Your guide to the 2024 Formula 1 Grand Prix in Montréal

Burning rubber from June 7 to 9, hundreds of thousands of racing aficionados, gearheads, socialites, and celebrities come from around the world join Montrealers for the Grand Prix and all the themed parties, club venues and red carpet events that come with it. From the mounting tension of the qualifying rounds to the climactic moment when the last chequered flag is waved through the air, there’s something fun to do wherever you go.

Official On-Site Activities

The racing festivities begin on Friday, June 7 when the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve’s track covering 4,361 metres opens at 8:00 a.m. for all kinds of practice sessions and various races throughout the day and end by or before 6 p.m.—usually with the biggest race of the day, be it qualifying races or the final Grand Prix.

First-timers take note: Bring snacks, sunscreen and water if you’re watching the races from the track—coolers and backpacks are permitted as well if they meet size restrictions—and a folding chair can come in handy in the general admission area. Don’t forget that the cars can be very loud, so consider bringing earplugs as well, especially for the kids.

Fanzone F1

Nothing gets racings fans closer to the action than the official experiences offered by the Grand Prix. This year, they’re going all-in on digital augmentation: Located behind Grandstand 34 in the Park Zone next to the Monster Energy Compound, the Fanzone F1 will feature everything from multiple activations and a pit stop challenge to driver selfies, show cars, cinematic live experiences, and virtual pit tours. 

Heineken Terrace

Located on the edge of a lagoon, this terrasse offers visitors a chance to rest and relax as they grab a cold one and take in the sights. Don’t miss the annual Heineken Grand Prix Closing Party here with DJ Oliver Heldens on June 9^th—it’s free for Sunday F1 ticket holders.

Family Zone

Bringing family to the Grand Prix and looking to entertain the kids in between the action? This area near the Family Grandstand has activities for the young and old to enjoy together between on-track activities.

Park & Cosmos Zone

With its collection of e-sports activations, podium photo ops, pitstop challenges, acrobatic motocross exhibitions to watch adrenaline-fuelled feats and more, this collection of kiosks and activities helps keep your energy level up between each race. It’s also a great place to grab a souvenir.

Monster Energy Compound

This year features this energetic area behind Grandstand 34 that will feature everything from musical performances and skateboarding to freestyle motocross that starts as early as 10 a.m. each day of the race and will last until the sun goes down. There’s a barbershop and racing simulators as well (the two can’t be done at the same time, sadly).

Beach Zone

There’s no need to wait for the start of summer to put sand between your toes. At Grand Prix, this zone is where visitors will find a festive rest area to relax and take a break from the crowds, or to enjoy a dip in the water with the right swimwear.

Support Races Paddocks

Located behind Grandstand 15, this area allows all spectators to get up close and personal with all of the cars taking part in the support series of races. Enjoy getting to see the everything in detail and taking a deep dive into what makes these engines tick.

Grand Prix Parties and Events

Old Montréal, dressed to the nines

Marking the Grand Prix weekend as festively as possible, the city’s historic neighbourhood of Old Montréal will be dressing its streets in race regalia while businesses, restaurants and bars everywhere you look join in the festivities. Our advice? Simply walk through during the day and see where the crowds take you.

Prime pitstops at Le Pois Penché

This French brasserie promises one of the best downtown corners to feel the excitement of Grand Prix, as the scene out front of Le Pois Penché’s terrasse and dining room promises a parade of exotic engines alongside pedestrians. What’s more, the menus here are apropos with seafood platters, steak frites, tartare, and massive rib steaks to share over champagne, whisky, and wine.

Official Grand Prix Parties at Le Richmond

This Griffintown destination supper club for northern Italian cuisine in an urban industrial atmosphere is hosting parties every single night of the Grand Prix weekend in Montréal and then some. Le Richmond will start things off with a Welcome Party on June 6, a ‘Party at the Mansion’ Reunion event on June 7, a ticketed Red Carpet Gala event on June 8, and an After Race Party on June 9.

A Grand Prix Party at the Ritz-Carlton

The Golden Square Mile’s famous hotel, the Ritz-Carlton Montréal, is offering a twist on its annual Grand Prix celebration: On June 7, they’ll transform into a captivating tribute to the 1950s through music and entertainment! As they showcase performances, fashion, food and drinks from the time period, guests will be encouraged to dress in everything from greaser jackets to their Sunday best.  Presented by Mercedes-Benz, the evening will feature DJ and dance performances, burgers and shakes from local restaurants, and more surprises. Proceeds from each ticket will be donated to the Barry F. Lorenzetti Foundation, committed to improving mental health care in Canada.

The Maxim Grand Prix Party

Taking place inside Windsor Station on June 8, Maxim’s Grand Prix Party offers a playground of brand activations, photo opps, racing experiences, live performances and entertainment from artists like French Montana, NERVO, Sommer Ray, Edge, and others. An event that rivals similar ones found in Los Angeles or Miami, there are full VIP areas to reserve here alongside general admission.

Soubois & GP’23

With so many years of entertaining racegoers, the supper club Soubois will host an unmissable lineup of events, starting the powerful sound of DJ Tunez on June 6 followed by DJ Spade on June 7, European sensation and resident DJ Nico De Andrea on June 8, and a Closing Party on June 9 with Francis Mercier and Tommy Kimpton. Full details can be found here.

Flyjin’s Circuit FLY1

The Old Montréal restaurant Flyjin, decorated with the work of local artists the likes of Stikki Peaches and Kevin Ledo, will come alive for Grand Prix weekend. Running from June 5 to June 9, their kitchen will be pulling out all the stops as bottles are popped and music plays. Those looking for a premium supper club experience would do well to book early here.

Race Week at Yoko Luna

From June 6 to June 9, the downtown supper club Yoko Luna is serving up a weekend-long party with DJs like DJ Franzen, Malone + Purple, and Sparrow and Barbossa. Everything comes to a fever pitch during their Saturday, June 8 night that’ll feature Sam Feldt and theatrical performances from E11EVEN Miami.

Weekend festivities at L'Auberge Saint-Gabriel

Old Montréal’s L'Auberge Saint-Gabriel has a whole weekend’s worth of late-night parties straight through to a brunch during the day on Saturday, June 8 and a closing party on Sunday, June 9: Don’t let Canada’s oldest restaurant fool you, as it and its lively late-night speakeasy are celebrating the race weekend with a full schedule of events largely made up of DJ performances and a lot of bottle services.

Race-Themed Events at New City Gas

Located in a heritage building in Griffintown, the event venue New City Gas has three DJ-driven nights during Grand Prix starting with performances by Kaskade, Walker & Royce, and Andrew Pololos on June 7, Meduza with Anabel Englund and Stef Agostino on June 8, and an official post-race after party with Don Diablo, Charly Jordan, Olly James and Deazmis b2b with Mica on June 9.

Bord'Elle

If you love a good spectacle during your Grand Prix weekend, consider reserving a spot at the 1920s burlesque-inspired venue Bord’Elle. While already flush with theatrical and festive entertainment on a normal night, they’ll celebrate the races from Thursday, June 6 to Friday, June 7; expect a lot of dining and drinks that are as elaborate as its racy shows—no pun intended.

Rack Week at La Voûte

Some of the city’s highest-profile performances by DJs will be taking place in the transformed 1920 bank vault of La Voûte. Starting on Thursday, June 6 and running all the way through to Sunday, June 9, the nocturnal cabaret’s four-day extravaganza promises an amazing lineup of shows, performances, and world-class entertainment that can be enjoyed with late-night dancing, dinner, bottle service, or a combination thereof.

The French Riviera at Bar George

Le Mount Stephen Hotel’s Bar George wants to make the weekend an unforgettable one with its French Riviera-themed events running from June 6 to June 9. Inspired by the 1960s and 1970s, they’re promising an unforgettable weekend of dining and drinks with musical accompaniments.

Crescent Street Grand Prix Festival

Among all the streets to flock to during the Formula 1 weekend in Montréal, Crescent Street and its Grand Prix Festival is among the most popular destinations. Dating back to 1999, the event runs from June 6 to June 9 and has been the site of driver appearances, autograph sessions, and DJs playing music as terrasses fill to the brim with excited racing fans.

The Pit Stop at Centre Eaton

From June 5 to 9, the downtown Centre Eaton de Montréal is offering visitors the experience of being an F1 driver with their own racing simulator alongside other sports stations like the Pitstop Challenge that’ll put reflexes, memory, and coordination to the test on an interactive digital wall. Compete with friends with a variety of games and capture all the fun you’re having with a shot from their photobooth. The full details can be found here.

Racing through the week with Time Out Market Montréal

Time Out Market Montréal is going to the hilt by hosting festivities from June 3 to 9. Enjoy beer tastings, cocktails, and musical evenings all throughout the week: Peroni will take over the beer bar, offering pairings with meals and tastings and non-alcoholic beers, plus a competition to win a trip to Milan; the cocktail bar will feature unique creations from Quebec distillery Mariana; and DJs Truwayz, Cece the Red, and DJ Pøptrt will perform from June 6 to 9.

Mediterranean vibes at Jardin Azul

Time Supper Club’s summertime terrasse Jardin Azul found downtown will be hosting race weekend festivities. Alongside house DJ performances, their F1 GP 2024 experience includes a special à la carte menu featuring gourmet appetizers, chef's specialties like branzino and lamb lollipops, and special desserts for the occasion. They’re also offering a group menu for $150 per person, something to enjoy as you watch luxury cars pull up to the entrance and people take to their dancefloor.

An exclusive Sports Illustrated party

Sports Illustrated’s exclusive ‘Maison SI’ party returns to Montreal on June 8th, during race weekend at Le Salon Richmond 1861. Headlined by The Martinez Brothers with special guest Xandra Pohl, Kiinjo and Joey, this event promises a high-profile gathering while honoring Montreal's racing history with immersive experiences, custom hospitality packages, and a dynamic light show. 

Keep an eye on the streets from Terrasse Alizé

Situated atop the 9th floor of Hôtel Humaniti Montréal, Terrasse Alizé is hosting a Formula Fun Rooftop Party that runs from June 6 to 8. Rain or shine, this heated and covered urban oasis, adorned with plants and an elevated garden, promises a memorable time with gargantuan seafood platters, champagne and bottle service for Grand Prix-style celebrations, and dancing to DJ sets from 6 p.m. onwards. 

Race Week at Francesco’s

Francesco's Discoteca in Old Montreal, a destination for house music enthusiasts, is offering Race Week celebrations to complement its unique Sicilian aesthetic inspired by the Italian disco era: On June 6, enjoy the beats of fabrikate, Ekho, and Kali. June 7 features performances by Markos and Zack Cola. June 8 brings Le Twins and Andrew Pololos to the stage, and dance the night away with Jay Ramis and Marquee on June 9. All that will go great with their top-notch audio/visual production, light-grid ceilings, and 10-foot video wall. 

Things to do on the sidelines

MURAL Festival

A Grand Prix weekend in Montréal can be made as action-packed as it is cultural by exploring the urban art festivities of MURAL Festival, ending on June 16. Each day will see a show with all kinds of artists on its Milton and Peel Bassin Stages, and free musical and artistic events and performances all along Saint-Laurent Boulevard where visitors can take to the streets and hunt down the city’s newest murals.

St-Ambroise Montréal Fringe Festival

The 800+ dance performances, live comedy, provocative works of drama and more by artists at the St-Ambroise Montréal Fringe Festival are also happening during Grand Prix weekend. More than 20 venues are hosting evenings that will start a night out on the right foot.

Biennale ELEKTRA - International Digital Art Biennial (BIAN)

Since 2012, ELEKTRA has presented the International Digital Art Biennial, North America's largest digital art exhibition, and this year it’s back in collaboration with Arsenal contemporary art Montreal. Taking place during Grand Prix, it will showcase works by artists who blend art and new technologies. This year marks the 7th edition with the theme of ILLUSION, exploring themes of the post-factual, post-truth, and alternative reality era, addressing current societal upheavals. 

Les Tam-tams du mont Royal

Want to chill out on Sunday and break off from the Grand Prix celebrations during the early afternoon? The Tam-tams in Montreal has a vibrant, weekly summer gathering at the Sir George-Étienne Cartier monument and in Mount Royal Park's surrounding green spaces with drum circles, dancing, and informal markets. It's a popular event where people of all ages and backgrounds come together to enjoy music and community.