Events in Montreal

Montréal, the second biggest city in Canada and the largest in Quebec, has long been a cultural beacon. The city is famed for hosting some of the biggest annual arts festivals in the world. That includes the largest jazz and comedy festivals on Earth, as well as an excellent range of other musical, theatre and cultural events.

Most of these events take place during Montréal's balmy summer months and are hosted in the very centre of this historic and beautiful city.

A visit to Montréal, especially during summer, will almost always coincide with one of the city’s top festivities. Check out some of the city's best events and be sure to get involved.

MURAL Festival (June to September)

Montréal's ground-breaking street art festival, the MURAL Festival, flows along the Saint-Laurent Boulevard in the Plateau neighbourhood and includes street murals and other visual arts, as well as, a digital arts program.

Montréal has long been a leading city for celebrating street and urban art and at this festival visitors can expect to see vast murals on building sides and facades, as well as moving panels and fresh art added throughout the summer. Works of art include colourful, vibrant creations as well as moving political statements and focuses on the collective art experience.

Montréal International Jazz Festival (June-July)

Arguably the most significant Montréal event all year. The Montréal International Jazz Festival is one of the world’s most exciting annual celebrations of jazz music and draws some of the globe’s top jazz musicians, as well as around two million visitors, from all over the world.

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, this 40-year old event is the largest jazz festival in the world. The three-day event takes place in Downtown’s Quartier des Spectacles, which becomes a car-free haven for the duration of the festival. Experience up to 500 concerts given by 300 musicians across 20 stages.

Osheaga Music and Arts Festival (July)

Osheaga is Montréal's leading indie and alternative rock music festival, which is played across six stages over three days, on the beautiful Île de Saint-Helene. Previous headliners, include The Chemical Brothers, Arctic Monkeys, Travis Scott, Radiohead and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

A series of installations also celebrate emerging visual artists, whilst a returning gallery of music art prints are showcased every year.

Shakespeare-in-the-Park (July-August)

Shakespeare-in-the-Park is an excellent free theatrical festival that takes place in open spaces all over Montréal. Each year a selection of Shakespeare’s plays is put on by the Repercussion Theatre, in order to bring the world’s most famous playwright to the people of the city.

Just for Laughs (July)

Just like Montréal's jazz festival the Just for Laughs comedy festival is also the largest of its kind in the world. The huge event was founded in 1983, making it one of the oldest too, and has proved a springboard for many top-flight international comedy acts.

Montréal First People’s Festival (August)

Each year heralds a range of both comedy giants and emerging talent. The event takes place in huge open-air venues in the Latin Quarter as well as small theatres, pubs, clubs and bars. It is enjoyed each summer by over two million visitors.

The Montréal First People's Festival. This city-wide festival has been hosted since 1990. The festival aims to recognise, bring together and celebrate the indigenous people of Quebec, Canada and all of the Americas. This ten-day event is hosted by the Land in Sights association board, which represents a spectrum of First Nation groups including Cree, Mohawk, Innu and Abenaki.

Events range from film screenings to theatre, concerts, seminars, food shows, dance and visual arts.

Montréal en Lumière (February to March)(https://www.mtl.org/en/what-to-do/festivals-and-events/montreal-high-lights-festival)

Those visiting during winter may still have the chance to capture some of the city’s festival magic. Montréal en Lumiere is an eclectic winter event which is relatively new, but proves wildly popular with locals and visitors alike each new year.

Street performances showcasing dance and light shows, as well as, attractions such as rides and culinary experiences can all be enjoyed in the Place des Festivals.

Montréal is nearer than you think thanks to excellent flight connections from all over Canada. Use BudgetAir to find competitive flight fares and secure affordable Montréal hotel accommodation during festival season.