Halloween is two weeks out and the city is getting weird in the best way. This weekend and next week bring a horror book fair, an underground bazaar, a burlesque festival, a silent vampire film with a live pipe organ, and a free moss-inspired art room. Here are eight things happening around Montreal that have not made our other lists.

🎭 Festival Burlesque de Montréal

📍 Where: Club Soda, 1225 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal (Saint-Laurent area, easy metro access)
🗓️ When: Friday, October 16 at 7:30 PM; Saturday, October 17 at 5:30 PM and 9:30 PM

Three shows of dance, humour, music, and a cheeky dose of striptease. Tickets start around $55 and it is strictly 16+, so this one is a grown-ups night out. Friday is tonight, so grab a ticket now.

📚 Salon de l’horreur

📍 Where: Centre Roussin, 12125 rue Notre-Dame Est, Pointe-aux-Trembles, Montreal (about 35 minutes from downtown)
🗓️ When: Saturday, October 17, 10 AM to 5 PM

The first edition of a literary fair for horror and fantasy fans. Expect authors, publishers, indie bookstores, talks, and signings. Entry is free, which leaves more budget for books you will pretend you are not scared to read.

🛍️ Bazar des Bizarres

📍 Where: 680 rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest, downtown Montreal
🗓️ When: Saturday, October 17, 12 PM to 5 PM

An underground market of local creators, thrift finds, offbeat art, and esoteric services. Free entry, or a $20 VIP option that comes with a surprise bag. Ages 18+.

😂 Dans une galaxie près de chez vous: The Comedy Tribute

📍 Where: Pub L’Île Noire, 1649 rue Saint-Denis, Montreal (Berri-UQAM metro)
🗓️ When: Saturday, October 17 at 8:30 PM

Five comedians pay tribute to the cult Québec sci-fi series with sketches, clips, and nostalgic music. Tickets are $15 in advance or $25 at the door. Note that the venue has no wheelchair-accessible entrance or washrooms.

💎 Montreal Gem and Mineral Show

📍 Where: Palais des congrès de Montréal, 1001 place Jean-Paul-Riopelle, downtown Montreal
🗓️ When: Friday, October 16, 12 PM to 9 PM; Saturday, October 17, 10 AM to 7 PM; Sunday, October 18, 10 AM to 5 PM

More than 100 exhibitors selling gems, minerals, crystals, and jewellery. It is a surprisingly good rainy-day wander, and a cheap way to find a gift. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors 65+.

🌿 Devenir mousse (Becoming Moss)

📍 Where: Place des Arts, 175 rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest, downtown Montreal
🗓️ When: Opens Friday, October 16 and runs to February 21, 2027; Tuesday to Friday 4 PM to 8 PM, Saturday and Sunday 12 PM to 8 PM

A free 20-minute immersive installation with original sound and minimalist visuals inspired by moss. It is a calm, quirky reset between shows, and it will be around all winter.

🧟 Frankenstein’s Monster Escape Game

📍 Where: A/Maze West Island, CF Fairview Pointe-Claire, 6801 route Transcanadienne, Pointe-Claire (about 30 minutes from downtown)
🗓️ When: By reservation, based on availability

A one-hour team puzzle game where you and up to four friends try to bring the monster to life before time runs out. It costs $37 per person for teams of 2 to 5. Just the right amount of spooky for the week before Halloween.

🦇 Nosferatu in Concert (Maison symphonique)

📍 Where: Maison symphonique, 1600 rue Saint-Urbain, Montreal (Place-des-Arts metro)
🗓️ When: Thursday, October 29 at 7:30 PM

Organist Jason Roberts improvises a live score on the Grand Orgue Pierre-Béique while the 1922 silent classic plays on screen. Tickets run from about $69 to $109 with taxes and fees. A great Halloween-week splurge.

Prices and hours were correct when we checked, but double-check with each venue before heading out.