Top Summer Events in Montreal 2025 You Can’t Miss

With the arrival of warmer weather, the city of Montreal heats up its events series during the summer months, offering dozens of festivals, art walks, and special occasions throughout the season. Whether you’re a fan of music, art, beer, or food, you’ll likely find a way to celebrate in the capital of Quebec this summer.

1. Le Mondial de la Bière (Montreal Beer Festival)

Although it’s still spring when Montreal’s Mondial de la Bière rolls around the first or second week of June, this event has the makings of a summer prelude. Le Mondial de la Bière allows visitors to sample hundreds of beers from around the world, try chocolate beer, pair unique flavors, or indulge in special brews made expressly for the festival.

2. Montreal International Fireworks Competition

The largest pyrotechnics competition of its kind in the world, the Montreal International Fireworks Competition has been going strong since 1985. Each year, it lights up Montreal skies every Saturday evening (with occasional Wednesday shows) throughout the summer. The competition usually kicks off in late June and runs through mid-August. Though viewable from several locations in the city, the best spot is from the waterfront in the Old Port District.

3. Montreal Sidewalk Sales

From June through October, various districts around the city host special summer sidewalk sales. Guests can wander down streets closed to vehicle traffic while sampling street foods and watching street performers. Some of the most popular events include the Old Port Public Market and fairs in the Latin Quarter and Gay Village.

4. Tam Tams

On Sundays from May through September, the Tam Tams drum group performs in Mount Royal Park, creating a unique vibe that has become a staple of summer in Montreal. This free event welcomes audiences of all ages, showcasing a variety of performances from different cultures.

5. Piknic Électronik

Piknic Électronik is a family-friendly event held every Sunday in Parc Jean-Drapeau, featuring local and international electronic music artists. This vibrant event is usually hosted starting in mid-May, creating a lively atmosphere of music and dance.

6. Grand Prix Weekend

Every year in early to mid-June, the Formula One racing event attracts large crowds in Montreal, creating a vibrant atmosphere filled with festivities. Although some locals prefer to avoid the hustle, many tourists revel in the celebrations surrounding the Grand Prix.

7. Montreal Fringe Festival

The Montreal Fringe Festival, taking place over three weeks in June, features a range of performances celebrating art and creativity without censorship. Attendees can experience a variety of shows, each offering something unique, from exceptional to bizarre.

8. Les Francofolies

Les Francofolies de Montréal is the world’s largest French music festival, attracting nearly one million attendees over 10 days in June. It features numerous free outdoor performances at Place des Festivals.

9. Gay Village Summer Events

Throughout spring and summer, Montreal’s Gay Village transforms into a vibrant area where Ste. Catherine Street becomes a pedestrian zone, filled with free art exhibits, street sales, and live performances. Restaurants and bars create outdoor terraces for a lively dining experience.

10. Montreal Jazz Festival

The Montreal Jazz Festival is the largest of its kind globally, drawing around two million attendees in late June to early July. The festival features hundreds of performances, both indoor and free outdoor shows, enhancing the vibrant cultural scene of the city.

11. Carifiesta

Carifiesta is a celebration of Montreal’s Caribbean culture, taking place on the first Saturday in July. This vibrant parade showcases beautiful costumes, lively music, and dance performances reminiscent of Caribbean Carnivales.

12. Montreal ComicCon

Montreal ComicCon, typically held in early July, is a blending ground for comic book enthusiasts, sci-fi, and fantasy fans, featuring celebrity panels, cosplay, and merchandise vendors.

13. Just for Laughs Comedy Festival

Every July, the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival attracts both talent andaudiences, showcasing established comedians and emerging talent at performances taking place across the city.

14. Montréal Complètement Cirque (Montreal Circus Festival)

This renowned circus arts festival usually takes place in early July, featuring stunning performances and showcases from talented circus artists, solidifying Montreal’s reputation in this unique artistic field.

15. Festival International Nuits d’Afrique

The Festival International Nuits d’Afrique celebrates the music of the African continent over nearly two weeks in mid-July. The festival features numerous free shows that showcase diverse musical talent from over thirty-five countries.

16. Fantasia Film Festival

Since 1996, Fantasia Film Festival has been a staple in Montreal showcasing a variety of genre films, particularly in horror and fantasy. The festival typically runs from mid-July to early August and features an exciting lineup of screenings.

17. Osheaga Arts & Music Festival

Osheaga is a prominent music festival in Parc Jean-Drapeau, featuring a stellar lineup of top-tier musical talent each summer, typically occurring in late July or early August.

18. Heavy Montreal

Heavy Montreal is a celebrated two-day festival dedicated to heavy metal and hard rock music, held annually in late July or early August at various venues across the city.

19. ÎleSoniq

ÎleSoniq is Montreal’s main Electronic Dance Music (EDM) festival, taking place in early to mid-August, showcasing a range of popular electronic music artists and performers.

20. Gay Pride Parade

Montreal’s Gay Pride Parade, held in mid-August, is a joyful celebration that has been an LGBTQ tradition since 1979, featuring vibrant floats, lively music, and a spirit of inclusion.

21. Festival Mode et Design

Turning the downtown core into a series of outdoor fashion shows and special events in August, Festival Mode et Design showcases local designers and trendy brands.

22. 18th Century Market

The annual 18th Century Market at Pointe-à-Callière in late August features “authentic” produce and actors recreating the historical marketplace experience of 1750s Montreal.

23. Labour Day Weekend

During the Canada Labour Day weekend, Montreal, along with other regions in Quebec, witnesses several free events, street fairs, and parades, marking the unofficial end of summer festivities.