When you stop and think about it, there is never a shortage of fun in Montreal, and that is certainly the case with Montreal festivals. Above all, Montreal is quite a popular city to uncover when summer time begins to approach because, if nothing else, there will most certainly be at least one, of many, Montreal festivals that the entire family can appreciate.
So, without further ado, I present to you some of the Montreal festivals you definitely don’t want to miss (unless, of course, you despise all things fun and exciting, which is totally fine).
1. Just For Laughs Festival
July 13 – July 28, 2019
One of many world-renowned Montreal festivals on this list, Just For Laughs will be celebrating its 37th anniversary. Believe it or not, it is the world’s largest, most prestigious comedy festivals, encompassing galas, theatre, musicals as well as stand-up performances and street entertainment.
2. Festival International de Jazz de Montréal
June 27 – July 6, 2019
Also known as Jazzfest, this is also one of the most famous Montreal festivals. Moreover, it is the largest jazz festivals on the planet, no joke. It entails a total of 800 concerts (and two-thirds of them are free), as well as 600 activities for the 2.5 million visitors in attendance. No jazz enthusiast in their right mind will want to miss this.
3. Ile Soniq
August – Dates to be confirmed
For an entire two days straight, Parc Jean-Drapeau becomes an urban electronica oasis of sorts. Out of all the Montreal festivals, this one is the most likely to get you moving to the beat of EDM and hip-hop, courteously brought to you by world-famous DJs and artists.
4. Fashion & Design Festival
August – Dates to be confirmed
This one is for you ladies and gentlemen who enjoy indulging in the world of fashion. Attracting more than half a million yearly visitors, the Montreal Fashion & Design Festival is, unsurprisingly, the largest North American outdoor fashion event, bringing together leading international labels, renowned designers, musical performances, and much more to squeal over.
5. Mural – Public Art Festival
June – Dates to be confirmed
Regarding Montreal festivals, this one here is one of my favorites, if not for its uniqueness alone. In short, it is an international art festival with the goal of celebrating creativity and, more importantly, the democratization of urban art (street art).
6. Pouzza Fest – Montréal’s Punk Festival
May 17 – May 19, 2019
As the title suggests, this is one of few Montreal festivals catered to punks (I wasn’t kidding when I wrote that there is a festival for everyone). It is a three-day alternative and independent music festival in which local and international artists perform at numerous Montreal concert venues and, better still, one huge outdoor event.
7. Heavy Montréal
July 27 – July 28, 2019
Also known as Heavy MTL (heavy metal, get it? No? Moving on…). This one is clearly for the metalhead in all of us, whether or not you even want to admit it. Briefly, Heavy MTL features over forty world-renowned hard rock and metal bands performing on not one, not two, not six, but FOUR different stages at Parc Jean-Drapeau (like all of the largest Montreal festivals).
8. Mondial De La Bière
May 22 – May 25, 2019
Yes, you better believe that Montreal even hosts its very own beer festival. Considering that Québec has a large majority of the world’s best beer, it is only fitting. This year is the 26th anniversary of the renowned festival where the best beers from Québec and the rest of the world are exhibited (in case you’re wondering, there are over 500 beers to be discovered).
9. The Montréal World Film Festival
August/September – Dates to be confirmed
The point of this festival is to promote cultural diversity and understanding between various nations as well as to foster the world’s art of cinematography through innovative films. Likewise, it is used as a tool to unveil and encourage up and coming new talents.
10. Osheaga
August 2 – August 4, 2019
Also known as Canada’s Coachella, this music-and-arts festival, located within Parc Jean-Drapeau, is the largest festival that you certainly do not want to miss and, if you can only experience one out of the many Montreal festivals, this is the one. The reason being, it features performances by over 100 artists, local and international.
The surface has just been scratched in regards to Montreal festivals. You can find a complete list here! That said, which is your favorite summer festival?
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