Our 2025 Guide to Montreal Summer Festivals and Activities

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Marie-Ève Leclerc
Marie-Ève Leclerc Marie-Ève Leclerc
Marie-Ève, Web Director at Milesopedia, is an expert in budget travel and a slow travel enthusiast. Specializing in Aeroplan, Scene+, and Marriott Bonvoy programs, she spends nearly six months a year abroad, making travel her way of life. Constantly seeking the best waves to surf, excellent coffee, and strategies to extend her travels, she is often found in coworking spaces with fellow digital nomads or by the sea, watching the sunset.
All posts by Marie-Ève Leclerc
Groupe dans un Festival
To the point Here is our selection of festivals, events, and activities to enjoy the summer season in Montreal with friends or family.

Montreal – Celebrating Quebec’s National Holiday

On June 24, Montrealers are invited to Parc Maisonneuve at 8:00 p.m. to take part in the grand Fête Nationale show, titled “Et si on se parlait d’amour…”.

Hosted by Guylaine Tremblay, the event will feature Robert Charlebois, Sara Dufour, Loud, Elisabeth St-Gelais, Matt Lang, Yama Laurent, Yann Perreau, Bon Enfant and Antoine Bertrand…

The park will offer family-friendly activities starting at noon.

fete-nationale

Of course, the traditional parade will be back: it will kick off at 2:00 p.m. on Rachel Street, at the corner of Molson Street. The parade will make its way toward Parc Maisonneuve.

Fete nationale  2023

Montreal – Festivals Galore

Like every year, the city will be packed with festivals to keep you entertained all summer long. Here is our selection of events:

Montreal - Piknic Électronik

Do we still need to introduce this major gathering of electronic music fans? Every Sunday, you’ll have the chance to let loose to sun-soaked beats. This summer’s lineup includes performances by Misstress Barbara, Notion, DJ Tennis, Robert Hood, Frost Children, Priori, and surprise guest artists.

festival-Piknic

Montreal – Petit Piknic

Petit Piknic will also get children and their parents dancing. Music, games, and food trucks are on the menu.

  • May 25, June 1, June 22, July 13 and August 24, noon to 3 p.m.
  • At Parc Jean-Drapeau
  • The Petit Piknic program
piknic-facebook

Montreal - Mural

This urban art festival features many artists sharing their work. A host of parties are on the schedule: the warmth of the Caribbean with Konpa on the Beach and Moonshine, not to mention Unikorn and the underground parties.

  • June 5 to 15, 2025
  • Saint-Laurent Stage, at the corner of Boulevard Saint-Laurent and Milton Street
  • Mural programming
mural

Montreal – Francos de Montréal, 2025 Dates and Lineup

From rock and hip-hop to electronic music, this edition will offer more than 110 shows downtown, two-thirds of which are free. Don’t miss Grand Corps Malade, performing for free on the Rogers Stage on Friday, June 20 at 9:00 p.m.

francos-montreal

Montreal – Festival International de Jazz de Montréal 2025, Dates and Artists

This ultra popular event is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year. From Ben Harper, Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, Violent Femmes, to Amanda Marshall and Kid Koala, more than 350 shows will be performed in the heart of the city.

festival-jazz

Montreal - Mtl en Arts Festival

More than a hundred local artists from various art forms will exhibit their works in the heart of the Village. Art sale, conferences, and a series of multidisciplinary and interactive performances make this event an excellent showcase to discover the talent of our artists.

mtl-en-arts

Montreal – Montréal Complètement Cirque

For 10 days, Montreal will be alive with the rhythm of the circus arts. Several performances will take place on rue Saint-Denis. An opportunity to discover rare disciplines in the spotlight and breathtaking acrobatics.

completement cirque

Montreal - Montreal Comiccon

This popular event will mark several major anniversaries in the world of fantasy fiction. Do a photo shoot with your favourite artists, or meet Elijah Wood, William Shatner and Sean Astin!

Montreal - Festival International Nuits d’Afrique

Over 700 artists from more than 30 countries will be featured! Among the must-see performances are Flavia Coelho, Sarab, and Jean Jean Roosevelt.

nuit-afrique

Montreal - A Taste of the Caribbean

It smells like vacation! This festival, which focuses on Caribbean culture, is a real tropical immersion. The program includes a rum zone with terrace, dance/percussion sessions, a children’s area with water games, a beach volleyball court and cultural shows.

gout-des-caraibes

Montreal - Guinguettes de Montreal

A waterfront paradise awaits you on the banks of the St. Lawrence River or the Lachine Canal. On the program: concerts, entertainment, dancing, gourmet stops, without forgetting the famous Tropical Market.

guinguette-montreal

Montreal - Chợ Đêm MTL

A date with the flavours of Vietnam awaits you. You’ll have the chance to sample traditional dishes at this street market. On the menu: cultural activities and a marketplace.

cuisine-rue

Montreal - Fantasia International Film Festival

The festival, which celebrates its 29th anniversary this year, will continue to offer a rich program of screenings and workshops. Among the selected films are Terrestrial by Steve Pink, I Live Here Now by Julie Pacino, and Ya Boy Kongmin! The Movie.

fantasia

Montreal - Festival Fierté Montreal

Numerous activities are on the program to celebrate advances in the rights of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. The traditional Pride Parade will take place onon boulevard René-Lévesque. After the party, head to the Olympic Park Esplanade for the Mega T-Dance.

fierte-montreal

Montreal - Osheaga

For this 17th edition, the festival’s mission is to appeal to audiences of all ages, genders and styles. Among the artists scheduled to perform, The Killers, The Chainsmokers, Cage the Elephant, and Doechii will take the stage at the event!

  • August 1-3, 2025
  • Parc Jean-Drapeau
  • The Osheaga program
osheaga

Montreal - POCHA MTL

Fans of Korean street food will be delighted! The Montreal Korean festival is back: this event offers you the chance to sample a wide range of specialties, and to let loose to KPop music.

  • July 24 to 27, 2025
  • Peel Basin
  • For more information on POCHA MTL
pocha-MTL

Montreal - ItalfestMTL

Italian culture and gastronomy will take center stage at the festival. On the program: concerts by musicians of Italian origin, art exhibitions and Italian specialities to sample.

  • August 8 to 10, 2025
  • Little Italy and the Quartier des spectacles
  • The ItalfestMTL program
italie-festival

Montreal - ÎleSoniq

Electronic music fans will be delighted to learn that actor and DJ Idris Elba will be behind the decks at this event, alongside notable artists such as Kaskade, LP Giobbi, and Illenium.

  • August 9 and 10, 2025
  • Parc Jean-Drapeau
  • ÎleSoniq program
ilesoniq

Montreal - LASSO

It’s the big event for country music fans. Sheryl Crow, Bailey Zimmerman, Jelly Roll and local talents such as Hauterive and Quebec redneck Bluegrass Project will will light up the city with their performances.

  • August 15 and 16, 2025
  • Parc Jean Drapeau and downtown (August 14)
  • LASSO program
lasso-montreal

Montreal - MUTEK

Dedicated to electronic music and digital creativity, the 26th edition of this festival will present nearly 80 performances in the heart of the city.

  • August 19 to 24, 2025
  • Quartier des spectacles
  • The MUTEK program
mutek

Montreal - Festival des arts de ruelles

There will be an abundance of activities across the city as part of this event. From balcony performances to themed parades, our alleyways will be in the spotlight to celebrate the beautiful summer season.

Festival des Arts de Ruelle

Montreal - JOAT

The International Street Dance Festival spotlights artists from near and far. On the program: live music, cyphers, high-level battles, parties, workshops, art exhibitions, conferences and performances.

  • August 26 to September 1, 2025
  • Quartier des spectacles
  • For JOAT programming
JOAT

Montreal - TRAD Festival

This 33rd edition will host a four-day celebration of renewed traditional Québécois music.

  • August 29 to August 31, 2025
  • At Ahuntsic Park and Maison de la Culture
  • TRAD program
trad

Montreal - L'International des Feux Loto-Quebec

At this 39th edition, Japan, Italy, France, Switzerland, the United States, Mexico and Canada will be competing.

All six events, plus the Taylor Swift tribute, will be at La Ronde.

feux-LQ

Montreal - Suggested Activities and Restaurants

Montreal offers countless activities to suit all tastes. Here are a few suggestions, especially for those who don’t know the city:

montreal

For restaurants, don’t forget to use the National Bank World Elite Mastercard or the American Express Cobalt® Card to earn 5 points per dollar.

Or even your American Express Platinum Card® to use the $200 annual dining credit.

Here’s our selection:

  • Joe Beef and the famous lièvre à la royale;
  • Toqué! and its cavatellis with morels, grilled lobster;
  • La Chronique and its Miramichi bar;
  • Papillon wine and its grilled mackerel, clementine grenobloise;
  • Damas and its sea bass with braised vegetable stuffing;
  • Garde-Manger and its duck, onions, endives, bigarade sauce;
  • Pichai and his Choo chee pla;
  • Ibericos with lobster paella, black rice with cuttlefish ink and calamari;
  • Jaja and his chipolata, fiddlehead, charcutière.

Montreal - Strolling Through Pedestrian Streets in 2025

This summer, discover the eight pedestrian streets of Montreal in 2025.

  • Avenue Duluth Est, Plateau. Between boulevard Saint-Laurent and Saint-Hubert street: May 19 to October 13, 2025;
  • Mont-Royal Avenue, Plateau. Between Saint-Laurent and Saint-Denis: from May 29 to October 13, 2025. And between Saint-Denis and De Lorimier: from May 29 to September 1, 2025;
  • De Castelnau Est, Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension. Near Jean-Talon market. Between Saint-Denis Street and De Gaspé Avenue: starting May 15, 2025, with the end date to be confirmed;
  • Bernard Avenue, Outremont. Between Outremont and Bloomfield avenues: May 20 to September 26, 2025;
mont-royal
  • Ontario Street East, Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. Between Pie-IX Boulevard and Darling Street: from June 23 to September 7, 2025;
  • Sainte-Catherine Street East, Ville-Marie. Between Saint-Hubert Street and Papineau Avenue: from May 15 to October 14, 2025;
  • Sainte-Catherine Street West (and part of Balmoral and Clark), Ville-Marie. Between De Bleury Street and Saint-Laurent Boulevard: from May 1st to October 31, 2025;
  • Wellington Street, Verdun. Between 6th Avenue and Régina Street: from June 2 to September 19, 2025.

Festivities – Saving on Accommodation with Points in Montreal

Want to spend a few summer nights in Montreal? There are plenty of options. However, it would be a shame not to earn reward points for a less expensive getaway.

Marriott Bonvoy is a very popular hotel loyalty program in Canada. As a member, you can earn points that can be exchanged for free nights.

The following two credit cards earn Marriott Bonvoy points directly:

These cards include a handsome welcome bonus, numerous insurance benefits and an Annual Free Night Award worth 35,000 points.

If you’re not going to a Marriott hotel, there are also strategies for saving money by booking independent hotels,

Here are our hotel reviews:

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the Montreal 2025 Jazz Festival take place?

The festival will take place from June 26 to July 5, 2025, in the Quartier des spectacles, in Montreal.

What are the must-see events in Montreal this summer?

Montreal is always in festival mode during the summer, it really depends on your tastes. If you like electronic music, check out ÎleSoniq and Piknic Électronik.

When is the MURAL festival?

The festival runs from June 5 to 15, 2025.

Which festivals should you see in Montreal in 2025?

The Francos at Montreal, Osheaga and the Montreal Jazz Festival are major events in the city.

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
Emmanuelle Froment
Emmanuelle Froment
Emmanuelle, a solo traveler and animal lover, has journeyed through numerous countries. A Scene+ expert and Caribbean travel specialist, she shares insights on maximizing rewards. Her love for the sea, inspired by family vacations in France's Languedoc-Roussillon, led her to spend 8 years in the French Antilles. While the call of the ocean remains, Montreal—her heart's city—is where she truly feels at home.
All posts by Emmanuelle Froment

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