What's happening to mark Montreal's 375th birthday

Montreal is turning 375.

On May 17, 1642, the city was foundedbyJeanneManceand PaulChomedeydeMaisonneuve,who led French missionaries and settlers onto the island.

• LATEST:Check out CBC Montreal's live coverage of Montreal's375thevents

It's 375 years later and in honour of the big day, bus and Metro service will be free on the island until 1 a.m.

Here are the main anniversary events going on around the city today.

8:45 a.m.: Ringing of church bells.Saint Joseph's Oratory will be first to ring its bells, and will then be joined by the chiming of church bells around the city until 8:55 a.m.

9 a.m.: Mass at Notre Dame Basilica in Old Montreal, celebrating Montreal's religious diversity and First Nations' roots. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Sophie Grgoire Trudeau, Premier Philippe Couillard and Mayor Denis Coderre will be among those in attendance.

10:30 a.m.: Tribute to Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve at Place d'Armes. It includes a performance by the cole suprieure de ballet du Qubec called Merci Montral, with First Nations singers and drummers playing a role. Trudeau will make a speech.

7 p.m.: The Bonnefte Montral show at the Bell Centre, hosted by Radio-Canada personality Guy A. Lepage,will feature a number of performers, from musicians to comedians and more. Tickets can be bought on the evenko website.

8:30 p.m.: Montral Avudo multimedia show at the King Edward Quay in the Old Port. The outdoor show on the water will showcase the St. Lawrence River's role over the centuries.

9:45 p.m.: The illumination of the Jacques Cartier Bridge.

The bridge will be brought to life by Montreal's own Moment Factory in a 30-minute visual experience. The bridge will light up in sync with a soundtrack conducted by Yannick Nzet-Sguin and featuring the Montreal Metropolitan Orchestra.

The bridge will be closed to traffic Wednesday night from 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

See how MTL375 and Moment Factory plan to illuminate the Jacques-Cartier Bridge

9 years ago

Duration 2:58

Project leaders describe it as "a unique interactive lighting concept activated in real time by the seasons and the energy of the city.

Protests planned

The union representing Montreal police officers is organizing a protest outside Montreal City Hall Wednesday evening.

Montreal police have been without a contract since Dec. 31, 2014.

Another protest targeting the city bylaws dealing with horse-drawncalches,pit bull-type dogs and other animal control issues is also planned.

• Watch and followlive coverage of today's 375th events across the city here