The following calendar lists the biggest events and festivals in Montreal. There’s plenty to see and do in the city. Below are some of the top attractions!
To jump to a specific month, click on any of the following:
January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
Festivals and Events in Montreal
The best and most important festivals and events in Montreal and the surrounding area are listed below.
January Festivals & Events
- New Year’s Day (Statutory Holiday) – January 1st, 2025.
- Railway Christmas – a miniature holiday train designed for young children to ride, part of the Canadian Railway Museum (from end of November to early January; 2024/2025 dates are to be confirmed)
- Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert Montreal – ring in the new year with this European-style song and dance performance that includes symphony, ballet and top singers (January 1st, 2025)
- Igloofest – an electronic music festival unique in that it takes place outdoors in the winter. There’s plenty of music and ice to go around. (mid-January to mid-February; 2025 dates are to be confirmed)
February Festivals & Events
- La Poutine Week – the biggest poutine festival in the world, restaurants from all across Canada compete to win votes and be named the best poutine in the country (first week in February; 2025 dates are to be confirmed)
- Barbegazi Winter Action Sports Festival – an outdoor festival with a ton of activities to try like axe throwing, snowshoe racing, obstacle courses and more (late February to early March; 2025 dates are to be confirmed)
- Montreal en Lumière – a massive winter festival with a focus on food as well as free family-friendly activities and different performances (end of February to early March; 2025 dates are to be confirmed)
- Igloofest – an electronic music festival unique in that it takes place outdoors in the winter. There’s plenty of music and ice to go around (mid-January to mid-February; 2025 dates are to be confirmed)
- Montreal Boat and Water Sports Show – with hundreds of boats of all different kinds on display this is the place to be for all nautical lovers (2025 dates are to confirmed.)
- PolyHacks – a 24-hour coding and programming event with workshops for beginners and prizes on offer for the top individuals and teams (first week in February; 2025 dates are to be confirmed)
- Les Rendez-vous Quebec Cinéma – the one film festival in Montreal that only screens Quebecois films, from all sorts of genres. (late February to ealry March; 2025 dates are to be confirmed)
March Festivals & Events
- Montreal International Children’s Film Festival – family-friendly movies from all around the world are brought to Montreal for this large-scale festival (first week in March; 2025 dates are to be confirmed)
- Festival de Casteliers – an event with a series of puppet shows for those of all ages, put together by artists from all around the world (early March; 2025 dates are to confirmed)
- Montreal Robotics Festival – teams (mostly from different schools) take part in different competitions with their self-created designs (early March; 2025 dates are to be confirmed)
- Barbegazi Winter Action Sports Festival – an outdoor festival with a ton of activities to try like axe throwing, snowshoe racing, obstacle courses and more (late February to early March; 2025 dates are to be confirmed)
- Cabane Panache – the biggest sugar shack festival around, this event brings not only tasty maple treats but also adult beverages, street performers, live music and more (late March; 2025 dates are to be confirmed)
- International Festival of Films on Art – a festival that focuses on films about art, with documentaries and other promotion for artists in the industry (March 13th to 23rd, 2025)
- Montreal Audiofest – a very comprehensive showcase of all the top current audio and sound-system products, with hundreds of manufacturers on display (towards end of March; 2025 dates are to be confirmed)
- Les Rendez-vous Quebec Cinéma – the one film festival in Montreal that only screens Quebecois films, from all sorts of genre (late February to ealry March; 2025 dates are to be confirmed)
- Good Friday (Statutory Holiday) – April 18th, 2025.
April Festivals & Events
- Montreal ToyCon – a great event for fans of action figures, comic books and all other kinds of collectibles (end of March; 2025 dates are to confirmed)
- Easter Monday (Statutory Holiday) – April 21st, 2025.
- SAT Fest – a festival of short films that are all designed to be as immersive as possible (end of March to early May; 2025 dates are to be confirmed)
- Festival Vue d’Afrique – a film festival that focuses on work done by African and Creole artists (mid-April; 2025 dates are to be confirmed)
- Blue Metropolis International Library Festival – a festival for all book-lovers, with workshops, author panels and an event-specific bookstore. (late April; 2025 dates are to be confirmed)
May Festivals & Events
- Victoria Day (Statutory Holiday) – May 19th, 2025
- SAT Fest – a festival of short films that are all designed to be as immersive as possible (end of March to early May; 2025 dates are to be confirmed)
- Montreal Sketchfest – over a week long, this festival is all about sketch comedy and brings in performers from across the continent (May 1st to 10th, 2025)
- Pouzza Fest – a punk rock music festival that features hundreds of artists across multiple stages that are all reasonably close to each other (mid-May; 2025 dates are to be confirmed)
- St-Ambroise Montreal Fringe Festival – a big fringe theatre festival with around 100 performances each year in all sorts of genres (May 26th to June 15th, 2025)
- Festival Accès Asie – the oldest continuously-running Asian arts festival in the country, this festival is a showcase of all sorts of media with artists from a wide variety of backgrounds (to be confirmed)
- Montreal Beer Fest – hundreds of beers are on tap with other styles of drinks and goods available at this multi-day event (May 23rd to 25th, 2025)
- Festival Metro Metro – a music festival that features some top hip-hop, rap and R&B artists (not happening in 2024; to be confirmed for 2025)
- Montreal Medieval Fair – a fun multi-day event where people dress up, play games and shop for different medieval-style jewelry and other products (May 2nd to 4th, 2025)
- Festival TransAmériques – a contemporary dance and theatre festival that brings in artists from all around the world (May 21st to June 5th, 2025)
- Festival Eurêka – a family-friendly science exhibition with dozens of activities that are all completely free (May 30th to June 1st, 2025)
- Go Bike Montreal Festival – fun and casual biking events for all ages, take to the streets and go for a ride down a designated route with other cycling-lovers. (May 25th to June 1st, 2025)
June Festivals & Events
- Montreal Fireworks Festival – the biggest fireworks competition in the entire world, with global pyrotechnic companies putting on beautiful shows in the night sky (June 23rd to August 10, 2025)
- Les Francos de Montreal – the biggest music festival dedicated to only French-language music in the world, this event is a massive party to kick off the fall season (June 13th to 21st, 2025)
- Montreal Chamber Music Festival – a critically-acclaimed event that brings in artists from all around the world for a series of concerts over a few months (June 7th to 22nd, 2025)
- Canadian Grand Prix – an annual Formula 1 competition that is one of the biggest racing events in Canada (June 13th to 15th, 2025)
- Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day (Statutory Holiday) – June 24, 2025
- Montreal Food Truck Festival – from June to October, Olympic Park is home to the biggest collection of food trucks on the continent on the first Friday of each month (2025 status to be confirmed)
- St-Ambroise Montreal Fringe Festival – a big fringe theatre festival with around 100 performances each year in all sorts of genres (May 26th to June 15th, 2025)
- Festival International de Jazz de Montreal – the largest Jazz festival in the world hosts a series of performances including free ones on outdoor stages in the Quartier de Spectacles downtown (June 26th to July 5th, 2025)
- Go Bike Montreal Festival – fun and casual biking events for all ages, take to the streets and go for a ride down a designated route with other cycling-lovers (May 25th to June 1st, 2025)
- Montreal Food Truck Festival – from June to August, Olympic Park is usually home to the biggest collection of food trucks on the continent on the first Friday of each month. (June 7th to August 4th, 2024)
July Festivals & Events
- Canada Day (Statutory Holiday) – July 1, 2025
- Festival International de Jazz de Montreal – the largest Jazz festival in the world hosts a series of performances including free ones on outdoor stages in the Quartier de Spectacles downtown (June 26th to July 5th, 2024)
- Montreal Food Truck Festival – between June and October, Olympic Park is home to the biggest collection of food trucks on the continent on the first Friday of each month (2024 status to be confirmed)
- Piknik Électronik – taking place nearly every weekend between May 19th and October 6th, 2024, enjoy some quality electronic music in an outdoor venue
- Montreal Comiccon – an event for all things pop culture, whether that be in the form of comics, video games, TV shows and more (July 4th to 6th, 2025)
- Médiévales Lanaudière – a medieval fantasy festival with fun events like jousting, circus and different re-enactments (mid-July; 2025 dates are to be confirmed)
- Just For Laughs Montreal – the biggest international comedy festival in the world, Just For Laughs has been a Montreal staple for around four decades (no longer happening)
- Heavy Montreal – one of the top heavy metal concerts in Canada, with tens of thousands of attendees when it’s able to run (end of August to mid-September, 2024)
- Montreal Fireworks Festival – the biggest fireworks competition in the entire world, with global pyrotechnic companies putting on beautiful shows in the night sky (June 23rd to August 10th, 2025)
- A Taste of the Caribbean – experience food and culture from a whole host of Caribbean countries, with different workshops and demonstrations as well (July 10th to 13th, 2025)
- Festival International Nuits d’Afrique – a music festival featuring top African and Latin American artists with both indoor and outdoor shows (from July 8th to 20th, 2025)
- Montreal Cirque Festival – both local and international artists take to the stage with acrobatics and exciting performances (July 3rd to 13th, 2025)
- Montreal Carifiesta – a Caribbean carnival and parade that takes to the Montreal streets each July (July 5th, 2025)
- Montreal Food Truck Festival – from June to August, Olympic Park is usually home to the biggest collection of food trucks on the continent on the first Friday of each month. (June 7th to August 4th, 2024)
August Festivals & Events
- Montreal Food Truck Festival – from June to August, Olympic Park is usually home to the biggest collection of food trucks on the continent on the first Friday of each month (June 7th to August 4th, 2024)
- Montreal Highland Games – experience classic Scottish culture and competition with athletics, music and food (August 3rd, 2025)
- Under Pressure – an annual graffiti festival that is the oldest still-active event of its kind anywhere. It’s also free for all to attend (August 9th and 10th, 2025)
- Montreal First Peoples Festival – a showcase of the cultures of local indigenous groups through music, film and other live events (early to mid-August;’ 2025 dates are to be confirmed)
- IleSoniq Montreal – one of the top EDM festivals in Canada, with some high-profile performers each year (August 9th and 10th, 2025)
- Montreal Pride Festival – Montreal’s annual pride parade and celebrations are free and open to all (early August; 2025 dates are to be confirmed)
- Fantasia International Film Festival – a film festival that focuses mainly on works in the genres of action, horror and fantasy (July 17th to August 3rd, 2025)
- Piknik Électronik – taking place nearly every weekend between May 19th and October 6th, 2024, enjoy some quality electronic music in an outdoor venue (2025 dates are to be confirmed)
- Osheaga Music and Arts Festival – a massive music and arts festival that takes over downtown with live performances and exhibitions (August 1st to 3rd, 2025)
- Montreal Ribfest – a multi-day festival that sees top grillers compete to be crowned the top BBQ-maker in Montreal (mid-August; 2025 dates are to confirmed)
- Montreal International Film Festival – movies from dozens of countries are shown at this festival which also hosts workshops and discussion panels with artists (August 22nd to 25th, 2025)
- Rogers Cup – an annual tennis tournament that’s one of the oldest tournaments in the entire sport. (July 26th to August 7th, 2025)
September Festivals & Events
- Labour Day (Statutory Holiday) – September 1, 2025
- Grand Prix Cyclistes de Montreal – the biggest bike race in the area, cyclists from both Quebec and abroad compete in this event (September 14th, 2025)
- Cannabis Expo Montreal – one of the top events of its kind in the country, over 100 vendors and other exhibitions are on display (2025 date to be confirmed)
- Montreal Ukrainian Festival – food, arts and crafts, live music and other performances are on hand in this display of Ukrainian culture (2025 details are to be confirmed)
- Piknik Électronik – taking place nearly every weekend between May 19th and October 6th, 2024, enjoy some quality electronic music in an outdoor venue (2025 dates are to be confirmed)
- Montreal International Black Film Festival – the country’s biggest film festival that’s entirely for black filmmakers and their work (September 23rd to 28th, 2025)
- Ferment Fest Montreal – an event all about the process of fermentation and all the different products that can come out of it (2025 dates are to be confirmed)
- Festival Nuits Blues Laurentides – a blues festival that usually features around 12 groups over the course of its run (2025 dates are to be confirmed)
- Montreal Water Lantern Festival – a serene event where personalized lanterns are set afloat on the water (2025 dates are to be determined)
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. (Statutory Holiday) – September 30, 2025
October Festivals & Events
- Montreal International Black Film Festival – the country’s biggest film festival that’s entirely for black filmmakers and their work (September 23rd to 28th, 2025)
- Festival du Nouveau Cinema – a cutting edge festival that highlights films that incorporate some of the newest technology into their pieces (2025 dates are to be confirmed)
- Thanksgiving Day (Statutory Holiday) – October 13th, 2025
- Piknik Électronik – taking place nearly every weekend between May 19th and October 6th, 2024, enjoy some quality electronic music in an outdoor venue (2025 dates are to be confirmed)
- Spasm Festival – appropriate for Halloween, this film festival focuses on horror, fantasy and anything that might make you squirm a little in your seat (2025 details are to be confirmed)
- Annual Gem and Mineral Show – an exhibition of all sorts of jewellery, larger pieces, fossils and other kinds of gems and minerals from Quebec and around the globe. (October 24th to 26th, 2025)
November Festivals & Events
- CINEMANIA – an all francophone film festival, with English subtitles available as well (November 6th to 17th, 2024)
- RIDM – Montreal’s international documentary film festival, with 150 films on offer each year. There are events like workshops and panels as well (November 20th to December 1st, 2024)
- Remembrance Day (not a Statutory Holiday) – November 11th, 2024
- Salon du Livre de Montreal – a literary event with public readings, author talks and other activities (November 27th to December 1st, 2024)
- Montreal Bach Festival – an annual festival with around 24 performances, panel discussions and other events all centred around the famous composer (November 16th to December 8th, 2024)
- M for Montreal – over 12 venues all across the city host performances as part of this large-scale music festival that includes a lot of local artists (November 20th to 23rd, 2024)
- Mundial Montreal – a music event meant to attract musicians and industry members themselves, this is a great place to see some new talent and network (November 19th to 22nd, 2024)
- FEZtival of Trees – local businesses donate Christmas trees with full decorations that are then given out to the public in a raffle (November 21st to 24th, 2024)
- Railway Christmas – a miniature holiday train designed for young children to ride, part of the Canadian Railway Museum. (November 23rd to December 30th, 2024)
December Festivals & Events
- Railway Christmas – a miniature holiday train designed for young children to ride, part of the Canadian Railway Museum (November 23rd to December 30th, 2024)
- Montreal Bach Festival – an annual festival with around two dozen performances, panel discussions and other events all centred around the famous composer (November 16th to December 8th, 2024)
- Noël dans le Parc – a festival that covers multiple city parks and contains concerts, poetry readings, large fires to sit near and more (December 6th to 31st, 2024)
- Fire on Ice – a massive fireworks show down at the Old Port of Montreal that’s accompanied by stirring musical scores. (December 14th, 2024 to January 4th, 2025)
- Christmas Day (Stat Holiday) – December 25, 2024
- Boxing Day (Statutory Holiday) – December 26, 2024
Other Information
Other articles that may be of interest include:
- Montreal’s Best Museums
- Montreal Districts, Neighbourhoods and Parts of Town
- Tourist Attractions in Montreal