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Remember festivals? We do! While our festal calendar is a little thin this summer, many things have been moved to later months (August, September). Expect more and more to pop up as summer moves along. Here’s some of the stuff happening this June along with some June festivals that have been moved to months ahead.

FTA (Festival TransAmériques)

May 26 – June 12, 2021

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

Festival des Arts Vivants (OFFTA)

May 28 – June 6, 2021

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

June 3 – August 29, 2021

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 St. Ambroise Fringe Festival

June 1 – June 20, 2021

Don’t take our word for it. Find out for yourself why this is the most dynamic theatre festival in the city. Local comedians, actors, dancers, magicians, clowns, improvisers, and performers join those from further afield (some of whom who 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. 

Suoni Per Il Popolo

June 3 – 21, 2021

The experimental music festival is taking an online approach for most, but not all, of its shows. Most events can be seen for free on facebook, youtube, and the Suoni website. Find out what music everyone will be listening to next by checking it out HERE.

Bloomsday Festival

June 12-16 2021

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 now in its 10th year. More info HERE. 

Cinéma Public Le LIVART

June 22 – Aug 13

A series of outdoor screenings will take place on big screens in a laid-back, safe atmosphere. Films start at sunset and food is available for pre-purchase. Check out Wuhan Wuhan, Social Hygiene, Goddess of the Fireflies, and more. Films are for the most part in French with English subtitles. Directors and actors may be in attendance. The list of all films and tickets for purchase are available HERE.

Sneaker-Con

June 26 – 27, 2021
Online

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 17 – 20, 2021

This year’s festival has gone hybrid. Lots and lots of Bach. Concerts and tickets HERE.

Large Capacity Concerts

June 25

The infographic says it all. Assigned seating has been allowed since May 21. Outdoor and large indoor spaces have been allowed to host 2500 people (250 per section). Outdoor concerts can have standing audiences as of June 25. Masks and social distancing will still be required until Aug 31.

Mtl en Arts

June 30 – July 4, 2021

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. 

Upcoming and Announced (Usually in June)

Montréal Complètement Cirque/International Festival of Circus Arts

July 8 – 18, 2021

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 by Flip Fabrique and Lion Lion Lion. There are usually free shows around Quartier des Spectacles and Rue St. Denis where you can catch some daring performances on building rooftops, or perhaps try out some circus performance yourself. Details HERE.

Festival Mural

Aug 12 – 22, 2021
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. DJs and street culture generally mesh well with this one. There are even guided tours. Info HERE.

FMD — Montreal Fashion and Design Festival

August 17 – 22, 2021
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

Aug 13 – 15, 2021, 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. 

Mutek

August 24 – Sept 5

Montreal’s celebration of electronic music, along with related subjects like XR, AI, immersive creativity, and crypto art get their annual festival. For information, keep an eye on the Mutek website HERE.

Montreal International Jazz Festival

Sept 15 – 19, 2021

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. 

La Franco Follies

Sept 19 – 21, 2021
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. Information HERE.