5 Fun things to do this weekend in Montréal! (August 14 - 16)

Montréal’s premier two-day country music festival transforms Parc Jean-Drapeau into a celebration of boot-stomping performances. Festival-goers see top-tier international headliners alongside celebrated local talent from Québec and across Canada. The festivities kick off early in the heart of the city with the annual "LASSO in the City" club show at MTELUS before moving outdoors to the island stage overlooking the Saint Lawrence River.

• Best for: Country music fans, open-air festival enthusiasts, and anyone who loves high-energy shows with a skyline backdrop.
• Location: Parc Jean-Drapeau

Giddy up

Docking directly at the Old Port’s iconic Clock Tower Quay, Orientalys offers an immersive, free journey across Eastern cultures. The multi-day festival showcases dynamic music, traditional dance performances, artisan workshops, and authentic culinary discoveries representing regions stretching from North Africa to East Asia. Set against the cobblestones and waterside breeze of Old Montréal, it’s a vibrant celebration of global heritage.

• Best for: Cultural explorers, world music lovers, street-food enthusiasts, and families looking for free, world-class waterfront entertainment.
• Location: Clock Tower Quay, Old Port of Montréal

Discover the festival

Drawing roughly half a million visitors annually, ItalfestMTL is a citywide celebration of Italian-Quebecer heritage and culture. The multi-venue program spans classical and modern concerts, an outdoor fashion show, a live opera production, a film festival, and regional food tastings. Highlights centre around the open-air streets of historic Little Italy and the lively Esplanade Tranquille in the downtown entertainment district.

• Best for: Devotees of Italian gastronomy, live opera, open-air cinema, fashion, and vibrant street neighbourhood atmosphere.
• Location: Little Italy, Esplanade Tranquille (Quartier des Spectacles), and more

Taste Italy 

Hosted at the historic Jean-Talon Market, this beginner-friendly, hands-on urban agriculture workshop invites participants to explore the creative possibilities of botanical dyes. Led by local expert Chloé from Jardin de la Devinette, attendees learn how to cultivate natural dye plants in urban gardens and transfer floral designs directly onto fabric. Everyone leaves the Saturday session with their own handcrafted textile piece and practical gardening knowledge.

• Best for: DIY crafters, green-thumb gardeners, beginner artisans, and weekend visitors to Montréal’s public markets.
• Location: Jean-Talon Market (Little Italy)

Play with plants

As one of Québec's premier celebrations of Korean identity, the Montréal Korean Festival transforms the waterfront area around Peel Basin into a bustling open-air cultural market. The large-scale gathering highlights authentic Korean cuisine, dynamic K-pop and traditional dance performances, artisan vendors, and hands-on workshops. Designed as an open space for community pride and cultural exchange, it offers an immersive window into both contemporary and historic Korean lifestyle along the canal.

• Best for: K-culture fans, street food lovers, family outings, and anyone looking to experience Korean music, dance, and artisanal traditions.
• Location: Peel Basin (Griffintown / Le Sud-Ouest)
  
  Connect with Korea

Montréal’s Major League Soccer team (CF Montréal) takes on D.C. United for a special 1990s-themed match. Celebrating the franchise's rich history, the team debuts its new Archive Collection jersey inspired by the historic 1993 visual identity. Set in the open-air stadium next to the iconic Olympic Tower, the match blends competitive top-tier soccer with retro music, throwback visuals, and high-energy stadium culture.

• Best for: MLS soccer supporters, 90s nostalgia lovers, and sports fans looking for an electric stadium atmosphere.
• Location: Stade Saputo (Olympic Park / Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve)

Kick it with the team