Festivals
Summertime in the Quartier des Spectacles
When the heat is on in Montreal, the Quartier des Spectacles springs to life! A cascade of festivals, bustling terraces, an atmosphere that sparkles from morning to night, open-air and indoor shows... This is the place to be in summer. Every street corner, a discovery. Every evening, a celebration. The cultural heart of the metropolis beats strong, and we invite you to feel the vibe.
One season, 22 festivals
Not one, not two, but 22 festivals take the Quartier by storm all summer long. Music, comedy, dance, circus, literature, cinema: all art forms band together to reenergize public squares, halls and pedestrian streets. The Festival TransAmérique (FTA) kicks off the season in May, followed by the Francos de Montréal, the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE, Just for Laughs MONTRÉAL, the Festival Fierté Montréal, the Festival M.A.D., and many others. Just stroll through the Quartier and you’re sure to come across an impromptu concert, a daring installation or an unusual performance. A nonstop celebration of Montreal culture for four straight months.
Terraces, where sun and culture collide
The Quartier is dotted with inviting terraces where you can enjoy summer between shows. A stone’s throw from the Place des Festivals, Le Bivouac offers panoramic views and a local menu. The Muze Lounge, on the 5th floor of the Honeyrose Hotel, blends Mediterranean cuisine with DJ nights. On the Esplanade Tranquille, Stella Brasserie italienne and Café Tranquille welcome strollers in a laid-back atmosphere. On Jeanne-Mance, Kamúy celebrates Caribbean flavours, while on Saint-Laurent, the terrace of Pavillon, the SAT buvette, is perfect for a cocktail. Last but not least, Papito offers a cozy ambience and a family atmosphere, with meals to be enjoyed at large tables at this discreet address on rue Saint-Alexandre. Each terrace is like a theatre box overlooking the city.
Summertime shows – The magic trickles indoors
Culture doesn’t break for summer—it simply changes mode. Audiences diversify, and things get more spontaneous. The summer musical at Espace St-Denis is a unifying get-together for families and friends. Added to this are daring shows created for festivals—tailor-made, singular, iconoclastic. Artists from all parts of the world dazzle us, while others, yet to be discovered, capture hearts and minds. Here, discoveries are made under the open sky, but they also materialize in the intimate settings of indoor venues.
Les Jardins Gamelin – The true spirit of summer
A veritable urban oasis, Les Jardins Gamelin features a stage, furniture, greenery, games, great food, and a laid-back atmosphere. At lunchtime, regulars abound, sandwich in hand. In the evening, the space comes alive with concerts, dance parties, and festive activities for all ages. Whether you’re a party of one, with family or in a group, you can garden, play, stroll or simply take in the moment. This is a summer classic—a place where people have been taking the time to live the life in the heart of the Quartier Latin for more than 10 years.
Public squares – Stages in the open air
In summer, the Quartier’s main squares become living stages where anything can happen. On the Place des Festivals, whole crowds sing and dance in unison. The Esplanade Tranquille, with its huge terrace, welcomes families, dancers and curious onlookers to summer festival shows, from Nuits d'Afrique to MUTEK. To the east of the Maison Symphonique, the Parterre offers a vast green space with a tiered layout, and light sculptures by Gilles Mihalcean. A fab place to chill out, it turns into an electrifying stage for major festival concerts. Nearby, the Promenade des Artistes invites you to take stroll in a place where art meets spectacle. These hotspots are the backdrop for our collective summer!