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Humidity is rising (Mm rising), Barometer’s getting low (How low, girl!), According to all sources… Montreal’s the place to go. Well, Weather Girls, even if we leave the umbrella behind the tropical island of Montreal has got something for you to do where it’ll be raining men, women, gender-non-conforming, and all other living and semi-living consenting adults. Here’s your monthly list.

Piknic Electronik

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. July includes Acid Arab, Skesa, MCR-T, MRD, Jacques Greene, TDJ, Audrey Belanger, and Sammy Virji as headliners. Information HERE.

Jardins Gamelin

May 30 – Sept 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.

MusOrgue Festival

June 23 – August 4, 2024
St James United Church
463 St Catherine Ouest
Sundays 1 – 2 p.m.

Find yourself a nice cool spot in one of Montreal’s beautiful downtown churches and enjoy organ music. The organizers promise 50% Canadian content, 50% female content, and the music of at least one living composer. Interested? Info HERE.

Marché des Possibles/Entrepôt 77

June 23 – Sept 24, 2023
77 Bernard Est

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.

Mtl en Arts

June 27 – July 1, 2024
Rue St Catherine

Multidisciplinary arts festival offers an open air art gallery along St. Catherine St with the intent of making art inclusive, accessible, and free. It has of course grown to include film, installations, live demonstrations, and much more. Over 150 artists will be participating and there are at least 20 interactive activities. Details can be found HERE. 

Cinéma sous les Étoiles

June 26 – August 31, 2024
Various places/parks

If you like watching a film outdoors on a beautiful summer evening, the Cinéma sous les Étoiles will allow you to catch documentaries in parks around the city. For schedule and offerings , check out the website HERE.

Fireworks : L’International des Feux Loto-Québec 

Thursdays and Sundays alternate weeks
June 27 – August 1, 2024
10 p.m.

Fireworks just make the sky pretty. For about 45 minutes at a go, check out what every country has to offer in terms of display. You can get tickets to see it, or just hang out in the old port and watch for free. The opener is an homage to Boy and Girl Bands and the closer is an homage to Coldplay. Info HERE.

Montreal International Jazz Festival

June 27 – July 6, 2024
Place des Arts

Every year, the downtown core thrums with music from Montreal’s jazz fest. Although jazz is more like one of the many dishes on offer — blues, experimental, international rhythms, beats, and classic rock are all there too. It’s a great party and one of the summer highlights. The 2024 lineup includes Norah Jones, Laufey, Andre 3000, Pink Martini, Alexandra Stelinski, and many others. Get your tickets now. Information and tickets HERE.

Montréal complétement cirque / Circus Festival

July 4 – 14, 2024

Send in the clowns. I think so. But also the aerial artisans, the acrobats, the jugglers, the magicians, and the other performers of the circus. St. Denis becomes an open air circus while beloved groups will perform in venues. Info HERE.

Comiccon 

July 5 – 7, 2024
Palais des congrès de Montréal

Are you a Marvel superhero or a DC one? Star Wars or Star Trek? Maybe you just want to dress up like you’re in Bridgerton. Whatever pop culture gets your motor running, Comiccon invites creators, authors, artists, producers, writers, and fans together for a multi-day bonanza. Info HERE.

Festival International de Lanaudière

July 6 – August 4, 2024
Various Venues

If you need to get out of Montreal, the Festival de Lanaudière provides the opportunity to listen to orchestral and classical music in Joliette as well as see open air films. It’s about 1-2 hours away from the Montreal (by car). Find out more HERE

Ratha Yatra Fesetival de L’Indie

July 6 – 7, 2024
Parc Jeanne Mance

A festival to celebrate Indian culture is of course going to include a vegetarian feast. This one is free. Participate in yoga and dance workshops, pick up souvenirs, and even listen t the entertainmnet. Info HERE.

Annual Dragon Boat Challenge

July 6 – 7 , 2024 8 a.m..
Parc Jean Drapeau

Row, row, row the dragon boat. 150 teams from Canada and the US compete. If that sounds like fun, find out info HERE. 

Les Premiers Vendredis / First Fridays Food Trucks

July 5, 6, 7, 2024
4 – 11 p.m.
Esplanade du Parc Olympique
4545, avenue Pierre-De Coubertin

Get your food trucks here. Food trucks, food trucks, food trucks. And also always some good music. Every first Friday of the month, it’s your chance to sample what our trucks have to offer. If you love to eat, get ready to show up with your credit card. July is the Mediterranean this year with Latin food in August. Details HERE.

Comedy sur La Well

July 8 – July 14, 2024
Rue Wellington, Verdun

A week of bilingulal comedy takes over the Verdun promenade. Over 30 performances are featured. Come and check out the Sweet and Salty Comedy Tour, Rodney Ramsey and the Heavy Hitters, evening headliners, and workshops too. Info HERE.

Festival International Nuits d’Afrique 

July 9 – 21, 2024
Various venues

36 years of music, workshops, and events tied to the African diaspora. Performers from Africa, the US, the Caribbean, and Latin America make this an international delight. Watch for Kiba, Def Mama Def, and Mr Touré, and more. Info on festival HERE.

Startupfest 2024

July 10 – 12, 2024
Old Port of Montreal

Three days of people with technology and entrepreneurial dreams. Spend time around the brightest minds and soak up their vision for the future that is now! Montreal is rich in startups, so get to meet some of the investors, movers, shakers, creators, and innovators. Find out who will win the coveted pitch competition with the grandmothers. There’s always awesome swag by way of hats, pins, pens, little notebooks, and free samples. Details HERE.

Soulfest

July 11 – 14, 2024
Saint James Square

With a slightly ambiguous name, it’s hard to tell if this is a religious kind of soul, or a soul food kind of soul, or some combination of the two. There will be disco, though, and that’s it’s own kind of religion. This is a new festival will be in Place des Arts, promising food, music, sound, lighting, and entertainment. In particular, get ready for some of these lovely divas to sing:  Kim Richardson, Dawn Tyler Watson, and Michelle Sweeney. Info HERE.

Taste of the Caribbean

July 11 – 14, 2024
Clock Tower Quai
Old Port

From callalloo to jerk, get out to the old port and enjoy that all spice delicious Caribbean food. In addition to the food are music performance, dance lessons, percussion, and even art. Dance in the Del Monte Dance Zone, check out the skydeck experience, and watch the videos about the relationship betwene the Caribbean and Canada at the One Love Project area. Info HERE.

Illume Festival

July 12 – 14, 2024
Hudson

You don’t have to travel that far for a bit of spiritual enlightenment. Hudson is hosting a festival with yoga, medication, and lots of inner peace for all. Workshops, a street fair, and plenty of essential oil will be in the air. Info HERE.

La Guinguette du Vieux-Montréal

July 11 – 14, 2024
Bassin Peel

Food, summer vibes, and a tropical place to chill out is what this mobile festival is all about. Play cornhole with your friends or just grab a cool one and chill in an enormous chair. Info HERE.

Festival de la Bieres de Laval

July 12 – 14, 2024
Centre de la Nature
901 Av. du Parc, Laval, QC H7E 4Z6

There’s more to Laval than strip malls and a book of poetry. There’s also beer. Well, a beer festival to be more specific. And not just beer, but stand up comedy and music. Calamine, Jérome 50, Emile Bilodeau, and Gab Bouchard are among those playing. Information HERE. 

Echoes of a Proud Nation  Pow Wow

July 13 – 14, 2024
Kahnawake (Ile Tekakwitha)

The Keepers of the Eastern Door, the Kanien’kehá:ka nation welcomes other nations (including Canada and Quebec) to its territory for its annual pow wow. See magnificent hoop dances, join in the singing and dancing, purchase Indigenous goods and crafts, enjoy the food, and make friends. More information can be found HERE. 

Comediha! Hello Montreal

July 18 – 28, 2024
Quartier des Spectacles

Just For Laughs ran into some financial troubles, but Montreal is still a hub for comedy with its multilingual population. Katherine Levac will be hosting Queer and Friends. Check out shows featuring Jean-Michel Martel and Josiane Aubuchon, or even catch the musical Waitress. Info about all events can be found HERE.

Cho Dem MTL : Vietnamese Food Festival

July 18 – 21, 2024
Bassin Peel
1049 De la Commune St W

Fans of Pho, the spring rolls, papaya salads, and lemongrass scented chicken will be delighted to know that Montreal is having a Vietnamese Food Festival. If you’ve never tried Vietnamese… are you a human? So yummy. Check it out HERE.

Festival Fantasia 

July 18 – Aug 4, 2024
Concordia University

Chills, thrills, spills, action sequences, hauntings, zombies, martial arts, horror. Pretty much anything that falls under the banner of genre cinema finds its home at the coolest film festival I’ve ever been to. The audience meows in anticipation. Literally. Info HERE.

Le Grand Poutine Fest

July 17 – 28, 2024
Quai de l’Horloge
33 Rue de la Commune

For the city that made the combination of fries, cheese, and gravy its signature dish… Poutine Fest offers over 20 variations available to compare and contrast. The festival is in fact making a circuit around the province, and will also pop up at Joliette, Granby, Laval, Brossard, Quebec City, and LaSalle. Info HERE

Soif de Cider

July 26 – 28, 2024
Hangar 1825,
Lieu Historique National du Canal de Lachine

Fans of fermented beverages made from apples and other fruit will want to check out this brand new festival taking place along the Lachine canal. Quebec’s producers will be offering tastings. There will also be a space dedicated to Mocktails, for those who want to leave the alcohol out of their swishy beverages. Info HERE.

Haiti en Folie

July 24 – 28, 2024
Parc Lafontaine

Montreal enjoys a special relationship with the French speaking island of Haiti. This year, catch Boukman Eksperyans and RAM. Enjoy the creole cuisine. Dance your heart out. Info HERE.

Festival Arts Saint-Sauveur

July 24 – August 4,, 2024
St. Sauveur

Since many people journey to the Laurentians in the summer, you might want to stop in the town of St. Sauveur to catch their arts festival. Dance is the focus. Check it out HERE.

Outdoor Cinema

It seems like every night of the week, there’s a place to catch a free film during the month of July. Cinema can be seen in many public parks on different nights of the week thanks to Cinema Sous Les Etoiles, with the schedule HERE.  Film Noir Au Canal screens Hitchcock and other suspense films every Sunday from July 14 to August 18. Details HERE. Also, you can catch RIDM en plein air at different spots in July and August. Details should appear HERE.  Cinemania (French films subtitled in English) also tour different parks. Details TBD. Another spot to watch is in NDG at NDG Park and Jean Brilliant Park. Details TBD. 

Upcoming

Montréal Pride / Fierté Montréal

August 1 – 11, 2024
Various Venues

Whether you identify as LGBTQAI2S+ or something else, chances are you’ve got a home at Montreal’s Pride festival. This huge celebration includes a parade, special events, lots of music, a community picnic, and just a fabulous party. Some of the events include a park puppy-play, performances by lesbian choirs, draglestque latinx, and plenty of parties. Click HERE for info.

Osheaga

Aug 2 – 4, 2024
Parc Jean Drapeau

MUSIC. 3 DAYS OF MUSIC! And art. Green Day, Smashing Pumpkins, SZA, Hozier, Lil TJAY, Noah Kahan, Skepta, and many others are headlining. Info HERE.

The Montréal Highland Games 

August 4, 2024
Douglas Hospital, Verdun

If you’ve never seen a big man toss a big log, you haven’t lived. And he’ll do it in a kilt. Aside from caber tossing, there’s stone tossing and putting the stone. Also medieval combat, pipe bands, tug of war, and highland dancing. For all things Scotland (and a bit o’ Ireland too), come check it out. Info HERE.

Otakuthon

August 2 – 4, 2024
Palais de Congres

From anime to JPOP, this festival celebrates… all things nerdy about Japan. Otaku, basically. But being an Otaku is a chance to cosplay your favorite character, pick up cool figurines, get drawings done. It’s like Comiccon but more low key and with an emphasis on stuff from Crunchyroll. Info HERE.

Italfest

August 2 – 11, 2024
Various venues

Ciao belli. You no longer need to make your way up to little Italy to celebrate all things Italian. This time, the ItalFest is moving around from the West Island to Quartier des Spectacles with many stops along the way. Let’s face it — food is kind of front and centre for this one. But this year, a lot of the program will be given over to music and cultural events as well. For info, click HERE.

National Bank Tennis Open

August 3 – 12, 2024

Uniprix Stadium

The annual tennis tournament alternates between men and women’s. This year, the women are in Montreal. While there’s no telling who will play in the event, usually a few of the big names appear. Tickets start at $15 on the first day and begin at $179 and up for the finals. Information HERE.

Pocha MTL : Korean Food Festival

August 8 – 11, 2024
Hangar 1825
40 Rue des Seigneurs

Koreans are celebrated all over Asia for pushing food to new and greater heights. They don’t make croissants. They make croissants stuffed with pasty cream with pistachios and chocolate chips and holding a sandwich of fried chicken. Or just fried chicken or kogos or any of the 100s of food options. Details HERE.

International First Peoples Festival

August 5 – 15, 2024
Place des Festivals

The cultural centre of Montreal celebrates the artistic creation and cultural renaissance of indigenous peoples around the world. Music, dance, food, a bazaar, and more are all part of the programming. For info, click HERE.

Île Soniq

Aug 9 – 11, 2024
Parc Jean Drapeau

If you didn’t get enough of your dance on at OSHEAGA or you’re happy to skip anything you can’t dance to, Île Soniq was made for you. Two straight days of the fabulous EDM and DJs. Headliners include Zedd, Ben Böhmer, Paul Kalkbrenner, Tiesto, Masterhand. You get the point. Info HERE.

International Balloon Festival of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu

August 9 – 18, 202r
5, Chemin de l’Aéroport Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu

The sky fills with colourful balloons that gracefully float up and around at this cool day trip of a festival. Music makes the event with performances by bands like Avril Lavigne, Charlotte Cardin, Simple Plan, and Bryan Adams. Check out the details HERE.

Festival Streetfood

August 15 – 18, 2024
Quai d’horloge

For a chance to sample cuisine from all around the world, check this festival out. Over 40 restaurants offer 150 street food creations from around the globe. Prices for dishes start as low as $1, and going up to $15, so you can eat it all. Well, maybe not all. Info HERE.

Lasso Festival

August 16 – 17, 2024
Parc Jean Drapeau

In the big festival site on the big park to the south, Montreal welcomes roots and country sounds for two days. Sam Hunt, Eric Church, Brett Young, Kip More, and Dustin Lynch headline. Details HERE.

Mutek

August 20 – 25, 2024
Place des Arts

Showcasing digital experiences in music and art, Mutek curates some excellent experiences. Over 80 performances will take place around Place des Arts in venues like the SAT, MTELUS, and Place des Arts. Of course there’s some free shows as well. The Nocturnes, though bring together music and VJs, and are bring the world of electronic music to Montreal. Info HERE.

Palomosa

September 5, 6-7 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.

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.

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

July

August

September

October

November

December

January

February

March

April

May

June

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]