Looking for the coolest and best music festivals in Montreal in 2023 & 2024? Well, you’ve come to the right place, as we’ve compiled the ultimate guide to Montreal Festivals that are guaranteed to impress!
The birthplace of Cirque du Soleil, Montreal, is overflowing with world-class entertainment, outstanding musicians, and many activities to explore. No wonder it is one of the top destinations in Canada for music festivals! The scene in Montreal is refreshingly vibrant, intertwining cultures, history, architecture, and more for a breathtaking trip.
See the jaw-dropping historic Notre Dame Basilica of Montreal, tour the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, shop at the Jean-Talon Market, and dance to the beat of the music in Montreal! Also, be sure to hit up the most epic nightlife during your time in this wondrous city!
Also, be sure to read my guides on Vancouver Music Festivals & Best Festivals in Canada for more epic parties around the country!
Top 10 Music Festivals in Montreal
1) Osheaga Music and Arts Festival
Credit: Osheaga Music and Arts Festival
When: August 4-6, 2023
Where: Parc Jean-Drapeau, Montreal
https://osheaga.com/en
https://www.facebook.com/OSHEAGA/
Hosted at Montreal’s third largest park, Parc Jean-Drapeau, which comprises two islands, the Osheaga Music and Arts Festival is one of the ultimate summer festivals in Montreal!
Across six stages, world-famous artists belt out lyrics in front of a raving crowd of joyous festival goers. The multi-day Osheaga Music and Arts Festival is a family-friendly event that encourages all ages to dance to the beat of the music, rain or shine. Get up close and personal with big names like Kendrick Lamar and Billie Eilish at this hit music festival in Montreal.
The Osheaga Music and Arts Festival officially ends at 11 PM every day. Still, thankfully, for attendees that don’t want the night to end, official parties are hosted afterward to keep the party going!
2) POP Montreal International Music Festival
Credit: POP Montreal International Music Festival in Montreal
When: September 27.- October 1, 2023
Where: Le Plateau-Mont-Royal
https://popmontreal.com/
https://www.facebook.com/popmontreal/
The POP Montreal International Music Festival has been an annual event for over twenty years. One of the most well-known music festivals in Montreal, this festival is not one anyone should miss!
For the five exhilarating days that the festival spans, the whole city of Montreal bumps, jumps, and dances to the beat of the music. Genres stretch from folk and hip hop to indie rock and R&B for a diverse intertwinement of music to reach a range of music tastes.
The venues for the POP Montreal International Music Festival extend from rooftops and local bars to classy venues and local haunts. Overall, the experience is unique, packed with impactfulness in its available workshops, exhibitions, screenings, and showing off old and up-and-coming talents!
3) Les Francos de Montréal
Credit: Victor Diaz | Les Francos de Montréal Music Festival | Credit
When: June 2024
Where: Downtown Montreal
https://www.francosmontreal.com/
https://www.facebook.com/FrancosMTL/
Les Francos de Montréal is a music festival in Montreal that has a prime focus on French-language performers. This prominent downtown Montreal music festival is accessible to all ages for an exhilarating and music-rich experience, with most of the performances being free access to the public.
Performers come from across the globe to Montreal to show off their skills on stage at Les Francos de Montréal. Considered one of the best music festivals in Montreal, hitching a ride over to Montreal is completely rewarding at this outdoor festival. The streets are closed off from traffic, so everyone can take their time hopping from one area to another as they savor the musical talent of genres ranging from electronic and folk to pop and hip-hop.
4) Montreal International Jazz Festival
Credit: Benoit Rousseau
When: June & July 2023
Where: Quartier des Spectacles
https://www.montrealjazzfest.com/en-CA
https://www.facebook.com/montrealjazzfest/
Holding the 2004 Guinness World Record for the world’s largest jazz festival, the Montreal International Jazz Festival blocks off downtown Montreal in the Quartier des Spectacles for a spectacular ten-day event!
The Montreal International Jazz Festival was established in 1980 and has since become one of the most memorable music festivals in Montreal. Legends and up-and-coming stars display their passion and skill on stage before a larger-than-life crowd of jazz lovers.
Experience the magic of jazz with over 150 indoor concerts and the festival’s notorious outdoor performances of over 350 open-air shows set on the Place des Festivals for unforgettable memories!
5) ÎleSoniq Music Festival
Credit: ÎleSoniq Music Festival Montreal
When: August 12-13, 2023
Where: Parc Jean-Drapeau
https://ilesoniq.com/en
https://www.facebook.com/ilesoniqfestival/
For electronic music lovers, Montreal’s ÎleSoniq Music Festival is for you!
“For three complete days, the island is transformed into an urban oasis that springs forth and allows the public to live and groove to the rhythms of EDM and urban music’s biggest stars.”
Hosted every summer in Parc Jean-Drapeau, the ÎleSoniq Music Festival spans three days of irrevocable fun and outstanding electronic music performances. Across multiple stages, the best electronic music raises a beat, and thanks to the festival’s carefully crafted lineup, festival attendees don’t have to pick and choose between their favorites.
From hit artists like Above & Beyond and Martin Garrix, the ÎleSoniq Music Festival is undoubtedly one of the top music festivals in Montreal. Prepare to be electrified by the mystifying enhancement of electronic music at the ÎleSoniq Music Festival!
6) Igloofest Festival
Credit: Marc-Antoine Hallé
When: January & February 2024
Where: Quai Jacques Cartier
https://igloofest.ca/en
https://www.facebook.com/igloofest/
Considered one of the coolest music festivals in Montreal, the Igloofest Festival is the coldest music festival in the world!
Successfully running for more than 15 years now, the Igloofest Festival encourages everyone to grab their warmest Igloo beanie and vintage snowsuits to join the wild celebration of music in the dead of winter. The lineup consists of hot-topic local and international artists across the globe for an out-of-this-world festival experience.
Dance to the beat of the music under the stars during this winter blowout of the Igloofest Festival. Compete in the Tackiest Snowsuit contest and share the love of music at the coldest music festival for a one-of-a-kind celebration.
7) MUTEK Montreal Festival
Credit: MUTEK Montreal Festival
When: August 22-27, 2023
Where: Quartier des Spectacles
https://mutek.org/
https://www.facebook.com/MUTEK/
“Since its first edition, the MUTEK festival has distinguished itself as an international rendezvous for original and avant-garde programming”
An annual six-day event, the MUTEK Festival celebrates the profoundness of electronic music along with old and up-and-coming talent. The organization, MUTEK, is committed to progressing digital creativity, whether audio-visual art, sound, or music.
Through the MUTEK Festival, attendees can savor refreshing new takes on the arts in one magnanimous festival. Listen, dance, and socialize to the beat of intricate new styles and take on electronic music with explorative tastes of digital experimentation at the amazing MUTEK Festival in Montreal!
8) Heavy Montréal Festival
Credit: Heavy Montréal Festival
When: July 2023
Where: Parc Jean-Drapeau
https://heavymontreal.com/en
https://www.facebook.com/HEAVYMONTREAL/
Bang your head and pump your fists in the air for the top metal music festival in Montreal, the Heavy Montréal Festival!
The two-day event of the Heavy Montréal Festival celebrates hard rock and heavy metal in one glorious affair full of raucous headbangers in Montreal’s Parc Jean-Drapeau. As one of the world’s largest heavy metal music festivals, attendees can expect worlds of fun and a high-class lineup of world-famous musical talent.
Past acts at the Heavy Montréal Festival include Slipknot, Metallica, and Iron Maiden. You’re guaranteed to be impressed and a little dizzy from all the headbanging to the beat of these famous hits and skilled musicians.
9) M for Montreal Festival
Credit: @alexanneeb | M for Montreal Festival
When: November 15-18, 2023
Where: Various Venues
https://mpourmontreal.com/en/
https://www.facebook.com/mformontreal/
In November, M for Montreal Festival is an annual four-day event that has transitioned into one of the most renowned music festivals in Montreal. This showcase festival presents talented indie music exports in one spectacular event celebrating the diversity of music.
Artists are handpicked to showcase their skills, passion, and dedication to music in front of over 500 local and international music industry members at the M for Montreal Festival. The public can witness this outstanding event, listening to indie musicians show their dedication to their craft in one magnanimous festivity.
10) Piknic Électronik Festival
Credit: Piknic Électronik Festival in Montreal
When: May – October 2023
Where: Jardin Le Petit Prince, Parc Jean-Drapeau
https://piknicelectronik.com/en
https://www.facebook.com/PiknicElectronik/
“Piknic Électronik Montreal diverse programming has made it a highlight of the Montreal summer cultural circuit for over 15 years. Music, dance and human connections are is at the heart of our events, and it’s a warm, lively, colorful, refreshing and unforgettable summer that awaits us!”
This weekly electronic music festival runs every Sunday from May to October, only ten minutes from downtown Montreal. The Piknic Électronik Festival was established in 2003, quickly becoming one of the most foundational and exciting music festivals in Montreal.
Every summer, the Piknic Électronik Festival gathers the top local and international producers and DJs in one long-running celebration. This festival is the highlight of Montreal’s summertime. As an attendee, you can move to the beat of the world’s top performers, connect with like-minded individuals, and have a blast with friends and family at the Piknic Électronik Festival.
Am I Missing Any Amazing Music Festivals in Montreal?
With such a vibrant nightlife and festival scene, I’m sure there are tons more epic festivals Montreal has to offer! SO I’d love to hear from you guys! What events do you think need to be added to the list?
Looking for More Music Festivals?
My travel blog has a ton of articles just like this! Check out a few of my favorites below to start planning your next abroad festival!
Thanks for reading my guide to the best Montreal Music Festivals
Share this article with your festival travel crew!
Recent Comments