17 Vibin Montreal Summer Festivals You Should Experience [2024 Dates]

There are so many great Montreal festivals that happen all year round, but the city really comes to life in the summer.

Montreal summer festivals start as early as May and run well into October! So you can extend your summer vibes well into the fall (and then winter festivals in Montreal start!)

There’s a Montreal festival for everyone, so here are the best Montreal summer festivals to fill your summer!

Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them… at no extra cost to you!

What You Need For Summer Festivals In Montreal

Just because it’s summer in Montreal doesn’t mean you can rely on the weather. Summer festivals in Montreal tend to be outside (I mean we want to take full advantage of the better weather while we have it…right?!).

But, that means you need to be prepared for rain or shine. Yes, the festivals in Montreal will continue whether it’s a downpour or not!

Obviously, for the sunny days, it’s important to stay hydrated – so bring a refillable water bottle with you. I also recommend bringing some snacks, like granola bars, there might be really long lines for food. Also… don’t forget sunscreen!

For the rainy days BRING A PONCHO! You might look a little funny, but there’s no way you’re getting an umbrella open with all those people next to you!

Top 17 Montreal Summer Festivals You Don’t Want To Miss

One of the best things to do this summer in Montreal is go to one (or more!) of the annual festivals! Let’s just say that summer is festival season in Montreal, so you definitely don’t want to miss it! Here are the best festivals in Montreal all summer long!

1. Tam Tams du Mont Royal (May to September 2024)

This is probably the most informal Montreal festival, and takes place every Sunday. There’s no admission fee and everyone is welcome.

Bring your picnic blanket, a book, some instruments, be ready to meet some new people, and just have an all around good time.

The main attraction at the Tam Tams is the drums circle at the Georges-Étienne Cartier statue in Mount Royal Park. So if you have have a drum, feel free to bring that too!

2. Mondial de la Bière: Festival de Bières International à Montréal (May 24-26, 2024)

A.K.A. the International Beer Festival in Montreal.

If you love beer, then the Mondial de la Bière is for you! Try local beers, international beers and more, all conveniently in one place!

Just make sure to have a designated driver or take the metro!

P.S. You might be interested in printing out my beer tasting journal on Etsy, this way you can rate and review the different beers you try to find your favourite one!

3. Piknic Electronik (May 24 to July 13 2024)

Piknic Electronik takes over Parc Jean Drapeau all summer long (except when it’s Osheaga!). It’s the cities largest DJ festival and music event.

It’s the perfect weekend send off and way to start your week every Sunday.

P.S. If you’re not down to party all Sunday night, you can also opt for Off Piknic which is Friday and Saturday instead!

4. Montreal Festival Eurêka! (May 24-26, 2024)

Science lovers unite! This is THE science festival of Montreal. Three ‘free’ science filled days with learning fun the whole family can enjoy.

They have interactive activities and shows that cover an array of science-related topics. Learn how energy works, discover emerging technologies, or look into the past with a throwback to the science of mining!

Although most of the programs will be French only (of course!), I was just shocked they do offer some bilingual performances as well!

5. One Of The Most Hated Montreal Summer Festivals Of All… Go Bike (May 26 – June 2, 2024)

Of course, in French it’s known as Festival GoVélo – so don’t get confused, it’s all the same festival.

And this is a double festival really. For participants (cyclers) it’s a fun filled weekend of exploring the city by bike, without cars and before the summer heat sets in!

The main event is on the last day of the Montreal festival though, known as the Tour of the Island (Tour de l’Îles).

But for people who don’t cycle – it’s known as the worst weekend in the city… If you thought road closures were bad before, just you wait. The entire city is closed! It will take you 10x longer to get anywhere by car – if it’s possible at all that is!

6. St-Ambroise Montreal Fringe Festival (June 2024)

Fringe festival is all about art and expression where everyone is welcome! Montreal’s Plateau neighbourhood is transformed for 20 days every summer to host.

They have several stages with both free performances and paid events. Shows include everything from dance, comedy, and more! They also have both French and English shows.

7. First Fridays! (2024 Dates TBA)

At one point, this was hands down one of my favourite things to do in the summer in Montreal!

The First Fridays Montreal festival takes place, you guessed it, on the first Friday of every month. It’s just such an exciting way to start the month in the summer.

It’s when different food trucks set up at the Olympic Stadium!

Can you really ask for anything more!? All the best Montreal food trucks all conveniently in one place!

Although, I will admit – it’s hard to find parking (so take the metro!). And it’s VERY packed, so expect long lines!

8. Mural Montreal (2024 Dates TBA)

Mural Montreal is the summer city festival where music and art meet. Watch artists hard at work painting new murals on Montreal buildings and listen to free music in a pedestrian zone on Saint-Laurent Boulevard.

You can also opt to take a tour of the best murals in the city here. There are also paid concerts during the festival – but those sell out fast so make sure to book early!

9. L’International des Feux Loto-Québec – The LaRonde Fireworks! (2024 Dates TBA)

This isn’t just a night of fireworks in Montreal, it’s a firework competition between different countries all summer long!

Every Thursday and Sunday in the summer, fireworks light up the sky from La Ronde theme park.

There’s always a different theme for the week (see the schedule here). Usually the festival starts and ends with a tribute to a band, and then the competition starts featuring a firework performance from a different country.

The best Montreal hack though – you don’t actually need a ticket to La Ronde to see the fireworks. Locals flock to the Old Port for the best view! Or if you want to step it up a notch, head to Jacques Cartier Bridge.

If you want to hear the music, you can tune into the 105.7FM radio station. Most likely someone else will be playing it around you though. Or just enjoy the firework display.

10. Montreal International Jazz Festival (June 27 – July 6, 2024)

I love the Jazz Festival in Montreal! Place des Arts is transformed into several stages for both upcoming and well established artists to perform.

They have a bunch of free concerts throughout the week and then have a few paid ones in more serious venues (see the schedule here).

It’s a good time to listen to some good music, hang with friends, or try some street food. The main thing to try are mango flowers, beautifully shaped mangos into flowers!

11. Just For Laughs Comedy Festival (Cancelled 2024!)

2024 Update: the 2024 JFL comedy festival has been cancelled, after taking place annually for the past 41 years! It was largest comedy festival in the world so hopefully it comes back in 2025. Read the news report here.

Similar to the Jazz Fest, the Comedy Fest is a 10 day festival at Place des Arts with a mix of free outdoor events and paid shows.

Unlike the Jazz Fest though, you’ll probably want to pay for at least one comedy show during the festival.

In the last few years, they’ve started OffJFL which has more underground shows at smaller venues.

The bigger shows are the Galas with some of the biggest names in comedy (I’ve seen Sir Patrick Stewart, and Neil Patrick Harris here!), and the Nasty Show is one of the most popular.

12. Shakespeare In The Park (2024 Dates TBA)

Shakespeare in the Park chooses a different Shakespeare play to perform all summer long at different parks throughout the city.

Bring your picnic blanket (but I recommend a foldable lawn chair for back support – like this one on Amazon!), some food, and get ready to enjoy an incredible performance. See the schedule here.

13. Montreal Comiccon (July 5 – 7, 2024)

Get ready to dress up as your favourite character of all time.

This is THE pop culture convention to rule them all, and it’s in Montreal every year! Featuring all things pop culture from sci-fi, anime, horror, video games, comic books, board games, to movies, TV shows and more!

They have guest stars offering autographs, guest panels, and photo ops!

14. Fantasia International Film Festival (July 18 – August 4, 2024)

See some of the best movies from around the world at Fantasia International Film Festival.

This is where some of the best films and filmmakers first feature their projects and get their big start. There’s no limit to what film you can see here! From shorts to full length features, to thrillers or anime!

They also offer some free screenings you might be able to catch throughout this Montreal festival!

15. Montréal Pride (Fierté Montréal) (August 1 – 11, 2024)

Montreal Pride Festival is a celebration and support of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

There’s every type of event imaginable from concerts to and drag shows. Plus, you can’t miss the community days on the weekend ending with a colourful pride parade.

16. Osheaga  (August 2 – 4, 2024)

This is the be all and end all of Montreal summer festivals and the perfect send off to summer.

But seriously, if you can only go to one Montreal festival, it should be Osheaga.

It brings the best artists from all over the world for this three day outdoor music festival. Hardcore Osheaga goers will go to all three days of the festival, but that’s definitely a bit much (and can be very expensive!).

Instead, wait for the artists to be announced and choose the day with the best artist for you.

P.S. the last day will typically have the biggest headliner and best party at the end!

17. ÎleSoniq (August 10 – 11, 2024)

ÎleSoniq is like if Piknic Electronik and Osheaga combined forces. It’s a 3 day electronic music festival in Parc Jean Drapeau.

Just like Osheaga, there are multiple stages set up throughout the park and you can buy weekend or single day passes.

P.S. Need A Place To Stay In Montreal?

I love going on staycations at Hotel Nelligan in the Old Port of Montreal. It’s in a great location, walking distance to everywhere you need to be. When you stay there you can’t miss out on their unique roof top terrace above the hotel. See room rates & availability.

I’ve also stayed at the newly built Homewood Suites in Montreal Midtown (west of the city) and I’d highly recommend it if you’re looking for a hotel that isn’t in the city centre. But they also have a branch downtown as well. It has a little kitchenette in every room and breakfast is included. Even though it isn’t downtown, you aren’t far from it. It’s walking distance to the Namur metro station, which will get you downtown in less than 20 minutes. See room rates & availability.

Here are some other alternatives I’ve heard about if you’re looking to stay in Downtown Montreal;

If you’re looking to stay in the heart of Downtown Montreal check out Auberge Les Bons Matins. This is a one of a kind stay perfect for a romantic getaway in Montreal. In this charming inn in Montreal, you’ll get a taste of local life. See room rates & availability.

You can also stay Le Square Phillips Hôtel & Suites if an auberge isn’t your style. Le Square Phillips Hôtel & Suites is in a supreme location in between the orange and the green metro line that get you anywhere else in the city. Breakfast is also included with your stay! See room rates & availability

For more accommodation options in Montreal, see Booking.com.

Read More Related Posts

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• The Top 10 Montreal Winter Festivals To Make The Most Of Winter 2022 – 2023

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Last update on 2024-05-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API