When the warm weather hits, nothing is better than Montreal in August. The entire city is taken over by summer. Everywhere you look you find open air markets and more festivals than any one person can visit.
Visit a Festival. Montreal has tons!
Montreal Fireworks
Montreal is North America’s number one host city for international events. This means Montreal is in festival season the entire year, but the major festivals take place during the summer months. You can almost find a different festival every day during the month of August. Some festivals you will not want to miss in August are the Montreal Fireworks, Pride week (August 9-19) will keep you busy with over 150 activities and events. The Osheaga Music and Arts (August 3-5) gives you the chance to visit a Montreal night club during a Sunday in a park for Piknic Electronik.
Montréal’s international electronic music festival ÎleSoniq (August 11-12) brings EDM and party vibes to the great outdoors in Parc Jean-Drapeau, featuring headliners Tiësto, Porter Robinson, Afrojack and more. If yoru a country music fan Keith Urban is playing the Bell Centre August 12. On Monday, August 14, the Birdhouse Brass Quintet plays a lunch-hour concert at the Canadian Centre for Architecture and Florida indie-rockers Surfer Blood ride high at Bar le Ritz PDB. For a few days in August (22-26th), international festival Mutek features innovative electronic music and imaginative visual art shows.
If you are in the city with a car, take a short drive and visit the International Balloon Festival of Saint-Jean-Sur-Richelieu (August 11-19) featuring an amusement park, live music and hot air balloon rides.
Need to feed your food cravings?
Want a festival that caters to your love of food? You won’t want to miss the Great Montreal Poutinefest (August 8-13). Foodies will want to visit “First Fridays’ at the Olypmic Park, Montreal’s monthly food truck gathering with street food and live music. It’s free admission, not including the food. With the largest number of restaurants per Capita in Canada there is no shortage of restaurants to satisfy any food craving you have. Dine on a restaurant patio, or stop by one of Montreal’s many outdoor markets.
Sports fans take note
See the world’s top male tennis pros in action at legendary Canadian tournament the Coupe Rogers the August 4-13 at Uniprix Stadium. Want to take part in an activity? Dress in white and join a massive outdoor yoga class for the Lolë White Tour, August 12 in the Old Port.
If you are up for something really unique and athletic, why not try river surfing on the St. Lawrence.
If you crave Culture
For those who want a bit more culture, Montreal is the place to be. The OSM Classical Spree Festival offers affordable, sometimes free, classical concerts. If traditional theatre is more your thing, Repercussion Theatre will be hosting Shakespeare-in-the-Park with various Shakespearean plays performed throughout various Montreal’s parks. Festival Orientalys (August 2 -5) brings to Montreal live music, dance and family activeness from North Africa to China, and includes free admission. Explore Japanese culture and community at Matsuri Japo 2018 (August 11) with music, dance, martial arts and great food at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre.
Want to see the local scene?
Prefer to experience the local culture? Take a stroll through Jean Talon market or spend a Sunday at Jeanne-Mance park for Montreal’s free weekly drum circle ‘Tam-Tams’. Don’t feel like hand drums and dancing? Cross the park to the forest just behind the pasture to the dark age revivalists. Here you will fight to the death with foam swords. Some will be in full medieval dress, but all you need to join is a willingness to try and a foam sword.
The boardwalk Village au Pied-du-Courant, next to the Jacques Cartier Bridge, showcases everything Montrealers love: art, performers, food, drink and gathering together. This re-invented public space features a local artisan market, live music and more, for free!
Budget-conscious travellers
If you are a big more budget-conscious, check out free stuff like the McCord Museum where everyone gets in free after 5 p.m. every Wednesday.
Old Port of Montreal
While there make sure to visit the Old Port of Montreal. Walking along the cobblestone streets will make you feel like you have stepped back in time. Rent a bike or take a stroll along the historic port that stretches over two kilometres along the St-Lawrence River. You can climb a pirate ship, take an urban zipline or explore a Labyrinthe in a 100 year old hanger. If the sun is out grab your swimsuit and spend some time at the Clock Tower Beach. If you want to relax sit back and watch the water, boats and people.
No matter what you choose you will not be bored if you visit Montreal in August.
Looking for things to do with kids? Check out my post 8 Amazing things to do in Montreal with kids.
