Ranked as the world’s largest jazz festival by Guinness World Records, the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal has been synonymous with passion for music for over three decades. Every year Montreal welcomes global music fans to 10 days of jazz celebrations, hosting around 30 countries, 3,000 musicians and public entertainers, welcoming more than 2 million visitors to Montreal, from noon to midnight! And it all happens on a unique site designed to meet all your jazzy needs in the heart of downtown Montreal. This is the perfect festival in so many ways, from the artists echoing on every corner, to the awesome installations all over the site, and even to the food stops…we’re sure that with the huge surge of food trucks here, there will be some around the Jazz Fest. Notable hint? Wear flats; you’ll spend more time there than you may think.
If you’re looking for something a little less crazy, you can spend Sunday and Monday at the Latin Quarter Festival, which is a short distance from the Jazz Fest. Packed with music, entertainment and plenty of drinks, the event will have entertainment, activities, outdoor stages with new talent, a giant karaoke open to even the most tone deaf, a mobile Museum of Rock ‘n Roll, and much more.
The treasure in the heart of the city every July 1st is of course the famous Canada Day Parade. Grab your buddies, grab a cold cerveza, and rock your best Canadian pride (we suggest staying away from Dr.Seuss hats; simply a style suggestion). The parade will be held on Ste. Catherine Street, from Fort to Peel, from 11am to 1pm. Patriotism, here we come!
After the flags have been waved, the cervezas are done and downtown clears, head over to the Old Port where there will be everything from dancing and food trucks to inflatable fun stuff, music and fireworks all along the water. The day is full starting early in the am, so check out their schedule here.
Now that’s for the more mellow stuff; here’s some fun stuff for you to check out if partying is what’s on the agenda.
After the immense success of Brunch Drunk Love at Brasero Hardi, Patron XO in collaboration with Brasero is hosting its second installation on Sunday, June 30th, for Canada Day long weekend! This time they added a little coffee to your brunch as their good friends from Patron XO Cafe have been kind enough to hook them up. Brunch begins at 1pm on the terrace and bar lounge, as well as in the dining room. Seating preference based on availability. A BBQ menu will then be available as of 5pm for the latecomers and those with a healthy appetite. Music by our friend Thomas H!
Old Montreal’s hottest underground Japanese eatery by day, epic party spot at night, Flyjin, is also joining the long weekend fun by keeping their doors open to party goers and foodies, offering restaurant and bar service from 7 to 11pm; and after that, well, you just have to come and see. Be ready for some serious sweat, dance, and a beautiful crowd with DJ Sandy Duperval spinning until 3am. Réservations: rsvp@flyjin.ca.
And to close things off, mega club New City Gas will be the host for one of Germany’s most successful musicians and one of the ultimate superstars of electronic music, Paul Van Dyk. His sensational DJ sets attract expansive crowds on every continent and this Sunday, June 30th, will prove no less. You’ll need the Monday to sleep in after this one!
Enjoy the beautiful weekend Montreal!
