In August 2026, summer reaches its peak of sunshine, its peak of heat, and the height of Montreal’s summer vibe. We’ll have the soles of our flip-flops melting into the asphalt, a packed schedule, and long afternoons that feel almost like vacation.
We’re going to the movies, learning to dance in cowboy boots, wearing a feathered miniskirt to OSHEAGA, celebrating the 150th anniversary of Mount Royal, the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Olympics, and the 325th anniversary of the Great Peace of Montreal.
Our August 2026 Calendar is here…
Fantasia is the most “Quebec-style” international genre film festival in the world—and our favorite of the year. It takes place all over Concordia’s conference rooms after the students have left for summer break, as well as at several independent theaters that love weird, mystical, and gory films.
This year, it runs from July 16 to August 2, 2026, and there are 125 feature films and over 200 short films to watch. To help you navigate the lineup, we’ve put together our festival schedule a little in advance—and you’ll want to keep your eyes and ears open for the smaller films that stand out from the crowd (most will be screened twice).
Grab a sweater for the cool movie theaters, get a good night’s sleep tonight, and we wish you an excellent Fantasia Festival.
July 31–August 2: OSHEAGA
One of the best music festivals in the world… This year’s headliners include Twenty One Pilots, Tate McRae, and Lorde.
July 31–August 2: OSHEAGA vintage pop-up at WIP
During the OSHEAGA music festival, there will be a big vintage pop-up at WIP—featuring around twenty vendors selling vintage items, thrift finds, and pieces by Montreal designers. There will be:
- @flipn_thriftn
- @grwppp
- @perlita.querida
- @vintage.deli
- @lizziemcglizzie
- @kajiofficiel
- @nuagevintagemontreal
- @helloeffigy
- @whiskematcha
- @niftythriftmtl
- @wildsilver.ca
- @douceurvintage
- @reina_aleera
- @theamontreal
- @daiacreationscosmetiques
- @lico.jewelry
- @y2gstudio
- @duchessvintageshop
- @eternaldecada
- @l0stl4bel
- @shoplovealexandra
- @turquoisestreasuresmtl
August 1: FEU SACRÉ to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal
In true Montreal tradition, the lawns in front of the Olympic Village were almost entirely covered with half-dressed people, their eyes closed as they basked in the warm summer sun during the 1976 Olympics.
To mark the 50th anniversary of those Summer Olympics, Montreal will celebrate with a free concert and ceremony open to all, conceived by Hallucination Collective and featuring performances by iconic Quebec artists and appearances by Olympic athletes.
August 4–14: Présence Autochtone Festival
From August 4 to 14, the iconic large teepee of the Présence Autochtone festival —which is celebrating its 36th anniversary this year— will be erected in the square and will serve as the centerpiece for the activities, concerts, films, and exhibitions of this grand celebration of Indigenous cultures from around the world.
*The festival program will be unveiled on July 21, 2026
A little sweetness at the foot of Mount Royal, and a little sweetness in the middle of summer for Montrealers—we’re going to enjoy a free classical music concert at the Picnic Symphonique. It’s part of the festivities celebrating the 150th anniversary of our favorite urban mountain, Mount Royal.
On the schedule from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.:
- Héritage Montréal conference on the 150th anniversary of Mount Royal Park
- Prelude with the Petits chanteurs de Mont-Royal
- Chamber music ensemble featuring musicians from the OM
- Performance and choral singing activity with the Choeur Métropolitain and the Petits chanteurs de Mont-Royal
and at 7:30 p.m., the Orchestre Métropolitain’s grand concert
- ANA SOKOLOVIĆ
Montréal Cirque - EDVARD GRIEG
Peer Gynt, Suite No. 1 - GUILLAUME COUTURE
Rêverie - ANTONÍN DVOŘÁK
Symphony No. 9 “From the New World”
August 8: SUNSAT at the Society for Arts and Technology
To party under the scorching sun, we’re heading to the SAT rooftop; house/dub/jungle music, the Mon Ami.e Frankie artisan market, ultra-fresh cocktails, and picnic food available on-site. In August, we worship the sun.
August 9: Queer Open Mic at the Village au Pied-du-Courant
A queer open mic that’s also part of Pride Month (in Montreal, it’s in August). On the program: political and poetic speeches, slam poetry, songs, comedy…
August 14: 325th anniversary of the Great Peace of Montreal / concert at the Théâtre Outremont / HERE THE TREE OF PEACE WAS PLANTED
On the final day of the Festival Présence Autochtone and as part of the 325th anniversary of the Great Peace signed between the Indigenous nations of the Great Lakes region and the settlers, Terres en vues presents an event featuring music, song, and poetry on August 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Théâtre Outremont, creating a soundscape that bridges the past and the present.
“On the island of Tiohtá:ke, we artists invite you to celebrate, in a grand and vibrant concert,
the Great Peace of Montreal of 1701—that moment when the nations came together
not amid the clangor of weapons, but in the dignity of exchanged words and the promise of a shared future.”
Featuring the Forestare Guitar Ensemble, Richard Desjardins, Joséphine Bacon, Jacques Newashish, Andrée Lévesque Sioui, Marianne Lambert, Sandrine Masse-Savard, Éric Dupont, Élise Turcotte, Hélène Collin, Kate Bevan Baker, Benjamin Tremblay Carpentier, Marc Morin, Elvira Misbakhova, and Élisabeth Giroux.
August 14: FESTILUMI
Dive into the magical world of thenew Festilumi, a light-filled journey that transports you through more than 13 spectacular themed worlds. Between fairy-tale settings, giant creatures, music, breathtaking visual effects, and shows, discover an immersive adventure designed for the whole family!
Festilumi – Halloween
24 October 2026 18:30 + more dates
Marché Central
August 19: Evenings on Museum Avenue x Cowboy Angel
On Avenue du Musée des Beaux-Arts, we’ll be line dancing with Cowboy Angel—with a cocktail in hand and plenty of sunshine on Montreal’s chicest street.
There will also be a creative workshop hosted by Vélo des Beaux-Arts, where you can design a logo for our favorite sport in the style of the works featured in the EN PISTE! exhibition.
August 28: Dîner en Blanc
The Dîner en Blanc aims to be more than just an event; it seeks—like the grand balls of artists and aristocrats—to be a cultural movement that builds community around the French art of living .
The event isn’t new, and it didn’t originate in Montreal. The first “dîner en blanc” was a picnic in the Bois de Boulogne—where everyone had to wear white so they could recognize each other—on the outskirts of Paris, organized by a reserve officer returning from a trip to Polynesia.
Since then, the Dîner en Blanc has been held once a year, and the location is kept secret until the very last moment—it’s always a historic, public venue. There are Dîner en Blanc events in Paris, New York, Mexico City, Ho Chi Minh City, and Miami… Montreal’s first Dîner en Blanc took place in 2009 and was inaugurated by the founder’s son.
This year, it will take place on August 28, 2026—and almost all the details are kept secret until the last minute.
To attend the dinner, you must sign up for the guest list ( membership fee: $14.00 per person) and then purchase tickets;
Tickets are sold in pairs (2 people per table)
Transportation:
– Pedestrians (Bring your own table and chairs): $48.00 per person
– Pedestrian (table and chairs included): $65.00 per person
– Bus (Bring your own table and chairs): $75.00 per person
August 28: Sturgeon Full Moon
The full moon in August is called the Sturgeon Moon, and it will be high in the Montreal sky on August 28.
Sheep are maintaining Maisonneuve Park through eco-grazing—cute, eco-friendly, and educational.
Biquette, a nonprofit organization, manages the 15 sheep currently at Maisonneuve Park. The organization practices ecopasturing: a method of maintaining green spaces using small ruminants (sheep).
From May through September (roughly), sheep roam, graze, and live freely in the park, and at the Repaire de Biquette, there are fun workshops and an information booth on eco-grazing and rural and urban agriculture. All summer long, you can do yoga, sewing, knitting…
The full schedule of summer workshops and activities at Le Repaire de Biquette is here
Treat yourself to an unforgettable VIP experience on the Montreal Ferris Wheel
The Montreal Ferris Wheel invites you on a memorable ride to admire the city from a unique perspective. Enjoy an exclusive VIP experience 60 meters above the ground, comfortably seated in a cabin featuring a glass floor and Italian leather seats. Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Old Montreal, the St. Lawrence River, and downtown, day or night. Comfort is guaranteed year-round, with air-conditioned cabins in the summer and heated cabins in the winter. A 15- to 20-minute ride for unforgettable memories.
La Grande Roue de Montréal
La Grande Roue de Montréal
Dinos Alive
The Dinos Aliveexhibition features life-size dinosaur replicas in an immersive space inspired by the Jurassic period. Walk alongside the immense creatures that roamed our world millions of years ago!
Wednesday evenings: Country dance nights at the Jardins Gamelin
Every Wednesday this summer, the very urban Jardins Gamelin—right in downtown Montreal—is hosting line dancing classes with the Spurs dance company, which specializes in queer and super-inclusive line dancing.
And yes, you can go even if you’re new to country music—and even without a cowboy hat or spiked boots.
