Our 2026 guide to summer festivals and activities in Montreal

Updated Mar 5, 2026
Fact checked by
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
Group at a Festival
To the point Here is our selection of festivals, celebrations, and activities to enjoy the summer season in Montreal with friends or family.

Montreal – Celebrating Quebec’s National Holiday

Dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been announced.

national holiday
National Holiday 2023

Montreal – Festivals Galore

As every year, numerous festivals will take place in the city to keep you entertained throughout the summer. Here is our selection of events:

Montreal - Piknic Électronik

Does this major gathering of electro music enthusiasts still need an introduction? Every Sunday, you will have the opportunity to let loose to sunny rhythms.

  • From May 18 to October 29, 2026
  • At Parc Jean-Drapeau
  • The Piknic Électronik program has not yet been announced.
Piknic festival

Montreal – Petit Piknic

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

  • Dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been announced
  • At Parc Jean-Drapeau
Piknic Facebook

Montreal - Mural

This urban art festival features many artists who share their works. For the 13th edition of the MURAL festival, the entire program is free and returns to Saint-Laurent Boulevard. The lineup includes Moonshine, Unikorn, Fléau Dicaprio X Raccoon, and more.

  • From June 5 to 15, 2026
  • Saint-Laurent Stage, at the corner of Saint-Laurent Boulevard and Milton Street
  • The Mural program
mural

Montreal - Francos de Montreal, 2026 dates and program

From rock to hip-hop, including electro, this edition will offer more than 110 shows downtown, two-thirds of which are free. Don’t miss artists such as Coeur de pirate, Lorie, and Pierre Lapointe.

Francos Montreal

Montreal - Festival International de Jazz de Montreal 2026, dates and artists

This highly anticipated event celebrates its 46th anniversary this year. From Diana Krall to Max Richter, and St. Vincent’s symphony, more than 350 shows will be presented in the heart of the city.

Jazz festival

Montreal – Montréal Complètement Cirque

For 10 days, Montreal will pulsate to the rhythm of circus arts. Several performances will take place on Saint-Denis Street. It’s an opportunity to discover rare disciplines that will be highlighted and breathtaking acrobatics. The program has only announced one performance, Jerry Tremblay’s Searching for Love on July 3, 4, 8, and 9.

  • From July 2 to 16, 2026
  • Latin Quarter and performance venues
Completely Circus

Montreal - Montreal Comiccon

This popular event will celebrate several major anniversaries in the world of fantasy fiction. Have a photo session with your favorite artists or meet Lea Thompson, Ron Perlman, Tyler Posey, or Robert Englund.

Montreal - Festival International Nuits d’Afrique

More than 700 artists from some thirty countries will be featured! The program has not yet been announced.

  • From July 7 to 19, 2026
  • Quartier des spectacles
African night

Montreal - A Taste of the Caribbean

It smells like vacation! This festival focused on Caribbean culture is a true tropical immersion. On the program: a rum zone with a terrace, dance/percussion sessions, a children’s area with water games, a beach volleyball court, and cultural shows.

Taste of the Caribbean

Montreal - Guinguettes de Montreal

A seaside atmosphere awaits you on the banks of the Saint Lawrence River or the Lachine Canal. On the program: concerts, entertainment, dance, gourmet stops, not to mention the famous Tropical Market.

Guinguette Montreal

Montreal - Chợ Đêm MTL

The flavors of Vietnam will be on display! This will be an opportunity to taste traditional dishes at this street market. On the menu: cultural activities and a vendor area.

  • From July 16 to 19, 2026
  • Peel Basin
  • For more information on Chợ Đêm MTL
street food

Montreal - Fantasia International Film Festival

This festival, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, will as always offer a rich program of screenings and workshops. The 2026 program has not yet been announced.

  • From July 16 to August 2, 2026
Fantasia

Montreal - Festival Fierté Montreal

Many activities are planned to celebrate the advancements of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities’ rights. The traditional Pride parade will take place on on René-Lévesque Boulevard. After the celebration, head to the Olympic Park Esplanade for the Mega T-Dance.

  • From July 31 to August 9, 2026
  • Various locations
  • The program has not yet been announced
Montreal Pride

Montreal - Osheaga

For this 17th edition, the festival’s mission is to attract an audience of all ages, genders, and styles. Among the artists are Lorde, Twenty One Pilots, Tate McRae, and Zara Larsson will be on stage!

  • From July 31 to August 2, 2026
  • Parc Jean-Drapeau
  • The Osheaga program
osheaga

Montreal - POCHA MTL

Korean street food lovers will be delighted! The Korean festival of Montreal is back: this event offers you the chance to taste many specialties, but also to dance to KPop music.

  • From June 11 to 14, 2026
  • Peel Basin
  • For more information on POCHA MTL
POCHA MTL

Montreal - ItalfestMTL

Italian culture and gastronomy will be highlighted at this festival. On the program: concerts by musicians of Italian origin, art exhibitions, and Italian specialties to taste.

  • From August 7 to 16, 2026
  • Little Italy and Quartier des spectacles
  • The ItalfestMTL program
Italy festival

Montreal - ÎleSoniq

Electro enthusiasts will be delighted to learn that the 2026 edition’s lineup includes Chris Lake & Friends, Dom Dolla, Deadmau5, and more.

  • August 8 and 9, 2026
  • Parc Jean-Drapeau
  • The ÎleSoniq program
ÎleSoniq

Montreal - LASSO

This is the big gathering for country music lovers. Mumford & Sons, Thomas Rhett, The Band Perry, Kalsey Kulyk will make the city vibrate.

  • August 15 and 16, 2026
  • Parc Jean Drapeau and downtown (August 14)
  • The LASSO program
LASSO Montreal

Montreal - MUTEK

Dedicated to electronic music and digital creativity, the 27th edition of this festival will offer nearly 80 performances in the heart of the city.

  • From August 25 to 30, 2026
  • Quartier des spectacles
  • The program has not yet been announced
MUTEK

Montreal - Festival des arts de ruelles

There will be no shortage of activities across the city as part of this event celebrating its 10th edition. From balcony shows to thematic parades, our alleys will be highlighted to celebrate the beautiful season.

  • From August 29 to September 13, 2026
  • Various boroughs
  • The program has not yet been announced
Alley Arts Festival

Montreal - JOAT

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

  • From September 1 to 7, 2026
  • Quartier des spectacles
  • The program has not yet been announced
JOAT

Montreal - TRAD Festival

This 34th edition will host four days of celebration of renewed traditional Quebec music.

  • From September 4 to 6, 2026
  • At Parc Ahuntsic and Maison de la Culture
  • The program has not yet been announced
trad

Montreal - L'International des Feux Loto-Quebec

The event celebrates its 40th edition in 2026.

  • From July 2 to August 6, 2026
  • The program has not yet been announced
LQ fireworks

Montreal - Suggested Activities and Restaurants

Montreal offers countless activities for all tastes. Here are some suggestions, especially for those who are new to the city:

Montreal

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

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

Here’s our selection:

  • Joe Beef and its royal hare;
  • Toqué! and its cavatelli with morels, grilled lobster;
  • La Chronique and its Miramichi sea bass;
  • Vin Papillon 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 its Choo chee pla;
  • Ibericos and its lobster paella, black rice with squid ink and calamari;
  • Jaja and its chipolata, fiddleheads, charcuterie.

And enjoy the rooftop terraces, read our suggestions for the best terraces and cafes of summer 2025:

Montreal - Strolling through pedestrian streets in 2026

This summer, discover Montreal’s eight pedestrian streets in 2026, which will be announced soon.

Mount Royal

Festivities – Saving on Accommodation with Points in Montreal

Looking for a few nights in Montreal this summer? You won’t be short of choices. However, it would be a shame not to accumulate reward points for a trip at a lower cost.

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 are not staying at a Marriott hotel, there are also strategies to save on booking independent hotels,

Here are our hotel reviews:

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the Montreal Jazz Festival 2026 take place?

The festival will take place from June 25 to July 4, 2026, 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, and it will depend on your tastes. If you like electro music, choose ÎleSoniq and Piknic Électronik.

When is the MURAL festival?

The festival will take place from June 5 to 15, 2026.

Which festivals to see in Montreal in 2026?

The Francos de Montreal, Osheaga, and the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal are must-attend 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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