5 Fun things to do this weekend in Montréal! (July 17 - 19)

As the undisputed heavyweight champion of global comedy, this legendary festival turns the downtown core into a playground of humour. Whether you’re looking to catch a stadium-sized superstar or discover an avant-garde stand-up act in an intimate venue, this is a rite of summer passage.

• Best for: Belly laughs, star-spotting, and high-energy gala performances.
• Location: Quartier des Spectacles (Downtown), and surrounding indoor theatres.

Start laughing

If your taste in movies leans toward the wild, weird, and wonderful, Fantasia is your cinematic mecca. This is North America’s biggest genre film festival, famous for launching cult classics, low-budget masterpieces, and mind-bending international sci-fi, horror, and action movies to incredibly passionate, vocal audiences.

• Best for: Cult cinema buffs, indie film discoveries, and catching future classic "B movies" before anyone else.
• Location: Concordia University campus (Downtown West).

Find a film

Prepare your palate for a global tour along the historic waterfront. This massive gathering brings together dozens of local vendors serving up everything from steaming takoyaki and fresh churros to savoury arepas. The waterfront night-market setup features DJs spinning global tracks, game zones, and great spots to chill by the water.

• Best for: Foodies looking for a world tour, night-market atmospheres, and family-friendly summer vibes. 
• Location: Clock Tower Pier (Quai de l'Horloge) in the Old Port of Montréal (Vieux-Port). 

Hit the street

Celebrate the rich fabric of Québec’s Vietnamese community at this gorgeous night market right along the water. Taking over the historic canal basin, Chợ Đêm offers an authentic sensory immersion into Vietnamese culture with incredible street food stalls (think crispy banh xeo, aromatic pho variants, and robust iced coffees), a vibrant local artisan retail market, and captivating live cultural performances.

• Best for: Authentic Vietnamese street eats, cultural discovery, and scenic evening market strolls by the canal. 
• Location: Peel Basin (Bassin Peel) along the Lachine Canal.

Visit Vietnam

It is the grand finale weekend of one of the city's most joyous events. Immerse yourself in the hypnotic, high-energy rhythms pulsing from Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America. The festival caps off its run with massive, dancing crowds, vibrant open-air concerts, and a bustling global marketplace right in the middle of town.

• Best for: Dancing in the street, global music discoveries, and vibrant community energy.
• Location: Quartier des Spectacles (Downtown / Entertainment District).

Join the party