Montreal festivals are the ultimate summer experience — Here are 4 ways I avoid FOMO

Montreal hosts tons of festivals every summer and it can be hard to keep track of where and when all of them are happening. From the famed Montreal Jazz Festival to the free festival on the Lachine Canal to the brand-new Palomosa music festival, there's always something going on and you might find it hard to choose.

Last year, I felt like I missed out because I just didn’t know about all the wonderful events happening in the city. Here are some ways I have found to avoid the FOMO:

Plan ahead

The number one biggest regret I had about last summer was that I didn’t plan what festivities I wanted to attend ahead of time. I would often find myself accidentally walking past street parties and events, sometimes as they were winding down.

That left me googling, trying to find out what had taken place to see if there were other days I could attend. You can use this article as a starting point for getting the most out of your summer and avoiding last-minute scrambles.

Use your calendar app

Now that I know where and when the many festivals are taking place across the city, I uploaded the events into the calendar on my phone. This way when I am wondering what I should do one weekend, I can easily look at the calendar app and see what’s on in the city.

Let me tell you, this summer there is something on almost every week! It's easy to scroll through your phone and find out what's happening instead of finding out later on social media.

Buy early bird tickets

For almost all ticketed events, there will be some form of an early bird sale. For example, when you purchase your ticket to Osheaga far enough in advance, you will get a discounted price. It's a great way to build-in some pre-planning so you are saving money and securing your plans.

Get the group together (in advance)

Rallying the troops can be hard, especially because everyone is juggling their own summer plans. Coordinating with your group of friends well in advance is crucial to making sure you have a great summer lineup and company to enjoy all of the festivals. So make that group chat, send the festival links, and make sure everyone knows about the different events happening in the city.

Here are some of my favourite festivals happening this summer — a mix of music and entertainment — to get your calendar started.

Piknic Électronik (May 19 to October 6, 2024)

Piknic Électronik kicks off in May and runs every Sunday in Jean-Drapeau Park until October. You can listen to amazing DJs in the park and jam out with the thousands of other Montrealers who gather.

Festival Eurêka! (May 24 to 26, 2024)

This science festival has been running for 17 years and kicks off on May 24th. Festival Eurêka will feature over 100 science-themed activities for the whole family. Head over to Jean-Drapeau Park and catch some cool scientific exhibits and shows.

Fuego Fuego Festival (May 25 and 26, 2024)

If you are a lover of Latinx music, this one is for you. The Olympic Park Esplanade will be transformed into a fun and rowdy festival where artists like Maluma, Rauw Alejandro and Ivy Queen will perform.

MURAL Festival (June 6 to 16, 2024)

Mural Festival is unique and perfect for those looking to appreciate art. The world’s top street artists will be at work throughout the city during the day with a lively block party at night.

International Jazz Festival of Montréal (June 27 to July 6, 2024)

Held annually in the Quartier des Spectacles, the jazz festival is an iconic event held in the city. Many of the events are free, so guests can wander the street finding food trucks, free outdoor concerts, and entertainment all week long.

Mtl en Arts (June 27 to July 1, 2024)

Sainte-Catherine will be transformed into Eastern Canada’s largest outdoor gallery where artists show their work. Hundreds of artists have pieces available for purchase during the festival. If you are looking to add some new art to your home or just explore the exhibits admiring the beautiful creations, this festival is for you.

MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE (July 4 to 14, 2024)

Montreal loves a good circus display and this festival never disappoints. Every year acrobots transform the city into a full-blown circus extravaganza putting on shows in the street. You can catch this festival in early July and feel like you are at the big top.

Taste of the Caribbean (July 11 to 14, 2024)

If you are a foodie, you have to check out the Taste of Carribean festival. Get your fill of delicious dishes and even learn some new cooking techniques in demos taking place across the city.

Fierté Montréal Festival (August 1 to 11, 2024)

This 10-day non-stop celebration honours 2SLGBTQ+ history, culture and visibility. You can watch an all-star drag show and take part in the fabulous rainbow parade in the Village.

Osheaga (August 2 to 4, 2024)

Parc Jean-Drapeau is home to the annual Osheaga music festival at the beginning of August. The headlining artists this year include Green Day, SZA , Noah Kahan The Smashing Pumpkins, T-Pain, Rancid, Hozier, and Justice.

ÎleSoniq (August 9 to 11, 2024)

If you’re more of an EDM fan, the following week of Osheaga, Jean-Drapeau transforms into a non-stop electronic dance club. The DJs will keep the party going late into the night,

Orientalys Festival (Annually in August)

Cultures and tastes from North Africa to China are showcased at Orientalys Festival, held every year near the Old Port Clock Tower. The festival features workshops, performances, and interactive activities for the whole family. You can explore the eastern hemisphere at this iconic festival that takes place every August.

Festival BLVD (Annually in September)

To round out the summer, Festival BLVD transforms boul. Saint-Laurent into a non-stop street party. There are games, installations, kids zones, and tons of food spots set up along the street for an ode to the end of summer.

These are just a taste of Montreal's summer festival lineup. Follow MTL Blog for more updates throughout the season and never miss out on the excitement!