International Women’s Rights Day (March 8) is a day to celebrate the ongoing struggles of women (and anyone who identifies as a woman) for equality, rights, and existence around the world.
Of course, it’s also a day to eat Turkish delight with our grandmothers, ask for what we’re owed by speaking too loudly, call ourselves witches in front of the guy at the convenience store who’s a little too nonchalant, and encourage our friends to do exactly what they want in life.
To reflect on our struggles and the struggles of other women around the world—it’s not over until we are all free— we have five outings to do in Montreal around International Women’s Rights Day 2026.
Thursday, March 5: Queer Collage Night at the Champs bar
From CA$5
To express all the frustrations and beauties of being a woman—and to make a vision board of all the ways we’re going to be “difficult” in 2026—we’re going to the Queer Collage night at Montreal’s most girl-friendly sports bar.
Sunday, March 8: Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Bride at the Cinéma du Parc
From CA$15.75
Frankenstein’s bride is punk and rabid in Maggie Gyllenhaal’s film—and it’s a vision of the female condition that makes us want to fight for our rights (and cut our hair short, perhaps).
Sunday, March 8: Festigrève
On International Women’s Rights Day, FAÉCUM and Festigrève are putting on the first show of their tour of mobilizations on the theme of paid internships.
Pay what you can
Sunday, March 8: Short films at the Filministes Festival
On March 8, International Women’s Rights Day, there will be an evening of short films —Sarah prefers short films—which we recommend seeing with friends because the Filministes Festival’s strong point is its impeccable selection of short films.
In the morning, for mini-feminists, there will also be a youth screening at the Cinéma Public.
Festival tickets are available here!Sunday, March 8: INSOUMISES ET UNIES rally and demonstration
From CA$0
Women of Diverse Origins / Femmes de Diverses Origines are organizing a gathering and demonstration for International Women’s Rights Day in Montreal.
The theme of the event is “UNITED AND UNYIELDING: AGAINST AUSTERITY, FASCISM, IMPERIALISM, AND MILITARISM.”
Monday, March 9: Looking for Simone at Cinema Politica
Looking For Simone is a look at the work of writer Simone de Beauvoir—the cult classic The Second Sex —through the lens of contemporary feminist and queer gender politics.
The event is presented by Cinema Politica, the Center for Gender Advocacy, the Feminist Media Studio, the Social Justice Center, and the Institute for Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies (IGSF).