The Montrealer characteristic joie-de-vivre is indisputable and evident by the way that we jam-pack our shortest season with as much outdoor fun as humanly possible. From street art fairs to international car races and music festivals, Summers in Montreal are full of places to go and people to see. Here is an all inclusive summer 2016 event calendar so that you won’t have to skip a beat!
While there are dozens of murals already visible around Montreal, watch new works of art being made at the MURAL Festival. The “Love Letters” mural is among the most impressive to date.
June
FRINGE Festival
May 30 – June 19
This arts festival consists of over 700 shows featuring local and international artists. From block parties, to art exhibitions, magic shows, comedy, theatre and even lip-syncing battles, this is not your average music festival. Some of the live performances even take place during a community breakfast where you can enjoy pancakes and coffee at the concert. Look into the different events of FRINGE Park, FRINGE Music and FRINGE After Dark.
Mont-Royal Avenue Street Fair
June 2-5
This annual festival along Mont-Royal Avenue turns the street into a walkable lane where stores and pop-up shops serve food and discounts on all kinds of items.
First Fridays (Food Truck Festival)
June 3, July 1, August 5
From 4pm to 11pm, come to the largest gathering of gourmet food trucks in Canada. With music, smiles, and great food, you’ll have a great time at the Olympic Park (next to the Olympic Stadium).
International Beer Festival (Mondial de la bière)
June 8-12
This year’s annual beer festival, taking place in the Palais des congres, will have an entirely new gastronomica area on June 8th and 9th. This gourmet addition will highlight the subtleties of craft brews through fine cuisine. The festival offers guided tours, beer and food pairing workshops, food kiosks featuring game grub like bison and boar burgers, poutine and paninis.
Tour de L’Ile de Montreal
June 9
Even though this event is notorious for blocking off streets and ultimately causing major detours and traffic jams, the annual bike tours are garenteed to reignite your love of this amazing city. This year’s tour has multiple route options as well. All routes begin on Parc Avenue at 9 a.m and plan on finishing at Jeanne-Mance Park.
Montreal Chamber Music Festival
June 9-19
The Montreal Chamber Music Festival is all about showcasing international musical artists. This year’s theme is “Connected to the world!” and highlights music’s unique ability to be a universal language that connects people of all ages, all ethnicities and throughout time. Most of the shows take place at McGill University’s Pollack Hall, with the exception of Alexander Fiterstein’s concert at the Bourgie Hall of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (Musee des Beaux Arts Montreal). There are also 5 free shows that feature the talented winners of the Musical Instrument Bank of Canada (June 13-14 and 15-17).
Francofolies de Montreal
June 9-18
Francofolies is a French music festival with performers from Quebec and abroad. There are also free events every night of the music festival.
Grand Prix Montreal
June 10-12
It’s our country’s most important tourist event and Montreal is the only Canadian stop on the Formula 1 racing tour! You can look forward to the Crescent Street festival and tons of parties in association to the races. Get your tickets here so you can get in on the exhilaration of watching the races live!
MURAL Festival
June 9-30
MURAL Festival is the convergence of creativity all in one city. The festival takes place in the heart of Saint-Laurent boulevard and provides the public with access to all kinds of art. Festival attendees have the opportunity to witness the making of urban art murals, to attend musical events, exhibitions and installations, as well as a scrumptious street food fair. The kickoff opening Block Party is on June 9th from 7pm to 11pm, don’t miss it, it’s free to attend! Buy your tickets for the festival’s exclusive shows here.
Eureka Festival
June 10-12
The Eureka Festival is an awesome celebration of scientific curiosity for the whole family at the Science Centre. There will be endless ways to be entertained and enlightened by animation games, performances, interactive shows, hands on activities and exhibitions!
Portuguese International Festival
June 11
This festival’s goal is to promote the Portuguese-speaking communities and their rich culture, by encouraging Montrealers to partake in their cuisine, traditional music and arts. The event will feature both local and international Portuguese artists. It primarily takes place at the intersection of Rachel and St-Urbain streets.
Taste of the Caribbean
June 16-19
This festival of Caribbean cuisine and music will have live performances from international and local DJ’s and bands, as well as cooking demonstrations from well known chefs Eric Atine and chef Jae-Anthony, and even a mixology seminar. Enjoy this celebration of Montreal’s multicultural identity by learning more about Caribbean traditions.
Strangers in the Night
June 18
This unique charity event for Starlight Children’s Foundation, a non-profit organization that helps sick kids and their families, will be full of fun, delicious food and great music. Attendees will enjoy gourmet eats from Rib N Reef, the Keg, Squish Candy, Rocaberry and more, as well as live performances from Boogie Wonder Band, Andy Kim and other talent! The gala will take place in the Fairview Pointe Claire parking lot as the sun sets. Get your tickets here and support an amazing cause.
Gothfest
June 18-19
Ten goth bands over two days will play this dark festival. More info.
Poutine Fest
June 23-26
The decadent festival is back, this time at Jacques Cartier Quay! Enjoy over 40 variations of our province’s beloved poutine. In addition to the gravy goodness of cheesey fries, there will be giant games and live entertainment. Get more info.
Montreal Baroque Festival
June 23-26
This is the 14th annual event for classical music lovers, with free concerts and activities. Get more info.
Quebecois Pride / Saint-Jean-Baptiste Festival
June 23
From 10 am to 11 pm, Quebecois Montrealers will be celebrating this National holiday at the Olympic Park (next to the Olympic Stadium). Try some local Quebec beers while you party!
Montreal International Jazz Festival
June 29 – July 9
Montreal’s annual Jazz Fest attracts Jazz and Blues lovers from around the world. From major headliners like the talented Lauryn Hill to free concerts, everyone can catch a show. There will be something for the whole family to enjoy, like food trucks, open-air-bars and activities for kids.
Women of the Montreal X-men charity cosplayer team, along with Montreal celeb Jason Rockman as Professor X. Catch them at Montreal Comiccon in July.
July
Canada Day Parade and Activities
July 1
Flags, food trucks, fireworks and live music in the Old Port from 11 am to 10 pm. There’s also the annual Canada Parade in Downtown Montreal!
First Fridays (Food Truck Festival)
July 1
Another edition of this food festival takes place from 4pm to 11pm. Being Canada Day, it is sure to be a great culinary party at the Olympic Park (next to the Olympic Stadium).
International Fireworks Festival – Loto Quebec
July 2-30
Every night of the Firework Festival at Parc Jean-Drapeau a different country will be competing for first place in this elaborate firework competition. Apart from the opening night’s nationally neutral show, featuring muscical themes of fictional heroes from beloved movies, comics and video games, each night will feature a different country’s uniquely themed firework presentation. The grand finale will be a tribute to the music of Elton John! I can’t wait!
Montreal Watergun Festival
July 3
Come get soaked and at this downtown park water gun battle! More info.
Atmosph’Air on the Plaza 2016
July 7-9
Plaza St. Hubert will become a pedestrian walkway when they launch the 7th edition of this music festival, including a number of free outdoor musical acts. More info.
TOHU
July 7-17
Even if you’re interested in modern circus-style shows, the TOHU Pavilion is an incredible building to visit. It’s a certified green building and houses North America’s first circular performance space dedicated to the circus arts. Check out the incredible circus acts and spectacles here.
Montréal Complement Cirque
July 7-17
This is a series of human circus-style shows. Here’s a preview of what you’ll see at Montreal Complement Cirque!
Montreal Comiccon
July 8-10
With over 50,000 guests, expect to see some of the coolest geekery in Montreal including cosplayers, TV and movie celebrities, vendors of all things sci-fi and fantasy, video games, and exclusive previews, not to mention dozens of free workshops, celeb panels and more. This is the top event in Montreal for comic book lovers and those with great imaginations. Get more info on their website.
The People’s Games
July 8-10
This is an event for those who are into outdoor adventures. The People’s Games is a weekend of amateur sports challenges. It’s an all-inclusive adult playground.
Zoofest
July 9 – August 1
This is a major comedy festival in Montreal.
Nights of Africa Festival
July 12-24
Check out all the different African cultural events going on in Montreal on the festival’s website, there will be concerts, workshops, exotic food and more.
International Startup Festival
July 13-16
This annual conference brings together idea-generators, innovators, developers, entrepreneurs, business people, techies, and investors, all connected through the theme of startup companies. Get more info here.
KickDrum Summer Marathon
July 13-16
Most large Montreal summer festivals forget the local scene that gives the city its flavour in addition to bring expensive. In response, KickDrum has created a marathon of local music, which exhibits the true artistic fabric of Montreal and doesn’t break the bank. Shows take place over four days at six venues, with 15 shows and more than 45 Montreal-based artists/bands. All shows are $11 or less. Fore more information visit the facebook event.
Just For Laughs Comedy Festival
July 13-31
This annual comedy festival is a Montreal must! Get your tickets before your favorite comedians’ shows are sold out! This year’s lineup includes Sarah Silverman, Carrie Fisher of Star Wars, Jay Pharaoh from SNL and Jim Gaffigan to name a few.
AIM Music Festival
July 15-17
AIM stands for Art, Innovation and Movement, and that’s what you’ll experience at this electronic music festival. More info.
Rogers Cup presented by National Bank
July 22-31
Tennis fans from around the world will gather at Montreal’s Uniprix Stadium to watch female tennis stars compete for the prize! You can get your tickets here.
WordCamp Montreal (A WordPress Community Festival)
July 23-24
One of the best annual conferences in Montreal, WordCamp is a celebration of all things WordPress. Did you know that 25% of the world’s websites use WordPress as its backbone? This event is almost free, includes two full days of talks, free lunches and an open bar after party on Saturday night.
Fantasia: Montreal International Film Festival
July 14 – August 5
This year’s Fantasia will host more than 400 filmmakers and industry professionals from around the world. This is the 19th edition and it will welcome the most talented directors, producers and actors in the industry from Japan, Israel, France, Finland and more. Get more information here.
Osheaga
July 29-31
Montreal’s Osheaga music festival takes place in Parc Jean-Drapeau, and will be featuring music of various genres with well known headliners and up and coming artists. Get your tickets before the entire weekend is sold out.
At Wanderlust Tremblant, a 4-day festival north of Montreal, experience yoga in many different forms including aireal yoga, stand-up paddle board yoga (SUP yoga), and a lot more!
August
First Peoples’ Festival
August 3-10
This festival takes place on Montreal’s downtown mainstreams of Sainte-Catherine and Jeanne-Mance. It showcases and celebrates the arts, food and traditions of Canada’s Aboriginal cultures.
First Fridays (Food Truck Festival)
August 5
Another in the summer series of Montreal food truck festivals, This one takes place between 4pm and 11pm at the Olympic Park (next to the Olympic Stadium).
Montreal’s Italian Week
August 5-14
This celebration of Montreal’s Italian community will consist of concerts, contests, raffles and more!
Otakuthon
August 5-7
This is Montreal’s Anime festival that will be taking place at the Palais des congres. If you are in the downtown area on these days you will be sure to see elaborate costumes. There will be a masquerade, fashionshow and other fun events. You can find out more here.
Ile Sonique
August 5-6
Parc Jean-Drapeau is hosting it’s third annual EDM music festival! The lineup is unbelievable, with celebrity dubstep dj Skrillex, the Chainsmokers, and Grammy-winning Zedd, to name a few of many! You can get your tickets here.
Heavy Montreal
August 6-7
This music festival is Osheaga for heavy metal lovers! The grounds of Parc Jean-Drapeau are guaranteed to be vibrating. Get your tickets here!
Pride Montreal
August 8-14
This week long LGBT Pride festival will have everything from Zumba, to comedy shows, marches and drag queens! Find out more about the activities and events here. The Pride Parade is scheduled for Sunday, August 14, 2016, starting at 1 pm. The parade will start on the corner of Saint-Mathieut.
Wanderlust Tremblant
August 11-14
Last year’s yoga festival was a hit and they’re back again this month. Check out our video of last year’s Wanderlust Tremblant highlights. Get more details about the event here.
Montreal RibFest
August 12-14
By participating in this year’s yummy RibFest you are supporting Montreal’s the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the West Island charity. Enjoy the BBQ goodness at the Pierrefonds-Roxboro Borough Hall parking lot! Last year’s event was stellar, with a perfect mix of gorgeous sunny weather, music, activities, good times, and great food. Get more details of this year’s event here.
International Balloon Festival of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
August 13-21
This video of the biggest gathering of balloons in Canada should convince you that this is a not-to-be-missed festival. It takes place in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, a relatively short drive south of Montreal. It is a great event for the whole family with free animation, nightly live music shows, and food kiosks. There will be over 120 hot air balloons and all kinds of excitement in the sky. Get ticket and concert info here.
Montreal Festival of Fashion and Design (FMD)
August 15-20
Montreal’s Festival of Fashion (Mode) & Design (FMD) is a unique opportunity to meet influencers, designers and artists in the fashion industry, from around the world. Commissioner of the FMD Conferences, Stéphane Le Duc, spent the year recruiting an extremely impressive and interesting lineup of participants, like dress designer Hervé Léger-Leroux, The Sartorialist: Scott Schuman, and Lise Watier. Discover more about the talks, fashion shows, meet-and-greets and more here.
Lolë White Tour
August 18
The active wear brand Lolë, is going on tour providing over 50 cities in Canada, the U.S and Europe with mass yoga and meditation classes that are choreographed to live musical performance, lead by leading instructors. All you have to do is buy your ticket, wear white, and show up at the Old Port’s Jacques-Cartier Pier!
Jackalope Montreal Watergun Fight 2016
August 20
This Montreal water fight is going to be the biggest the city has ever seen! More info.
Montreal’s International Reggae Fest
August 26-28
This festival of Reggae music will take place in Old Montreal. Get your tickets here, to see live performances from Reggae artists from around the world!
Missing an event?
If there’s another event that you think should be added to this events calendar or an error above, let me know!
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