Montreal Jazz Festival is returning this summer for its 44th edition, promising an extraordinary musical experience for locals and visitors. This year, the festival is putting on tons of free shows, so everyone can share in the city-wide celebration of jazz and its many influences.
The lineup features a mix of major international names and beloved homegrown talent. Attendees can look forward to performances by renowned artists like André 3000, Norah Jones, and Laufey. Local favourites like the Van Hornies and Les Royal Pickles will also grace the stage, and you can catch their shows at no cost.
With nearly 100 free spectacles, the Montreal Jazz Festival offers a little something for everyone. To help you have the best festival experience, we've curated a list of highlights that you won't want to miss. From the electrifying melodies of the Oktopus Trio and Yaya Bey to soulful performances from Cory Henry, Butcher Brown, and Alicia Creti, you have your pick of complimentary shows to enjoy.
Here are 32 Montreal Jazz Festival shows you can attend completely free this summer:
Hiatus Kaiyote
When: Thursday, June 27 at 9:30 p.m.
Where: TD Stage — Places des Festivals
Oktopus Trio
When: June 27, 29 and 30 at 8:30 p.m.
Where: Cabaret Loto-Quebec — corner of rue Sainte-Catherine and Jeanne-Mance
Yaya Bey
When: Thursday, June 27 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: TD Stage — Places des Festivals
Buffalo Nichols
When: Thursday, June 27 at 7 p.m.
Where: Rogers Stage — Le Parterre
Tara Kannangara
When: Thursday, June 27 at 5 p.m.
Where: TD Stage — Places des Festivals
Cory Wong
When: Friday, June 28 at 9:30 p.m.
Where: TD Stage — Place des Festivals
Sunny War
When: Friday, June 28 at 7 p.m.
Where: Rogers Stage — Le Parterre
Salin
When: Friday, June 28 at 8 p.m.
Where: Rio Tinto Stage — rue Sainte-Catherine and rue Jeanne-Mance
Cory Henry
When: Friday, June 28 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: TD Stage — Places des Festivals
Wajdi Riahi Trio
When: Friday, June 28 at 6 p.m.
Where: Pub Molson — Place Tranquille
Noé Lira
When: Saturday, June 29 at 8 p.m.
Where: Rio Tinto Stage — rue Sainte-Catherine and rue Jeanne-Mance
Naïka
When: Saturday, June 29 at 11 p.m.
Where: Rogers Stage — Le Parterre
Alicia Creti
When: Saturday, June 29 at 7 p.m.
Where: Club Montreal TD — Esplanade de la Places des Arts
Ekep Nkwelle
When: Saturday, June 29 at 8 p.m.
Where: Pub Molson — Place Tranquille
Adi Oasis
When: Saturday, June 29 at 10 p.m.
Where: Le Studio TD — 305, rue Sainte-Catherine O.
Dominique Fils-Animé
When: Saturday, June 29 at 9:30 p.m.
Where: TD Stage — Place des Festivals
Butcher Brown
When: Sunday, June 30 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: TD Stage — Places des Festivals
Freddie Gibbs x El Michels Affair
When: Sunday, June 30 at 9:30 p.m.
Where: TD Stage — Place des Festivals
Robert Glasper
When: Monday, July 1 at 9:30 p.m.
Where: TD Stage — Place des Festivals
Begonia
When: Monday, July 1 at 5 p.m.
Where: TD Stage — Place des Festivals
Simon Denizart
When: Monday, July 1 at 6 p.m.
Where: Pub Molson — Place Tranquille
TEKE::TEKE
When: Sunday, June 30 at 11 p.m.
Where: Rogers Stage — Le Parterre
Lowdown Brass Band
When: Tuesday, July 2 at 11 p.m.
Where: Rogers Stage — Le Parterre
Baby Volcano
When: Tuesday, July 2 at 8 p.m.
Where: Rio Tinto Stage — rue Sainte-Catherine and rue Jeanne-Mance
Thee Sacred Soul
When: Tuesday, July 2 at 9:30 p.m.
Where: TD Stage — Place des Festivals
Os Mutantes
When: Wednesday, July 3 at 11 p.m.
Where: Rogers Stage — Le Parterre
Son Rompe Pera
When: Wednesday, July 3 at 8 p.m.
Where: Rio Tinto Stage — rue Sainte-Catherine and rue Jeanne-Mance
Hologramme
When: Thursday, July 4 at 11 p.m.
Where: Club Montreal TD — Esplanade de la Place des Arts
Angelique Francis
When: Thursday, July 4 at 7 p.m.
Where: Rogers Stage — Le Parterre
TheHonestGuy
When: Friday, July 5 at 11 p.m.
Where: Club Montreal TD — Esplanade de la Places des Arts
Orville Peck
When: Friday, July 5 at 9:30 p.m.
Where: TD Stage — Place des Festivals
Kin'Gongolo Kiniata
When: Saturday, July 6 at 10 p.m.
Where: Rio Tinto Stage — rue Sainte-Catherine and rue Jeanne-Mance
For the complete list of free shows at the Montreal Jazz Festival, click here.
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
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