Montreal Festivals

• A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide to Festivals in Montreal, Quebec.
Website Save Save
Jan 26 to Jan 28
The Jacques-Cartier Pier heats up for nine days in chilly January with electrifying concerts, stunning audio-visual displays and even a zany ski suit competition.



Visit Website!
Website Save Save
Jan 24 to Feb 05
This annual festival of snow is held at Parc Jean-Drapeau. There are snow games, sculpture contests, skating, a tube slide and many other snow-oriented activities.


Boule de Neige, the Fête des Neiges mascot (Photo credit: André Pichette)
Visit Website!
Website Save
Jan 24 to Feb 05
This annual winter festival brings people out into the beautiful winter wonderland of Parc Jean-Drapeau to enjoy various activities like tube sliding, ice hockey and skating on the St Lawrence River. The charming Boule de Neige and his band of entertaining friends welcome visitors to join in the fun for three consecutive weekends.
  • Parc Jean-Drapeau   Address: 1, circuit Gilles-Villeneuve Montreal  QC  Canada  H3C 1A9



Visit Website!
Website Save Save
Feb 15 to Feb 26
This highly anticipated annual film festival is a celebration of Quebecois and national cinema. Film screenings, workshops, exhibitions, master classes and social events make up the ten-day festival.



Visit Website!
Website Save Save
Feb 16 to Feb 26
This massive winter celebration includes outdoor festivities complete with spectacular light displays, skating, children's activities, live entertainment and fireworks, a cultural program of mind-blowing concerts and exhibitions, wine and dine events, the magnificent High Lights Event show and more. Venues include the Quartier des spectacles, Place des Festivals and more.



Visit Website!
Website Save Save
TBA
Held over eight days in February, this annual spoken word and performance festival presents an exciting program of experimental and multidisiplinary shows that bring the tradition of oral literature to the forefront of modern creative expression.



Visit Website!
Website Save Save
Mar 14 to Mar 18
Held in March, Under the Snow celebrates and promotes independent music across various genres, from post-rock to experimental. Up-and-coming local artists and international musicians lead the public on a voyage of musical discovery during performances at various venues throughout downtown Montreal.



Visit Website!
Website Save Save
Mar 15 to Mar 25
Held annually in spring, FIFA is a 10-day festival that celebrates worldwide films on art and media art. This competitive event showcases hundreds of films, promoting cinematic artists from around the world and entertaining a diverse public.



Visit Website!
Website Save Save
TBA
This film competition features film and video on all the different art forms, including cinema itself. Whatever a visitor's personal taste, there will be an entry that appeals.
Website Save
Apr 10 to Apr 29
This European art initiative came to Montreal in 2006 and highlights artistic movements influencing today's creative souls. For over two weeks, an international gathering of performing and moving image artists present their works to the public.



Visit Website!
Website Save Save
TBA
This multi-lingual literary festival hosts over 200 participants from around the world in five days of readings, lectures and soirees. Workshops, awards ceremonies and activities for children are also offered.
Website Save
TBA
Held in Parc Lafontaine, la Grande Rencontre festival showcases traditional music and dance from various cultures through themed activities, concerts and workshops, all in the beautiful park setting.
  • Parc Lafontaine   Address: Rue Sherbrooke Est Montreal  QC  CAN  H2L 3A8



Visit Website!
Website Save Save
TBA
This annual festival presents a diverse selection of cutting-edge digital artworks from more than 30 local and international artists. Elektra consists of exciting audio-visual performances, interactive installations, conferences and more. Held in May at various venues.
Website Save Save
TBA
Catering to children under six, this annual festival features a wide array of artistically-based activities to participate in and view, including hands-on workshops, film screenings and assorted stage performances.



Visit Website!
Website Save Save
TBA
Theatre Sainte Catherine hosts a hilarious line-up of sketch comedy acts from North America.



Visit Website!
Website Save Save
TBA
Lilith Fair is a touring festival that raises millions of dollars for charities and is supported by millions of fans. Founded by Grammy-award winner Sarah McLachlan and friends, Lilith Fair is a celebration of women in music and features a stellar line-up of top female artists like Nelly Furtado, Kelly Clarkson, Mary J. Blige and Sarah McLachlan.
  • Bell Centre   Address: 1260, rue De la Gauchetirre Montreal  QC  Canada  H3B 5E8


Sarah McLachlan
Visit Website!
Website Save Save
TBA
Montreal's Chamber Music Festival aims to celebrate and promote chamber music in all of its many forms by presenting concerts that combine it with other disciplines. The festival consists of a range of concerts both a jazz series and a concert series.



Visit Website!
Website Save Save
TBA
Acces Asie was created in order to increase the Asian presence in Quebec's cultural events and activities. The festival features comedy, dance, theatre, film, visual arts, music, poetry, new media and more, all performed or presented by Asian artists.



Visit Website!
Website Save Save
TBA
Festivalissimo is one of the most important cultural events in Montreal and in Canada displaying Iberian-Latin American arts. Its main objective is to portray the Iberian-Latin American culture in all its artistic forms. It includes three segments: Film, Artferia and Music.
Website Save Save
TBA
Celebrating electronic music and digital artistry, this five-day event showcases emerging artists from a multitude of technological backgrounds. An array of innovative music events are held at a variety of indoor and outdoor venues around the downtown district.


Murcof @ MUTEK 2008 c Caroline Hayeur/Agence Stock Photo & Miguel Legault/www.miglego.com
Visit Website!
Website Save Save
TBA
Showcasing beers from around the world, this festival occurs over five days at the Windsor Station and courtyard in downtown Montreal. Tastings, workshops, conferences and demonstrations are just a sample of the events offered.
  • Place Bonaventure   Address: 800 De La Gauchetière St W, Suite 240 Montreal  QC  CAN  H5A 1K6



Visit Website!
Website Save Save
TBA
This celebration of French language, music and song is one of the biggest of its kind in the world. Visitors have the opportunity to see performances by established artists as well as up-and-comers from various French-speaking countries around the world. More than 50 indoor shows take place during the event and each evening a number of free outdoor shows ensure the streets of downtown Montreal are filled with music as varied as world beat, rock, hip hop and electronic.



Visit Website!
Website Save
TBA
Montreal's Fringe Festival is a performing arts event in which anyone is allowed to perform anything. Artists are chosen by a lottery, and all money made goes directly to performers. Nearly 100 shows have been offered at recent festivals so audiences have a variety of theatre to choose from.



Visit Website!
Website Save
TBA
The folks at Casa del Popolo and La Sala Rossa bring the Suoni Per Il Popolo (or Sounds of the People) Festival to the people of Montreal. The event is all about Liberation Music which is anything that is inspired by freedom of expression, improvisation and sonic exploration. Genres include electronica, free jazz, turntable art, experimental rock and more.
  • La Casa del Popolo   Address: 4848, boulevard Saint-Laurent Montreal  QC  Canada  H2T 1R5
  • La Sala Rossa   Address: 4848 boulevard Saint-Laurent Montreal  QC  Canada  H2T 1R6



Visit Website!
Website Save Save
TBA
The Infringement Festival was started to challenge commodification of the arts and corporatization of the culture, the infringement festival highlights performance activism, culture jamming and 'les arts engages'. The infringement festival, as an arts democracy is as much your festival as anyone else’s. Meet the artists, see performers, celebrate, culture-jam, community build, create – join the infringement and reclaim the culture!
Website Save Save
TBA
More than 250 artists take part in this highly anticipated annual celebration of creativity. Showcasing both professional and emerging artists, the festival takes place along BoulevArt (Ste. Catherine Street, between St. Hubert and Papineau).



Visit Website!
Website Save Save
TBA
Certainly at the top in world Jazz Festivals, this annual event brings the sounds of jazz to the streets of Montreal every summer. The festival brings in some of the world's greatest jazz performers as well as other renowned artists, and draws crowds of up to 2,000,000. Over 300 of the 400 shows are free and festivities and performances are held at many different venues.



Visit Website!
Website Save Save
TBA
Celebrate Argentina's national dance at the Montreal International Tango Festival held in the North American Capital of Argentine tango. The six-day festival consists of workshops during the day and concerts and milonga in the evenings.
  • Verdun   Address: Borough of Verdun Montreal  QC  Canada
  • Tango Libre   Address: 2485 Mont-Royal Ave. E. Montreal  QC  CAN



Visit Website!
Website Save
TBA
Celebrate the diverse world cultures that have found a home in Montreal at Week-ends du Monde held in Parc Jean-Drapeau. Over two weekends in July, the park hosts a cultural showcase of dance, music and food in celebration of the cultures and traditions of all Montrealers.
  • Parc Jean-Drapeau   Address: 1, circuit Gilles-Villeneuve Montreal  QC  Canada  H3C 1A9
Website Save Save
TBA
This outdoor festival celebrates the sights and sounds of African, Caribbean and Latin American culture through music, dance and theatrical performances. Artists from around the globe converge for festivities and concerts suitable for all ages. Events are hosted at an array of venues city-wide.
  • Place Emilie-Gamelin   Address: Saint Hubert and Sainte Catherine Street East. Montreal  QC  CAN
  • Kola Note   Address: 5240 Ave. du Parc Montréal
Website Save Save
TBA
Montreal is a circus arts capital, and the Circus Arts Festival showcases the talented and unique artists--from tightrope walkers to acrobats to human cannonballs--in a program of spectacular shows held at various venues over three exciting weeks.



Visit Website!
Website Save Save
TBA
Attracting over 50,000 spectators and over 200 race teams from all across North America, this annual event features vibrant dragon boat races, a vendors village, children's activities and International food kiosks. Races and events occur at the Olympic Basin in Parc Jean-Drapeau.
  • Parc Jean-Drapeau   Address: 1, circuit Gilles-Villeneuve Montreal  QC  Canada  H3C 1A9



Visit Website!
Website Save Save
TBA
Established in 1987, Montreal's Music Festival Nuits d'Afrique is committed to showcasing a range of artists from Africa, Latin America, the Antilles and more. Local artists representing a variety of cultural backgrounds also perform during the festival.



Visit Website!
Website Save Save
TBA
The Divers/Cite Festival celebrates sexual diversity and features three main events: a week long cultural festival, Community Day and the GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered) pride parade.
  • The Gay Village   Address: Along rue Ste-Catherine from boulevard Rene-Levesque to rue Sherbrooke and from avenue de Lorimer to rue Berri Montreal  QC  Canada
Website Save Save
TBA
Street and stage comedy performances and galas in both English and French are featured at this long-standing festival, which showcases emerging and established performers from regional and international locales. Past guest stars have included the Monty Python cast members, Shaun Majumder and Godfrey.
  • Theatre St-Denis   Address: 1594, rue Saint-Denis Montreal  QC  Canada  H2X 3K2
  • Quartier Latin   Address: Rue St-Denis Montreal  QC  Canada



Visit Website!
Website Save
TBA
Montreal's Scottish Festival celebrates the history and culture of the city's Scottish inhabitants. Festivities include heavyweight competitions such as caber-tossing, highland dancing, solo piping and pipe bands, drumming and more. Concessions and a beer garden will be set up on site.



Visit Website!
Website Save
TBA
Showcasing emerging local music acts and International performers, this annual event takes place in Parc Jean-Drapeau and has featured appearances by Coldplay, The Beastie Boys and Arctic Monkeys. A series of concerts are also featured at an array of club venues around the city.
  • Parc Jean-Drapeau   Address: 1, circuit Gilles-Villeneuve Montreal  QC  Canada  H3C 1A9



Visit Website!
Website Save Save
TBA
Occurring annually in August on McGill College avenue between Maisonneuve and Sainte-Catherine street, this event features an array of fashion shows showcasing emerging designs, live music, open-air boutiques and club events.
Website Save Save
TBA
The Fantasia Film Festival is dedicated to showcasing exciting and innovating contemporary cinema in a variety of genres including horror, fantasy and anime. The event focuses on films not often seen in North American from countries such as Japan, Spain, Italy, Germany, Thailand, France, Russia, New Zealand, Brazil, Canada and more.
Website Save Save
TBA
Experience a traditional Japanese festival in the heart of Montreal! Thousands of visitors celebrate and learn about Japanese culture at this annual event, which includes performances, demonstrations, Japanese cuisine and various activities.



Visit Website!
Website Save
TBA
Montreal's Fete des Enfants (Children's Festival) is devoted to kids and all the sorts of fun stuff that they love. A variety of educational and exciting activities and entertainment, many of which are free, are offered during the course of the festival.
  • Parc Jean-Drapeau   Address: 1, circuit Gilles-Villeneuve Montreal  QC  Canada  H3C 1A9



Visit Website!
Website Save Save
TBA
Occurring in August, this vibrant festival celebrates gay, lesbian and transgender culture through theater, art exhibitions, live concerts, variety shows, club events and a grand parade. Festivities occur at a variety of venues around the village and the city at large.
  • The Gay Village   Address: Along rue Ste-Catherine from boulevard Rene-Levesque to rue Sherbrooke and from avenue de Lorimer to rue Berri Montreal  QC  Canada



Visit Website!
Website Save Save
TBA
Montreal’s Italian Week is a major cultural event that takes place annually throughout the city and celebrates these Italian Canadians, their traditions and customs new and old and their accomplishments. Get a chance to discover the many different flavours of this community. Folk, gastronomy, sports, arts, literature and fashion, Montreal’s Italian Week aims to introduce the heritage and traditions of the Italian Canadian community to all the “Quebecois” eager to immerse themselves into the zest of Italian living. Montreal’s Italian Week offers an opportunity for Italians and non-Italians to discover the Italian-Canadian culture under all its forms.
  • Rivière des Prairies   Address:
  • Old Montreal   Address: . Montreal  QC  Canada
  • Little Italy   Address: Petite-Patrie neighbourhood between rue Drolet and Clark and between rue Jean-Talon and Saint-Zotique Montreal  QC  Canada


Italian Week
Visit Website!
Website Save Save
TBA
Shakespeare-in-the-Park 2011 - Macbeth

Directed by Arianna Bardesono

'Foul is fair and fair is foul'. Halloween in the summer!

Witches and ghosts, thunder and lightning, supernatural haunts in the night that arouse fear and treason – Experience William Shakespeare’s great
tragedy: Macbeth! The story of one man’s ambition, the natural and
supernatural forces that motivate him, and the ill-fated reign he tries to
maintain. An audacious journey into one man’s nightmare, Macbeth will
envelop you in the tale of how absolute power corrupts... the soul.

Showing at parks throughout Montreal.

Admission is free, and donations are warmly accepted.

Don’t forget to bring a non-perishable food item… the food bank will
appreciate your support.

Bring your own chair, or rent one on site and support Repercussion Theatre.


A Shakespeare-in-the-Parks presentation
Visit Website!
Website Save Save
TBA
Revel in three nights of extravagant entertainment during a delightfully burlesque showcase of cabaret talent from around the world. Join the Burlesque revival!
  • Club Soda   Address: 1225, boulevard Saint-Laurent Montreal  QC  Canada  H2X 2S6



Visit Website!
Website Save Save
TBA
The largest attended film festival in the Western World. This annual event attracts film makers from over 60 countries and offers a truly eclectic range of cinema. All the theatres showing the entries are within easy walking distance of each other.



Visit Website!
Website Save Save
TBA
Les Escales Improbables is offering an amazing program, surprising you ever and ever.
Dance, music, stunning performances, visual arts, theater will literally invade the Quays of the Old Port of Montreal and three venues. The program is leading us on an improbable journey, a stroll to fill all eyes and ears and musicalnaps with deckchairs with 62 live shows.



Visit Website!
Website Save Save
TBA
Pop Montreal is a festival that celebrates alternative and independent music and artists from Montreal, across Canada and the world. Past performers include Canadian favourites Stars, Metric, Sam Roberts, The Dears, Broken Social Scene, Feist and Arcade Fire, as well as popular American artists such as The Black Keys, Beck, Queens of the Stone Age and Interpol. The festival takes place at a number of clubs and venues across Montreal.



Visit Website!
Website Save Save
TBA
This five-day festival showcases live music performances at venues around the city and also offers a vendors village, children's activities, art exhibitions and conferences. All-night loft parties and bike rental services are just a few of the additional offerings available.



Visit Website!
Website Save Save
TBA
An annual event province-wide, this festival celebrates culture through a variety of festivities, including interactive opportunities at dance and art studios, museums and other venues city-side. Participants are welcomed to explore a wide range of cultural practices and creative processes in free demonstrations and festivities over the three-day event.



Visit Website!
Website Save Save
TBA
The Black and Blue Festival is a non-stop party featuring music, dance and other events.
  • The Gay Village   Address: Along rue Ste-Catherine from boulevard Rene-Levesque to rue Sherbrooke and from avenue de Lorimer to rue Berri Montreal  QC  Canada
Website Save Save
TBA
Over nine days, the L'Off Festival de Jazz presents approximately 200 performers in a passionate and creative program of concerts.



Visit Website!
Website Save
TBA
Experience an ancient Chinese tradition at Montreal's Botanical Garden, when 700 traditional lanterns designed in Montreal and made in Shanghai illuminate the evening in a magical celebration of light and culture. Open until 9pm daily during the festival, the botanical garden hosts this radiant event at the Chinese Garden.



Visit Website!
Website Save Save
TBA
Since 1995, Cinemania has been bringing exceptional French-language films to audiences in Montreal, Canada. Tickets can be purchased from the Imperial Cinema.
  • Cinema Imperial   Address: 1432 Bleury St. Montreal  QC  CAN  H3A 2J1
Website Save
TBA
An impressive line-up of Francophone musical artists assemble for this annual event, which presents intimate concerts at various venues across the city.
  • Club Soda   Address: 1225, boulevard Saint-Laurent Montreal  QC  Canada  H2X 2S6



Visit Website!
Website Save Save
TBA
Celebrating Arabian culture, this festival features an array of cultural events, including live music, theatrical performances and a film festival. Art exhibitions and concerts by regional musicians and choral groups are also featured.
Website Save Save
TBA
This international documentary film festival celebrates local and international documentary films that look at current social, political and environmental issues. In addition to film screenings, the festival also presents workshops, master classes and panel discussions.



Visit Website!
Website Save Save
TBA
Montréal’s annual Tibetan bazaar will be held on Saturday, November 26th (11:00 AM to 7:00 PM) and Sunday, November 27th (12:00 PM to 7:00 PM).

The bazaar features traditional arts and crafts, Buddhist literature and ritual objects, clothing, jewelry, as well as a sample of Himalayan cuisine and cultural performances.



Visit Website!
Website Save
TBA
In celebration of the holiday season, Old Montreal comes alive with the sights and sounds of Christmas, complete with outdoor cinema, family skating parties, concerts, carriage rides and gourmet events. The month-long festival is capped off with a dazzling New Years eve celebration in Place Jacques-Cartier.



Visit Website!
Website Save Save
TBA
Billing itself as three festivals in one, the Montreal High Lights Festival is a 10-day event that attracts visitors from near and far. The event consists of the Hydro Quebec Celebration of Light which includes a range of evening activities such as the Montreal All-Nighter, the Wine & Dine Experience where 50 of the city's best chefs prepare gastronomic delights for patrons and the Sun Life Financial Performing Arts event which features a variety of dance, theatre and musical performances.
Book Your Vacation!

Hotel City

Check-in
Check-out

Adults
Children


My Reservations | Cancel a Reservation

Airports
From

To


Depart
Return
Exact
+/- 3

Adults
Children


More Search Options
One Way | Multiple Destinations

Car Rentals
Pick up car at:

Airport Code
Different Dropoff?
Yes No

Drop off car at
Airport Code


Pick-up Date

Drop-off Date

Car Type




Business Owners/Managers
Do you manage a business in Montreal? If so, please search our tourism directory to ensure your company information is up to date and accurate. If you don't find a listing, we invite you to add a complimentary listing.

Add A Business Listing

If you want to increase your exposure to the millions of people who come to WorldWeb.com each month to plan their trips and vacations, please refer to our advertising information.