June means long weekends, festivals, national holidays and more! It’s time to take advantage of everything Montreal has to offer this summer.
1. Pride month
Celebrate the 2SLGBTQIA+ community this month by supporting the community projects in partnership with Fierté Montréal, taking place all summer long. Although the festival and parade take place during the first week of August, it’s also a good time this month to immerse yourself in the culture. For example: take a trip to the McCord Museum for the xpo JJ Levine photograph, a series of large-format photographs celebrating queer identity and the journey of each portrait, as well as the artist herself.
To find out more about Fierté Montréal’s activities, visit website.
2. Participate in First Fridays
The long-awaited street food event in Montreal First Fridays is also live music, cold drinks and a mega-terrace seating 3,000, starting this Friday,June 7 . For the 10th anniversary, we’re celebrating in style. New this year: Rue Culturelle, a site dedicated to celebrating the theme of the edition. For the month of June, we’re celebrating Mexico! Don’t miss this unique cultural event in Montreal.
Where : l’Esplanade du Stade olympique de Montréal. Admission is free for all.
When: 4pm to 11pm,June 7 2022
Admission is free for all. To find out more about First Fridays, visit website.
3. Attend the Festival St-Ambroise Fringe de Montréal
From May 27 to June 17, the Festival Fringe Montréal is back with a fire program. Among others, the Parc Fringe, in the Parc des Amériques, opens on June 17 with Socalled as a musical guest, and the Course en Drag, featuring Mado, is back on June 17! Comedy shows, theater, concerts and dance are also on the program.
Find out about the full program and reserve your tickets, click here.
4. Tour the island with Montréal
Cycling fans, this is your moment: the go Vélo festival is set for its 2022 edition, with several events including the famous Tour de l’île. On May 31, you can take up the challenge of Tour by night cycling under the stars, or the famous Island tour this Sunday, June 2, a 36 km route through 7 Montreal boroughs.
To sign up for island tours, click here. You can also register by phone at 514 521-8356, ext. 504, or in person at the Maison des cyclistes, located at 1251, rue Rachel Est.
5. Attend Festival TransAmériques shows
A festival dedicated to dance and theater, the Program explores the themes of humanity, inclusion, social structures and the environment through its 25 shows between May 22 and June 5 . Don’t miss Lavagem a unique dance performance on a water bucket, or Adventures can be found anywhere, even in repetition a performance-installation of literature being written, experienced in real time.
For a complete list of the Transamériques Festival Program, please visit website.
6. Celebrate National Day with two incomparable desserts
On June 3, life is smiling on us. It’s National BeaverTail Day AND National Donut Day, both of which fall on the same glorious Friday this year. Get a free beavertail at the Old Port branch, or celebrate doughnuts in style at one of those delectable places. Enjoy!
7. Visit the Festival MURAL
A Montreal must-see, the mURAL festival opens its doors on June 6 . This international celebration of urban art is an event not to be missed. In and around St-Laurent, Mural takes over the neighborhood for 11 days, offering immersive concerts and spaces, as well as the incredible murals that come to life as the festival progresses. This year celebrates 10 years of Mural with musical guests including A-Track and Dave1 (The Brothers Macklovitch) for what promises to be a wildopening party. Don’t miss it!
For a complete list of the Mural Festival program, visit website.
8. Visit the terrace of the Verdun Beach bar
With its summer timetable just starting on May 31st, the bar Verdun Beach is a great place to try not one but two terraces with its delicious little menu. You’ll also have the chance to watch people parade down Wellington’s pedestrian street, as they do every summer.
Where: 4816 Wellington Street, Montreal
When: Tuesday to Saturday, 5.30pm to 11pm
For reservations, please visit website.
9. Visit Biquette in Montreal
From June 25, you’ll have the chance to see 16 sheep in Maisonneuve Park as part of an urban eco-grazing project. The herd will maintain the lawn all summer long, and it will be possible to visit them as well as an educational beehive, a henhouse and a host of other facilities.
Where: Maisonneuve Park, 4601 Rue Sherbrooke E, Montreal.
When: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., June 11 to September 4
Find out more about Biquette visit the website.
10. Take part in Japan Week x YATAI_MTL
From June 13 to June 16, you’ll have the chance to sample Japanese street food and store Montreal’s Japanese boutiques, as part of Japan Week, along with a host of other interesting activities. Program: performance of Lost in Translation at Cinéma du Parc, acrobatic performance by Japanese artist Hayato, gathering of Shibas and Akitas japanese-bred dogs that we undoubtedly adore, with a stylish dog contest afterwards.
For the complete YATAI_MTL program, please visit website.
11. Witness the metamorphosis of Mont-Royal Avenue
A summertime staple on the plateau, mount Royal Avenue Fair is finally back after a two-year absence, and promises three days of sidewalk sales from merchants who have a business on the street, from June 6 to 9. This event then gives way to Summer on the Avenue from June 20, which will offer landscaping and art installations all summer long. The plateau is a great place to live!
Where: Avenue Mont-Royal, between boulevard St-Laurent and rue Fullum
When: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., June 11 to September 4
12. Visit the Francos de Montréal
A celebration of French-language music in the Quartier des spectacles, the Francos de Montréal is a festival not to be missed. From June 14 to 22, you can enjoy a host of shows, some of them free. Among others: Corneille, Ariane Moffatt, Salomé Leclerc, Édith Butler, Florence K, Gazoline and more on the program.
For the complete Francos de Montréal program, visit website.
13. Take part in the Canadian Grand Prix
If you’re looking for thrills and excitement, don’t miss the Formula 1 Grand Prix à Montréal in June. This iconic event marks the start of the summer season and attracts racing enthusiasts from all over the world. So put on your F1 fan Top Balcony and get ready for anunforgettable experience!
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- Dates: From Friday June 7, 2024 to Sunday June 9, 2024
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- Location: Circuit Gilles Villeneuve – Parc Jean-Drapeau, Montreal, QC
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- Activities: Official race, drivers’ parade, qualifying sessions, Ferrari and Porsche challenges, course simulators
14. Aperitifs at the Canal Lounge
Visit Canal Lounge is back for the season! Enjoy an aperitif while cruising gently on the Lachine Canal, after a visit to the Atwater Market or a bike ride. It’s quaint, romantic, relaxing, and just the thing for warm evenings in our beautiful Montreal.
Where: Atwater wharf (Lionel-Groulx metro station, 5-minute walk)
When: since May 21st, Tuesday to Saturday 3pm to 11pm, Sunday 3pm to 10pm
15. Take a stroll down the street during Cyclovia
On June 26, Monk Boulevard will become a pedestrian street during the day to allow pedestrians, cyclists and street skaters to stretch their legs without the congestion of traffic on the boulevard. An initiative of the Société de développement commercial (SDC) du boulevard Monk, it aims to promote physical activity and community involvement. Mark your calendars, drivers!
Where: Boulevard Monk, between rue Saint-Patrick and rue Raudot
When: June 26, from 12:30 to 4:30 pm
16. Visit one of our montreal beaches
Take a break from scorching summer temperatures and asphalt that burns your feet even with shoes on, and trade it all in for burning sand and cooling water. Visit one of our montreal beaches and surrounding areas this month, as most of them open to the public in mid-June. Don’t forget your sun cream!
17. Attend Drag events at Bar Social Verdun
On June 9, grab your pancakes with a side of drag at Bar Social Verdun’s Brunch aux folles. Hosted by the great Misty Waterfalls, wash down your brunch with a flamboyant morning filled with music, festivities and saucy talk. In addition, every last Tuesday of the month, June 28, Misty Waterfalls also hosts Drop Drag Gorgeous a monthly show not to be missed.
Where: Bar Social Verdun at 3819 Rue Wellington, Montreal
When: June 9 from 12:30 p.m. and June 28 at 7:30 p.m
For brunch, reservations are made through Bar Social Verdun’s Instagramaccount or Messenger only. For more information on events, visit the Bar Social Verdun Facebook page .
18. Visit the Guinguettes in the South-West
Les Guinguettes return to the South-West from June 23 to 26. A host of events, local merchants and activities await you: live music, local food, dancing, eco-neighborhood activities, among others. Don’t miss this chance to catch up with your community in a festive atmosphere.
Where: Parc de l’Ancienne-cour-de-Triage, 3653-3667 rue Saint-Patrick, Montréal
When: June 20 to 24
19. La Ronde fireworks are back!
Visit fireworks festival is finally back! Watch the Montreal sky light up at the opening show on June 27. This month’s theme is “Je me souviens”, a tribute to our province and its history.
Where: La Ronde, Île-Ste-Hélène, Montreal
When: june 27, 10pm
To find out more about the International Fireworks Program, visit website.
20. Travel to Egypt without leaving Montreal
Egypt has never been so close. With horizon of Cheops excurio’s latest adventure, you’ll be following in the footsteps of one of the most famous pharaohs of this civilization: the imposing King Cheops. Around the king’s funeral, discover the breathtaking landscapes of ancient Egypt. From pyramids to tombs to religious temples, the magic of the necropolis of Giza unfolds before you.
Where: L’Horizon de Khéops (2 Rue de la Commune Ouest, Montréal, H2Y 4B2, Montréal)
Check in for your flight to Egypt21-33. Attend the unique Candlelight concert, which pays tribute to a wide range of artists
Get ready to rediscover hit songs in a whole new way with this candlelit concert in Christ Church Cathedral. Throughout June, Candlelightconcertswill feature talented string quartets playing your favorite hymns our favorite artists. Don’t miss these classics, played in classic style!
Where : Christ Church Cathedral, 635 Saint-Catherine St West, Montreal
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- Candlelight: Cartoon music – A captivating concert on June 5, attracting over 3 million participants.
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- Candlelight: from Bach to the Beatles – A magical evening on June 7, welcoming over 3 million music lovers.
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- Candlelight Spring: Mozart, Bach and other timeless compositions – An unforgettable performance on June 8, with over 3 million spectators.
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- Candlelight Spring: Tribute to Queen and others – A breathtaking Tribute on June 8, gathering over 3 million fans.
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- Candlelight: Tribute to Pink Floyd – An extraordinary concert from June 13 to July 19, with over 3 million participants.
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- Candlelight Spring: the best of the Beatles – A musical celebration on June 13, attracting over 3 million people.
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- Candlelight Spring: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and more – An enchanting evening on June 13, attended by over 3 million classical music fans.
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- Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer at Hall le 9e – A musical immersion from June 15 to July 5, captivating over 3 million spectators.
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- Candlelight: Tribute to Leonard Cohen – A poignant tribute from June 18 to July 19, with over 3 million participants.
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- Candlelight: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons – A sensational concert from June 21 to July 25, attracting over 3 million fans.
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- Candlelight: Tribute to ABBA – A nostalgic evening from June 21 to July 25, with over 3 million spectators.
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- Candlelight Jazz: Tribute to Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and others – A jazzy tribute on June 22, attracting over 3 million participants.
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- Candlelight: Tribute to Beyoncé – An electrifying concert on June 28, attracting over 3 million people.
Find out more about all concerts here
34. Visit the Mtl en Arts Festival
From June 27 to July 1, don’t miss this unique opportunity to take part in a festival that promotes local art and transforms the village into an open-air gallery for 5 days. Accessible and free, Mtl en Arts promises festive and creative days.
The Festival Program is still to come, but you can always visit the website to view events from previous years.
Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram and mention #MonMontrealSecret on social networks so we can see what you’re up to!
Happy June to all!