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.

May 17 to September 30 2018, Jardins Gamelin

Piknic Electronik

Sundays, Through September 2019

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.

Bonobo. Outlier Tour. Piknic Electronik. Photo Rachel Levine

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). Find out more HERE.

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.

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.

One Day to Celebrate Digital Nomadism

August 2, 2019

Nomad Coliving (1685 Rue de Cheamplain)

Freelancers who go where the work is (or the good weather) and other traveling workers who work in the “digital” industries — FX, web work, and all sorts of things that can be done remotely — are our Digital Nomads. They’re very much a part of the city and two local organizations, Nomad Coliving and Montreal Digital Nomads are hosting a conference to bring them together to talk shop, network, share tips, and more. Info HERE.

Osheaga Music and Arts Festival

The Osheaga experience. Osheaga 2015. Photo Bélinda Bélice.

August 2 – 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: Interpol, Tame Impala, Childish Gambino. You can even EDM for three days straight and never stop. After parties and pre parties and a “hotel” downtown. Not bad, not bad at all. Information HERE.

Rogers Cup

August 2 – 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 of Grand Slam champions appear. Information HERE.

Dancers. Montreal Highland Games 2017. Photo Rachel Levine

Matsuri Japon Festival

Aug. 3, 2019,

Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre of Montreal (8155 Rue Rousselot)

Japanese culture gets a second send-up this month with Matsuri Japon. This one day festival at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre has food, dance, martial arts performances, and lots of Japanese goods for sale. It has some of the cutest logos ever. Details HERE.

Japanese Cultural Fair 2015. Photo Rachel Levine

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. Dancing contests of all sorts are in place, and go get yourself a Guinness. More information HERE.

burger royal. Poutine. Photo Rachel Levine

The Great Montreal Poutinefest

August 6 – 11, 2019

Old Port

How many ways can fries, gravy, and cheese curds be served. More than you can imagine. Top poutine chefs offer their delicious taste bud exploding creations. Info HERE.

Hoop Dancer. Places des Arts. Presence Autochtone Festival First People’s Festival. Photo Rachel Levine

Montreal First Peoples’ Festival/Présence Autochtone

Aug 6 – 14, 2019

Quartier des Spectacles/Place des Arts

This joyous event celebrates the first peoples of the Americas and indigenous people everywhere. Concerts, food, cinema, and more take over Place des Arts. There’s plenty to see for free. Information HERE.

Under Pressure

Under Pressure 2015. Urban Dance. Photo Sean Lapalme

August 7 – 11, 2019

North American’s longest and largest graffiti and hip hop festival, brings dance competitions, symposia, exhibitions and the gorgeous street murals to St. Catherine in a celebration of urban culture. Walk down St. Catherine Street and see the artists at work as they race to make their mark. More info HERE.

OSM Classical Spree

August 7 – 11, 2019

The Montreal symphony orchestra delivers 30 concerts over four days with chamber music, recitals, and symphonic concerts to name a few. There are many free outdoor performances as well. Info HERE.

Glitter. Gay Pride Festival. Fierté Montréal. 2018. Photo Rachel Levine

Pride Montreal

August 8 – 18, 2019, Parade on August 18, 1 -4 p.m.

Pride is every day of every month, but the party gets extra loud for 11 days in August. The Sunday afternoon parade is as inspiring as it is an awesome spectacle. Vibrant, proud, and colourful, this is a highlight of the Montreal year for all. Celebrate LGBTQ with a week plus plus of events that include art, conferences, music, drag superstars, djs, dancing, sports competitions, and brunch. Come out literally, metaphorically, or any way you wish, and join in the phone. More info HERE.

Pervers/Cité

August 8 – 18, 2019

The underside of pride… or so it claims. Focusing on social justice and queerness, pervers/cité has a mandate to include all. There are workshops, dances, films, even games like capture the flag. It’s a mish-mash of events with a strong message. To find out more, see HERE.

Soir Montréal Festival

August 8-10, 2019

Rue Beaubien and St. Laurent

Like a giant block party, the Soir Montéal festival brings together music, living arts, art exhibitions, theatre in motion, and more. Some things to keep an eye out for are Gayance, Hua LI, Kone, and Solids. Info HERE.

Montreal Italian Week

August 9-18, 2019

Little Italy

Mamma Mia, Italian food can’t be beat, and its culture is beloved by more than just those of Italian descent. The Italian Week pulls into Little Italy for food (of course), performances, and street fairs. Events include the best cannoli contest, Italian bands, and a fashion show. Oh, and the Fiats. So many little Fiats on the road. More info HERE.

Île Soniq

August 9 – 10, 2019 Parc Jean Drapeau

All that infrastructure at Parc Jean-Drapeau serves several major festivals. If Osheaga wasn’t enough, you can EDM your heart out for two more days of dancing on the little island that can. Mashmello, Above and Beyond, and Kaskade, are some of the hot headliners. More info HERE.

SPRINT CANOE KAYAKPROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP

August 9 – 11, 2019

Olympic Basin, Parc Jean Drapeau

Top Quebec canoe-kayak athletes at different levels compete in a mad dash down the basin. Check out all info HERE.

Holi Festival of Colors 2019

August 10, 2019

Old Port of Montreal

India celebrates this super-fun colorful festival. So does Montreal. With Indian food, a South Asian bazar, and of course, the color throw. Throw colored powder and go home in a blur of pinks, greens, and blues. More info HERE.

La Grande Fabrique

August 10 – 11

St. Catherine Street East

Crafters take over St. Catherine. Whether you want etsy styled products or things that just come out around Christmastime, here’s a chance to grab some. For details on who will be vending and where to go, click HERE.

Montgolfières de St. Jean sur Richelieu (Balloon Festival)

August 10-18, 2019

Saint Jean Sur Richelieu

The balloons are here! The balloons are here. Just a short drive from Montreal, enjoy watching huge hot air balloons lift off into the sky. Such a wonder! Musical performances are part of the fun, bringing in 150 different musicians like Coeur de Pirate, Fouki, and Fafa Khan. More info HERE.

Le Grande Ribfest

August 13-16, 2019

Old Port of Montreal

Old Port

Get ready to get your eats on with the saucy festival. American Southeastern cooking pros come to compete. Maybe you’ll get to have the best ribs ever. Info HERE.

Fishfest

August 15-17, 2019

L’Escogriffe

With a DIY ethic, Fishfest is a music festival of misfits and authenticity. Think garage rock and anything sort of counter-culture-y. Check it out with about 4 bands performing each night.

Otakuthon

Cosplayers. Otakuthon 2017. Photo Melissa Martella.

August 16 – 18, 2019,

Palais des Congrès

Manga, anime, and all things Japanese take over Palais des Congres for one of the quirkiest and fun festivals. Dress up like your favourite character or find ones who share your passion. Get autographs from your favorite voice actors and cosplayers. Dance all night until 4 a.m. at the festival’s famous balls. More info at https://www.otakuthon.com/2019/home/.

Montreal Restaurant Day

Restaurant Day. St. Viateur. Photo Rachel Levine

August 17, 2019

Don’t miss the pop up restaurant in a neighbourhood near you. Your friends and neighbours, or even yourself, can open a restaurant for a day and showcase your cooking talents. Food is priced by the people who sell it and there are not only tasty dishes, but they’re often so unbelievably cheap. It’s a funky, fun worldwide event. See the facebook page for details HERE.

White Yoga Tour

Lolë Yoga in Old Port Montreal. Photo Magali Crevier.

August 17, 2019

Parc Jean Drapeau

Get bent on the LOLE White yoga tour. Dressed in white, yogis from Montreal and beyond will bliss out for a session led by internationally acclaimed yogi Elena Brower and Julien Gagnon. Meditation will be led by Adam Mahmoud and Marie Francoise Mariette, and more. Info HERE.

NDG Arts Week

August 19 – 25, 2019

The hip, sometimes gritty neighbourhood with families and a whack of artists, NDG, gets a chance to showcase its talents. The festival launches at Cafe Shaika and then features all kinds of wonderful things including outdoor film screenings, in-home theatre, and music. It’s a great celebration all around. More info HERE.

FMD — Montreal Fashion and Design Festival

August 19 – 24, 2019

Quartier des Spectacles

All the glam of fashion week, but done with Montreal cool and creativity. Montreal’s fashion festival has conferences, catwalks, and films all related to film. The fashion and design items for sale are a good reason to head down and see what’s happening at the Quartier des Spectacles and pick something up by a local designer. There’s even a fashion truck launching. For info, click HERE.

MUTEK

August 20 – 25 , 2019

Love music? Love digital creativity and electronic music in particular? Mutek is your thing. With a lengthy list of Canadian and international artists, this festival promises plenty of head nodding as well as mad dancing. Information HERE.

Montreal International Tango Festival

August 21 – 25, 2019

The Tango festival is all about this sultry dance and its fans. Milonga and classes make this a tango dancer’s dream. Here’s what’s promised: 22 classes, 6 dancers, 5 Milongas, 4 bands, and one gourmet dinner. Find out how to get tickets and what’s going on HERE.

Diner en Blanc

August 22, 2019

Want to dine in white with 6000 other people? Yes. Huge picnic tables are set up at a secret location and guests arrive with their food, entirely dressed in white for an elegant evening. The emphasis is on class. There is no beer, no hard liquor, only wine. Stemware and dinnerware required. It’s a beautiful way to eat. More info HERE.

Orientalys

August 22 – 25, 2019,

Place Jacques Cartier, Old Port Montreal

A celebration of Eastern culture, including North Africa, the Orientalys is a free festival at the Old Port. Performances showcase the variety and talent of the Middle East and North Africa, India, and Asia. Details HERE.

NDG OFF the Wall

August 23, 2019

NDG Park

NDG’s cinema festival returns with local artists submitting short films for a night of creativity. For info, click HERE.

BoochFest Internatioanl Komboucha Festival

August 23 – 25, 2019

Jarry Park

This international competition pits the world of fermented tea makers against one another. Komboucha from Rise, Fous de l’Ile, and more are available. There’s even a SCOBY fashion exhibit. If you’re just into making your own or want to try old and new flavors, this is the festival for you. Info HERE.

World Press Photo Exhibit 2014. Photo Danielle Neri

World Press Photo

August 28 – September 29, 2019

Marché Bonsecours (325 rue de la commune East)

Challenge yourself with the gorgeous photojournalism on display at the World Press Photo exhibit. This prestigious exhibition features 150 prizewinning photographs on display. Some capture world news events, others make small events into world news. It never disappoints. More info HERE.

Animaze

August 29 – September 1, 2019

The festival that celebrates animation is a delightful chance to see great creativity and be inspired by animators and film professionals from around the globe. In addition to screenings, there are workshops, a job fair, and a conference. Information HERE.

Aqua Dogs. Salon National de Animal Compagnie de Montreal. SNAC. Photo Rachel Levine

Montreal Dog Festival

August 31 – September 1,

2323 Boulevard Daniel Johnson Laval.

Dogs get their day in Montreal. Two days in fact. The dog festival celebrates all things pooch with agility dogs, flyball, frisbee, and of course vendors. Details HERE.

Taco Box. Photo Paulette Hall.

Tacofest MTL 2019

August 31 – September 1, 2019

Old Port Montreal

It’s not clear when tacos became so trendy, but are they ever good. Live music, dancing, and of course over 100 different tacos to eat. Yum. Info HERE.

Montreal Electric Groove (MEG)

Adam Husa. MEG 2015. Photo Sean Lapalme.

August 30 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.

Upcoming Events

Foire écosphère and Festival des Minimaisons

September 13 – 15, 2019

Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Parc Jean Drapeau

150 different stands and speakers makes this one of the top environmental events in Quebec. Free food samples, health products, new green technology, and more is available to check out. Part of it is a festival dedicated to small homes. For info, click HERE.

Monthly Festival Links

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

For Montreal Rampage’s daily events calendar, click HERE. If you have an event you would like to include, send an email to montrealrampage@gmail.com