June in Montreal can feel like a never-ending party. Music festivals, food fairs, and a variety of performances ensure constant entertainment every weekend.
The month is packed with outdoor activities, cultural events, delicious food and drink, Jazz Fest, and even Snoop Dogg. Here’s your ultimate guide to kick off the first month of summer in Montreal:
Get a buzz at Barista Fest
When: June 1, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Café Barista, 111A, rue Louvain Ouest
Cost: Free
Reason to go: Barista Fest 2024 will kick off the month with free treats and coffees, and over 10 different local companies contributing their products and activities. Kamio will bring a food truck, while Agora will set up a clothing personalization station. There will be beer tastings by Silo, the brasserie just next door, and Café Barista will have everything in store on sale from 15% to 50% off, including espresso machines, in case you've been thinking of upping your home latte experience.
Bike through the city in Montreal's Tour de l'Île
When: June 2
Where: Jeanne-Mance Park
Cost: $36 to $50
Reason to go: Montreal's biggest cycling event offers an adventure through the city while shutting down main streets to all car traffic for one day (and night). The two routes offered are the regular course ranging from 25 to 50 km for a more leisurely quest, and the discovery course offers a full adventure around the city from 75 to 100 km. Velo Quebec members get discounts.
Montreal Model Train Expo
Courtesy of Montreal Model Train Expo.
When: June 15 to 16, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Dorval Arena, 1450, ave. Dawson, Dorval
Cost: $12 Adults, $30 Family
Reason to go: Montreal's largest collection of miniature trains includes custom-made dioramas and vintage replica models in motion. It's a fun, nostalgic experience for anyone who loves trains.
Celebrate culture (and charbroiled chicken) at Montreal's Portuguese Festival
When: June 7 to 9
Where: 80, rue Rachel Ouest
Cost: Free
Reason to go: You can catch a dancing parade, live musicians from Portugal, Brazil and the Azores, and pick up some delicious meats and treats to eat at this celebration. June is Portuguese Heritage Month and the festival's 11th edition continues the legacy of the city's diverse cultural history.
See Snoop Dogg at Centre Bell
When: June 9, 7 p.m.
Where: Centre Bell, 1909 Av. des Canadiens-de-Montréal
Cost: $78.25
Reason to go: By now, you've seen Snoop Dogg everywhere, from appearing on Trailer Park Boys, cooking with Martha Stewart or in his many cameos in commercials, video games and music videos. Here's your chance to see the "Doggfather" in person, who will bring his 31 years of performing experience to the 514.
Go to a Pokémon-themed Cosplay rave
When: June 7, 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Where: Le Stainte-Catherine Hall, 917, rue Sainte-Catherine Est
Cost: $24.89
Reason to go: Celebrate anime and manga, dress up as your favourite character, dance to J-pop beats, and connect with fellow enthusiasts. The event is for 18+ and a great way to get an early peek at some Otakuthon costumes.
Play the Singing Psychic Game Show
When: June 7 to 16
Where: MainLine Theatre, 3997, boul. Saint-Laurent
Cost: $19
Reason to go: The singing psychic promises spookily accurate readings delivered musically as part of a game show. The performance involves the audience so be prepared for a hilarious night out where you may see your future, win big—or both!
Become a ninja warrior on Aquazilla's floating obstacle course
When: June 22 to August 18
Where: Jean-Doré Beach
Cost: $20 or $79 for season pass
Reason to go: A cross-over between an obstacle course and floating bouncy castle, Aquazilla offers you and your friends the chance to be ninja warriors. The floating platforms offer a trampoline, monkey bars, slides and a giant swing to bounce and splash at the Jean-Doré beach inside Montreal's F1 racetrack.
Get some killer BBQ at south shore's Ribfest
Courtesy of Ribfest.
When: May 31 to June 2
Where: 195, rue Empire, Greenfield Park
Cost: Free
Reason to go: You can taste the best BBQ and ribs of Montreal while enjoying live music, a vintage car show, and more over three days. The event is family-friendly, and vegetarian options will be available as well.
Explore the plateau at the Mont-Royal Street Fair
Courtesy of Mont-Royal.
When: June 6 to 9
Where: Ave. Mont-Royal, from boul. Saint-Laurent to rue de Lorimier
Cost: Free
Reason to go: Over 350 businesses across the two-kilometre stretch will sport sales and terraces open late from Thursday to Sunday. It's a great spot to get ice cream, coffee, clothes, new shoes, go thrifting, eat dinner and more.
Go fly a kite in Frederic-Back Park
When: June 7 to 9
Where: Frederic-Back Park
Cost: Free
Reason to go: Montreal's kite festival offers a range of free activities where enthusiasts and new kite pilots can let their kites soar. If you don't have a kite, there will be free kite-making kits on-site, kite-flying workshops and lessons, Korean kite battles, and professional kite flyers that will give acrobatic flight demonstrations. Bikes and scooters can be rented on-site, and there the TOHU bistro will offer bites to eat.
More at tohu.ca
Eat a six-course brunch at Jean-Talon Market
When: June 1 to 2 and June 8 to 9
Where: Jean-Talon Market
Cost:
- Mange ton Saint-Laurent: $180 for two
- Le Grand Brunch des Patissiers: $150 for two
Reason to go: Two deluxe dining events offer six-course meals for two in the heart of Montreal's biggest public market. The first weekend features a mix of dishes by local chefs and eateries, while the second focuses on some of the best pastries in the area. Tickets include the meal, a mimosa and a service charge. Au Paturage - Espace Gourmand, Chaud Devant!, Rouge Gorge, Palomar and Project Yaku will all be sending their chefs to contribute to the experience.
Catch a world-class performance at the Montreal Jazz Festival
When: June 27 to July 6
Where: Quartier des Spectacles, Place Des Arts Metro
Cost: Varies from free to $100+
Reason to go: Montreal's Jazz Festival is one the biggest of the summer, and the lineup this year is something special. André 3000, Norah Jones, Hiatus Kaiyote, Laufey, Robert Glasper, and Orville Peck will be headlining, while 230 of the festival's 350 shows will be completely free. If you want to beat the crowds, tickets to paid shows offer more intimate settings.
Take in a family-friendly performance at Drag Café
When: June 16, Seating at 1 p.m., Show from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: L'Orbite, 406 Notre-Dame Est
Cost: Pay What You Can
Reason to go: Instead of the lively bar atmosphere of most drag shows, this one is opting for a cozy cafe venue, for the chance at a relaxed and sober environment. There are often fewer opportunities to engage with queer communities in a sober setting, so this one is aiming to provide that space and provide some great entertainment along with it.
Celebrate Holi at the Old Port Colour Festival
When: June 22, 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: 1, rue Clock Tower Quay
Cost: $24.95
Reason to go: Inspired by the Hindu Holi festival, Montreal's 5th edition of the Festival of Colours will let you throw coloured chalk in the air (and at your friends) as the music of live bands and DJs plays. If the colours aren't enough, you can get painted with henna too, and try some food from the many stalls or food trucks.
More at festivaldescouleurs.ca
Stock up on new art at the Mural Festival market
Courtesy of MURAL.
When: June 6 to 16, 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: boul. Saint-Laurent, from Sherbrooke to Mont-Royal, and Peel Basin along both Wellington and Peel.
Cost: Free
Reason to go: Over 75 vendors will be sprinkled throughout the MURAL street art festival, where you'll find tons of colourful styles, artworks, and activities within a lively atmosphere. There will be free shows and giant artworks you can see the progress of throughout the two weekends.
Find your favourite food truck at Les Premiers Vendredis
When: June 7 to 9
Where: Olympic Stadium, 4545, ave. Pierre-de-Coubertin
Cost: Free
Reason to go: Montreal’s biggest food truck festival is back on the first Friday of every month. June’s theme is all Asian food, with each day changing up the artists and cultural events as you check out over 40 different food trucks.
Get a table at le 9e
When: Now Open
Where: 1500 Robert Bourassa, Suite 900
Cost: $31 to $50
Reason to go: The long-awaited re-opening of Montreal's 1930s restaurant in May 2024, and since then has been getting great reviews in its first two weeks of operation. The menu is French cuisine, the service excellent and the unique decor is like stepping into a time machine.
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