Major events

Not-to-be-missed sports and cultural events

Day and night, Montréal pulses with activity. Each season, it is host to an array of events, exhibitions, and gatherings for the thousands of culture, nature and thrill seekers who come here to enjoy its diverse offerings. Montreal is an international host city, where some of the world’s most exciting events are held annually. 

Calendar of events

Fête des neiges de MontrealFÊTE DES NEIGES
January - February
parcjeandrapeau.com/fr/fete-des-neiges-de-montreal
This popular family-oriented winter event features a 4-weekends programming geared toward enjoying the outdoors and offers many shows and a wide array of activities (ziplines, tube sliding, sled dog tours, skating, shows) most of which are free. 
© Fête des neiges de Montreal

 

Peter Ryaux-LarsenIGLOOFEST
January 
igloofest.ca
Every winter thousands of electronic music lovers dance under the stars at the Quays of the Old Port, drawing from the best local and international DJs, its igloo village, and its "Iglooswag" snowsuit contest, etc.
© Peter Ryaux-Larsen

 

© Production This Is Herd - © This Is Herd Production

MURAL Festival
June
muralfestival.com
As an international street art festival bound to the celebration of creativity and the democratization of urban art, MURAL transforms for 11 days the Saint-Laurent Boulevard into a real open-air museum.
© This Is Herd Production

 

 

© Osheaga, Pat Beaudry

OSHEAGA, Music and Arts Festival
August
osheaga.com
The Osheaga Festival has been rocking Montréal’s Parc Jean-Drapeau every year in August, filling Montréal’s lush urban island oasis with eye and ear candy for five days of festival fun. With the best of the best from home and around the globe in pop, rock, indie, electro, Osheaga is the hottest ticket in town!
© Osheaga, Pat Beaudry

 

 

Coupe_Rogers_534x534.jpg

NATIONAL BANK OPEN
August
National Bank Open
Classified as a Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 event on the ATP/WTA World Tour schedule, the National Bank Open presented by Rogers attracts the biggest stars in tennis.
© Danièle Francis

 

© Jardin botanique de Montreal, Michel Tremblay - © Montréal Botanical Garden, Michel Tremblay

GARDENS OF LIGHT at Montréal botanical garden
September to October
calendrier.espacepourlavie.ca/jardins-de-lumiere
Inspired by the ancient Chinese tradition, this fall event of the Montréal Botanical Garden has been enchanting us since its creation. Glittering lanterns of various shapes illuminate the Chinese Garden and the eyes of thousands of visitors who come to enjoy the magical spectacle.
© Montréal Botanical Garden, Michel Tremblay

 

Montréal_en_lumieres_534x534.jpgMONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE
February - March
montrealenlumiere.com
Quartier des spectacles
A three-tiered winter festival celebrating the performing arts, light, and fine dining.
© MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE, Frédérique Ménard-Aubin

 

Go_Velo_534x534.jpgFestival GO VÉLO MTL
May - June
veloquebec.info/fr/govelo/Festival-Go-velo-Montreal
For one week, cycling takes centre stage in one of North America’s most bike-friendly cities (says Bicycling magazine).
© Gaétan Fontaine

 

 

Grand Prix_534x534.jpgCanadian Grand Prix
June
circuitgillesvilleneuve.ca
Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, Parc Jean-Drapeau
The world’s best Formula 1 drivers come to Montréal to race on the demanding Gilles-Villeneuve circuit.
© Octane Management

 

Franco_534x534.jpgLes FrancoFolies de Montréal
June 
francofolies.com
Quartier des spectacles
This annual festival celebrates Francophone and world music in the largest French-speaking city in the Americas. 
© Les FrancoFolies de Montréal, Jean-François Leblanc

 

Feux_534x534.jpgL'International des Feux Loto-Québec
July
laronde.com/fr/larondefr/linternational-des-feux/accueil
La Ronde
The world’s best pyrotechnicians converge on Montréal for this month-long fireworks competition consisting of 10 high-energy shows lasting 30 minutes each.
© Robert Burch

 

Jazz_534x534.jpgFestival International de Jazz de Montréal
June - July
montrealjazzfest.com
Quartier des spectacles
The annual rendezvous for fans of jazz and plenty of other music genres, with more than 800 concerts on the agenda.
© Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, Jean-François Leblanc

 

Cirque_534x534.jpgMONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE
July 
montrealcompletementcirque.com
Circus troupes and travelling players from here and everywhere invade the city. An essential summer attraction!
© MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CIRQUE, Tim Hussin

 

Juste_pour_rire_534x534.jpgJust for Laughs
July 
hahaha.com
Theatre, galas and street performances are on the program at the world’s largest international comedy festival.
© Tourisme Montréal, Martin New
 

 

Canadiens_534x534.jpgMontréal Canadiens Hockey Club
45 games from September to April
canadiens.nhl.com
514 932-2582
Bell Centre
The Montréal Canadiens, with a record 24 Stanley Cup championships, play in the National Hockey League. Games are held at the Bell Centre, which also offers guided tours.
© Club de hockey Canadien / Olivier Samson-Arcand
 

Montréal à table_534x534.jpgTASTE MTL
November
mtlatable.com
For 10 days or so, the best restaurants all over the city offer fixed-price dinner menus ($19, $29 and $39), a great and affordable way to discover the high-end cuisine that is the pride of Montrealers!
© Tourisme Montréal, Susan Moss