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June in Montreal is like having your birthday every single damned day. Want music? Want food? Want theatre? Want weirdness? Every day, every weekend, something amazing is happening.

Piknic Electronik

Sundays, Through September 2018

Parc Jean Drapeau

DJs from around the world perform for the Sunday crowds who want to bliss out in the sunshine and on into the evening. June DJ headliners and support include Loco Dice, DJ Tennis, Kora, and Chus + Ceballos. Not bad for a way to spend your Sundays. Click HERE for details.

Montreal Digital Spring/Printemps Numérique

April 23 – June 21, 2019

Montreal celebrates all things that involve bits, bytes, and digital wonder, especially in the name of art. The Digital Spring is an umbrella event that covers many smaller ones. Conferences, exhibitions, and installations are at the fore. Details HERE.

FTA (Festival TransAmériques)

May 22 – June 4, 2019

Dance, theatre, opera, and performing arts from around the world come to Montreal along with a few art exhibitions and musical pieces. Most pieces only show for a few days, but are usually high quality and thought-provoking.  Tickets HERE.

Oasis Festival

May 24 – June 16, 2019
Parc Olympique, Esplanade

Four weekends will bring some DJs to the Big Owe for our listening pleasure. 60 different artists are performing as part of the urban beach. Among those to check out — Tiesto, Jamie Jones, and Rezz I. Tickets and info HERE.

Festival des Arts Vivants (OFFTA)

May 24 – June 2, 2019

While the FTA (Festival Transameriques) takes place, the OFFTA showcases local works on the “fringes” of the festival. More information to come. Watch HERE for details.

Festival Go Vélo Montreal

May 26 – June 2, 2019

Montrealers are dedicated bikers. Our bike paths are well maintained and ever more numerous. We are the proud home of the Bixi. Go Velo encourages people to get out on their bikes and ride like the wind. The highlight for many is the Tour de l’Ile, when the goal is to bike the whole island (or part of it) along a specified route with many others. It’s like a biking marathon. The Tour La Nuit does something similar, but at night. Information for events HERE.

Montreal International Musical Competition

May 26 – June 5, 2019
Salle Bourgie, Place des Arts

Classical musical competition this year has young violinists from around the world compete before an international jury that includes respected musical directors and professors. Winner takes home a fairly respectable $30,000 prize, but there are others to be won. The Montreal symphony orchestra accompanies the competitors during the final round and the winners during the gala concert. All info can be found HERE.

Montreal St. Ambroise Fringe Festival

May 27 – June 16, 2019

Don’t take our word for it. Find out for yourself why this is the most exciting theatre festival in the city. Local comedians, actors, dancers, magicians, clowns, improvisers, and performers join those from further afield (some of whom who do nothing but perform in Fringe Festivals around the world) to stage productions that clock in at around an hour or less. Many types of passes are available and the vibe is unbelievable in this happy mish-mash of crazy goodness and questionable weirdness. Art, music, and other events are generally part of this festival too. Information HERE. 

Latin Fest Culturel et Gastronomique de Montreal

June 1, 2019
Centre Communautaire Elgar (260 Rue Elgar)

Yup, food and dance, and just all around all things related to South America and the people and places that identify as Latino. Should be super. Details HERE.

Keto Fest

June 1, 2019
Centre Mont Royal (2200 Mansfield)

After enjoying all things Latin American, you can try and convince yourself Keto is a viable option. Please. Anyway, the deets are HERE.

Suoni per Il Popolo

June 4 – 23, 2019
Sala Rossa, Casa del Popolo, La Vitrola, and La Sotterenea

Because of solid ongoing eclectic local programming at these venues, it’s sometimes a little hard to figure out when this annual music festival starts. However, during the course of the festival there is an emphasis on experimental, ambient, free form and lo-fi music. A further focus is put on Canada, and more specifically Montreal. In addition to music, there is a film series and other performers who are included in the programming. Tickets for all shows can be found HERE.

Effects MTL

June 4 – 5, 2019
Marche Bonsecours (350 St. Paul Est)

How many programming studios do we have in the city? Never enough. Well, the VFX and animation industries are having their gathering in the Old Port. Check ticket and registration info HERE. 

Tattoo Nouvelle Ere

June 7 – 9, 2019
Salon 1861, 550 Rue Richmond

Ink it up. What’ll it be? The new trend seems to be small, symbolic, black and white images, but there’s always something new. Figure out what you’ll beautify yourself with next. Details HERE. 

Festival Mural

June 6 – 16, 2019
the Plateau and Mile End

Taking inspiration from graffiti artists and under the banner of urban art/street art, Montreal allows an international crowd to paint our buildings. The results are some outstanding works that spread from Place des Arts up to Mile End, each one hanging around for a few years before being replaced. Miss Van, Spidertag, Pichiavo, Laurence Vallieres, Ben Johnston, Bryan Beyung, Gleo, Insane 21, and Joshua Vides will be among those given space to make great public art with spray paint. DJs and street culture generally mesh well with this one. There are even guided tours. Info HERE.

Festival Grand Prix Sur Crescent

June 6 – 8, 2019
Crescent Street

Most Montrealers claim to stay far away from this bash that takes over Crescent for a three day bros and hos display. If vaping, Red Bull, getting pumped, and checking out sports cars is your thing, we know where to find you. Info HERE.

Montreal Grand Prix

June 7 – 9, 2019
Circiut GIlles Villeneuve

Along with the Crescent crowd comes the rest of the Grand Prix. F1 Cars racing around the Gilles Villeneuve circuit for 70 laps to glory can be heard everywhere in the city. People buy tickets, though, and watch. Supposedly it’s exciting. At night, they go to Club La BOOM, Hotel 10, and Club Muzique to DJ it out. It’s supposedly a jet set event that bring tremendous revenue to the city. Most Montrealers restrict themselves to hearing the noise from the cars from anywhere downtown during the races. Perhaps I don’t run with the right international crowd. Info HERE.

Eureka Festival

June 7 – 9, 2019

Old Port Montreal

For those who like to geek out into all things science and natural wonder, and for those parents who want their kids to get a STEM degree, check out this science festival. It’s family friendly. The Eureka festival includes events of programming, workshops, and demonstration. More info can be found HERE.

Montreal Chamber Music Festival

June 7 – 16, 2019
Salle Bourgie (1339 Sherbrooke W)

For the love of violas, violins, viols, and all things stringed done in small groups and intimate gatherings. Among those playing are Gregory Charles and Alexander Ullman will perform Beethoven’s nine symphonies as transcribed by Liszt for solo piano. Info HERE.

Festivulve

June 8 – 9, 2019
Centre de Loisirs communitaires Lajeunesse (7378 rue Lajeunesse)

Quite seriously, there is a festival celebrating female genitalia. Le Vagin Connaisseur has a two-day festival with the goal of honouring equality and regard for all bodies. There are lectures, conferences, workshops, art, photography, and more Info HERE.

Annual Dragon Boat Challenge 2019

June 9, 2019, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Lachine Canal

Row, row, row the dragon boat to raise funds for the Missing Children’s Network. If that sounds like fun, find out info HERE. 

Elektra

June 11 – 16, 2019

The international digital art festival showcases artists and works that utilize new technologies. The festival has a Montreal focus, but an international vision. For more information, click HERE. 

Bloomsday Festival

June 12-16 2019

James Joyce gets celebrated with walking tours, films, music, and conversations. Geek out on reading Ulysses or enjoy poetry and song in the Joyce way. Check out this cool lit festival. More info HERE. 

Montreal Folk Festival sur la Canal

June 13 – 16, 2019
Centennial Esplanade (between St. Patrick and Pitt Streets H3J 1X4)

I volunteered for this festival in its first year by the St. Ambroise brewery and have seen it grow ever since. It’s a chilled out chance to watch some more mellowed out music with an acoustic feel, even if it’s played on electric guitars. Think singer-songwriters and bands that like flannel. Plenty of locals step up. Some of this year’s bigger names are The Damn Truth, Ashley MacIsaac, and the Good Lovelies. Tickets, which start at PWYC, are HERE.

Italian Contemporary Film Festival

June 13 – 21, 2019
Cinemathque Quebecoise (335 Maisonneuve E) and Guzzo Cinemas (5940 des Grandes Prairies)

If getting off the city streets and into a nice air conditioned movie theatre sounds like the best way to spend a day, check out this film festival celebrating Italian cinema. Info HERE. 

International Portugal Festival

June 14 – 16 2019
St Urbain/Rachel Ouest

Concerts, a parade, that piri piri chicken. Celebrate Portuguese culture in the way that only Montreal can. Info HERE. 

La Franco Follies

June 14 – 22, 2019
Place des Arts

It’s not a comedy festival (it’s not foolies!), but a music one. Place des Arts and some major performance venues open their doors to those who chanter en français! There are plenty of free shows as well. This year, check out Galaxie, Vincent Vallières, Émile Bilodeau, Koriass, and many others.  Information HERE. 

Sneaker-Con

June 15
Palais de Congres ()

I have seen lines of people at 6 a.m. in the morning waiting to buy an Air Jordans reissue. Sneakers are serious business. Sneaker Con is for all fans of the most sort after footwear on the market. Info HERE. 

Montreal Baroque Festival

June 20 – 23, 2019
Eglise Madonna della Difesa, 6800, Av. Henri-Julien, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H2V 2V4

This year’s festival celebrates the work of classical composers like Vivaldi, Verdi, and Bach. Concerts and tickets HERE.

Marché des Possibles

June 21 – July 28, 2019
5635 St Dominique

It isn’t so much of a festival as a 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. Some weekends its yoga, some it is music. Info HERE.

KIZO Festival Montréal

June 21 – 23, 2019
Bain Mathieu (2915 Ontario E)

I’m not sure what KIZO is, but there appears to be a list of parties, workshops, and DJs coming together to spread love. Information HERE.

Grand Montréal Comique

June 22 – July 7, 2019
L’Olympia (1004 St Catherine Est)

Stand-up comedians from Montreal got together to host this festival to celebrate and well, make you laugh your ass off. Information HERE.

Montreal International Jazz Festival

June 26 – July 6, 2019

It’s not exclusively jazz but it’s an anything goes kind of event with free programming and paid events that blow people away year after year. The main attractions this year are Norah Jones, Buddy Guy, Chick Corea, Peter Frampton, Courtney Barnett and on and on and on. Tickets and schedules HERE. 

Mtl en Arts

June 26 – July 1 2019

Multidisciplinary arts festival offers an open air art gallery along St. Catherine St. It has of course grown to include film, installations, live demonstrations, and much more. Details can be found HERE. 

FMD — Montreal Fashion and Design Festival

August 19 – 24, 2019
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. For info, click HERE.

Triathlon International de Montréal

June 28 – 29, 2019, 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. 

Upcoming and Announced

Montréal Complètement Cirque/International Festival of Circus Arts

July 4 -14, 2019

Since we can’t all just run off to join the circus, we can at least go and watch one. With one of the only circus training schools in the country here in Montreal, we get outstanding performers. Some shows to catch are Bosch Dreams by Les 7 Doigts and La Galerie by Machine de Cirque. There are free shows on St. Denis where you can catch some daring performances on building rooftops, or perhaps try out some circus performance yourself. Details HERE.

Startupfest 2019

July 9 – 12, 2019
Parc Jean Drapeau (Jardin de l’Angleterre)

Four days of people with technology and entrepreneurial dreams. Montreal is rich in startups, so get to meet some of the investors, movers, shakers, creators, and innovators. Details HERE.