Things to do in Montreal during May

Spring’s in full swing, and May is when Montreal officially remembers how to party. Things are warming up, literally and figuratively, as locals and tourists can both enjoy the rising action of deep spring before the climax of summer.

Sounds hyperbolic, we know, but it ain't.

Anyway: One look at this round-up of things to do in Montreal during May, and it's clear: The sun’s got stamina, the festivals start stacking, and every park bench suddenly looks like a runway. This is when terrasses fill up before noon, porches double as stages, and even the alleys feel like venues in disguise. Whether you’re sipping saké during Japan Week, catching reggaeton at Fuego Fuego, or shopping local at Marché ASIASIE, the city’s energy shifts from thawing out to showing up.

It’s not just about the big-ticket blowouts either. Some of the best things to do in Montreal this month are gloriously low-commitment—free pop-up concerts, cider tastings, outdoor science labs, and street parties that feel more like neighbourhood secrets. If some of this is out of your reach there's a lot of cheap things to do in Montreal under $20 as well.

Here’s what’s worth stepping outside for—and maybe even calling in sick to stick around a little longer.

Japan Week 2025: Montreal meets the rising sun

Also running May 1 to 11, Japan Week returns with an 11-day lineup that reaches far beyond ramen. Over 40 Montreal businesses—think izakayas, matcha bars, manga cafés—are offering special menus, pop-ups, and hands-on workshops. Don’t miss the CHIBI Japanese Market on May 3 and 4, or the Akita and Shiba dog parade and kimono stroll on May 10. It’s the kind of soft-power cultural takeover you don’t want to miss.

La Pizza Week: Pie-curious? Here’s your excuse

From May 1 to 10, Montreal’s pizza scene throws down. Chefs across the city are given carte blanche to dream up wild, one-off pies—from kimchi-and-crème fraîche numbers to deep-dish reinterpretations. The public eats, votes, and repeats. Each slice sold during La Pizza Week helps support the Make-A-Wish Foundation, so you can feel good about carb loading.

Café Collectif: A weekend of artful caffeination

Over May 3 and 4, the Société des Arts Technologiques turns into a coffee lover’s playground. Café Collectif brings together Quebec’s specialty roasters, baristas, and bean geeks for two days of tastings, workshops, latte art battles, and panel talks. Whether you’re deep into roast profiles or just want to learn the difference between a pour-over and a flat white, this festival’s got something to perk you up.

La semaine du cidre du Québec: 11 sparkling days

From May 1 to 11, cider gets its moment with La semaine du cidre. Quebec’s orchards, bars, and restaurants are in on it, offering free tastings, brunch pairings, cocktail workshops, and the kind of fizzy, apple-forward experiences that make spring feel celebratory. Whether you’re sipping a crisp brut at a local cidrerie or raising a glass at ITHQ’s Bar Blanc Bec, this week is one big ode to fermentation done right.

NDG Porchfest: A front-yard symphony

On May 17 and 18, the neighbourhood of NDG turns residential real estate into live music venues. Porchfest invites local musicians to perform on their balconies, stoops, and verandas, creating an open-air, walkable concert experience that’s free to explore. From solo saxophones to full bands nestled in front yards, it’s one of the most charming weekends of the year. (Rain date: May 19.)

Piknic Électronik: The Season Begins

Kicking off its 2025 season on May 17 and 18, Piknic Électronik reclaims Sundays at Parc Jean-Drapeau with electronic beats, riverside lounging, and a community that shows up rain or shine—well, mostly shine. Expect big-name DJs, an unbeatable skyline view, and that mix of chill and hedonism only Montreal can pull off in a public park.

Montréal Cocktail Festival: Four days, countless drinks

From May 18 to 22, the second edition of the Montréal Cocktail Festival brings top mixologists from around the globe to shake things up at local bars. Expect pop-ups at spots like Bisou Bisou and The Coldroom, pairing dinners at Foxy, and deep-dive seminars on martinis, cognac, and low-ABV trends. Most events are free to attend, so the only thing you’ll need is curiosity and maybe a notepad.

C2 Montréal: Creativity, commerce, and a little chaos

Running May 20 to 22, C2 Montréal turns Old Montreal into a brainstorm with a pulse. Part conference, part immersive experience, C2 is where CEOs meet scenographers and marketing pros share panels with choreographers. If you’re looking for future-of-work inspiration or just want to workshop ideas in a hammock, this is your stop.

Festival TransAmériques: Theatre and dance that breaks rules

Starting May 22 and stretching into June, Festival TransAmériques brings cutting-edge theatre and dance to venues across the city. Expect bold storytelling, multidisciplinary experiments, and performances that challenge form as much as they challenge audiences. It’s not a festival that asks for passive watching—it demands attention, emotion, and a willingness to go somewhere new.

Marché ASIASIE: A pan-Asian cultural feast

From May 22 to 25, Time Out Market fills with the smells, sounds, and stories of Asia. Marché ASIASIE brings together more than 40 vendors—from Cambodian jewellers and Filipino chefs to Japanese calligraphers and Indian spice purveyors. Come for the snacks, stay for the panels on Asian identity in digital spaces, and don’t miss the opening night on May 22, featuring guest speakers and early access to the best bites.

Mile End en fête: A neighbourhood party with depth

Over May 23 to 25, Mile End en fête spills into the streets for a hyper-local celebration of art, food, and community. With events scattered along Parc, Bernard, and St-Viateur, the festival features specialty coffee tastings, live music, pop-up shops, and workshops that reflect the neighbourhood’s eclectic spirit. Come for the block party vibe—stay for the cultural deep cuts.

Montreal Comic Arts Festival: Drawn Together

Running the same weekend, from May 23 to 25, MCAF turns the Mile End into Canada’s largest celebration of comic art. You’ll find hundreds of cartoonists, live drawing sessions, bilingual panels, and book signings that bridge the gap between zine culture and graphic novel prestige. Bonus: It’s all outdoors and totally free.

Fuego Fuego Festival: Summer starts here

On May 24 and 25, Olympic Park gets loud. Fuego Fuego brings the heat with two full days of Latin music in all its forms—reggaeton, trap, dancehall, and pop—anchored by an international lineup and a local crowd that knows how to move. Don’t sleep on the downtown rumba warmup on May 23—it sets the tone for a weekend of high-energy, open-air celebration.

OFFTA: Where Performance Gets Personal

Also starting May 23 and running into June, OFFTA offers a taste of the experimental edge in live arts. From theatre to dance to genre-bending performances that don’t fit neat labels, this is where Montreal’s young creators show what’s next. The venues are intimate, the shows are unexpected, and the vibes are unfiltered.

Eurêka! Festival: Science, but make it fun

From May 30 to June 1, Parc Jean-Drapeau transforms into a giant outdoor lab with over 100 hands-on science and tech activities. Eurêka! is part demo zone, part discovery playground—designed to make STEM feel like recess. Bring kids, bring questions, and prepare to get your mind blown (safely, of course).

Rampage MTL: Bass that’ll rattle your bones

On May 30 and 31, MTELUS hosts one of the biggest drum & bass and dubstep events the city’s ever seen. Rampage pulls no punches with a two-night, bass-heavy lineup including Midnight Tyrannosaurus, Riot Ten, and Kanine. Expect wall-to-wall sound, a stacked crowd, and enough subwoofer action to shake the old theatre’s foundation.

Opening night at Jardins Gamelin: 10 years, one big party

The summer season officially begins on May 30, when Jardins Gamelin launches its tenth anniversary with a night of live music and local flair. DJ Super Plage kicks things off, followed by the genre-mixing Parazar and Afrobeat-pop powerhouse Sarahmée. It’s the kind of night that reminds you why this free outdoor venue has become a downtown summer staple.

Festival des musiciens du monde: Traditions in conversation

Throughout May, the Centre des musiciens du monde presents a lineup of global sounds that cuts across continents and generations. From Senegalese balafon and Persian oud to reinvented klezmer and flamenco piano, this festival doesn’t just spotlight tradition—it lets it evolve onstage. Expect musical crossovers, intimate performances, and plenty of surprises.