Things to do in Montréal this summer: the ultimate guide
Leisure activities Nature, fauna and flora Spas Gastronomy Music Outdoor Summer Festivals and events
There's something magical in the air when summer arrives in Montréal. From the Old Port to the Lachine Canal, from Mount Royal to the Plateau's laneways, the city comes alive. Patios overflow, parks fill up, and every neighbourhood becomes a meeting point perfect for strolling, brunching and soaking up the sun. Whether it's a festival downtown, a picnic at Parc Laurier or a foodie adventure in Mile End, Montréal offers a thousand ways to savour summer.
Here's a quick guide to the essentials to make the most on June, July or August, whether you're a local or just passing through the city.
Summer, Montréal style
Between foodie discoveries, impromptu evenings out and outdoor moments, summer in Montréal is lived to the fullest, and often for free. The city transforms into a festive playground where shows, exhibitions, screenings, markets and performances bring streets and parks to life. All you have to do is step outside, look up and let yourself be swept away by the vibrant energy that makes every day worth savouring.
Summer festivals in Montréal
Montréal hosts all kinds of festivals year-round, but there's something extra special about enjoying these gatherings under the summer sun or on a warm evening when you can leave your jacket at home.
For a complete list of Montréal summer festivals, check out the Montréal Summer Festival Guide. You're sure to find something you'll love!
June
• Festival TransAmériques: May 28 to June 10
This prestigious contemporary performing arts festival brings together creators from around the globe for a showcase of cutting-edge work.
• MURAL Festival: June 4 to 14
This one-of-a-kind festival shines a spotlight on graffiti art. Building façades across Plateau Mont-Royal, Mile-End and downtown transform into giant canvases where artists unleash their creativity.
• YATAI MTL: June 4 to 7
For nearly a week, Japanese culture is celebrated with foodie, vendor and cultural spaces.
• First Fridays: June 5 and 6
On the first Friday of every month, Olympic Park transforms into a massive open-air foodie village. Dozens of street food vendors serve up an incredible variety of dishes showcasing the city's culinary diversity.
• POCHA MTL: June 11 to 14
This Korean street food festival at Bassin Peel celebrates the culture of the Land of Morning Calm with pojangmacha (iconic street stalls) and K-Pop performances.
• Francos de Montréal: June 12 to 20
This vibrant celebration of Francophone music in the Quartier des spectacles is your golden ticket to discovering fresh new voices and catching legendary artists from across the French-speaking world.
• Festival International de Jazz : June 25 to July 4
The world's biggest jazz festival brings together nearly 3,000 local and international artists in the Quartier des spectacles for hundreds of indoor and outdoor concerts before 2 million spectators.
• Saint-Ambroise Montréal Fringe Festival : June 1 to 21
Montréal joins the list of cities hosting this event in the tradition of the Edinburgh Fringe, a fantastic chance to discover the underground arts scene and offbeat artists in sometimes very unexpected locations around the city.
• Fête nationale du Québec celebrations: June 24
Throughout the city, various activities celebrate the province and its culture, delighting children, adults, Quebecers and visitors alike.
• La Guinguette du Sud-Ouest: annually in June
Along the Lachine Canal, in a festive and family-friendly atmosphere, enjoy gourmet stalls, concerts and free entertainment, the Tropical Market and the iconic Tiki-bar.
• Bloomsday Montréal Festival: annually in June
An event to celebrate or discover Irish heritage with talks, film screenings, performances and readings of Irish literary works. With nearly 40% of Quebecers having Irish roots, it's always a major gathering.
•Suoni Per Il Popolo Festival: annually in June
Festival dedicated to avant-garde music in various styles, from free jazz to noise, avant rock and avant folk.
• Piknic Électronik: annually from May to October
Electro fans and dance floor devotees know this festival well, which brings Sainte-Hélène Island to life with a lineup blending international and local DJs.
July
• Festival Nuits d’Afrique.: July 7 to 19
Each year, over a hundred performances, activities and workshops are offered to festival-goers gathered in the Quartier des spectacles, ready to groove to Caribbean, Latin American and African rhythms.
• MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE: July 2 to 12
This festival offers an unmatched dive into the circus world with several days of circus arts performances in streets, parks and other sometimes unexpected locations.
• First Fridays: July 3 and 4
For the second time this summer, Olympic Park transforms into a massive open-air foodie village where numerous street food vendors offer an incredible variety of dishes showcasing the city's culinary diversity.
• Montréal Comiccon : July 3 to 5
The annual gathering for fans of comic books, pop culture, sci-fi and fantasy transforms the Palais des congrès into a stage where beloved characters come to life.
• L'International des Feux Loto-Québec: July 2 to August 6
Each summer, Montréal's skies light up with fireworks launched from La Ronde amusement park on Sainte-Hélène Island thanks to this spectacular pyrotechnic competition.
• Taste of the Caribbean: July 9 to 12
At the Clock Tower Quay in the Old Port of Montréal, this summer event transforms the waterfront into a festive immersion of music, cuisine and island traditions.
• Chợ Đêm MTL: July 16 to 19
A festival celebrating Vietnamese culture in the form of a large street market at Bassin Peel, at the corner of Peel and Wellington streets.
• Festival Portugal International de Montréal: annually in July
Montréal's large and vibrant Portuguese community gathers each year during the festival for a series of family activities, performances and culinary events.
August
• Osheaga: July 31 to August 2
Each edition of the festival brings together massive international headliners, local breakout stars and bands that stir nostalgia across generations for 3 days at Parc Jean-Drapeau.
• ÎLESONIQ: August 8 and 9
The coolest DJs perform before a wild crowd at Parc Jean-Drapeau. The party continues late into the night with electro, hip-hop, rap, house, reggaeton, dubstep beats and more!
• Fierté Montréal Festival: July 31 to August 9
The Village comes alive as locals and visitors gather to celebrate 2ELGBTQ+ communities. Solidarity, inclusion, diversity and celebration are the watchwords as performances follow one another, culminating in the flamboyant Pride Parade.
• LASSO Montréal: August 15 and 16
Parc Jean-Drapeau welcomes country music lovers for a weekend of traditional and urban country, timeless classics and contemporary hits.
Montréal has everything you need to make the most of summer.
Passeport MTL
Make the most of your Montréal getaway with the Passeport MTL — your all-access pass to a bunch of must-see attractions, museums, immersive experiences and guided tours, all at great prices. It's a smart and simple way to explore the city from every angle without breaking the bank.
Enjoying the outdoors in Montréal this summer
Montréal is wonderfully situated near great green spaces as well as the St. Lawrence River, and also boasts an impressive number of parks and pools. No more excuses to avoid playing outside!
Already very pedestrian-friendly, Montréal becomes even more inviting during summer. Several of the busiest streets close to car traffic, like Mont-Royal Avenue and the Wellington Promenade, allowing you to stroll and explore numerous shops and patios. A walk along Sainte-Catherine Street lets you discover the vibrant Village, while strolling down Bernard, you'll be charmed by Mile End's energy.
Cyclists are well served in Montréal. Numerous bike paths, including the REV (Réseau Express Vélo), serve the city and make it easy to explore on two wheels. You can also rent a BIXI, Montréal's bike-sharing service, to get around.
For a scenic ride and to admire the landscape, head to Parc Maisonneuve, Mount Royal Park, Parc Jean-Drapeau, Jarry, Frédéric-Back or Parc de l'Île de la Visitation, which are interconnected but also have dedicated bike lanes.
In the southwest part of the city, a bike path runs along the Lachine Canal near Atwater Market, for a ride offering stunning views of both the canal and the city.
Cool activities to beat the heat
If you have sea legs and want to marvel at the majestic Saint Lawrence, opt for a river cruise with Croisière AML aboard the Cavalier Maxim. Meals, certified guide and dancing nights are included in the adventure.
Le Bateau-Mouche will glide you along the waters. Thanks to its numerous windows, you'll have an unbeatable panoramic view of the river and city. You can also rent boats or take a ride on Le Petit Navire at the Old Port of Montréal.
If you'd rather lounge in the sun, get comfortable on a lounge chair at Clock Tower Beach, a sandy beach at the foot of the great clock.
Jean-Doré Beach at Parc Jean-Drapeau sits beside a peaceful lake that feels like you're in the heart of a remote forest, while Verdun's urban beach offers a seaside atmosphere in the city.
Learn to surf at Oasis Surf in Brossard or take a river surfing course with the KSF team. WET SET MTL offers personal watercraft lessons while Rafting Montréal invites you to try rafting and jet boating.
The Lachine Canal features several water activity stations, like Aventures H2O, which offers boat rentals from pedal boats to kayaks.
After all that excitement, nothing beats unwinding at the stunning Bota Bota spa-sur-l'eau. Along with a relaxing thermal circuit, you'll have unique views of the Old Port.
Strøm Nordic Spa on Nuns' Island is a true haven of peace away from the urban frenzy.
Making the most of terrace season
In Montréal, the return of warm weather marks the grand return of patios, true living spaces where you savour both the plate and the atmosphere. As soon as the first buds appear, Montrealers storm these sunny spots. Fortunately, the metropolis has no shortage of addresses where you can take time to eat, drink and enjoy the moment under the golden rays of the sun:
- Terrasse Alizé, on the 9th floor of the Humaniti Hotel, in the heart of downtown.
- The Perché terrace with its stunning views of Old Montréal on the 4th floor of the William Gray Hotel
- The Bivouac restaurant terrace offering the perfect location to enjoy all the summer animation at Place des Festivals.
- Terrasse Carla, located on the 6th floor of the Hampton by Hilton Hotel, which stands out with its festive evenings and cultural experiences.
- The Poincaré restaurant terrace, on the roof of a small building in Chinatown on Saint-Laurent Boulevard.
Exploring public markets
In the metropolis, summer isn't watched, it's lived, basket in hand and sunglasses on. Every street corner becomes a reason to wander. It's the season to enjoy the best markets and ephemeral outdoor spaces.
For fresh seasonal produce, nothing beats a visit to one of the city's public markets (Jean-Talon, Atwater and Maisonneuve) or one of the many neighbourhood markets.
As soon as warm weather settles in, Montréal transforms into a true playground for picnic lovers. Park, riverside or urban square, the city offers a multitude of charming spots to settle in for an outdoor meal. Pull out your gourmet basket, let yourself be inspired by the local culinary scene and fully experience those long summer evenings in the city's magnificent green spaces.
The best iced coffee in Montréal
Summer inevitably means iced coffee, and in Montréal, there are numerous establishments to discover:
- Café Myriade offers a cold brew steeped for 12 hours, delivering a bright and complex flavour.
- Le Paquebot stands out with its nitro coffee served on tap.
- Café Alphabet serves its clientele a Freddo Zesto full of indulgence and flavour.
- Dispatch Coffee offers an affogato revisited with local ice cream.
- Café Ferlucci with its unique Italian touch prepares granita-style iced coffee.
- SoLIT Café seduces with its Americano lemonade, a blend of coffee and lemon.
More of an ice cream connoisseur? Montréal serves up some of the best scoops you’ve ever tasted, with cones as classic or as exotic as you can handle. Check out Kem CoBa, Ca Lem or Dalla Rose for original flavours ranging from pandan to black sesame. Perfect to cool off between festivals!
Valérie Dorion
In love with words and Montreal, Valérie writes for various media and companies and creates colorful, original, but always relevant content. A true foodie and traveler, she likes to be on the lookout for anything new in terms of gastronomy and activities. On a daily basis, you'll probably find her on her laptop at the latest local coffee shop, writing or looking for the latest hot spots.