Our guide to summer festivals and activities in Montreal

On June 24, Montrealers are invited to Parc Maisonneuve to take part in the big Fête nationale show, dubbed “Une chance qu’on s’a”.

Hosted by Pierre-Yves Lord, the event will feature Claude Dubois, Roxane Bruneau, Patsy Gallant, Queenie, Daniel Lavoie, Kanen, Éléonore Lagacé, Judi Richards, FouKi and Le Vent du Nord.

The park will offer entertainment from midday for the whole family.

• Fête nationale programming

Piknic Électronik

Do we still need to introduce this major gathering of electro music fans? Every Sunday, you’ll have the chance to let off steam to some sunny rhythms. This summer’s line-up includes Nico Moreno, Chase & Status, Ahmed Spins, Jacques Greene, Acid Arab, Dennis Ferrer, Misstress Barbara, Hot Since 82, BLOND:ISH and Mall Grab.

• Until October 6, 2024
• At Parc Jean-Drapeau
• The Piknic Électronik program

Little Piknic

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

• May 25-26, June 16, July 7-14, noon to 3 p.m.
• At Parc Jean-Drapeau
• The Petit Piknic program

OFF Piknic

This event is part of the regular Piknic Électronik program. Solomun, who opened the ball, is one of many artists taking part, including Dom Dolla, Charlotte de Witte and Diplo.

On Fridays and Saturdays, a few Thursdays and one Monday, the concerts will run from late afternoon until nightfall.

• Until October 4, 2024
• At Parc Jean-Drapeau
• The OFF Piknic program

Mural

This urban art festival features many artists sharing their work. There’s a whole host of parties on the program, including the Caribbean heat of Konpa on the Beach, Moonshine and its huge Block Party, not to mention Unikorn and the underground HomeBye6.

• June 6 to 16, 2024
• Bassin Peel stage, Bd Saint-Laurent area and Milton stage
• Mural programming

YATAI MTL

This Japanese street market will host some twenty culinary stalls, as well as stalls selling a variety of products. Discover the flavors of Japan and indulge in dishes such as Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki.

Francos de Montréal

From rock to hip-hop to electro, this 35th edition will feature over 200 shows downtown. Don’t miss “Les petits rois”, a tribute to Jean-Pierre Ferland, presented free of charge on the Bell stage on June 18 at 8 p.m.

• June 14 to 22, 2024
• Quartier des spectacles
• The Francos de Montréal program

Montreal International Jazz Festival

This popular event celebrates its 44th anniversary this year. From Norah Jones, Killer Mike and Future Islands to Charlotte Day Wilson and Pink Martini, over 350 shows will be presented in the heart of the metropolis.

• June 27 to July 6, 2024
• Quartier des spectacles
• The Festival international de Jazz de Montréal program

Mtl en Arts Festival

Around a hundred local artists from a variety of disciplines will be presenting their work in the heart of the Village. Featuring an expo-sale, lectures and a series of multidisciplinary and interactive performances, this event is a wonderful showcase for the talent of our artists.

• June 27 to July¹, 2024
• Rue Sainte-Catherine Est
• Mtl en Arts Festival programming

Montréal complètement cirque

For 11 days, Montreal will vibrate to the rhythm of the circus arts. Several performances will take place on rue Saint-Denis. A chance to discover some rare disciplines, including a balancing act and archery.

• July 4 to 14, 2024
• Latin Quarter and concert halls
• The Montréal complètement cirque program

Montreal Comiccon

This popular event will mark several major anniversaries in the world of fantasy fiction, including the 40^e anniversary of Nightmare on the Rails. Robert Englund, aka Freddy Krueger, will be in the spotlight!

• July 5 to 7, 2024
• Palais des Congrès
• The Montreal Comiccon program

Nuits d’Afrique international festival

Over 700 artists from some 30 countries will be featured! Not-to-be-missed shows include Afrique en cirque with Kalabanté and L’Entourloop x Queen Omega & The Royal Soul for a touch of Reggae-Dancehall.

• July 9 to 21, 2024
• Quartier des spectacles
• The Nuits d’Afrique international festival program

A Taste of the Caribbean

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

• July 11 to 14, 2024
• Quai de l’horloge
• TheTaste of the Caribbean program

Guinguettes de Montréal

A seaside atmosphere awaits you on the banks of the St. Lawrence River or the Lachine Canal. On the program: concerts, entertainment, dancing, gourmet stops, not forgetting the famous Tropical Market.

• July 11 to 14, 2024: guinguette in Old Montréal
• June 20 to 24, 2024: Southwestern guinguette
• The Guinguettes de Montréal program

Chợ Đêm MTL

The flavors of Vietnam will be on the menu. You’ll have the chance to sample traditional dishes at this street market. On the menu: cultural activities and a shopping area.

• July 18 to 21, 2024
• Peel Basin
• More information about Chợ Đêm MTL

Fantasia International Film Festival

Celebrating its 28th anniversary this year, the festival will continue to offer a rich program of screenings and workshops. Chuck Russell’s Witchboard, Chris Stuckmann’s Shelby Oaks, Jayro Bustamante’s Rita and Lowell Dean’s Dark Match are all part of the selection.

• July 18 to August 4, 2024
• Several cinemas
• Fantasia International Film Festival program

Montreal Pride Festival

Many activities are scheduled to celebrate the advances in the rights of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. The traditional Pride Parade will take place onAugust 11, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.on boulevard René-Lévesque. After the party, head to the Olympic Park Esplanade for the Mega T-Dance.

• August 1 to 11, 2024
• Several locations
• The Montreal Pride Festival program

Osheaga

For this 17th edition, the festival’s mission is to appeal to audiences of all ages, genders and styles. Among the artists, SZA, T-Pain, Tyla, Green Day, Bladee, Martin Garrix and Denzel Curry. Icing on the cake: The Smashing Pumpkins will be back!

• August 2 to 4, 2024
• Parc Jean-Drapeau
• TheOsheaga program

POCHA MTL

Fans of Korean street food will be delighted! Montreal’s Korean Festival is back: this event offers you the chance to sample a wide range of specialties, but also to let off steam to KPop music.

• August 8 to 11, 2024
• Hangar 1825
• For more information on POCHA MTL

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 2 to 11, 2024
• Little Italy and the Quartier des spectacles
• TheItalfestMTL program

Montreal Scottish Games

Celebrating Scotland! Scottish sport, music and culture will be in the spotlight at this event. Highland dancing andmedieval combat will be among the competitions to discover.

• August 4, 2024
• Douglas Hospital grounds, Verdun
• The Montreal Scottish Games program

ÎleSoniq

Electro fans will be delighted to learn that actor and DJ Idris Elba will be on the decks for this event, alongside DJ Snake, Tiësto and others. Loud Luxury and Subtronics.

• August 9 to 11, 2024
• Parc Jean-Drapeau and in town
• ÎleSoniq programming

LASSO

It’s the big event for country music fans. Eric Church, Sam Hunt, Avery Anna, George Birge, Owen Riegling and local talents such as Emilie Clepper will be rocking the metropolis.

• August 16 and 17, 2024
• Parc Jean Drapeau and downtown (August 15)
• LASSO programming

MUTEK

Dedicated to electronic music and digital creativity, the 25^e edition of this festival will feature some 80 performances in the heart of the metropolis, with some 100 artists from 24 countries.

• August 20 to 25, 2024
• Quartier des spectacles
• The MUTEK program

Festival des arts de ruelles

There will be no shortage of activities across the metropolis as part of this event. From balcony shows to themed parades, our alleyways will be in the spotlight to celebrate the beautiful season.

• August 28 to September 8, 2024
• Different districts
• For more information on the Festival des arts de ruelles

JOAT

The International Street Dance Festival spotlights artists from near and far. On the program: high-level competitions, breaking, popping, hip-hop, krump, as well as street dance initiations.

• August 27 to September 2, 2024
• Quartier des spectacles
• For JOAT programming

TRAD Festival

This 32nd edition will host four days of festivities. Performances include “Racine”, a poetic dialogue between Inuit throat singing and traditional Québécois fiddle music, and “J’m’en viens chez vous” by the group Bon Débarras.

• August 29 to September 1, 2024
• At Ahuntsic Park and Patro Villeray
• TRAD programming

The 38^e edition of the festival will feature entries from Japan, Italy, France, Austria, Mexico and Canada.

These six events, as well as the Coldplay tribute, will include five minutes of laser technology per 30-minute show, an eco-responsible practice introduced this year.

• June 27 to August 1, 2024
• The program of L’International des Feux Loto-Québec

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

• Tour by double-decker bus, with several stops;
• Guided walking tour of Montreal’s murals;
• Urban zip-line circuit in the Old Port;
• Three-course brunch cruise on the St. Lawrence River ;
• Guided tour in a vintage Cadillac convertible ;
• Guided tour of Old Montreal;
• 3-hour culinary tour of Old Montreal ;
• An exclusive, private tour of Montreal: you’ll have a French-speaking guide just for you;

• 10-kilometre bike tour of Montreal;
• Montreal boat trip on the St. Lawrence River. This walk can also be taken at suns et;
• 2-hour guided tour of Montreal’s underground passages;
• Helicopter ride in Montreal: you will fly over the metropolis for 20 or 30 minutes;
• Ticket for the Montreal Ferris Wheel: enjoy a 20-minute ride.

Here’s our selection:

• Vin mon lapin and his croque-pétoncle ;
• Joe Beef and his royal hare;
• Toqué! and its cavatellis with morels, grilled lobster ;
• La Chronique and its Miramichi bar;
• Papillon wine with grilled mackerel, grenobloise with clementine ;
• 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 squid ink and squid;
• Jaja and his chipolata, fiddlehead, charcutière.

Here are our suggestions for making the most of the rooftop terraces:

• Bivouac
• Perché at the William Gray Hotel
• Nacarat at Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth
• Nelligan
• Monville at the Monville Hotel
• Muze at the HONEYROSE Hotel, Montreal, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
• Place d’Armes
• Belvu at the Marriott Chateau Champlain
• Rose-Marie
• Poincarré
• Taverne Atlantic
• Alizé at the Humaniti Montreal Hotel , Autograph Collection

Discover Montreal’s pedestrian streets this summer. Each one has its own style: if you have the time, do them all!

• Avenue Duluth Est, Plateau. Between boulevard Saint-Laurent and rue Saint-Hubert: May 14 to October 15, 2024;

• Avenue du Mont-Royal, Plateau.Between Saint-Laurent and Saint-Denis: June 5 to October 14, 2024. And between Saint-Denis and De Lorimier: from June 5 to August 26, 2024;

• Place du Marché-du-Nord, Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie. Between Casgrain and Henri-Julien avenues: June 6 to October 13, 2024;

• Plaza Saint-Hubert, Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie.Between rue de Bellechasse and rue Jean-Talon: July 4 to August 25, 2024;

• Rue De Castelnau Est, Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension.Between rue Saint-Denis and avenue De Gaspé: May 15 to October 31, 2024;

• Avenue Bernard, Outremont. Between Outremont and Bloomfield avenues: May 17 to September 27, 2024;

• Rue Ontario Est, Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. Between boulevard Pie-IX and rue Darling: from June 21 to September 8, 2024 ;

• Rue Saint-Denis (and Émery), Ville-Marie.Between Sherbrooke Street East and De Maisonneuve Boulevard East: June 18 to September 17, 2024;

• Rue Sainte-Catherine Est, Ville-Marie. Between rue Saint-Hubert and avenue Papineau: May 17 to October 17, 2024;

• Rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest (and part of Balmoral and Clark), Ville-Marie.Between rue De Bleury and boulevard Saint-Laurent: May1 to October 31, 2024;

• Rue Wellington, Verdun.Between 6th Avenue and rue Régina: June 3 to September 15, 2024.

Looking for a few nights in Montreal this summer? There’s no shortage of choice. On the other hand, it would be a shame not to accumulate reward points for a low-cost jaunt.

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:

• Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card
• Marriott Bonvoy^® Business American Express^®* Card

These cards include a handsome welcome bonus, numerous insurance benefits and an annual one-night free certificate worth 35,000 points.