haiti is on now at Parc La Fontaine with film screenings, dance performances, literature, conferences, cuisine, and more.
• Don't forget: @justforlaughs is still rolling at Quartier des Spectacles with comedy programming for the @comediha festival until July 28.

Friday

• @mutekmontreal is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a free party alongside @airecommune at Esplanade Louvain, featuring three artists.
• An evening of music and merriment, poetry and playfulness, by (or inspired by) Shakespeare: @repercussiontheatre's Shakespeare-in-the-Park will be performed at Westmount Park at 7pm.
• @lemonastere's Le Jardin is hosting a free circus guinguette every Friday from 5pm to 9pm at St. Jax.

Saturday

• @piedducourant is lighting up all weekend, but it's going to get extra hot with a show by an all-star roster from @frikiton and its celebration of Latinx culture.
• @mtloldschool is celebrating old school urban culture with a BYOB Retro Bash Cookout that's $20 all included from 5pm to 11pm.
• Thanks to @grandhuit_, the vibrant funk and grooves sets of @zamalfunk.records are coming to @restorobindesbois in Parc La Fontaine from 6 to 10pm.
• The 38th edition of L’International des Feux Loto-Québec at @larondesixflags continues with a performance by France on July 27.
• Day trip idea: The accelerators from @quartierartisan are headed to @latelier_em in Lac-Brome for an exclusive and unforgettable pop-up full of local artisans' goods.

Sunday

• Don't forget: @goalinitiatives is gearing up for the 14th edition of its annual soccer festival, GOAL MTL 2024 at McGill’s Percival Molson Stadium from 10am to 6pm, and it's Free. To Enter.
• Love wrestling? @iwshardcore is bringing its dojo back on July 28 with up-and-coming names in the circuit, and it's all PWYC.
• @filmnoiraucanal continues with its third film of the season, D.O.A. by Rudolph Maté (1950), screened on July 28 at 7:30pm.
• @fantasiafestival, the largest and most influential event of its kind in North America for genre films is now on until August 4th.

✨ A fashion & self-care giveaway ✨

We've brought together the self-care space & beauty boutique Beauties Lab on Laurier Ouest and the tech-led clothier &OR Collective to collaborate on a joint giveaway.

You can win a full look (top+bottom) from &OR Collective and a complimentary facial from Beauties Lab: Get more details on our Instagram account.

Love Montreal? Support our content!

You like The Main, right? Of course you do. So why not get exclusive access to dispatches from your favourite city by subscribing as a paid supporter?

You'll not only get complete access to everything we have to offer whenever you want it, but you'll also receive:

• Early access to exclusive features and content
• Special invites
• A 10% discount on everything in our store
• Being able to impress people by knowing more about Montreal than they do
• Good vibes

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.

• On July 28, @pichaimontreal is heading to @casavantmontreal for a big party of grilled goods, super canons of vino, and some slushies by @zamalekmontreal.
• @soifdecidre, an event to discover Quebec ciders with nearly 30 cider producers and a few food producers at Hangar 1825 near the Lachine Canal, is running from July 26 to 28.
• @chateaumaneki, a repurposed retro castle-shaped restaurant on Cremazie Boulevard from the minds behind @maneki_comptoir_asiat, is softly opening on July 26.
• On July 29, @alma.mtl will be cooking a three-course menu for $39 at the Atwater Market with @sataybrothers.
• @lespacepublic, @microbrasseriemutoide, and @isledegarde are going to be pulling pints for a special Hochelaga beer garden on July 26 with street food by @octo_mtl (plus zero-proof drinks from @aperoazero).
• @barbisoubisou's doing a new special dining series called Magnums and Martinis with @entredeuxmtl—3 Magnums, 3 Martinis, and 3 dishes—on July 25 from 6pm til late.
• @super.condiments is hosting a pop-up on July 28 from 3pm til late with lots of ice cream, burgers, beer, and good vibes.
• July 30 is when @wmontreal will hold its third event at its Vinyl Bar, an exclusive atmosphere of captivating music for sonic enthusiasts.
• @nozy_restaurant_ will host an omakase on July 28 for only $88 a person—that's a total steal in today's local omakase market.
• On July 27, @badw_rld and @bar.wills are hosting the Bad Fest block party, a lil' thank you to all their friends with music, vintage wares, cripsy beers, and more.
• @buboymtl will be hosting their good friend @514andrew for an unforgettable six-course feast on July 28, from refreshing Siargao slaw to decadent Lechon Risotto.

Let's go to the Dep

As a locally-focused cultural magazine, we're working with the people who help enrich our city's identity by showing us just how beautiful and creative it is.

That's why we created the Dépanneur, where you can support locals, keep cash in the community, and connect with the people who are creating amazing things (every purchase also helps to support our editorial content, too).

Right now, you can subscribe to our coffee program collaboration with Dreamy Café that's fueled by freshly-roasted Montreal brands, and shipped straight to your door every month. And if you're subscribed to The Main? You get 10% off!

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

Could Montreal also see the touristophobia of Europe?

At a time when residents of European cities are revolting against overtourism, Montreal has been largely spared from the phenomenon. But locals aren't completely welcoming of out-of-towners flocking to the city. (La Presse)

Should nightlife be a priority?

Promoting Montreal’s nightlife culture should be a top priority for Valérie Plante’s administration. So why isn’t Plante doing more to make our town the ultimate nightlife destination? Ottawa's new night mayor says issues lie in how the city of Montreal loves red tape. (Montreal Gazette)

Why can’t Montreal have a nightlife mayor? (Even Ottawa has one)

The players in Montreal’s cultural scene are waiting for a policy to be unveiled, seven years after Mayor Valérie Plante first promised it.

Montreal GazetteBrendan Kelly

WESTMOUNT HIGH REPRESENT

With Biden stepping down and Kamala Harris stepping up in the last turbulent week and change, there's been a resurge in articles about how the presumed Democratic nominee for the 2024 United States Presidential election has ties to the city. (The Globe and Mail)

The long-time connections Kamala Harris has to Montreal and Canada

Harris spent several years in Montreal, where she attended Westmount High School from 1978 to 1981

The Globe and MailMorgan Lowrie

The Montreal composer protecting nature's pollinators

Leon Louder's mesmerizing Entomophonia project was created entirely from insect sounds; these tiny creatures are often misunderstood, so Louder asked himself, "If insect song was a language, what could it be telling us?" (CBC Montreal)

Here’s a true bro love story

Three pals bonded over pizza and beer, their friendship evolving into Montreal's Corner Pizza pop-up. Inspired by Neapolitan tradition but modern twists, they blend culinary finesse with unconventional flavors, and with each event they redefine pizza through camaraderie. (Cult MTL)

Roving Montreal pop-up Corner Pizza specializes in nouveau Neapolitan slices

We spoke with Peter Currie, Matisse Gill and Erik Hutt about Corner Pizza, their pop-up project that been serving slices around Montreal.

Cult MTLSruti Islam

Sir, put down the scalpel 🩺

Language inspectors from the OQLF are expanding their inspections beyond businesses and are now targeting hospitals in Montreal, even going so far as to verify whether French is being spoken in operating rooms. (Montreal Gazette)

French-language inspectors are cracking down on Montreal hospitals

The visits are raising the ire of some hospital staff, who are upset that they are being taken away from their pressing medical duties to be grilled by the OQLF.

Montreal GazetteAaron Derfel

Loud and proud 🏳️‍🌈

Montreal is days away from celebrating all things pride with Fierté Montreal, and organizers say this year's parade is set to welcome a record-breaking number of people for the marquee event. Take a look at the announced lineup of events for the 2024 edition that will take place from Aug. 1 to 11 with support from more than 300 organizations. (CTV News)

Here’s what to expect at Montreal Pride 2024

Montreal is days away from celebrating all things pride and organizers say this year’s parade is set to welcome a record-breaking number of people for the marquee event.

Montreal

Avoidable chaos? In Montreal?

Two Montreal fire-prevention officers took much of the blame for the Peel St. terrasse fiasco on Grand Prix weekend. Turns out there was plenty of blame to go around, according to documents obtained by The Gazette and interviews with well-placed sources. (Montreal Gazette)

The Gazette investigates: How Peel St. terrasse confusion led to Grand Prix weekend fiasco

Terrasses were suddenly shut down during Montreal’s busiest tourist weekend. A Gazette investigation finds the chaos could have been avoided.

Montreal GazetteMichelle Lalonde

Our favourite hot mess

A decade ago, Walter Scott’s first Wendy comic book, Wendy, told the story of her party-girl persona, multi-page hangovers, and relentless insecurities as she navigated the streets of Montreal. What happens when that beloved Canadian art-world anti-hero cleans up her act? (ELLE Canada)

Walter Scott on His Latest Comic Book and an Artist’s Role in the Revolution | ELLE Canada Magazine | Beauty, Fashion and Lifestyle Trends & Celebrity News

Wendy is a hot mess, and that’s why we love her. So what happens when the beloved Canadian art-world anti-hero cleans up her act?

ELLE Canada Magazine | Beauty, Fashion and Lifestyle Trends & Celebrity NewsEve Thomas

Not about skill, but creativity and enjoyment

The forthcoming painting game Été is less about the process of making art on a canvas, and more about making players feel as if they are making the world more beautiful—and it's set in Montreal. (The Guardian)

Été, the Amélie-inspired game where you paint Montreal into life

The forthcoming game is a nostalgic exploration of a city in summer. Its creative director explains how it helps players to feel they are making the world more beautiful

The GuardianVincent Acovino

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.