Get ready to simmer your way into Summer with this hot list of festivals and events taking place in Montreal this month. Whew!

Piknic Electronik

Sundays, Through September 2018

Parc Jean Drapeau

DJs from around the world perform for the Sunday crowds who want to bliss out in the sunshine and on into the evening. Not bad for a way to spend your Sundays. Click HERE for details.

Tommy Kruise. Piknic Electronik. Photo Lili Hudecova

Jardins Gamelin

May 30 to September 29, 2019

Place Émilie-Gamelin

The park and its cultural and citizen-driven activities is one of the nicest spots to chill in the city. Open every day with something happening most of the time, be certain to find out more HERE.

Marché des Possibles

June 21 – July 28, 2019

5635 St Dominique

It isn’t so much of a festival as a 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. Some weekends its yoga, some it is music. Info HERE.

Grand Montréal Comique

June 22 – July 7, 2019

L’Olympia (1004 St Catherine Est)

Stand-up comedians from Montreal got together to host this festival to celebrate and well, make you laugh your ass off. Information HERE.

Montreal Jazz Festival. Photo Rachel Levine

Montreal International Jazz Festival

June 26 – July 6, 2019

It’s not exclusively jazz but it’s an anything goes kind of event with free programming and paid events that blow people away year after year. The main attractions this year are Norah Jones, Buddy Guy, Chick Corea, Peter Frampton, Courtney Barnett and on and on and on. Tickets and schedules HERE.

Mtl en Arts

June 26 – July 1 2019

Multidisciplinary arts festival offers an open air art gallery along St. Catherine St. It has of course grown to include film, installations, live demonstrations, and much more. Details can be found HERE.

L’International des Feux Loto-Québec/Fireworks Festival

Fireworks in Montreal. USA. Photo Lydia Saad

Saturdays and Wednesdays, 10 p.m., June 29 to Junly 27, 2019

While Parc Jean-Drapeau is one of the go-to places to see the international fireworks festival, you can also hang out at the Old Port or make your way to the Jacques Cartier Bridge. Each week features a different country — South Korea, Italy, Portugal, USA, Canada, and Australia — setting off fireworks to music. Things culminate in a finale celebrating 25 years of entertainment. Information HERE.

Canada Day

July 1 2019

Old Port

Sir Wilfrid Laurier is celebrating yet another birthday and the old port is the site of the celebration. All day, activities take place, including dancing and virtual reality workshops. Come see the swearing in of new Canadians at 1 p.m., eat cake at 2 p.m., enjoy the closing show at 8:30 p.m. which includes David Usher and Brigitte Boisjoli. and stay for fireworks at 10 p.m. Information HERE.

Circus Hoop act. Salon de l’Amour et Seduction 2019. Place Bonaventure. Photo Rachel Levine

Montréal Complètement Cirque/International Festival of Circus Arts

July 4 to 14, 2019

Since we can’t all just run off to join the circus, we can at least go and watch one. With one of the only circus training schools in the country here in Montreal, we get outstanding performers. There are free shows on St. Denis where you can catch some daring performances on building rooftops, or perhaps try out some circus performance yourself. Details HERE.

Festival Musical Independent Diapason

July 4 to 7, 2019

La Berge des Baigneurs, Sainte-Rose

Laval adds itself to the festival map with its 8th annual Diapason Independent Music festival. Urban camping is the way to go! This year has a fantastic line up planned with Bloodshot Bill, Heartstreets, OBG, and Milk and Bone. For information, click HERE.

Montreal Comiccon

Palais de Congres

July 5 to 7, 2019

Get your costume out, your wallet out, and attend workshops, panels, and have a blast at the annual Comiccon. Nerds, geeks, trekkies, Buffy buffs, Muggles, Dr. Whosters, and fans of Firefly have reason to go to meet the guests. Among them Elijah Wood, James and Oliver Phelps, Georges ST Pierre, William Shatner, and Robert Sheehan. Details HERE.

Festival International de Lanaudière

July 5 to August 4, 2019

If you need to get out of Montreal, the Festival de Lanaudière provides the opportunity to listen to orchestral and classical music in Joliette. It’s only about 45 minutes away from the city (by car). Bach, Shostakovich, and even gospel are a few enticements. Find out more HERE.

Carifiesta

July 6, 2019

This is a huge parade that takes over the city and brings in steel drums, colorful costumes, and just good vibes all around. Celebrate the Caribbean without leaving the city. Information HERE.

Dragon Boat Challenge and Cultural Festival

July 6 to 7, 2019

Parc Jean Drapeau

2000 athletes from Quebec, the US, Ontario, and the Maritimes come in their boats to compete in the Olympic basin’s annual Dragon Boat Challenge. Competition is fierce as this is part of the “triple crown circuit,” a racing event of three events in the Montreal area. There are recreational and competitive teams. Details HERE.

Weekends du Monde au Parc Jean Drapeau

July 6, 7, 13, and 14

Parc Jean Drapeau

Every weekend, Parc Jean Drapeau adopts a different country and provides both music and food, as well as cultural activities. This year includes Venezuela, Cuba, Colombia, Ile Maurice, Trinidad, and Tunisia. Info HERE.

Startupfest 2019

July 9 – 12, 2019

Parc Jean Drapeau (Jardin de l’Angleterre)

Four days of people with technology and entrepreneurial dreams. Montreal is rich in startups, so get to meet some of the investors, movers, shakers, creators, and innovators. Details HERE.

Nuits d’Afrique

July 9 – 21, 2019

Like the cool cousin to Jazz Fest, Nuits d’Afrique follows on Jazzfest’s heels and brings out more world beat, jazz, afrofunk, and other soulful rhythms to Montreal. Free music is available on the stages, while indoor shows this year include Salif Keita, Djely Tapa, System Solar, and Okan. Information HERE.

Juste Pour Rire – sexe illegale – Club Soda – Photo by Behnam Zeraei

Just for Laughs

July 10 – 28, 2019

Comedians from all around the world descend on Montreal venues and clubs in one of the most beloved Montreal festivals. This year, see Wanda Sykes, Michael McIntyre, Howie Mandel, Rachel Bloom, and Nick Kroll, and more. There are always favorite staples like The Nasty Show, Brit(ish), The Ethnic Show, as well as new club shows. Even a tour of the street festival is usually fun. Check out information about passes HERE.

Zoofest and Off JFL

July 11 – July 27, 2019

Anytime is a good time to laugh. In order to get the belly muscles ready for all the haha of Just for Laughs, start out with Zoofest and Off JFL, with its local focus. Comedy, theatre, spectacle, and random randomness make this festival up. Among the things to check out are Dave Merheje, Chanty Marostica, Nish Kumar, and the Rapp Battlez. Click here for the schedule.

Fantasia Film Festival

July 11 – August 1, 2019

Fantasia is a chance for horror, fantasy, foreign, comic, and oddball films to air on a big screen before enthusiastic audiences. This international film festival attracts large, dedicated crowds. More information HERE.

AIM — Electronic Music Festival

July 12 to 14, 2019

Parc Carillon (50 minute drive from Montreal)

Get ready for all the electronic music you can handle, including a 24 hour non-stop dance party from Saturday to Sunday noon. Highlights include John Digweed, Danny Tenaglia, and more. Camping is available at the site. Info HERE.

Festival de la Bieres de Laval

July 12 to 14, 2019

There’s more to Laval than strip malls. There’s also beer. Well, a beer festival. Yes, there will be music. Zen Bamboo, GrimSkunk, and Dead Messenger are among those playing. Information HERE.

Echoes of a Proud Nation Pow Wow

July 13 – 14, 2019

Kahnawake (Ile Tekakwitha)

The Mohawk nation welcomes other nations (including Canada) to its territory for its annual pow wow. See magnificent hoop dances, join in the singing and dancing, and make friends. More information can be found HERE.

Slut Island Festival

July 18 to 28, 2019

Queer, trans, gender fluid and others with underrepresented identities are the focus of this DIY music festival. Empowerment is the theme and good music is how this is disseminated. Artists appearing include Elle Barbara, Quanah Style, DregQueen, and FKA Coco Supreme. Keep an eye on their Facebook page HERE.

Montreal International Mizik Kreyol Festival

July 19 to 21, 2019

TOHU (2345 Rue Jarry E)

Get ready for Haitian and Caribbean music performed under the big tent. There will be plenty of food and dance too. More info HERE.

Haiti en Folie

July 22 to 28, 2019

Parc Lafontaine



Montreal enjoys a special relationship with the French speaking island. Of course there are arts, theatre, and dancing. This festival also invites performers including Rara Soley and Weshttps://www.noeldescampeurs.com/li. For more information click HERE.

Festival Zone Homa

July 23 to August 17, 2019

Hochelaga Maisonneuve… you haven’t been yet? It’s booming. With arts and culture, food and dance, this festival celebrates the quartier. Details HERE.

Les Noel des Campeurs de Montréal

July 26 – 28, 2019

Berge des Coursiers (Lachine Canal, Farine Five Roses Factory)

Christmas in July. We need it. Did you see how f’ing hot it is out there? Bring your jolly, your nog, and kind of your speedos for a weekend of music, camping, and family oriented activities. Information HERE.

’77 Montreal

July 26, 2019

Parc Jean Drapeau

Punk and lots of fun, ’77 festival brings together top bands. This year includes Bad Religion, Pennywise, STreetlight Manifesto, and The Exploited. Information HERE.

Joakim Brodén of Sabaton at Heavy Montreal (Photo by Jean-Frederic Vachon)

Heavy Montreal

July 27 – 28, 2019

Parc Jean Drapeau

If you like to rock, and we know you all do, this festival is for you. Anthrax, Beartooth, Atreyu, Cancer Bats, Evanescence, Slayer, Quiet Riot, Godsmack, and more. Details about the festival are HERE.

Outdoor Cinemas

It seems like every night of the week, there’s a place to catch a free film during the month of July. Cinema can be seen in many public parks on different nights of the week thanks Cinema Sous Les Etoiles, with the schedule HERE. Also, you can catch RIDM en plein air at different spots through August 22. Details are HERE. Cinemania (French films subtitled in English) also tour different parks. Details HERE. Another spot to watch is NDG, at NDG Park and Jean Brilliant Park. Details HERE.

Upcoming in August

Osheaga Music and Arts Festival

August 2 to 4, 2019

The music festival that everyone loves to attend takes over Jean Drapeau. We publish an annual survival guide HERE. There is an art fest, food trucks, and best of all… music: . Not bad, not bad at all. Information HERE.

Rogers Cup

August 2 to 11, 2019

Uniprix Stadium

The annual tennis tournament alternates between men and women’s. This year, the men are in Montreal. While there’s no telling who will play in the event, usually a few of the big names appear. Information HERE.

Montreal Highland Games

August 4, 2019

Douglas Hopsital, Verdun

This summer tradition combines highland dancing, pipe music, with the coolest athletics you will ever see. 56 and 28 pound weight tosses and hammer tosses might sound familiar. The Sheaf Toss entails throwing sheaves of hay. And the highlight: the Caber toss — throwing an 18 foot log. More information HERE.

Montreal Electric Groove (MEG)

August 29 to Sept 2, 2019

Get your dance shoes and glowsticks on at the MEG festival. With a line up of bands that bring music electronically, this festival keeps it going all night long at small and large venues like the SAT, Sala Rossa, Divan Orange, and Le Belmont. For more information click HERE.

Monthly Festival Links

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December