5 Fun things to do this weekend in Montréal! (July 24 - 26)

Festivals and events Leisure activities, nature and relaxation The city
Montreal Skyline - Kondiaronk lookout - Mount Royal Park
Daniel Baylis

Daniel Baylis

Get ready for another spectacular summer weekend in Montréal, packed with world-class comedy, over-the-top comfort food, international rhythms, and a sky-lighting fireworks competition.

Welcome to Montréal!

To enjoy the best the city has to offer during your stay, please don't think of yourself as a tourist, but as one of us. Whether you're here for a few days, a few weeks or a few years, we're counting on you to enjoy Montréal in a spirit of respect, responsibility and celebration! Here's an article on our “Live like a local in Montréal” detailing how you can enjoy your stay.

Paulo & Suzanne - Poutine

1. The Great Montréal PoutineFest

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food taken to extravagant new heights. Renowned food trucks and local restaurants line up along the waterfront to serve spectacular twists on the local dish, pairing decadent toppings like mac 'n cheese, rich duck confit, or buttery foie gras with crispy fries and squeaky cheese curds. Live music, outdoor booths, and giant lawn games round out this massive open-air food fair.

  • Best for: Ultimate comfort food cravings, sampling creative gourmet poutines, and lively outdoor family fun.
  • Location: Clock Tower Pier (Quai de l'Horloge) in the Old Port of Montréal.

Dig in

Just For Laughs Montréal

2. Just For Laughs Montréal

The undisputed heavyweight champion of global comedy barrels into its final weekend, keeping the city's main entertainment district buzzing with late-night energy. Take your pick between massive, star-studded arena galas, outdoor street performances, and intimate club rooms hosting brilliant, avant-garde stand-up acts before they hit the mainstream.

  • Best for: Unstoppable belly laughs, spotting major comedy icons, and high-energy live theatre.
  • Location: Quartier des Spectacles (Downtown), stretching across Place des Festivals and surrounding indoor venues.

Start laughing

Quartier des spectacles | Sainte-Catherine St. Pedestrian Zone & Giant Chess

3. Festival Ludique International de Montréal (FLIM)

Unplug and dive into a massive, friendly open-air playground designed for board game lovers of all experience levels. This annual celebration puts a spotlight on the brilliant and diverse world of French-language tabletop games. You can jump into massive casual play zones, test out highly anticipated prototypes directly with their creators, or jump into friendly public tournaments.

  • Best for: Tabletop game enthusiasts, family-friendly afternoons, and breaking the ice with fellow gamers.
  • Location: Parc de l'Espoir and surrounding pedestrianized stretches of Sainte-Catherine Street East in The Village.

Start playing

Haïti en Folie

4. Festival Haiti on Fire!

Immerse yourself in a dynamic, week-long celebration showcasing the brilliant colours, rhythm, and history of Haitian culture. Local and international artists of Haitian origin take over the stage to deliver electrifying musical sets, stunning dance numbers, literature panels, and film screenings. Arrive hungry to sample incredible, aromatic traditional Haitian dishes from the food stalls.

  • Best for: Electric live music, vibrant dance performances, and tasting authentic Haitian griot and pikliz.
  • Location: La Fontaine Park

Celebrate Haiti

Firework - La Ronde

5. L’International des Feux Loto-Québec (Team USA)

Prepare for jaw-dropping visual drama as Team USA takes over the night sky for an elite, high-altitude pyro-musical competition. Pyrotechnicians sync massive, state-of-the-art fireworks to a booming musical soundtrack over the riverbank. While tickets are sold for the amusement park grandstands, thousands of locals gather for free on the nearby bridge and waterfront pathways to catch the best panoramic views.

  • Best for: Epic summer date nights, sky-high spectacles, and breathtaking photogenic views.
  • Location: La Ronde on Île Sainte-Hélène, with prime free viewing vantage points on the Jacques Cartier Bridge or the eastern edge of the Old Port of Montréal.

Spark your Sunday 

BONUS: Red Bull Dance Your Style Canada (National Final)

Watch Canada’s top street dancers face off in an electrifying, high-stakes 1-on-1 bracket where unpredictable tracks test their ultimate freestyle improvisation. There are no judges—the audience holds the voting cards and decides who advances all the way to the World Final. Taking over a vibrant open-air boardwalk venue right by the river, this is an unbelievable showcase of energy, hip-hop culture, and pure crowd participation.  

  • Best for: High-energy street dance battles, live crowd voting, and outdoor riverside party vibes.  
  • Location: Village au Pied-du-Courant

Start dancing

Bonus weekend options!

✓ Fantasia International Film Festival

✓ Cirque du Soleil’s ECHO

Piknic Électronik

✓ Buvette des Floralies (Jeff Moseley and the Django Messengers)

Daniel Baylis

Daniel Baylis

Daniel Baylis is a writer, poet, and musician. Several years ago he moved to Montréal to chase silly bohemian dreams. And he’s still at it. 

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