Montreal's Cabane à Sucre Street Festival Is Returning — Here's Everything You Can Do For Free

Montreal's annual Cabane à Sucre festival is back in Verdun from March 21 to 24, giving a taste of spring with a sprinkle of maple sugar. The festival is all about celebrating rustic Quebec culture and the sweet side of life, with a packed schedule of food, music, and activities, all for free. You can expect even more treats, tunes, and timber-themed fun this year.

What’s cooking?

Food is a big part of the festival, with 18 Verdun restaurants rolling out a menu that might have you loosening your belt a notch or two. For $5 or $7, you can get your hands on some serious eats:

• Beyond Meat Yakitori: A plant-based take on a classic, glazed with maple for that sweet kick.
• Traditional Pea Soup: Comfort in a bowl, perfect for chilly spring days.
• Maple-Smoked Pogo: A festival favourite made with maple, because, of course.
• Vegetarian and Vegan Options: Polenta waffles with maple aioli and smoked maple "BBQ" shred.

Someone pours maple taffy on ice for a group.Cabane Panache | Facebook

A visit to the festival wouldn't be complete without a stop at the Sugar Shack, where "Le Sucrier Urbain," aka David Lessard, a trusted Beauceron maple syrup producer, will be waiting to sweeten your day. You can try the quintessential Cabane à Sucre experience with taffy on snow, available all weekend long at the Espace forêt for just $4 (cash only). You can always bring a piece of the sugar shack home by picking up some maple syrup, maple butter, maple lollipops, or maple cones.

The festival also has you covered with a variety of drink stations. The BENELUX Beer Shack will be serving up the event's official beer, Cimonak, a maple-smoked porter, along with other refreshing brews. The Coureur des Bois Chalet returns with original creations perfect for quenching your thirst. The Maltéhops merchant ship, Bar Palco, Bar Social Verdun, and Verdun Beach, will each have unique beverages from hot maple cider to espresso martinis.

Music to your ears

Over four days, nine artists from across Quebec will hit the main stage. Here's what you can expect:

• Thursday, March 21: It all kicks off with the Burning BRASs Band, bringing feminist anthems, followed by Matiu's blend of folk blues with French and Innu lyrics.
• Friday, March 22: Gab Paquet sings sultry French tunes, and Pierre Kwenders mixes up Afro-electronic beats with Congolese rumba.
• Saturday, March 23: Cayenne hits hard with songs about feminism and identity, La Patente rocks out, and Pépé along with special guests wrap up the night.
• Sunday, March 24: The lineup closes with Réveillons! rocking Quebec's traditional music and La Grand-Messe paying homage to Les Cowboys Fringants

There's also a Candlelight: Sugar Shack Music and Folk Songs concert at Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs Church on Saturday at 7 p.m. It costs $30 to attend the intimate musical experience in a candlelit atmosphere.

All fun & games

If you're looking to burn off the sugar rush, there are plenty of free activities, including traditional games, storytelling, and lumberjack challenges. You'll have the chance to saw logs, throw axes, and participate in friendly contests that mimic the rugged life of a lumberjack.

An outdoor relaxation area with tables, chairs and heating stations.Cabane Panache | Facebook

The festival grounds will also have an area dedicated to children, packed with activities tailored for the younger crowd. That includes maple taffy making, beard face painting to turn your little ones into mini lumberjacks, and storytelling sessions that bring Quebec folklore to life. It's a family-friendly zone where kids can run, play, and learn about Quebec's traditions in an engaging way.

There's really no better way to celebrate the end of winter and the sweet delights of maple syrup season in Montreal.