Our 2026 Guide to Summer Festivals and Activities in Montreal

Montreal – Celebrating Quebec’s National Holiday

Quebec’s National Holiday is celebrated on June 23 and 24, 2026. The main show takes place on June 24, at 7:30 p.m., at Parc Maisonneuve, featuring Harmonium, Diane Dufresne, Pierre Lapointe and Bruno Pelletier. The parade sets off on June 24, at 2 p.m., on Rachel Street East, and nearly 80 neighbourhood celebrations animate the island of Montreal.

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 17 to October 18, 2026, on Sundays
• At Parc Jean-Drapeau
• The Piknic Électronik program is now out, featuring Daphni, Jayda G and Nia Archives, among others.

For a third consecutive year, the National Bank Platinum Mastercard^® sponsors the National Bank Stage at Piknic Électronik, dedicated to local Montreal artists.

Montreal – Petit Piknic

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

• Several family dates are scheduled during summer 2026, including June 28
• At Parc Jean-Drapeau

Montreal – Mural

This urban art festival features many artists who share their works. For the 14th edition of the MURAL festival, the entire program is free and returns to Saint-Laurent Boulevard.

• From June 4 to 14, 2026
• Saint-Laurent Stage, at the corner of Saint-Laurent Boulevard and Milton Street
• The Mural program

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.

• From June 12 to 20, 2026
• Quartier des spectacles
• The Francos de Montreal program

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.

• From June 25 to July 4, 2026
• Quartier des spectacles
• The Festival International de Jazz de Montreal program

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 full program is now out, including La Chute des Anges (L’Oublié(e), July 2 to 5 at the TOHU) and St.art (Cirk La Putyka, July 7 to 12).

• From July 2 to 12, 2026
• Latin Quarter and performance venues

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.

• From July 3 to 5, 2026
• Palais des Congrès
• The Montreal Comiccon program

Montreal – Festival International Nuits d’Afrique

More than 700 artists from some thirty countries are featured for this 40th edition. The program is now online, with many free concerts in the heart of the Quartier des spectacles.

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

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.

• From July 9 to 12, 2026
• Clock Tower Pier
• The A Taste of the Caribbean program

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.

• Dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been announced
• The Guinguettes de Montreal program

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

Montreal – Fantasia International Film Festival

This festival, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, offers as always a rich program of screenings and workshops. The first waves of titles have already been unveiled, with the full program to follow closer to the event.

• From July 16 to August 2, 2026

Montreal – Festival Fierté Montreal

Many activities are planned to celebrate the advancements of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities’ rights. The traditional Pride parade will take place on August 9, starting at 1 PM, 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 is out: more than 150 artists, with the closing Mega T-Dance on August 9

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

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

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

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, with « ÎleSoniq in the City » as a curtain-raiser on August 7
• Parc Jean-Drapeau
• The ÎleSoniq program

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

Montreal – MUTEK

Dedicated to electronic music and digital creativity, the 27^th 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 is out, featuring Jeff Mills and A Guy Called Gerald

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
• More than 300 artists across about ten neighbourhoods

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 2026 program is online: battles, workshops and performances

Montreal – TRAD Festival

This edition hosts 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 is out, featuring Les Mercenaires du Terroir and Pine Tree Flyers, among others

Montreal – L’International des Feux Loto-Quebec

The event celebrates its 40^th edition in 2026.

• From July 2 to August 6, 2026, at La Ronde
• 2026 calendar: Hungary (July 9), Italy (July 12), China (July 16), Canada (July 23), United States (July 26), Australia (July 30) and a tribute to legends (August 6)

Montreal – ROYALMOUNT: free summer programming

For its second season, ROYALMOUNT offers a series of free activities all summer long at Urban Park, from wellness to music to sports. Here are the dates to add to your calendar:

• International Yoga Day (presented by Alo Yoga): June 21, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. (sold out).
• Soccer IQ x ROYALMOUNT: June 27 and 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., for kids and families.
• Saturday DJ sets: every Saturday in July, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• The Sunday Reset: every Sunday from July 5 to September 13, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. (Pilates, functional training, CrossFit).
• La Rave des Minis: July 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., for children.
• International Ice Cream Day (with Ca Lem): July 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Dimanche Sous Le Soleil (presented by The Rec Room): every Sunday in August, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Asian Night Market (presented by BMO): August 20 to 23.

The full program is available on the ROYALMOUNT website.

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:

• Double-decker bus tour, with several stops;
• Guided mural tour of Montreal, on foot;
• Urban zipline circuit, in the Old Port;
• Three-course brunch cruise on the Saint Lawrence River;
• Guided tour in a vintage convertible Cadillac;
• Guided tour of Old Montreal;
• 3-hour culinary tour in Old Montreal;
• Private and exclusive tour of Montreal: you will have a French-speaking guide just for you;

• 10-kilometer bike ride in Montreal;
• Boat ride in Montreal on the Saint Lawrence River. This ride can also be done at sunset;
• Guided tour of Montreal’s underground city for 2 hours;
• Helicopter ride in Montreal: you will fly over the city for 20 or 30 minutes;
• Ticket for the Montreal Observation Wheel: you can enjoy a 20-minute ride.

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.

Montreal – Strolling through pedestrian streets in 2026

This summer, seven pedestrian streets animate Montreal: Sainte-Catherine East (the Village), Bernard (Outremont), Mont-Royal Avenue and Duluth Avenue (Plateau), Ontario East (Hochelaga-Maisonneuve), Wellington (Verdun), and a 2026 newcomer in Villeray.

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:

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

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