Things to Do in Montreal : May Festivals and Events 2022
There will be sun. We promise. Now that winter is retreating and the flowers are out and patio season is full on, time to explore. Gotta keep this short. There’s over 20 festivals and events in May. Stop reading and start going!
Francouvertes
March 14 – May 16, 2022
Only one can be the best, but over the next few months let your ears decide which of these artists deserves to advance to the next round: The final takes place Monday May 16. Info HERE.
ART SOUTERRAIN: VOIES – VOIX RÉSILIENTES
April 2 – June 30, 2022
Montreal Underground + Satellite Locations
Get ready to go underground with a festival that puts art where the people are. Art Souterrain works with international art institutions to make visual art more accessible by putting it in the tunnels of the underground city. More info can be found HERE.
Blue Metropolis / Metropolis Bleu
April 28 – May 8, 2022
Hotel 10 (10 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest)
Montreal is a city that reads, reads, and reads some more. Listen to authors, attend launches, take workshops, and just get your book brain on. Gloria Steinem and Avraham Yehoshua will be speaking via Zoom but plenty of local authors read their works as well. Or perhaps you can listen in on festival fave dial-a-poem. Information HERE.
Le Grand Poutine Fest
April 28 – May 1, 2022
3131 Boulevard de la Côte-Vertu
Okay, can I be honest… I don’t really eat poutine. Not because I dislike it, but because I’m into healthy living. But most Montrealers are pretty loose on that healthy living stuff and poutine is their go-to late night nosh, lunchtime meal, or just all around favourite. Archibald Microbrasserie is offering a fabulous event and $1 of each poutine purchased goes to Opération Enfant Soleil. Info HERE.
Montreal Bicycle Festival / Salon du Velo
April 29 – May 1, 2022
Olympic Stadium
Bikes, helmets, bells, gizmos, gadgets, everything you could possibly want for your two wheeled (or more) ride. There’s even a test track. Montreal is bike city CANADA, so this event is bound to be popular. Info HERE.
Festival Velocité
May 4 – 8, 2022
Parc Jean Drapeau
Bike fans, amateurs, and pros come together to celebrate all things bicycle. There is a conference, a race, and a market as well. Join the peloton. Info HERE.
Festival Jamais Lu
May 5 – 14, 2022
Théâtre Aux Écuries (7285 Rue Chabot)
This festival looks at new, fresh works in French. Community projects and special events are included. Details HERE.
Accès Asie
May 5 – 19, 2022
Asian culture in Montreal is diverse. The Accès Asie festival makes it easy to sample all arts from all of Asia: theatre, music, comedy, literature, visual arts, dance, and film. Many events are free and happen around Place des Arts. Among the things — an origami workshop, dance with Blue Move$ and Transpacific Express at the PHI Centre, or listen to the music of Pakistan. This and so much more. Click HERE to find out more.
Montréal Sketchfest
May 5 – 14, 2022
Theatre St. Catherine (264 St Catherine E) and the Montreal Improv Theatre
New troupes and old step to the stage of the Theatre St Cathrine tin this sketch comedy festival. Most groups come from Montreal or Toronto, and look out for festival faves: Hot Raw Fire, BYOJ, Kirsten Rasmussen, Vest of Friends, and Jon Blair. Check it out HERE.
Festival Vue Sur La Relève
May 5 – 24, 2022
Through creativity and expression, this festival celebrates both Canadian and European French works. It focuses especially on young artists who are under 35 years old. The focus is on music and performing arts. The 2022 edition has 21 different artists on offer. Details HERE.
Distortion Psychfest
May 5 – 7, 2022
Theatre Plaza 6505 Rue St-Hubert, Montréal, QC H2S 2M5
Check out these sound bending bands in a festival of noise and glory. Among those headlining this year are Deerhoof, Fleece, and the KVB and others. For more info, click HERE.
24 Hours of Science
May 6 – 7, 2022
Somehow, I think this should go a little longer than 24 hours, but no matter. In unexpected venues, science comes to the public. If you’re hoping to encourage (push) your kids into STEM careers or just want to learn for yourself, over 300 different activities are taking place around Quebec. Information HERE.
Promenades de Jane / Jane’s Walks
May 6 – 8, 2022
Montreal’s Urban Ecology group is taking up the message of Canadian’s urbanization spiritual leader, Jane Jacobs. Citizen volunteers lead interested people on guided tours of the city. So far, over 40 are available in Montreal. Find out more about this beloved event HERE.
Pastafest
May 11 – 24, 2022
Various Venues
Pastafarians take note! Everyone’s favorite carb gets a two week celebration at restaurants around the city. For info on who is offering special dishes and discounts, click HERE.
FIFEQ / International Ethnographic Film Festival of Quebec
May 11-15, 2022
Various Venues
Over 20 films from filmmakers and anthropologists from around the world look at a diverse range of subjects. 10 screenings are free to the public. Info HERE.
Montreal Medieval Fair / Salon de la Passion Médiévale et Historique
May 13 – 15, 2022
Centre Pierre Charbonneau (3000 Viau)
Enjoy a weekend of Ren Faire fun. Music, dance, battles and over 75 exhibitors so you can get your chain mail kit, sword, and shield here. There’s even a fashion show to attend. Sexy vikings! One day tickets $19, three day tickets are $28. Packages for families. Click here for info and tickets.
Women’s Festival
May 13 – 15, 2022
Palais de Congrès
Everything fo the ladies of Montreal and Quebec. Speakers, workshops, lots of exhibitors, and of course a pretty good shopping zone. More info HERE.
Missing In Action Festival
May 13 – 14, 2022
Secret Location
Hop on the shuttle bus and end up at 16 hours of EDM music in nature. If you miss the bus, you miss the event. Click here to find out more. $80.
Montreal International Anarchist Theatre Festival
May 17 – 24, 2022
Theatre can get very radical. So radical, that other than the dates for the festival we can’t tell you anything more about it this year except its dates. For more information, keep an eye on the facebook page HERE.
Santa Thérèse Festival
May 19 – 22, 2022
Ville de Sainte Thérèse
Again, this suburban festival rather outstanding line up: Princess Nokia, Jimmy Eat World, Coeur de Pirate, Martha Wainwright, Hubert Lenoir, and many many more. In addition to ticketed shows, there are free activities including music on Blainville Street West all weekend and shows in the bars and clubs along the main strip. Now you have a reason to go to the burbs! For info, click HERE.
Montreal Salsa Convention
May 19 – 23, 2022
Get your party shoes out and join the salsa festival. Watch both Canadian and international greats or learn to salsa for yourself with world-class instructors. The Lengaia Salsa Brava provides music. Check out the competition, watch nightly shows, or take workshops. Partners not required. For those interested, click HERE.
OUF! Festival Off Casteliers
May 19 – 22, 2022
Outremont
30 puppeteer and marionette companies take over Outremont for this playful festival. Let objects come to life. Info HERE.
Festival Le Mondial de La Bière
May 19 – 22, 2022
La Gare Windsor (895 Rue de la Gauchetière O)
Drink and be merry and get out your abacus. The festival’s numbers speak for themselves. Over 529 different beers, ciders, hydromels, and more products are available, with 250 new beers. Over 90 different breweries will be offering you those amazing products (38 of which are from Quebec). If you like beer (or just want to get sloppy in the middle of the day while drinking a beer), this one is for you. Click HERE for details. Tasting coupons are $1, and most beers are $2-8 in tasting coupons to taste. Admission is free.
Montreal Underground Film Festival
May 20 – 21, 2022
They put the call out, now the question is what will show. Low budget, boundary challenging, and guerrilla filmmakers find a home here. Hang tight for more details on this unusual film festival in the city. Check HERE.
Pouzza Festival
May 20 – 22, 2022
Rage like your punk heart has always wanted to. The Pouzza festival is all about the loud, the screechy, the noisy, the rebellious, the fun. The outdoor shows are free. Headliners include Propaghandi, Good Riddance, Cloud Nothings, Yesterday’s Ring, Tim Barry, Belvedere, and Chixdiggit. Tickets for all are HERE.
Metro Metro
May 20 – 22, 2022
Parc Olympique, Esplanade
Trippie Redd and Tory Lanez headline at this festival of rap, hip hop, and R&B. For info on tickets and more, click HERE.
Piknic Electronik
May 22 – October 2, 2022
Plaine des Jeux
Everyone’s favorite outdoor dance party rages on every Sunday and a few other days here and there in conjunction with major summer events. Enjoy local and international DJs mixing beats on stage. This year the Boiler Room makes an appearance as well. Season tickets are available and student tickets are a merciful $100. Information HERE.
FTA (Festival TransAmériques)
May 25 – June 9, 2022
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.
Café Collectif : Festival de Café de Spécialité
May 26 – 28, 2023
3487 St Laurent
While there may or may not be free coffee in the coffee shops featured, this is a chance to celebrate all the independent cafés and third wave coffee shops in Montreal and its surroundings. Head out to taste 30 specialty brews from places like Café Larue and fils, Melk, and Café Pista. $15. Info HERE.
OFFTA
May 26 – June 5, 2022
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.
Fuego Fuego Festival
May 27 – 28, 2023
Olympic Park
Yes, it’s back. Two days of DJs who specialize in Latin music for a massive fiesta. Artists come from Puerto Rico, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Panama, Venezuela, and Mexico. Day pass $120, two days at $195. How long can you keep dancing for? Information HERE.
BD Festival
May 27 – 29, 2022
Rue St. Denis entre les Rues Gilford et Roy
Montreal’s talented graphic novelists and comic book writers are at the fore of the BD festival. Mostly francophone, plus a few anglophones, this celebration of the “ninth art” includes (of course) a book fair, but also workshops, theatrical performances, and a chance to meet some of your favorite writers.Information HERE.
Montreal Museums Day
May 28, 2022
The museums of the city open their doors to let you see their collections and it is all free. Free free free. This also means that the museums are crowded. Crowded crowded crowded.
La Fête du Croissant
May 28, 2022
various
Love your pastry flakey, buttery, and melt-in-your mouth good. Figure out which bakery offers the best by sampling them all for just $1.25 each during La Fête du Croissant. Info about participating bakeries is HERE.
Go Vélo / Go Bike Festival
May 29 – June 5, 2022
Various locations
The spring events of Go Bike invites riders to join large group events in different parts of Montreal and its environs. Tackle the metropolitan challenge off island, bike through the Plateau and Rosemont during the Tour de Nuit, take it longer with the Tour de l’Île, or even take on the bike to work challenge. Info HERE.
Montreal International Musical Competition
May 31 – June 9, 2022
Salle Bourgie, Place des Arts
Classical musical competition this year has musicians from around the world compete before an international jury that includes respected musical directors and professors. This year features singers, with 32 singers performing in two divisions: Aria and Art Song. 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.
Announced and Upcoming
Montreal St. Ambroise Fringe Festival
June 1 – June 20, 2022
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.
Oasis Festival
June, 2022
Parc Olympique, Espalande
Four weekends will bring some DJs to the Big O for our listening pleasure. Tickets and info HERE.
Anarchist Book Fair
August 6 – 7 , 2022
Usually at Georges Vanier Cultural Center (2450 rue Workman)
Celebrating something in the triad between proper anarchy, libertarianism, and social justice the anarchist book fair fills the Georges Vanier Cultural Center in St. Henri with vendors and activists. Workshops, panels, films, and artwork are also part of this event. It’s well attended and often a great place to learn about social justice issues both home and around the world. Free. Information HERE.
Events by Month
January
Feburary