Your guide to Montréal food festivals

Jason Lee

Jason is a food eater and picture taker. As the blogger behind Shut Up and Eat, he covers everything food, from recipes to reviews. Jason has vowed that he will not stop until he has officially eaten his way across Montréal. It’s a big claim, and it’s one he’s making.

This article was updated on March 17, 2023.

We like to party! From the large food truck gatherings at the Olympic Stadium, city-wide poutine festivals to neighbourhood sugar shacks and Asian night markets, we’ll celebrate anything in the name of food. Regardless of the time of year, we’ve got a festival you need to check out. Here are some of our favourite food events that you cannot miss!

March

Old Montreal's Happening Gourmand (March 2 to April 2, 2023)
For a whole month, Happening Gourmand takes you on a gastronomic journey through the nine restaurants of Experience Old Montréal (a select group of boutique hotels and restaurants in the old city), from Japanese and Italian to Québec terroir and steakhouse. Special table dte menus at three tempting prices will satisfy all palates.

Salon des vins Le printemps dézIPpé (March 26 to 27, 2023)
This spring wine fair is the perfect time to pick up some of your favourite privately imported wine. Discover many private import products from a few different countries!

Cabane Panache (March 23 to 26, 2023)
Wellington Street in Verdun transforms into a winter lumberjack village. This street festival is celebrating its eighth year with family-friendly activities and restaurant vendors dishing up maple-inspired creations along the curb.

May

Pizza Week (May 1 to 14, 2023)
Technically 14 days,  Pizza Week unites the city (and the country!) through cheese slices. Many restaurants in the city will offer their signature pizzas in a bid to be crowned the city’s best.

Festival Mondial de la bière (Montreal Beer Fest) (May)
The Festival Mondial de la bière has been offering workshops and demonstrations as well as samples of local microbrews and international favourites.

June

First Fridays (June 2 to October 6, 2023)
Join the fleet of Montréal food trucks every first Friday of the month from May to October at the Esplanade Financière Sun Life at the Olympic Park, from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. for some awesome open-air eats.

Yatai (June 8 to 11, 2023)
Celebrate all things Japan from food and culture. Enjoy thunderous taiko drum performances, concerts, movie viewings, artist workshops and most importantly street food! Fun for the entire family.

La Guinguette du Sud-Ouest (June 22 to 25, 2023)
A local festival that celebrates inclusivity as well as Québec culture, from music, food and performing arts. La Guinguette features local artisans and food stalls that bring you some of the best of what our province has to offer, all on the border of the Lachine Canal.

SudBest (Every last weekend - June September)
The colourful southwest area of the city puts on a monthly street festival that attracts Montréalers from all over. A play on words for sud-ouest(southwest) the SudBest neighbourhood market takes place every last Saturday and Sunday of each month from June to September. Featuring local restaurants and artisanal crafts and good times.

July

A Taste of the Caribbean Festival (July 6-9, 2023)
A Taste of the Caribbean Festival offers locals and visitors an exciting weekend of food, music and arts from many Caribbean countries, including Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Grenada.

Soif de cidre (July)
For a weekend in July, Soif de cidre Montréal invites you to discover the world of Quebec cider and meet many local cider producers from all over the province! 

Festival StreetFood (July)
2022 marked the first edition of Festival StreetFood Montréals night market/festival taking over the Old Port. Some restaurants and the citys favourite chefs will be offering over different street food items that celebrate the flavours of Asia, Europe, South America, Africa and of Course Québec.  $3 admission to the site as vendors offer dishes between $3 to $12.

Le Grand Poutine Fest (July)
Whats a summer festival season without celebrating poutine? Taking place in the heart of the Old Port, visit this traveling festival that features many vendors slinging the squeakiest of cheese curds with unique variations and more. Carnival games, drinks and fun.

Asian Night Market (July-October, 2023)
Marché Asiatique or (Asian Night Market) is a colourful event that takes place at the corner of René-Lévesque East and Saint-Laurent Boulevard at the Pépinière l’Espaces Collectifs on weekends. Enjoy an eclectic selection of food vendors from Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Thai and more offering dishes at great prices.

Peel MTL Foodies (July to October, 2023)
Discover Montreal’s iconic Peel street through food! Many restaurants along the strip offer a unique gastronomic experience starting in summer right through the autumn months. Enjoy a variety of culinary offerings and a party atmosphere with live DJs throughout happy hour and weekend!

 

August

ItalfestMTL (August 4 to 20, 2023)
Previously known as Montreal’s “Italian Week”, Italfest offers a variety of activities and events in various Montreal neighborhoods, celebrating everything “La dolce vita”. From performances  concerts to the legendary street festival in Little Italy on the iconic St. Laurent Boulevard, this event is a summer staple in the city.

Montreal Ribfest (August 18 to 20, 2023)
This festival is for the barbecue aficionados. This traveling pack of ribbers from across Canada make their way to the city to serve up some delicious ‘cue - ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket and more. Other food vendors and perch retailers on site as well. Stationed in various neighbourhoods throughout the summer, follow their schedule online or just follow your nose!

Pocha MTL (August)
This three-day Korean festival takes over the streets of Griffintown for a weekend in August. Food vendors offering up the best Korean fried chicken, tteokbokki (grilled rice cake skewers), eomuk (fish cake) and Kogos! Don’t miss out on the K-pop crew dance battles and performances.

September

Le Burger Week (September)
Initiated by the same people who bring you La Poutine Week, Le Burger Week features many restaurants around Montréal that offer their tasty interpretation of the humble hamburger.

Shoni Market (September)
Put on your walking shoes and come hungry, because Canadas biggest foodie market and sidewalk sale” will be happening in downtown Montréal. A 4km stretch of the downtown core will turn into a pedestrian mall where visitors will be able to shop, eat and show off their corgis - yes, there will be a corgi parade!

Invasion Cocktail (September 13 to 30, 2023)
Not only do you get to enjoy cocktails at a reduced price, but also the chance to immerse yourself in the cocktail culture of many participating restaurants and bars.

Martinique Gourmande (September 12 to 14, 2023)
The Martinique Tourism Committee started this modest culinary initiative in 2008 with only four participating restaurants. Today, you can enjoy the culinary influences of the colorful island of Martinique at over 40 different restaurants where local chefs and mixologists offer dishes and cocktails inspired by the “île aux fleursgastronomy.

Ferment Fest Montréal (September)
Ferment Fest is a collaboration between Marché Jean-Talon and Tout Cru! Enjoy samples (products by local producers) attend workshops and educational conferences on all things fermented.

October

Festival végane de Montréal (October)
The Montreal vegan festival is a non-profit organization inviting everyone to discover veganism. Taking place at the Palais des Congres, the program is packed with lectures, cooking demos, and exhibitors showcasing amazing vegan products.

La grande dégustation de Montréal (October 19 to 21, 2023)
La Grande Dégustation de Montréal is a highly anticipated annual event for wine and spirits lovers. Visitors can meet exhibitors from various countries, products and wine regions!

 

November

MTLàTABLE (November) 

Montréals own restaurant week: many restaurants in the city serving specialty table dte menus at a reduced price. 

 

February

Poutine Week (February 1 to 14, 2023)
Around 40 restaurants around the city create signature poutines our official unofficial dish in a bid to win the title of the citys best poutine.

MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE (February 22 to March 4, 2023)
One of the largest festivals in the world celebrating winter, MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE pairs world-renowned chefs with some of the citys finest tables to create menus and wine pairings offering unforgettable experiences.

Jason Lee

Jason is a food eater and picture taker. As the blogger behind Shut Up and Eat, he covers everything food, from recipes to reviews. Jason has vowed that he will not stop until he has officially eaten his way across Montréal. It’s a big claim, and it’s one he’s making.

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