
No matter the season is, Montreal heats up its festivals and events, offering tons of activities that cannot beat. Montreal welcomes diversity and loves culture. It’s no wonder why most of their festivals reflect their own and different cultures of people from diverse backgrounds. Montreal takes pride in presenting a rich tapestry of cultural attractions, from art walks to galleries, from restaurants to events and many more. If you want to experience world-class concerts, perhaps attending the Osheaga Festival and Montreal International Jazz Festival is what you are looking for. If music and food are your game, the Montreal Folk Festival is waving at you. This is just a fraction of action. With an endless list of festivals in Montreal, your head might be spinning right now. No worries! We have listed the popular festivals in Montreal, Canada, that will suit your taste.
If you’re still not sold on the city’s festival culture, watch our video where Montreal tour guide, Rene, talks about how the city always has a festival, no matter the season!
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1. St-Ambroise Montreal Fringe Festival
Ouverture Parc FRINGE Park Opening Tech Weak Photo by Cindy Lopez
Posted by Festival St-Ambroise Fringe de Montréal on Sunday, 14 June 2015
Every year Montreal becomes the venue to celebrate accessibility, diversity and artistic expression, thanks to St-Ambroise Montreal Fringe Festival. This festival is home to plenty of arts events, from music to dance, from drag-queen shows to repertory and theater. With more or less 500 artists and 800 performances around the world, Fringe Festival never runs out of style to surprise you. If you want to be part of something big in Montreal, visiting this large event will make it happen.
St-Ambroise Montreal Fringe Festival
Address: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Website: St-Ambroise Montreal Fringe Festival
Takes place: June
2. Osheaga Festival

Montreal rocks! Thanks to Osheaga Festival, the neighborhood of Montreal is full of music and party-goers. Since its origin in 2006, Osheaga Festival has been consistently known as a big pop and indie festival in Canada. It garnered a good deal of support and respect as the biggest artists in the world have taken part in it. It is split into six main stages: Mountain, Green, River, Valley, Zone Piknic Electronik, and Tree.
Osheaga Festival
Address: Parc Jean-Drapeau on Île Sainte-Hélène, Montreal, Canada
Website: Osheaga Festival
Takes place: Usually held in August
3. Montreal International Fireworks Competition

Montreal takes pride in presenting the Montreal Fireworks Festival (formerly l'International Benson & Hedges and Le Mondial SAQ). It is the biggest and most prestigious fireworks competition around the globe, wherein eight or nine big pyrotechnical companies represent their respective country. The competitions present pyromusical show for about 30 minutes. Each year, approximately three million audience with more or less six thousand fireworks set off during the show. It’s time to see the sky of Montreal sparkle and turn colorful as ever.
Montreal International Fireworks Competition
Address: La Ronde over the Dolphins Lake, Montreal, Canada
Website: Montreal International Fireworks Competition
Takes place: Between June and August
4. h Century Public Market

Get a glimpse of what life was like during the 18th century in New France by dropping by the 18th Century Market Fair. This is a unique event that one should never miss. The setting is around the Museum and Place Royale. The market becomes the venue of a spectacular historical re-enactment. Musicians, Amerindian encampment, displays of plenty of historical figures, a military regiment - all these contribute to make everyone feel that they are back in ancient times.
18th Century Market
Address: Place Royale Museum (Public Market), Montreal, Canada
Website: 18th Century Market
Takes place: August
Montreal Tour Guide

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5. Tam-Tams
Here is another cheap thrill for everyone, presenting Tam-Tams. This awesome free festival is set up around Sir George-Étienne Cartier and in the green spaces of Mount Royal Park. You will probably wonder why the festival has such a peculiar name. The festival features drummers, and its name mimics the sound of drums (Tam-Tams). This festival is a venue for vendors, dancers, and spectators who aim to have a great day.
Tam-Tams
Address: Sir George-Étienne Cartier and Mount Royal Park, Montreal, Canada
Website: Tam-Tams
Takes place: Usually held in May
6. Montreal Beer Festival

Beer lovers, this festival is for you! Known also as Mondial de la bière, Montreal Beer Festival is one of the most anticipated festivals in Montreal. It offers a wide selection of beers and activities that encourage you to have a great time with family and friends. It also presents a spectacular variety of events combining a wide range of beer like pairing workshops, guided beer tasting tours, beer and cheese workshops, and even friendly competitions.
Montreal Beer Festival
Address: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Website: Montreal Beer Festival
Takes place: Usually held in June
7. Montreal First Peoples Festival
Your crash course into the history of Montreal begins by witnessing and joining the Montreal First Peoples Festival. It features the rich history, culture, tradition, and even the art of American aboriginal. The festival is also served as an honor to the continent’s first settlers/inhabitants. Music, dance, performance, and fun activities for the children are available.
Montreal First Peoples Festival
Address: 508-5445 avenue de Gaspé Montreal, Quebec
Website: Montreal First Peoples Festival
Takes place: August
8. Montréal Complètement Cirque Festival

Every year, there’s a reason for people to keep going and upbeat. Montreal neighborhood is always excited to host the Montréal Complètement Cirque Festival as the whole area turns into a place of fun, laughter, and partying. In every turn, from parks to plazas and even sidewalks, there are exciting activities organized by vendors or the committee. Plenty of activities, a circus, an international show, surprises, and magical happenings are waiting to be explored.
Montréal Complètement Cirque Festival
Address: TOHU, 2345, rue Jarry E., Montréal, Québec, Canada, H1Z 4P3
Website: Montréal Complètement Cirque Festival
Takes place: July
9. MEG Montreal Festival
MEG Montreal Festival is a big event for the music industry in Canada. Established in 1999 and cofounded by Jacques Primeau and Mustapha Terki, MEG Montreal is the first event to promote electronic music globally. MEG highlights the coming out of artists with their range of specialties, from pop to rock, from hip-hop and electronic music. What’s more? MEG urges cultural exchanges between Canada and the international music scene and exchanges between European and North American artists.
MEG Montreal Festival
Address: Piknic Électronik in Parc Jean-Drapeau and Society for Arts and Technology downtown, Montreal, Canada
Website: MEG Montreal Festival
Takes place: Usually held between August and September
10. Montreal International Jazz Festival

If you want to be part of something big in the world, you are at the right place! The Festival International de Jazz de Montréal or the Montreal Jazz Fest is one of the world’s biggest festivals of jazz. All the programs arranged for are related to pop, rock, and jazz. It is definitely a world-class festival. Over 2.5 million spectators are lured to witness it, which presents hundreds of concerts over 11 days. The good news? Almost two-thirds of the fest’s concerts and shows are free of charge! The surprises don’t stop there. Plenty of family-friendly activities are also free!
Montreal International Jazz Festival
Address: Montreal, Canada
Website: Montreal International Jazz Festival
Takes place: June to July
11. Formula 1 Grand Prix Weekend

Witnessing Formula 1 Grand Prix Weekend in Montreal is a dream come true for race-car enthusiasts. This is the biggest and exciting sporting event not just in Montreal but in the whole of Canada. Over 100,000 spectators come per day, which makes this event a world-class competition. Plan your vacation according to the schedule of this grand event. Bring your family or friends who share the same interests.
Formula 1 Grand Prix Weekend
Address: Montreal, Canada
Website: Formula 1 Grand Prix Weekend
Takes place: June
Price: 128 USD onward
12. Mural Festival

Art lovers will be overjoyed to attend the Mural Festival. Every year, Boulevard Saint-Laurent becomes an open-air museum that presents exhibits, displays, paintings, and other forms of arts. Mural Festival is the venue in which local and international artists gather to showcase their creative talents. It is an annual celebration of freedom, creativity, and democratization of urban art in Montreal City.
Mural Festival
Address: 3527, Boulevard St-Laurent, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H2X 2V7
Website: Mural Festival
Takes place: Usually held in June
13. Fashion & Design Festival
The Fashion & Design Festival is a venue for gathering big names in the fashion industry, from famous designers to leading international brands, from spectacular musical shows to glamorous ramp walks, the event has it all. This glamorous festival attracts over half a million visitors annually; it’s no wonder this is the biggest outdoor design and fashion event in North America. This gives an opportunity to experience Montreal’s style scene. Live music shows, catwalks, stilettos everywhere - this is just a fraction of what awaits you here.
Fashion & Design Festival
Address: Place des festivals, Rue Jeanne-Mance, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H2X 3X5
Website: Fashion & Design Festival
Takes place: August
14. Piknic Électronik
Merci pour cet été de malade. On se retrouve en 2020! ? - Thank you for this crazy summer. See you in 2020! ? Soft Melancholy
Posted by Piknic Électronik Montréal on Friday, 11 October 2019
Festive atmosphere, sunny sky, happy people, quality electronic music - that’s what awaits you at Piknic Électronik. It is a unique weekly event that attracts plenty of visitors to enjoy electronic music with a combination of social experience. Piknic Électronik shows you what entertainment is all about by beating the heat and blending with the waves of electronic music that even newcomers are pleased to experience.
Piknic Électronik
Address: Plaine des Jeux Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Website: Piknic Électronik
Takes place: Usually held between May and September
Tip from tour guide
Do you like dancing and electronic music? Piknic Electronik Montreal is for you! This event at Parc Jean-Drapeau runs from May 19 to October 6, offering a new way of dancing outdoors that you must experience in Montreal. There are very cool food trucks and excellent security for all your friends and family. For a better view and bottle service, head to the VIP section - it's a must-live experience. If you enjoy the fiesta spirit before 11 pm, dancing, meeting great people, and listening to and admiring the best DJs in the world, this Quebec festival is a unique experience.
15. Fantasia Film Festival
by/par Vincent Frechette
Posted by Fantasia International Film Festival on Friday, 2 August 2019
Started in 1996, Fantasia Film Festival earned the respect and supports of plenty of people coming not just from the local film industry but also from the international film industry. This festival becomes a big gathering of actors, directors, studio representatives, producers, and more. Fantasia Film Festival is the most influential and biggest film festival in North America. It focuses on the creative cinema of Europe, America, and even Asia.
Fantasia Film Festival
Address: Montreal, Canada
Website: Fantasia Film Festival
Takes place: July to August
16. Montreal Pride

Montreal will be full of colors in August, thanks to the celebration of Montreal Pride. This colorful event started in 2007 and became the largest LGBT gathering, which attracts over two million attendees worldwide. It offers thrilling and fun-filled activities, from T-Dance to free shows and different performances. There will be a parade, colorful flags, banners, music, and dance, that will fill the streets. This will be the perfect time and place to celebrate without restrictions.
Montreal Pride
Address: 1980, rue Ontario E., Montréal, Québec, Canada, H2K 1V2
Website: Montreal Pride
Takes place: August
17. Just for Laughs Comedy Festival
Who on earth does not know Just for Laughs? The gag show that made the world laugh with their pranks once again, invites you to join the biggest comedy event, the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival. If you want to laugh and have fun, this world-class and largest comedy festival should be on your bucket list. Street entertainment, galas, stand-up performances, musicals, to name a few - this festival never runs out of style to make you laugh your heart out. It caters to 1,700 artists around the globe and more or less two million spectators.
Just for Laughs Comedy Festival
Address: Quartier des Spectacles, Montréal, Québec, Canada
Website: Just for Laughs Comedy Festival
Takes place: July
18. Carifiesta

Experience Caribbean culture at its finest by planning your trip to Montreal in July. Carifiesta is one of the most colorful and anticipated parades in Montreal. The parade showcases artistic freedom and expression while promoting cultural inclusiveness. Most participants are dressed in colorful costumes that are made of bouncing fiberglass rods and feathers. The tradition began in Trinidad and Tobago when the French colonial masters hosted parties for three days. To entertain their masters and the visitors, the slaves impersonated their masters. The Carifiesta was founded by Caribbean Cultural Festivities Association (CCFA) in the mid-70s. It is a non-profit organization whose goal is to promote racial harmony and preserve the cultural heritage. Plenty of activities are waiting here, from street theater to arts, from spectacle to fantasy and more.
Carifiesta
Address: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Website: Carifiesta
Takes place: July
19. Montreal Folk Festival

Another treat from Montreal, presenting the Montreal Folk Festival that offers entertainment by introducing their acoustic music, local products, and a selection of food. A variety of folk music, from country-folk to soulful indie-folk, from bluegrass and more, are set up in the scenic Lachine Canal. The venue gives an opportunity for a family picnic whereas specialty food trucks offer outstanding delights, cold drinks, and brewed beer. Meanwhile, the artisanal market promotes and sells their handicrafts. What’s more? Tons of exciting activities for the kiddos are also available.
Montreal Folk Festival
Address: Esplanade du Centenaire, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H4E 1A1
Website: Montreal Folk Festival
Takes place: Usually held in June
20. FrancoFolies de Montréal

FrancoFolies de Montréal modeled Les Francofolies de La Rochelle. Today, FrancoFolies de Montréal is one of the 10 biggest cultural festivals in Canada. What sets apart this festival from the rest is Francophone (French language) music. Yes, French and Quebecois songs are the highlights of this big event, from country to pop, and hip-hop to reggae. It presents 1,000 artists with 250 shows and attracts over a million visitors from around the globe. The FrancoFolies de Montréal is the venue to experience a new taste in music and discover new talents.
FrancoFolies de Montréal
Address: Downtown Montreal, Quebec
Takes place: June
21. Heavy Montreal [Last event in 2019]
Hard rock and heavy metal music - that’s the specialty of Heavy Montreal. Presented by Black Label (formerly Heavy MTL), Heavy Metal is a go-to-go event for hard rock and heavy metal music enthusiasts. Big names such as Iron Maiden, Metallica, System of a Down, Slipknot, and many more have performed at this prestigious event. Every year, this event has endless curated shows that will make you dizzy yet happy.
Heavy Montreal
Address: Parc Jean-Drapeau in Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Website: Heavy Montreal
Takes place: July
22. Festival International Nuits d'Afrique
Once again, Montreal will be a venue for entertainment, from dance to music and festivities. Festival International Nuits d'Afrique is the largest world music event in America, which features international stars with a new generation of performers from around the globe. “Eclectic, authentic and unifying”, that’s the goal of Festival International Nuits d'Afrique with the aim to unite all artists to share their culture, passion, and inspiration with others. Every year more than hundreds or thousands of visitors take part in this prestigious event.
Festival International Nuits d'Afrique
Address: Montreal, Canada
Takes place: Usually held in July
Experience world-class festivals in Montreal
There’s always something happening in Montreal. Colorful streets, festive atmosphere, tons of happy people, waves of laughter, world-class festivals, right and left parties, and concerts - what a beautiful world we are living in! It’s now time to bring that spark to your escapade. Join in the festivities and events in Montreal.
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