The Best of Montreal's Festivals, July 2024

Summer in Montreal is unlike anywhere else on this planet, and the best July festivals demonstrate what this city is capable of at its zenith: The sun is high in the sky, and there's so much to discover at that time of year. There are over 120 annual festivals, many of which are world-class, and choosing which to make time for can be confusing and even a bit overwhelming.

Montreal offers festivals in fashion, music, theatre, dance, film, and various forms of art and performance—so if you're looking for a some guidance, you're in the right place.

Voilà: A curated list of Montreal's top summer festivals of 2024.

SoulFest (July 11 to 14)

SoulFest Montréal honors the rich heritage of soul, Motown, R&B, gospel, and funk genres. The event occurs at the renowned Square Saint-James, turning the area into a lively open-air dance floor. Additionally, performances are held at the elegant Le Balcon cabaret. This festival proudly showcases legendary artists like Kim Richardson, Freddie James, Michelle Sweeney, Dawn Tyler Watson, among others.

Mtl en Arts (June 27 to July 1)

Transforming Ste-Catherine in the Village into an impressive open-air art gallery, this festival lends a platform to hundreds of artists to exhibit their unique talents and traits. As a bonus, most of the work is for sale.

Festival International de Jazz de Montréal (June 27 to July 6)

Immerse yourself in the world of jazz as the city's premiere festival offers indoor, outdoor, free, and paid performances by both local and international artists. This year's line-up is expected to feature more of its namesake genre, too.

L'International des Feux Loto-Québec (June 27 to August 1)

This annual fireworks competition is set to take place as usual, with six participating countries and 10 shows overall. This year, catch the shows on Thursday nights – with one performance scheduled on a Sunday.

POCHA MTL (August 8-11)

A celebration of South Korea and its famous street food will go down in the Bassin Peel area over four days. It costs a few bucks to enter the site, but it's a small price to pay for all the cultural programming on offer.

MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE (July 4-14)

Easily one of the wildest, wackiest, and most daring summer festivals, this 10-day extravaganza brings the circus right out onto the streets. With stages set up in parks and on pedestrianized streets, this is one you don't want to miss, like a giant making an appearance at the Esplanade PVM.

Festival International Nuits d’Afrique (July 9-21)

Discover the sounds of African and world music in this celebration of the diverse cultural heritage of Africa and its diaspora. Performances will take place both indoors and on outdoor stages, featuring artists from 30 countries.

Festival de rue Petite-Bourgogne (July 13-16)

Experience the distinct character of Little Burgundy during the second edition of this street fair. Expect to see over 30 booths, with street food, cultural programming, live music, and more.

Comiccon (July 5-7)

Get dressed in your best attire for this 3-day festival that allows fans to meet and interact with some of their favourite characters–and their creators.

Just For Laughs (July 19-28)

At once both hilarious yet (often) painfully cringe-inducing, this revised version of the world's largest comedy festival will bring together comedic talent for a series of stand-up acts and other shows that will have you rolling in the aisles.

Fantasia International Film Festival (July 18 to August 4, 2024)

In this celebration of genre cinema, exciting premieres and Q&A sessions with filmmakers are attended by enthusiastic movie-goers and industry representatives alike, creating a movie event like none other.

So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and enjoy those ~vibes~