Things to Do in Montreal : May Festivals and Events 2023
Neighbours. Piknic Electronik Opening. 2023. Photo Rachel Levine
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 13 – May 15, 2023
Various Locations
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. Check the website who is playing each week and also what local established artist will appear as a special guest. Info HERE
Concours Musical International de Montréal : Violin
April 22 – May 4, 2023
Various Locations
24 musicians (this year, violinists) from around the globe compete before a prestigious jury to compete for cash prizes and awards. They represent musicians at the start of their career, aged between 17 and 27. There is also a special event featuring some child prodigies aged 10 -15, who will be performing as well. Information HERE.
South Asian Film Festival of Montreal
April 28 – May 7, 2023
Various Locations
This festival showcases new artistic work that focus on South Asia and its diaspora. 58 films, including many premieres and award-winning features, will be showcased in theatres. Full length features, documentaries, and shorts are all part of the offerings. There is also an online portion available. Some films to watch for are Gandhi and Co and All that Breathes. Info HERE.
FIFEQ / Festival International du Film Ethnographique du Québec et Montréal
May 4 – 11, 2023
URSA
5589 du Parc Ave and various locations
Ethnography is immersion in an environment to understand variations of the human condition. Free of charge almost every night, check out the only ethnographic film festival in Canada. This year, in multiple venues in the city, catch films that want you to understand the human experience. It includes all genres of film: documentary, fiction, and experimental. Among the films being shown are Huahua’s Dazzling World and its Myriad Temptations and Inuktitut Languages in the 21st Century. Details can be found HERE.
Festival Accès Asie / Access Asia Festival
May 4-28, 2023
Various Locations
Want to go to Asia but can’t afford plane tickets (or a ship). Not to worry. Art, music, dance, and theatre comes here for this annual festival. Find out what goes into Dal at an Indian food tasting and meditation, enter the multi-sensory Bird Sanctuary, take a mask making workshop, or visit four sites in Chinatown with an artistic performance at each venue. That’s just a small sampler. For details, click HERE.
Festival Velocité
May 4 – 7, 2023
Various Locations
Bike fans, amateurs, and pros come together to celebrate all things bicycle. There is a conference, a race on Sunday, a film, and a market as well. Join the peloton. Info HERE.
Montréal Sketchfest
May 4 – 13, 2023
Theatre St. Catherine
264 St Catherine E
and
Montreal Improv Theatre
3706 & 3716 rue Notre-Dame Ouest
New troupes and old step to the stage of the Theatre St Cathrine in this bilingual sketch comedy festival. Most groups come from Montreal or Toronto, but also New York, Newfoundland, Hamilton, and DC. and look out for festival faves: Hot Raw Fire, BYOJ, Anders Yates, and Joy Provision. Check it out HERE.
Festival Vue Sur La Relève
May 4 – 16, 2023
Villeray
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. Among those performing are Naïma Frank, Hawa B, Djim Radé, and Avril Jensen. Details HERE.
Cuisine Ta Ville
May 5 – 14, 2023
Place des Festivals
10 days of free events to celebrate diversity in Quebec, an especially this year with a focus on looking at the struggles and hopes of those who have left their country of origin. 25 installations are set up along with dance courses, performances, and food are available. Info HERE.
Festival Jamais Lu
May 5 – 13, 2023
Théâtre Aux Écuries
7285 Rue Chabot
This festival looks at new, fresh works in French. Community projects and special events are included. Details HERE.
24 Hours of Science
May 5 – 6, 2023
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
April 30 – May 7, 2023
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 and registration starts April 30. Find out more about this beloved event HERE.
Montreal Medieval Fair / Salon de la Passion Médiévale et Historique
May 5 – 7, 2023
Place Bell Laval
1950 Claude-Gagné
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 $22, three day tickets are $31. Packages for families. Click here for info and tickets.
Pastafest
May 11 – 24, 2023
Various Venues
Pastafarians take note! Everyone’s favorite carb gets a two week celebration at restaurants around the city. Some of those with offerings are Stellina, Jacopo, and Il Miglio. For info on who is offering special dishes and discounts, click HERE.
La Semaine Japon
May 8 – 14, 2023
Various Locations
A week of Japanese food, culture, and goodies are available at a wide variety of locations. Enjoy things like Hojicha chiffon cake, takikomigohan, or try and get your hands on some onigari. Yum. Info HERE.
Santa Thérèse Festival
May 12 – 14, 2023
Ville de Sainte Thérèse
Again, this suburban festival rather outstanding line up: Ariane Roy, Bon Enfant, Velours Velours, Milk and Bone, Hippie Hourrah, 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 18 – 22, 2023
Double Tree Hilton
1255 Jeanne Mance
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. Invited guests include Carine and Rafael and others. Check out the competition, watch nightly shows, or take workshops. Partners not required. For those interested, click HERE.
Festival Le Mondial de La Bière
May 18 – 21, 2023
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 400 different beers, ciders, hydromels, and more products are available, with 250 new beers. Over 98 different breweries will be offering you those amazing products (many 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 19 – 20, 2023
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 19 – 21, 2023
Various Locations
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 The Bronx, The Flatliners, Paint it Black, and Screaming Females. Tickets for all are HERE.
Metro Metro
May 19 – 21, 2023
Parc Olympique, Esplanade
4545 Pierre-de Coubertin Ave
Lil Wayne, Jack Harlow, and Lil Baby headline at this festival of rap, hip hop, and R&B. For info on tickets and more, click HERE.
Balconfête / Porchfest NDG
May 20 – 21, 2023 (May 22 if it rains)
NDG
While the Plateau is probably most often thought of as home to Montreal’s artists, NDG holds its own. On the front porches and balconies of homes up and down streets from below Sherbrooke to above Monkland, catch the wide variety of acts. Funk, folk, jam, jazz, klezmer, you name it. Map and times of shows can be found HERE.
Piknic Electronik
May 21 – October 1, 2023
Plaine des Jeux
Everyone’s favourite 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. Season tickets are available and student tickets are a merciful $100. Information HERE.
Montreal International Anarchist Theatre Festival
May 22 – 25, 2023
Sala Rossa
4848 St Laurent
Theatre can get very radical. Theatre companies from Chile, France, Belgium, and Montreal share their works related to the theme of anarchist movements. For more information, keep an eye on the facebook page HERE.
FTA (Festival TransAmériques)
May 24 – June 8, 2023
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.
Jardins Gamelin
May 25 – Sept 17, 2023
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 the Tupi Collective, Bel and Quinn, Velours Velours, and Voyage Funktastique Open every day with something happening most of the time, be certain to find out more HERE.
Eureka! Festival
May 26 – 28, 2023
Parc Jean Drapeau
1 Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
It’s the biggest science festival in Quebec. It’s geared towards the little ones but adults will find lots to enjoy as they chaperone their charges. Over 100 free outdoor activities are on offer and it’s a chance to celebrate local science. Info HERE.
OFFTA
May 26 – June 4, 2023
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.
BD Festival
May 26 – 28, 2023
Rue St. Denis between 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 favourite writers. Information 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.
Portugal Festival
May 26 – 28, 2023
Corner of Saint-Laurent Blvd. and Marie-Anne Street
Do you like Portuguese chicken? What about a parade? Fado music? Montreal’s Portuguese community hosts its annual festival. For details and information, click HERE.
Salon du Livre Anarchiste / Anarchist Book Fair
May 27 – 28 , 2023
2515 Rue Delisle
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
Fuego Fuego Festival
May 27 – 28, 2023
Olympic Park
4545 Pierre de Coubertin
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.
Mile End En Fête
May 27 – 28, 2023
Rue Laurier Ouest
Get ready for the block party of the weekend with workshops, film projections, kiosks, and performances along the city’s chic Mile End. For details, keep an eye out HERE.
Go Vélo / Go Bike Festival
May 28 – June 4, 2023
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 St. Ambroise Fringe Festival
May 29 – June 18, 2023
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.
Announced and Upcoming
MURAL Festival
June 8 – 18, 2023
Rue St Laurent
The best of graffiti artists from around the globe as well as local talent come to Montreal to paint our buildings. This year, look out for Brazil’s OSGEMEOS, Lauren YS from the US, and JUNKO from Canada. It’s fun to take the walking tour, check out the free exhibitions, enjoy the street fair and the music. Info HERE.
Francos de Montréal
June 9 – 17, 2023
Place des Festivals
1499 Rue Jeanne-Mance
Yes, the best of French music, with a special focus on our local talent takes over Place des Festivals with plenty of free stuff to check out as well as indoor programming of all sorts. The line up pulls in large crowds eager to enjoy some of our best. This year’s big shows include Daniel Bélanger, Louise Attaque, Juliette Armanet, and Louane. And let’s face it, Robert Robert kind of won our hearts at Osheaga two years ago with his rain shaker and he’s playing too <3. The outdoor free shows soon to be announced. Info HERE.
Marché des Possibles/Entrepôt 77
Weekends
June 23 – September 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.
Montreal International Jazz Festival
June 29 – July 8, 2023
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 2023 lineup is already up and you can check out Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, Herbie Hancock, Diana Krall, Vance Joy, George Benson, Buddy Guy, Melody Gardot, and many others. Get your tickets now. Information and tickets HERE.
Just for Laughs
July 14 – 29, 2023
Quartiers des Spectacles
Just for Laughs isn’t just videos of people being pwnd outside of Lionel Groulx metro. It’s also two weeks of comedy’s top acts taking over our city. In addition, major showcases such as the Nasty Show, Just for the Culture, and Brit(ish) are regular showcases. Also, there are podcasts filmed and other related events. Maybe even catch a midnight show or two if you stay up late. Ali Wong, Russell Peters, Tom Papa are already announced. Info HERE.
Osheaga
Aug 4 – Aug 6, 2023
Parc Jean Drapeau
MUSIC. 3 DAYS OF MUSIC! And art. Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, and Rufus du Sol are headlining. Info HERE.
Île Soniq
Aug 11-13, 2023
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 Martin Garrix and The Chainsmokers, but DEMAU5, Afrojack, Claptone, and more are on the roster. Get those glowsticks out. The event beings August 11 in the city and shifts to Parc Jean Drapeau for August 12 and 13. Info HERE.
Monthly Festival Links
May
For Montreal Rampage’s daily events calendar, click HERE. If you have an event you would like to include, send an email to [email protected]
