September Festivals and Events in Montreal 2024
Lakuachimoto Cyber Alter. Festival Mode + Design. Photo Angelique Koumouzelis
Summer, please don’t leave us. Not yet! We need all your warm, sunny weather so we can keep on keeping on. And with the students back on campuses and the leaves starting to look ready to change, we are gonna take this last month of summer and soak up the long days while we have ’em and carry our extra layers for when the night cools off.
Piknic Électronik
May 19 – October 6, 2024
Parc Jean Drapeau
Plaine des Jeux
Once upon a time, Piknic was just a loose collection of EDM fans with daytime glowsticks and rose coloured sunglasses. Now it’s as big as any of the major city summer festivals. Join the massive outdoor dance parties every Sunday featuring local and international DJs mixing beats on stage. September has Mistress Barbara, Hot since 82, Gab Rhome, Francis Mercier (off Piknic), Blond:ish, Mall Grab, and Marsh as headliners. Information HERE.
Jardins Gamelin
May 30 – Sept 15 2024
Place Émilie-Gamelin
The park and its cultural and citizen-driven activities is one of the nicest spots to chill in the city. Things to do include karaoke, concerts, dance parties. This year check out bands like Sarahmée, Salsas Salsafolie, and Empress Cissy Low. Open every day with something happening most of the time, be certain to find out more HERE.
Marché des Possibles/Entrepôt 77
June 23 – September 2024
5705 avenue de Gaspé
This weekend market that combines vendors with food with drink with performances and events run by the POP Montreal gang. The vibe is local and the offerings always delightful. Info HERE.
Festival Arts Ruelles
August 26 – September 8, 2024
Various Ruelles
An alleyway near you will be featuring music, dance, theatre, poetry, podcasts, or another form of art during this festival. Different neighbourhoods get special attention each day with performers taking over the ruelles. Info HERE.
World Press Photo
August 28 – October 14, 2024
Marché Bonsecours
325 Rue de la Commune East
Challenge yourself with the gorgeous photojournalism on display at the World Press Photo exhibit. This prestigious exhibition features 150 prizewinning photographs on display. Some capture world news events, others make small events into world news. It never disappoints. More info HERE.
JOAT
Aug 29 – Sept 1, 2024
Club Soda and Place des Arts Esplanade
Hip hop, break, and popping — urban dance styles that seem to defy all the rules — are at the heart of this dance competition. The breaking battles to secure the 16 competition slots in Club Soda takes place in Place des Arts. But only one will win in each category. Find out more HERE.
Montreal Trad Festival
August 29 – September 1, 2024
Maison de la Culture Ahuntsic
10300 Rue Lajeunesse
Bringing together chiefly musicians from Montreal and Quebec, this festival celebrates the tradition of trad music. If you’ve never heard it, it’s high spirited, lively music made with fiddles, guitars, tapping feet, singing, and sometimes more. It combines both old traditions and new innovations. Information HERE.
Montreal Fetish Weekend
August 29 – September 1, 2024
Various locations
In the kink and fetish friendly city that is Montreal, Canada’s largest international gathering of sex positivity takes place. There is a Fetish pride parade, play parties, workshops, marketplaces, and more. Details can be found HERE.
Estival du Nouveau Cinéma
August 29 – Sept 1, 2024
Quartier des Spectacles, Esplanade Tranquille
This event is tied with the Festival du Nouveau Cinema which takes place in October. This short, free event offers screenings at the Esplanade Tranquille Info HERE.
Gardens of Light
August 30 – October 31, 2024
Botanical Garden
4101 Sherbrooke E
The Botanic Gardens light up with hundreds of intricate lanterns shaped to look like animals, flowers, and objects. The lanterns come from Shanghai and take three months to mount in the Botanic Gardens. Every year there are about 200 new lanterns added to the group. This is one of the most beloved fall seasonal activities in Montreal and anyone can enjoy it. More info HERE.
Taco Fest
Aug 31 – Sept 2, 2024
Clock Tower Pier
Who doesn’t love a taco? It’s the perfect hand food, no plate needed food. It’s simple… a bit of corn or wheat container stuffed with deliciously treated meat and/or vegetables and/or grains. Sample the whole range of variety at the taco fest. Info HERE.
Ladyfest
September 2 – 8, 2024
Various Venues
Women in comedy is serious business and what better way to support the female comics of Montreal than by attending a show at Ladyfest. Women, femme, non-binary, and women-identifying comedians take over at key venues for sketch, improv, and stand-up. Check out the shows HERE.
Palomosa
September 5-7 2024
Parc Jean Drapeau
Don’t head back to school without a weekend of music. The free block party starts Septemer 5th, but then things move to Parc Jean Drapeau where you can see Kali Uchis, BADBADNOTGOOD, Yung Lean, SHYGIRL, and others. Make sure the school year starts with feet moving, festival dress, and a good party. Info HERE.
Diner en Blanc
September 6, 2024
Location TBA
Want to dine in white with 6000 other people? Yes. Huge picnic tables are set up at a secret location and guests arrive with their food, entirely dressed in white for an elegant evening. The emphasis is on class. There is no beer, no hard liquor, only wine. Stemware and dinnerware required. It’s a beautiful way to eat. More info HERE.
Quartiers Danses
September 5 – 14, 2024
Various venues
Dance isn’t just for snobby folks and it doesn’t come in one form. Quartiers Danses seeks to democratize contemporary dance and make it available for everyone. With a diversity of artists at different skill levels, dance is made accessible to all. This year expect to see ballet, urban, contemporary dance, and all the rest of the movement arts. More info on locations, free shows, and tickets, click HERE.
Droogs Fest
September 5 – 7, 2024
Foufounes Electriques
Foufs pulls no punches when it comes to dominating the SKA, punk, and Franco music scenes. Get one night of each with headliners Perkele, No Suicide Act, Inspecter 8, and Skarface. Info HERE.
Ukrainian Festival
September 6 – 8, 2024
Various locations
Since Russia decided to invade, everyone is Ukrainian now. Listen to traditional music, eat delicious food (we all now know Ukraine is the breadbasket of Europe), dancing, performances, exhibitions are all on offer from touring artists as well as locals. Food is also available. Slava Ukraini! More info HERE.
Festival des Arts Entrelacés
September 7 – 27, 2024
Various Venues
This new festival addresses the intersection of clowning, dance, folk art, and visual art. An opening party at Batiment 7, discussions, performances, and talks are all planned under the auspices of the Mossy Society. Information HERE.
La Grande Rentrée du Quartier Latin
September 7 – 8, 2023
Rue St. Denis dans le Quartier des Spectacles
An outdoor festival in the Quartier des Spectacles up to Rue Saint Denis with visual art, food, drink, cinema, literature, performances, and lots of music as a way to welcome back the students. A few bars might be open until 6 a.m. if that’s your thing. More info HERE and HERE.
Tempéo Danse et Musique
September 10 – 15, 2024
Place des Arts Esplanade
Enjoy the roofless sky over your dance floor and join in six dance events featuring Bollywood, Brazilian, country, boogie-funk dance, afro pop, and salsa, all animated by Philippe Fehmiu. It’s free and open to all. Pros will be on hand to help you if you need some tips. Info HERE.
Festival AfroMonde
September 12 – 15, 2024
Clock Tower Quay, Old Port of Montreal
Celebrate African music, culture, art, and cuisine at Festival AfroMonde. A 5 km parade of traditional and festival costumes is part of the event, along with great performances. For information, click HERE.
Festival Fono
September 13 -14, 2024
University Laval
This music festival celebrates local music. It takes place outdoors and includes the Kid LAROI, Milky Chance, Beaches, Devon Cole, and more. Info HERE.
Jackalope Festival
September 13 – 15, 2024
Jacques Cartier Pier
Urban sports — which really means skateboarding and bouldering — are at the heart of this action packed festival. Watch highly skilled athletes do cool, adrenaline heavy stuff. Best of all, it’s free. Live vicariously through the athletes. Info HERE.
Martinique Gourmande Festival
September 14 – 15, 2024
Pavillon du Grand Quai du Port de Montréal
Martinique means rum and you can get your share of food goodness at this annual festival. Entry is free allowing you to spend more money on food. Among other things, there are competitions and a dominos tournament. Information HERE.
Festival Cactus et Succulents
September 14 – 15, 2024
2545 Monté des Lacasse
Don’t be so prickly. For the first time ever, Les Serres Lavoie is hosting a cactus and succulent festival. So if you’re more a Haworth’s aeonium parent than a pet parent or you just love your seedlings, this event is for you. Kiosks offering plants, music with Carl Tremblay, a food truck, and inflatables will all be there. Info HERE.
Ferment Fest
September 14 – 15, 2024
Marché Jean Talon
7070 Henri Julien
Kimchi to kraut, pickles to… komboucha. The ferment festival is an opportunity to get your teeth into some of that good bacteria. Workshops, speakers, and of course goods will be on sale. Info HERE.
FIL (Festival International de la Litérature)
September 18 – 28, 2024
Various locations
Montreal celebrates the world of French writers, writing, and literature at the FIL. Readings and a pop up bookstore make this a delight for those into all things literary. Listen to Catherine Ringer, Colette, and lots more. Info HERE.
Exposures
September 19 – 22, 2024
Various locations
Montreal welcomes its first-ever trans film festival with 13 screenings featuring 80 trans themed films over a period of four days. With the theme of “breaking new ground,” there are premieres, like the opening night film, Dog Movie. Info HERE.
Beneva Marathon
September 20 -22, 2024
One of the biggest running events in the city, this is a race worth participating in or watching. Try anything from the 1K to the full marathon. Training usually helps. You can always watch and cheer the runners on. More info HERE.
Buvette Fest!
Sept 21, 2024
La Buvette du Quai
350e Pointe aux Trembles
2 blvd St Jean Baptiste
5- 10 p.m.
Pointe aux Trembles is celebrating 350 years and in honour of this, Le Buvette Fest is a micro festival being held along side the celebrations. Prince of entry includes a beer, music by Cayenne, and saucy wings! Yum. Info HERE.
Montreal International Black Film Festival
September 25 – 29, 2024
Various venues
This festival celebrates black participation in the film industry as well as films that look at international black realities. Awards are given to documentaries, shorts, and feature films. Ground-breaking cinema, some of which will never have commercial release on the big screen, is shown. Spike Lee is the President of honour and FAbienne Colas will get an honorific doctorate. Films to watch out for are Semret, Dancint in A Yard, and The World, and The Space Race. More info HERE.
POP Montreal
September 25 – 29, 2024
Various Venues
The folks at POP Montreal deliver on the musical culture and culture more generally year round in the city, but their big moment is the diverse and challenging music festival, POP Montreal. The festival brings together both no-names and big-names for a mash-up of concerts, symposiums, art, film, and of course, parties. It’s the Eton Mess of music festivals — spontaneous or chaotic, depending on your sense of random. More info HERE.
MAPP MTL Festival
Sept 26 – 28, 2024
Various locations
MAPP festival celebrates digital mapping of the city. It often includes block parties, gatherings, and coordinated projects such as digital murals. This year has a ping pong tournament between digital design studios. Find out about this innovative festival HERE.
IF3 Festival
September 26 – 28, 2024
TRH-BAR and
Le National
1220 St Catherine St E, Montreal, Quebec H2L 2G9
Freeski, freeride, and snow sports have their festival. This year’s version has screenings, activities, and an after-party. More details HERE.
Les Journées de la Culture
Sept. 27 – 29, 2024
Province-wide Québec’s culture gets its spotlight with the Journées de la Culture. The people of Montreal will be out in full force showing their talents in public spaces. This is a voluntary activity and artists and performers register their activities. Expect everything from performance to workshop to conference. More info HERE.
Galgo Fest
September 29, 2024
Parc Agrignon
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Love greyhounds or fantasize about rescuing one? The Great Global Greyhound Walk Worldwide takes place in Montreal in Parc Agrignon. Now’s your chance to appreciate this fabulous dog. Info HERE.
Upcoming and Announced
Muz: Musique Metissées
October 3 – 6, 2024
Studio TD
Four nights of global sounds emanate out of Studio TD from local artists. It highlights the diversity of the universal music by Quebec professionals, from here or abroad, and shows tremendous mix of influences. Info HERE.
Ramen Ramen Festival
October 14 – 27, 2024
Whether you slurp or daintily sip, ramen prepared in as many ways as you can imagine is the focus of this delicious festival. Info HERE.
Montreal Burlesque Festival 2022
October 18 – 19, 2024
Club Soda
Scarlett James hosts the annual burlesque festival where taking it off is what it’s all about. Although, burlesque is so much about the journey AND the destination. Enjoy some of the best performers in the city and those from elsewhere. Info HERE.
A Varning From MTL Fest
October 17 – 20, 2024
Various venues
With punk and experimental music at its heart, the A Varning festival attracts those who really like it loud and wild. Performers come from Montreal, Japan, New York, and other places. This three day festival might require a few earplugs. Just saying. Tickets HERE.
Coupe de Coeur Francophone
November 7 – 17, 2024
Various locations
The Coupe de Coeur Francophone brings in… surprise… francophone singers from around the globe. The earliest announced acts include Marjo, Les Soeurs Boulay, Monica Freire, and more. Details HERE.
Montreal Vegan Festival
November 9 – 10, 2024
Palais des Congres
1001 Place Jean-Paul Riopelle
Eat and taste your way through aisles of animal-free products. There is plenty of food, but also booths for activists and more. All totally free too. Click HERE for more info.
Montreal Heels Festival
November 14 – 17, 2024
Sheraton Hotel
A festival dedicated to Heels, a new style of dance that combines jazz, burlesque, groove. Take classes or watch performers, and learn about this hot crave. Info HERE.
Monthly Festival Links
For Montreal Rampage’s daily events calendar, click HERE. If you have an event you would like to include or a festival to announce, send an email to [email protected]
