Jardins Gamelin May 17 to September 30 2018, Jardins 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. 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. August DJ headliners and support include Bambii, Floorplan, Lucide, Anthony Naples, and Kim Ann Foxman. Not bad for a way to party your way into Monday. Click HERE for details. The Gay Village Pedestrian Street daily April – September, St. Catherine Street The Gay Village closes to cars and stays open for foot traffic. Enjoy the terraces, free art exhibits, street sales, and street performers. Biennial Digital Art Festival June 29 – Aug 5, 2018 This bi-annual festival has vernissages and other art events around the theme of Automata: Sing the Body Electric. Exhibits are located throughout the city For more information, click HERE. L’International des Feux Loto-Québec/Fireworks Festival Saturdays and Wednesdays, 10 p.m., July 7 to August 8 2018 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 — Australia, the USA, the Philippines, Canada, China, and Austria — setting off fireworks to music. Things culminate in a finale with For Your Eyes Only, a tribute to James Bond. Information HERE. Festival International de Lanaudière July 5 to August 5, 2018 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). Bernstein, Shostakovich, and even gospel are a few enticements. Find out more HERE. Festival ZH July 11 to August 18 Hochelega Maisonneuve… you haven’t been yet? It’s booming. With arts and culture, food and dance, this festival celebrates the quartier. Details HERE.

Fantasia Film Festival

July 14 to August 5

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.

The Great Montreal Poutinefest

July 31 – Aug 5, 2018, 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.

Orientalys

August 2 – 5, 2018, Quai de l’Horloge

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. Among those coming Ivres de Syrie, Ayrad a la Targui, Hua Yun, Mohammed Rifi, and more. Details HERE.

Osheaga Music and Arts Festival

August 3 – 5, 2018

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: Travis Scott, Arctic Monkeys, Florence + The Machine, The National, Post Malone, Odesza. Not bad, not bad at all. Information HERE.

Rogers Cup

August 3-12, 2018 Uniprix Stadium

The annual tennis tournament alternates between men and women’s. This year, the women 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.

Montreal Italian Week

August 3-12, 2018

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.

Montreal Highland Games

August 5 2018, 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.

Otakuthon

August 5-7, 2018, 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 HERE.

Montreal First Peoples’ Festival/Présence Autochtone

Aug 7 – 15, 2018 Quartier des Spectacles

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. Some events worth seeing are Nikamotan MTL, Ioskeha and Tawiscara: The Great Game of Creation, and Nova Stella. Information HERE.

Under Pressure

August 8-12, 2018

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.

Pride Montreal

August 9 – 31, 2018 Parade on August 19, 1 -4 p.m.

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 10-19, 2018

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.

Île Soniq

August 10-11 2018, Parc Jean Drapeau

All that infrastructure at Parc Jean-Drapeau isn’t taken down so quickly. The festival of electronic music, Ile Soniq brings the EDM for two more days of dancing on the little island that can. Paul Oakenfeld, the Chainsmokers, Black Tiger Sex Machine, are some of the hot headliners. More info HERE.

Soir Festival

August 10, 2018, 5 p.m. – 3 a.m., Rue Beaubien

Like a giant block party, the Soir festival brings together music, living arts, art exhibitions, theatre in motion, and more. Some things to keep an eye out for are Ellise Barbara, Jesuslesfilles, and Laura Sauvage. Info HERE.

Matsuri Japon Festival

Aug. 11, 2018, Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre of Montreal

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.

Foire écosphère and Festival des Minimaisons

August 11-12, 2018, Old Port

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.

Montgolfières de St. Jean sur Richelieu (Balloon Festival)

August 11-19, 2018, 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 Simple Plan, Eric Lapointe, and Tom Cochrane and Red Rider. More info HERE.

Montreal International Tango Festival

August 15-19, 2018

The Tango festival is all about this sultry dance and its fans. Milonga and classes make this a tango dancer’s dream. There are classes as well as shows to attend. Find out how to get tickets and what’s going on HERE.

White Yoga Tour

August 18, 2018, Jacques Cartier Pier

Get bent on the LOLE White yoga tour. Dressed in white, yogis from Montreal and beyond will bliss out at the Old Port for a session led by Nadia Bonefant, Sylvie Tremblay, Adam Mahmoud, and more. Info HERE.

Diner en Blanc

August 16, 2018

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.

Animaze

August 16-19, 2018

The festival that celebrates animation takes place in August. It’s a 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.

Montreal Restaurant Day

August 18, 2018

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.

NDG Arts Week

August 20 – 26, 2018

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 20-25, 2018 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 22-26, 2018

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.

Triathlon International de Montréal

August 23-26, 2018, Old Port

Elite and amateur athletes compete for world bests and personal bests in the annual Montreal triathlon. Swim, bike, run, and sweat. For more details, click HERE.

The Montreal World Film Festival

August 23 – September 3, 2018

Diversity is the buzz word of this international high-quality film festival. Over 750 films, both long and short, are screened and come from every country. Most films will never open commercially (though some surely do), so this is a chance to see some hard-to-find films that won’t make it to the theatres or Netflix. More info: HERE.

NDG OFF the Wall

August 24, 2018, NDG

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

Fattal Fest

August 24, 2018, Parking des Fattals/ the TraXide

A combination of outdoor and indoor indie punk music makes Fattal Fest a bit of attitude, a bit of mayhem and a lot of fun. Shows start at 5 p.m. and continue until well past midnight.

Nomadfest

August 24-27, 2018

Montreal invites the cowboys and the cowgirls, the bulls, the horses, and all that. The rodeo comes to town. Will you be saddling up to check it out? Info HERE.

Montreal Dog Festival

August 25-26, 2018, 3400 Trinitaires Blvd.

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.

OSM Classical Spree

August 29 – Sept 2, 2018

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.

World Press Photo

August 29 – Sept. 30, 2018 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. $14/11. More info HERE.

Montreal Electric Groove (MEG)

August 30 to Sept 3, 2018

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.

Outdoor Cinemas

There are plenty of places to catch a free film during the month of August. Cinema can be seen in many public parks on different nights of the week thanks to Virgin Radio’s Movies in the Park, with info HERE. Cinema Sous Les Etoiles, with the schedule HERE. Also, you can catch RIDM en plein air at different spots through August 28. 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.

Here are some regularly recurring outdoor cinema spots worth mentioning:

Film Noir Au Canal. Continues until August 19. Information HERE.

Parc de Talcy. Continues until August 5. Information HERE.

Place de la Paix. Continues until Sept 4. Information HERE.

Upcoming Events

Le Grand Ribfest de Montreal

Sept 13-16, 2018

Old Port

Get ready to get your eats on with the saucy festival. Also spicy. Also siracha. Top BBQ kings and queens compete to tempt you with their best ribs ever. Info HERE.

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