Plan an amazing Montreal trip during one of these festivals

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During the summer months, Montreal comes alive with a multitude of festivals that draw people from all over Canada — and in some cases, all over the world. If a trip to Montreal is in your future, consider planning your visit around one of the following amazing festivals.

montreal festivals

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Pop Montreal International Music Festival

This festival serves up five days of indie music fun and fantastic galleries. In September, this event attracts around 50,000 attendees who watch hundreds of different artists participate. 2015’s festival included Arcade Fire’s Will Butler, Coeur de Pirate, and The Barr Brothers.

Piknic Électronik

If you can’t make it to Montreal for one of its biggest music festivals, Piknic Électronik is a fantastic choice with a bit more flexibility.Wildly popular among electronic dance music fans, this weekly event takes place at Parc Jean Drapeau and runs from late May through mid-September.

Montreal International Jazz Festival

This 10-day event takes place every summer, growing even better as the decades pass. While regarded as one of the world’s best jazz festivals, it isn’t only about jazz—you’ll hear music from plenty of other genres too. It includes hundreds of free outdoor concerts and exclusive events to attract visitors from across the globe.

Just for laughs

montreal comedy festival

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Visit Montreal in July and exercise your smile during this acclaimed comedy festival. This event runs for two weeks and includes over a thousand shows performed by well over 600 artists. The Muppets, Bob Saget, Bill Hader and other notable names in comedy have graced this festival’s stages in past years.

Osheaga Festival

The Osheaga Festival has been going on for about a decade, leading indie music fans in herds to Parc Jean Drapeau to enjoy five days of fantastic tunes. Past artists who have performed at Osheaga include Outkast, Skrillex, Lorde, and Arctic Monkeys. Attendees consider it an indie music paradise.

MUTEK

MUTEK celebrates electronic music, along with stellar live performances and mind-blowing digital art. Engaging all senses, MUTEK began back in 2000 and remains a highlight of early summer in Montreal.

Pouzza Fest

Pouzza is designed for punk rock lovers among us. The festival, three days of pure punk fun during the mild weather month of May, features hundreds of punk rock bands appealing to both younger and old-school fans of the genre.

Montreal World Film Festival (MWFF)

If the silver screen is your thing, plan a Montreal trip during late August and early September to catch the Montreal World Film Festival. This is the only competitive film festival in North America recognized by the International Federation of Film Producers Association. Categories include student films, Chinese cinema, world films and documentaries.

Montreal is an amazing city, made even more amazing by the many festivals the city hosts annually. Plan your trip around one of these festivals and book your IHG® hotel in Montreal early.

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