Running at full speed this year from June 16 to 18, hundreds of thousands of racing aficionados, gearheads, socialites, and celebrities coming from around the world join Montrealers for the Formula 1 Grand Prix. From the mounting tension of the qualifying rounds to the climactic moment when the last chequered flag waves through the air, there’s something fun to do wherever you go, from themed parties in restaurants and club venues to red carpet events and more.
 

Official On-Site Activities

The racing festivities begin on Friday, June 16 when the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve’s track covering 4,361 metres opens at 8:00 a.m. for all kinds of practice sessions and various races throughout the day and end by or before 6 p.m.—usually with the biggest race of the day, be it qualifying races or the final Grand Prix.

First-timers take note: Bring snacks, sunscreen and water if you’re watching the races from the track—coolers and backpacks are permitted as well if they meet size restrictions—and a folding chair can come in handy in the general admission area. Don’t forget that the cars can be very loud, so consider bringing earplugs as well, especially for the kids.

F1 Experiences

Nothing gets racings fans closer to the action than the official experiences offered by the Grand Prix. There’s exclusive access to the pit lane, guided track tours with professional race car drivers-turned-guides, photo opportunities, pit lane visits with F1 insiders, and behind-the-scenes access to areas like the Formula 1 Paddock and the Podium Ceremony.

Heineken Terrace

Located on the edge of a lagoon, this terrasse offers visitors a chance to rest and relax as they grab a cold one and take in the sights. It also provides visitors with a chance to discuss the races with their guests, or to connect with other racing fans.

Family Zone

Bringing family to the Grand Prix and looking to entertain the kids in between the action? This area near the Family Grandstand is free for children under 15 and has activities for the young and old to enjoy together.

Park & Cosmos Zone

With its collection of e-sports activations, podium photo ops, pitstop challenges, acrobatic motocross exhibitions to watch adrenaline-fueled feats and more, this collection of kiosks and activities helps keep your energy level up between each race. It’s also a great place to grab a souvenir.

Beach Zone

There’s no need to wait for the start of summer to put sand between your toes. At Grand Prix, this zone is where visitors will find a festive rest area to relax or take photos together and with an F1 car. A good place to keep in mind if you want a break from the crowds.

Support Races Paddocks

Located behind Grandstand 15, this area allows all spectators to get up close and personal with all of the cars taking part in the support series of races that include the Nissan Sentra Cup, the Ferrari Challenge, and the F-1600. Enjoy getting to see the everything in detail and taking a deep dive into what makes these engines tick.

Grand Prix Parties and Events

Official Grand Prix Parties at Le Richmond

This Griffintown destination supper club for northern Italian cuisine in an urban industrial atmosphere is hosting parties every single night of the Grand Prix weekend in Montréal and then some more. Le Richmond will start things off with a Kickoff Party on June 15, a VIP Gentlemen’s Club experience on June 16, a ticketed Red Carpet Gala event on June 17, and a Race After Party on June 18. You can expect sumptuous and extravagant soirées!

Time Out Market activities

At Time Out Market, multiple activities will be taking place from 13 to 18 June to celebrate the Grand Prix. Enjoy specially crafted PERONI beers and cocktails at their beer bar. There will even be a DJ every evening from 4 pm to 11 pm, and free tastings of Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% will be organized on site. If you're more the mixology type, head to the Club Local Cocktail Bar to discover a range of hand-crafted cocktails using only local Quebec spirits. On top of all this, there will be prize draws, fun activities, F1 simulations courtesy of the Eaton Centre and incredible energy throughout the week.

Heineken Formula 1 Party

Heineken is lighting up the city of Montréal with a performance from Canadian DJ legend and Montréal native, A-Trak during the F1 Grand Prix du Canada Weekend. On Saturday, June 17^th fans can celebrate the Grand Prix weekend at the Heineken Formula 1 Party, hosted at the iconic St-James Theatre. Doors open at 9:00 p.m. and you must be legal drinking age to attend. Tickets can be purchased here. 

A Grand Prix Party at the Ritz-Carlton

The Golden Square Mile’s famous hotel, the Ritz-Carlton Montréal, is hosting a sizeable social event on the June 16 from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. in its glamorous Palm Court, Oval Room, and Oval Terrace, as well as in its second floor lounges & bars. Presented by Mercedes-Benz, the El Rincon de Havana will feature a champagne bar, food stations by the hotel’s own executive chef, DJ performances, and live Cuban music by 6-time Grammy Award Nominee Issac Delgado y Orquesta. Proceeds from each ticket will be donated to the Barry F. Lorenzetti Foundation, committed to improving mental health care in Canada.

The Maxim Grand Prix Party

Taking place inside Windsor Station on Saturday, June 17, Maxim’s Grand Prix Party will offer a playground of brand activations, photo opps, racing experiences, live performances and entertainment from artists like Diplo and Francis Mercier among others. Expected to be an event that will rival ones found in Los Angeles or Miami, there are full VIP areas to reserve here alongside general admission.
 

Soubois & GP’23

With so many years of entertaining racegoers, the supper club Soubois will host an unmissable lineup of events, starting the powerful sound of Gordo on June 15 followed by Latin House beats by Hugel on June 16, European sensation and resident DJ Nico De Andrea on June 17, and a Closing Party on June 18 with Amémé b2b Baron. Full details can be found here.

Bartizen’s F1 Grand Prix Party

Joining the festivities of the Grand Prix are the W Montreal and the Champagne house Ruinart’s intimate evening at the newly revamped Bartizen on Jun 17. They’ll be serving bubbles and seafood plus two captivating live musical performances. More exclusive than usual, there are only 30 tickets available for this one-night event.

Espace Grand Prix at Centre Eaton de Montréal

From June 8 to 18, the downtown Centre Eaton de Montréal is offering visitors the experience of being an F1 driver with their own racing simulator alongside other sports stations in front of the Sephora store. Compete with friends with a variety of games, and capture all the fun you’re having with a shot from their “photobooth B2” area to take a 1990s style photo. The full details can be found here.

Race Week at Yoko Luna

On June 17, the E11EVEN Miami ‘ultraclub’ is coming to Montréal with an event inside the downtown supper club Yoko Luna. The party will feature Grammy award-winning DJ and producer Cedric Gervais, as well as theatrical performances from E11EVEN Miami. 

Weekend festivities at L'Auberge Saint-Gabriel

Old Montréal’s L'Auberge Saint-Gabriel has a whole weekend’s worth of late-night parties straight through to a brunch during the day on Saturday, June 17 and a closing party on Sunday, June 18: Don’t let Canada’s oldest restaurant fool you, as it and its lively late-night speakeasy are celebrating the race weekend with a full schedule of events largely made up of DJ performances like Zac Martel, Tommy Kimpton, Ahmed Spins, Underher, and Baron, and—as always—a lot of bottle service.

Bord'Elle

If you love a good spectacle during your Grand Prix weekend, consider reserving a spot at the 1920s burlesque-inspired venue Bord’Elle. While already flush with theatrical and festive entertainment on a normal night, they’ll celebrate the races from Thursday, June 15 to Saturday, June 17; expect a lot of dining and drinks that are as elaborate as its racy shows—no pun intended.
 

Rack Week at La Voûte

Some of the city’s highest-profile performances by DJs will be taking place in the transformed 1920 bank vault of La Voûte. Starting on Thursday, June 15 and running all the way through to Sunday, June 18, the nocturnal cabaret’s four-day extravaganza promises an amazing lineup of shows, performances, and world-class entertainment that can be enjoyed with late-night dancing, dinner, bottle service, or a combination thereof.

Bar George Race Wknd

Le Mount Stephen Hotel’s Bar George wants to make the weekend an unforgettable one with its Race Wknd event on the first night of races on June 16. As you sip cocktails, enjoy the music of Montreal DJs Truspin & Forrest. Tickets can be found here.

Race-Themed Events at New City Gas

Located in a heritage building in Griffintown, the event venue New City Gas has two DJ-driven events during Grand Prix starting with performances by Duke Dumont, Noizu, Jush Butler, and MVNGO on June 16, as well as another with artists Steve Angello, Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano, Ares Carter, and Mandiz on June 17.

Crescent Street Grand Prix Festival

Among all the streets to flock to during the Formula 1 weekend in Montréal, Crescent Street and its Grand Prix Festival is among the most popular destinations. Dating back to 1999, the event runs from June 15 to June 18 and has been the site of driver appearances, autograph sessions, and DJs playing music as terrasses fill to the brim with excited racing fans. Don't miss the free show by the Sam Roberts Band Friday night at 9:30 p.m.!

Formule Peel

During Grand Prix weekend, Peel Street’s Formule Peel event turns its street into a bona fide weekend racing party offering its own unique blend of more than a dozen restaurants opening their terrasses up for drinks and bites all weekend. All kinds of activations and car demos join the party as well, and the whole affair runs from June 16 until June 18. 

Vieux Port Steakhouse

Indulge in the excitement of the Grand Prix at this restaurant, boasting a delectable menu of succulent lobster and perfectly aged steak. Elevate your dining experience with a choice of specially curated Piper-Heidsieck champagnes, handpicked for the occasion. Immerse yourself in the festive ambiance of Old Montréal on the garden terrace, and create lasting memories of an unforgettable evening.

F1 soirée at Bivouac

Up at Restaurant Bivouac, an F1 soirée will take place on its spacious terrace overlooking the Quartier des Spectacles. Enjoy a special cocktail menu crafted for the occasion featuring Jack Daniel's whisky. As for bites, they’ll serve a special Grand Prix menu on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings that also makes good use of the booze alongside Quebec terroir. Be sure to take pictures in their photobooth!

DoubleTree by Hilton Montréal

Get into the Grand Prix spirit at the DoubleTree by Hilton Montréal: The hotel will be dressed in Formula 1 regalia, and they’ll have an official boutique selling team merchandise. Inside, you can enjoy their longue’s snacks and wine for a guaranteed good time.

Boozy brunches at Cartier Arms

The Hyatt Centric Hotel’s restaurant and terrace Restaurant Cartier Arms is hosting boozy brunches from June 15th until June 18th with a special F1 menu! They will also host a rooftop pop-up that’s first-come-first-served—a momentous occasion for the hotel as the opening represents one of the rooftop’s first big events of the year!

GR1D CLUB™ comes to Montréal

For the first time in Montréal, the organization behind the “Grand Prix After Party Series” will set up house at the new upcoming lounge Emmanuelle for the entire Formula 1 weekend with GR1D CLUB™. It’s the go-to destination for Grand Prix enthusiasts who want to celebrate alongside Formula 1 drivers and international and local celebrities from the world of music, fashion, sports and film.

Pangea Opens on Grand Prix Weekend

One of Old Montreal’s newsest restaurant experiences, Pangea, will open its doors on June 16 and 17 during the weekend’s Grand Prix celebrations. Designed to cater to every guest’s dining and entertainment needs, it’s an exclusive event located within their supper club section, providing a chance to see what’s inside before their VIP pink carpet opening later this month.

Formule Blanche: All White Day Party

Bougie Sundays and Jovial MTL are inviting one and all to their you to their Formule Blanche: All White Day Party to celebrate spring and F1 weekend at the beer garden of Aux Quartiers Belle Gueule. The rules for this race are simple: Dress in white, vibe to some great music, and get lit with your crew. That’s it, that’s all!

Popping off with Muze Lounge & Terrasse

Escape to a tropical oasis and get lost in the laid-back race vibes all day long at Muze Lounge & Terrasse on the fifth floor of HONEYROSE Hotel Montreal. Running on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, the terrace is one of the largest in downtown Montréal and will be serving California-style cuisine to go with a bevy of cocktails and bottles.

A party at MARCUS Restaurant + Lounge

Downtown’s Four Seasons Hôtel Montréal is ready for the race weekend as of June 16. MARCUS Restaurant + Lounge will host VIP bottle service alongside fresh seafood towers, lots of caviar, and oyster after shucked oyster. Live DJs will be playing from Thursday to Sunday as well.

Things to do on the sidelines

MURAL Festival

A Grand Prix weekend in Montréal can be made as action-packed as it is cultural by exploring the urban art festivities of MURAL Festival, ending on June 18. Each day will see a show with all kinds of artists on its Mile End Stage and free musical and artistic events and performances at its new Milton Stage, and visitors can take to the streets and hunt down the city’s newest murals.

Les Francos de Montréal

French-language music fans can combine high-octane races with the live entertainment of the dozens of shows happening at Francos de Montréal. The tail end of its shows will be taking place during Grand Prix weekend, with the final shows happening on June 17—just enough time to catch at least one (or two) acts.
 

St-Ambroise Montréal Fringe Festival

The 800+ dance performances, live comedy, provocative works of drama and more by artists at the St-Ambroise Montréal Fringe Festival are also happening during Grand Prix weekend. More than 20 venues are hosting evenings that will start a night out on the right foot, and bonus: tickets don’t exceed $15 this year and all proceeds go to the artists onstage.

Lasting Impressions

The Grand Prix weekend marks the last chance to see Lasting Impressions, a breathtaking event that immerses guests in works of art by famous Impressionists through cutting-edge 3D Motion Sculpting technology and holographics, all accompanied by a musical soundtrack.

Space Explorers: THE INFINITE

An immersive installation hat takes visitors into outer space with the use of never-before-seen 360-degree videos captured in space using advanced technology, Space Explorers: The Infinite. From the Old Port of Montréal and into orbit to witness breathtaking views of the Earth, the public gains insight into the daily lives of astronauts.

Miroir Miroir

The latest project by Moment Factory, Miroir Miroir combines scenography, lighting design, words, original music and interactivity across five immersive art installations inspired by memory, imagination, dreams, and consciousness. As visitors are invited to create their own experience as they go, no two visits will be the same.