Montreal is a city full of cultural diversity and it shines incredibility in its amazing music festivals throughout the summer.
Canadians across the country head towards Montreal every year to enjoy festivals such as Osheaga, Francofolies, Festival de Jazz, and many more. Here’s a quick list of what you absolutely cannot miss in the upcoming months of sunshine, smiles.
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Montreal International Music Competition
When: From May 22nd to June 2nd
Where: Maison Symphonique
Info: 24 of the most talented violinists in the world will compete at Montreal’s International Music Competition. If you appreciate classical music, that competition cannot be missed.
MUTEK
When: June 1st to June 5th
Where: Quartier des Spectacles
Info: MUTEK’s been around for quite some time in Montreal and it’s a blast every time. The festival purely bases itself on creatively new electronic music and technologies.
Les FrancoFolies
When: June 9th to June 18th
Where: Quartier des Spectacles
Info: A go-to festival for any Canadian looking to know more about the francophone music culture. Les Francofolies is Montreal’s biggest french festival every year, attracting hundreds of thousands of fans to la Place des Arts.
Montreal Folk Fest on the Canal
When: June 15th to June 19th
Where: Canal Lachine
Info: Montreal’s folk fest, founded in 2008, showcases the grassroots folk culture in Canada. A summertime festival to enjoy if you are a fan of bluegrass music, families are more than welcome to come enjoy the festivities as well.
Photo – Jason C. McLean
International Percussion Festival
When: July 2nd to July 10th
Where: Montreal Surroundings
Info: The international percussion festival is a non-profit, multi-cultural & multidisciplinary & familial attraction bringing in thousands of Montreal to the sounds of drums. With interactive activities throughout the festival, fans are both spectators and musicians.
Les Week-ends du Monde
When: July 4th, 5th & July 11th, 12th.
Where: Parc Jean-Drapeau
Info: A free event open to everyone taking place during a few weekends throughout the summer, Les Week-ends du Monde are an eye-opener to the different cultures of Montreal and the music surrounding those cultures. A must-see for any tourist.
Photo – Joel Lemay
Nuits d’Afrique
When: July 12th to July 24th
Where: Quartier des Spectacles
Info: Founded since 1987, le festival des Nuits d’Afrique showcases Sfrican culture in all of its glory. Every year, les Nuits d’Afrique promises 13 days of beautiful music. A charming festival all around.
Photo – Tourisme Montreal
Haïti en Folie
When: July 25th to July 31st
Where: Ile Ste-Helene
Info: Fully dedicated to Haitian culture, Haiti en Folie brings to Montreal everything that makes the Haitian culture what it is: music, food, nice people, and fun activities. Haiti en Folie is a must-attend for anyone looking to discover the wonders of such a mesmerizing culture.
Photo – Sébastien St-Jean / Agence QMI
Montreal Electronic Groove
When: July 21st to July 31st
Where: Boat, Downtown Montreal
Info: The MEG Festival grooves the city to the sound of electronic DJs for a week. With a special final touch: the MEG Boat, a final party happening on a boat cruising through the St-Laurent, it’s a definite go-to if you’re looking to party hard on these hot Canadian summer nights.
Photo – Interstude
OSHEAGA
When: July 29th to July 31st
Where: Parc Jean-Drapeau
Info: At this point you should know what OSHEAGA is (and who’s playing there this year). The biggest festival in Canada (and one of the 10 most successful in the world) brings artists from all over the planet for an absolutely CRAZY weekend. Just last year Montreal hosted huge stars such as Kendrick Lamar & Tyler The Creator. We truly suggest you experience OSHEAGA this year if you pass by Montreal.
Photo – Eva Blue.
FestiBlues
When: August 6th to August 9th
Where: Parc Ahunstic
Info: Launched in 1998 through the initiative of two young men only trying to give back to the community, Festiblues is now the core of Blues music in Quebec and attracts thousands of blues fans every year.
Photo – Montreal Visitor Guide
Heavy MTL
When: August 6th & August 7th
Where: Parc Jean-Drapeau
Info: Heavy MTL attracts thousands of metal fans through Canada & the United States. Fans come to mosh together to the heaviest music out there. Big bands such as Slipknot came through many times already to tear everything up. Beers, head banging, and much more.
Photo – Mario Duplantier
International Tango Festival
When: August 9th to August 14th
Where: Montreal Venues
Info: The international tango festival offers many free concerts and activities for couples, families, and friends to enjoy and learn the ever-so-romantic Spanish dance. A spicy addition to the big festivals in the city.
Montreal Reggae Festival
When: August 26th to August 28th
Where: Parc Jean-Drapeau
Info: Montreal’s reggae festival is THE reggae event to attend in Montreal this year. Thousands and thousands of fans gather to groove to the amazing performance of artists from all around the world.
OUMF
When: Septeber 10th to September 12th
Where: St-Denis Street
Info: Taking place at Quartier Latin, the two-day festival showcases the best our city has to offer in all genres. Discover all of Montreal’s local talents at OUMF this year.
Pop Montreal
When: September 21st to September 25th
Where: Montreal Venues
Info: POP Montreal is all about music. From their website: “POP Montreal International Music Festival is an annual not-for-profit curated cultural event that champions independence in the arts by presenting emerging and celebrated artistic talents from around the world.”
Photo – POP Montreal
Festival de Jazz Montreal
When: Place des Arts
Where: June 29th to July 9th
Info: Montreal’s festival de Jazz is a tradition for the city. The festivities attracts hundreds of thousands of fans throughout a magical two weeks completely taking over la Place des Arts. A must-do, a must-go, a must-see.
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