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Fantasia Film Festival

July 14 to August 2

Fantasia is a chance for horror, fantasy, foreign, comic, and oddball films to air on a big screen before enthusiastic audiences. This international film festival attracts large, dedicated crowds. More information HERE.

Le Grand Ribfest de Montreal

August 1 – 6, 2017, Old Port

Get ready to get your eats on with the saucy festival. Also spicy. Also siracha. Top BBQ kings and queens compete to tempt you with their best ribs ever. Info HERE. 

Montreal First Peoples’ Festival/Présence Autochtone

Aug 2-Aug 9, 2017, Quartier des Spectacles

This joyous event celebrates the first peoples of the Americas and indigenous people everywhere. Concerts, food, cinema, and more take over Place des Arts. There’s plenty to see for free. Information HERE.

Osheaga Music and Arts Festival

August 4 to August 6 2017

The music festival that everyone loves to attend takes over Jean Drapeau. We publish an annual survival guide HERE. There is an art fest, food trucks, and best of all… music: Lorde, MGMT, Sampha, The Shins, Liam Gallagher, Crystal Castles, Die Anteworord, Run the Jewels, The Weeknd. Not bad, not bad at all. Information HERE.

Rogers Cup

August 4 to 13 2017,  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. Information HERE. 

Otakuthon

August 4 – 6 2017, Palais des Congrès

Manga, anime, and all things Japanese take over Palais des Congres for one of the quirkiest and fun festivals. Dress up like your favourite character or find ones who share your passion. Get autographs from your favorite voice actors and cosplayers. Dance all night until 4 a.m. at the festival’s famous balls. More info HERE.

Montreal Italian Week

August 4-13 2017

Mamma Mia, Italian food can’t be beat, and its culture is beloved by more than just those of Italian descent. The Italian Week pulls into Little Italy for food (of course), performances, and street fairs. Events include the best cannoli contest, Italian bands, and a fashion show. Oh, and the Fiats. So many little Fiats on the road. More info HERE.

Triathlon International de Montréal

August 5- August 6, 2017, Old Port

Elite and amateur athletes compete for world bests and personal bests in the annual Montreal triathlon. Swim, bike, run, and sweat. For more details, click HERE. 

Montreal Highland Games

August 6, Douglas Hopsital, Verdun

This summer tradition combines highland dancing, pipe music, with the coolest athletics you will ever see.  56 and 28 pound weight tosses and hammer tosses might sound familiar. The Sheaf Toss entails throwing sheaves of hay. And the highlight: the Caber toss — throwing an 18 foot log. More information HERE. 

Le Grand Poutinefest de Montréal

August 8 – 13, 2017, Old Port

Montreal’s signature dish in many different incarnations, all in one place. After running in that triathlon or throwing a log in the highland games, you deserve some poutine. More details HERE. 

Under Pressure

August 9 – 13, 2017

North American’s longest and largest graffiti and hip hop festival, brings dance competitions, symposia, exhibitions and the gorgeous street murals to St. Catherine in a celebration of urban culture. Walk down St. Catherine Street and see the artists at work as they race to make their mark. More info HERE.

OSM Classical Spree

August 10-13, 2017

The Montreal symphony orchestra delivers 30 concerts over four days with chamber music, recitals, and symphonic concerts to name a few. There are many free outdoor performances as well. Info HERE.

Pride Montreal

August 10 – 20, 2017. Parade on August 20

The Sunday afternoon parade is as inspiring as it is an awesome spectacle. Vibrant, proud, and colourful, this is a highlight of the Montreal year for all. Celebrate LGBTQ with a week of events that include art, conferences, music, drag superstars, sports competitions, and brunch. Come out and join the fun, literally, metaphorically, or any way you wish. More info HERE.

Pervers/Cité

August 11-20, 2017

The underside of pride… or so it claims. Focusing on social justice and queerness, pervers/cité has a mandate to include all. There are workshops, dances, films, even games like capture the flag. It’s a mish-mash of events with a strong message. To find out more, see HERE.

Île Soniq

August 11 and 12, 2017, Parc Jean Drapeau

All that infrastructure at Parc Jean-Drapeau isn’t taken down so quickly. The festival of electronic music, Ile Soniq brings the EDM for two more days of dancing on the little island that can. Tiesto, Afrojack, Porter Robinson, and Migos are some of the hot headliners. More info HERE.

 

Orientalys

August 10 – 13, 2017, Quai de l’Horloge

A celebration of Eastern culture, the Orientalys is a free festival at the Old Port. Music by Sami Ray, Yacine and the Oriental Groove, and Amin Amlil as well as dance performances showcase the variety and talent of the Middle East. More info HERE.

La Falla

August 10 – 12, 2017

World rhythms of a slightly different type take over TOHU. This is a free event, so there’s no excuse for not going. World beats aren’t the only thing either (Pierre Kwenders is performing). Open air cinema, a Berber village, dancing, and circus acts (it is TOHU after all). Check out the party. Info HERE.

Soir Festival

August 11, 2017; 5 p.m. – 3 a.m., Rue Beaubien

Like a giant block party, the Soir festival brings together music, living arts, arts exhibitions, theatre in motion, and more. Some things to keep an eye out for are music by Mr. Walter, Ada Lea, and Mort Rose, VioleTT Pi, RVB, LAF, and Bad Nylon. Also look for the works of artists Laurence Philomène, Armand Vaillancourt, and Serge Belo.

Matsuri Japon Festival

Aug. 12 2017, Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre of Montreal

Japanese culture gets a second send-up this month with Matsuri Japon. This one day festival at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre has food, dance, martial arts performances, and lots of Japanese goods for sale. It has some of the cutest logos ever

Foire écosphère

August 12-13, 2017, Old Port

150 different stands with 30 conferences on the top environmental event in Quebec. Free food samples, health products, new green technology, and more is available to check out. For info, click HERE.

Montgolfières de St. Jean sur Richelieu (Balloon Festival)

August 12-20, 2017, Saint Jean Sur Richelieu

The balloons are here! The balloons are here. Just a short drive from Montreal, enjoy watching huge hot air balloons lift off into the sky. Such a wonder! Musical performances are part of the fun, bringing in 150 different musicians like Wycliffe Jean, Dead Obies, and Les Cowboys Fringants. More info HERE. 

too. More info HERE.

Montreal International Tango Festival

August 16 – 20, 2017

The Tango festival is all about this sultry dance and its fans. Milonga and classes make this a tango dancer’s dream. There are classes as well as shows to attend. Find out how to get tickets and what’s going on HERE.

 

White Yoga Tour

August 12, 2017, Jacques Cartier Pier

Bend it more like Bikram than Bekham on the LOLE White yoga tour. Dressed in white, yogis from Montreal and beyond will bliss out at the Old Port for a session led by Nadia Bonefant, Selena Isles, Dawn Mauricio, Anthony Bathory, and Geneviève Guérard. Live music by Beyries accompanies. More info HERE.

Diner en Blanc

August 17, 2017

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.

Animaze

August 17 – 20, 2017

The festival that celebrates animation takes place in August. It’s a chance to see great creativity and be inspired by animators and film professionals from around the globe. In addition to screenings, there are workshops, a job fair, and a conference. Information HERE. 

Montreal International Reggae Festival

August 18 – 20, 2017, Old Port

Reggae, reggae, rasta, rasta. Three days of reggae beats are on offer at the Old Port. R. City, Inner Circle, Sanchez are performing along with so many others. More info HERE.

Résonance

August 18 to 20, 2017

While the CBC and Radio Canada seem like immediate places to think about when considering “la création radio” in Montreal, there is also a podcast scene. This festival looks at audio productions in their many formats, whether found sound, documentary, storytelling, or fiction. More info HERE.

 

Montreal Restaurant Day

August 20, 2017

Don’t miss the pop up restaurant in a neighbourhood near you. Your friends and neighbours, or even yourself, can open a restaurant for a day and showcase your cooking talents. Food is priced by the people who sell it and there are not only tasty dishes, but they’re often so unbelievably cheap. It’s a funky, fun worldwide event. See the facebook page for details HERE. Really, though, you need the map from the website HERE.

 

FMD — Montreal Fashion and Design Festival

August 21- 26 2017, Quartier des Spectacles

All the glam of fashion week, but done with Montreal cool and creativity. Montreal’s fashion festival has conferences, catwalks, and films all related to film. The fashion and design items for sale are a good reason to head down and see what’s happening at the Quartier des Spectacles and pick something up by a local designer. There’s even a fashion truck launching. For info, click HERE.

MUTEK

August 22-27, 2017

Love music? Love digital creativity and electronic music in particular? Mutek is your thing. With a lengthy list of Canadian and international artists, this festival promises plenty of head nodding as well as mad dancing. Information HERE. 

The Montreal World Film Festival

August 24 – September 4, 2017

Diversity is the buzz word of this international high-quality film festival. Over 750 films, both long and short, are screened and come from every country. Most films will never open commercially (though some surely do), so this is a chance to see some hard-to-find films that won’t make it to the theatres or Netflix. China gets a special nod too. More info: HERE.

NDG Arts Week

August 21- 27, 2017

The hip, sometimes gritty neighbourhood with families and a whack of artists, NDG, gets a chance to showcase its talents. The festival launches at Cafe Shaika and then features all kinds of wonderful things including outdoor film screenings, in-home theatre, and music. It’s a great celebration all around. More info HERE.

Nomadfest Rodeo Urban

August 24 – 27, 2017, Quai Jacques Cartier

There’s a little bit of cowboy in all of us. Whether you prefer to ride the bull or to watch someone else, there’s bound to be a little bit of something for everyone. Check out Bodh’aktan, Youngstown, Veronique Labbe, or Carl Trembaly and Jimmy James. For details, click HERE.

 

Fattal Fest

August 25, 2017, Parking des Fattals

A combination of outdoor and indoor indie punk music makes Fattal Fest a bit of attitude, a bit of mayhem and a lot of fun. Shows start at 5 p.m. and continue until well past midnight. For details, click HERE.

World Press Photo

August 30-Oct 1, 2017, 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. $13/10. More info HERE.

Our review of the 2014 edition can be seen here.

Montreal Electric Groove (MEG)

August 31 to Sept 3, 2017

Get your dance shoes and glowsticks on at the MEG festival. With a line up of bands that bring music electronically, this festival keeps it going all night long at small and large venues like the SAT, Sala Rossa, Divan Orange, and Le Belmont. Check out top performers like Kllason, Douchka, Robert Robert, Ryan Playground, Clement Bazin, Cri, and Guts. For more information click HERE.

Piknic Electronik

Parc Jean Drapeau, Sundays

A Sunday wouldn’t be a Sunday without the weekly dance parties on Ile Drapeau. Check out the best of Quebec DJs along with those from abroad on August 13, 20, and 27. Details can be found HERE.

Outdoor Cinemas

While many outdoor cinemas are winding down, there are still a few left.

 

Monday Nights

Place de la Paix. Schedule HERE.

Tuesday Nights

Parc de L’Espoir (Gay Village). Schedule HERE. 

Parc du Pélican. Schedule HERE.

Parc Saint Gabriel. Schedule HERE.

Wednesday Nights

Parc Laurier. Schedule HERE. 

Square Dézéry. Schedule HERE.

Thursday Nights

NDG Park. Schedule HERE. 

Friday Nights

Val David. Schedule HERE.