29 things to do in Montreal this weekend: June 22 to 24

Happy Saint-Jean Baptiste weekend, Quebec! There’s plenty of events going around this holiday weekend, June 22 to 24 in Montreal and we’ve got you covered from parades, to concerts and festivals or a massive bonfire.

Bonne Saint-Jean Baptiste!

Le Grand Spectacle

When: June 23
Time: 1 pm – midnight
Where: Place des Festivals, Quartier des Spectacles
Price: Free

The Montreal Jerk Food Festival

The Lachine Soccerplexe hosts a bunch of Jamaican food vendors slinging some seriously mouthwatering food. Try everything from jerk poutine (obviously), jerk pork, jerk pizza, jerk ribs, to jerk lobster.

The festival does more than just satisfy your taste buds, the outdoor event will also have DJs, emcees, and bouncy castles for the kids.

When: June 24
Time: 12 pm – 9 pm
Where: 775  Avenue 1, Lachine
Price: Free to enter, food and drink costs vary

Imagine Monkland Street Festival

Over 50 restaurant outlets and store boutiques will be set up along Avenue Monkland from Avenue Girouard to Avenue Harvard which will be completely closed off to motorists.

A parade, local bands, circus acts, children’s activities, and a giant street-wide sale will highlight the Imagine Monkland festival. The festival is expected to host over 90,000 participants during its three-day run.

When: June 22 – 24
Time: 5 pm – 11 pm on Friday, 11 am – 11 pm on Saturday and 11 am – 7 pm on Sunday
Where: Avenue Monkland, NDG
Price: The festival is free to enter

Clerel and Only the Righteous at Honey Martin Pub

Clerel and Only the Righteous are local musicians who know how to bring it. They play a Motown style of music – very unique and mellow vibes. The group will be playing at Honey Martin Pub on Friday, which will be a perfect intimate setting for the type of music Clerel and Co. bring.

When: Clerel and Only the Righteous perform every Friday at Honey Martin Pub
When: Honey Martin is open from 3 pm – 3 am, the band starts at 10 pm – 2:30 am
Where: 5916 Sherbrooke Ouest
Price: Free to enter

Marché des Possibles

Monkland isn’t the only street festival happening in Montreal during St. Jean Baptiste weekend, Marché des Possibles (The Market of Possibilities) opens for their summer season during Quebec’s holiday weekend.

The market hosts musicians, boutiques, restaurant kiosks, yoga workshops, and shopping outlets in the Mile End’s Plateau. All companies taking part in the street festival are from Quebec.

When: June 22 – 24
Time: 5 pm – midnight on Friday and 11 am – 9 pm on Saturday and Sunday
Where: 5635 Rue St. Dominique
Price: The street festival is free to enter

Montreal Bonfire

There’s a huge bonfire in downtown to celebrate Saint-Jean Baptiste!

Revived in 2013, the French tradition of lighting a bonfire on La Saint-Jean is an homage to what Quebec’s New France settlers did in the 17th century. Montreal’s official Fête Nationale ensure that the bonfire is supervised by trained professionals so celebrators can enjoy the event in complete safety.

When: June 22
Time: 7 pm
Where: Olympic Park
Price: Free

Comedy at the Art Loft

There will be a DJ and snacks. BYOB and 420 friendly. Very 420 friendly.

When: Every Friday
Time: Doors open at 9 pm, show starts at 10:30 pm
Where: 4152 Boulevard Saint Laurent
Price: $10 at the door (cash only)

Montreal Beachclub

Montreal Beachclub is the host of North America’s biggest outdoor club. Located in Pointe-Calumet, an easy 45-minute drive from Montreal, Beachclub can host up to 10,000 guests. The club is beachside and forms an intriguing fuse of the beach and electric dance music.

This weekend’s event is Escapade, a mini-festival featuring a slew of local DJs.

When: June 22-24
Time: Friday: 10 am – 6 pm, Saturdays and Sundays: Noon – 7 pm
Where: 701 Rue 38, Pointe-Calumet
Price: Friday: $12, Saturday and Sunday: $15 (subject to change when special events are held) Prices for DJ events vary, tickets are available online

Oka Beach

Oka National Park boasts a gorgeous beach and a stunning view of Lake Deux Montagnes. They offer a variety of activities including canoeing, kayaking, biking and pedal boating, or you can simply relax on the cozy sand.

The beach offers numerous picnic tables and several charcoal barbeques to use at your disposal. A lifeguard is always on duty.

When: From now until September 3
Time: 8 am – 7 pm
Where:  2020 Chemin d’Oka, Oka
Price: Free

Village au Pied du Courant

If the real beach is too far, give the urban beach a go.

Village au Pied du Courant is a manmade urban beach just south of the Jacques Cartier Bridge. The site features food trucks, live music, restaurant outlets, bar kiosks and of course, sand. The urban project was a culmination of various local engineers and planners and it’s a total hot spot in the summer.

Friday’s event is the Paris & New York heritage festival which celebrates African-American heritage with old-school songs and New York DJs.

When: Every Thursday to Sunday until October 13
Time: 4 pm – 9 pm on Thursdays, 5 pm – 12 am on Fridays and Saturdays, 3 pm – 11 pm on Sundays
Where: 2100 Rue Notre-Dame Est
Price: Free to enter

Barbie Exhibition

The world’s largest permanent exhibit of Barbies is happening at Montreal’s Cours Mont-Royal. The upscale mall hosts over 1,000 entertainment industry Barbie dolls, all dressed by leading fashion houses.

When: The Barbie Exhibit happens year round
Time: 10 am – 7 pm
Where: Cours Mont-Royal, 1445 Rue Peel
Price: Free

Station F-MR

The park is located alongside the Lachine Canal and its bike path. The station has a cafe, food counter, art gallery, community garden, stage, and relaxation area.

When: Wednesdays – Sundays until October
Time: 11 am – 11 pm
Where: Allee des Barges, Lachine Canal
Price: Free

Saint Jean Parade

That’s exactly what’s happening on June 24 as two separate parade routes will leave at the same time, take different routes, and converge at Jeanne Mance Park for a party. The ‘North’ parade leaves Boulevard Maisonneuve and Saint-Denis and the ‘South’ float leaves Maisonneuve and Peel.

The long-standing parade features various elements of Quebec culture including winter and sports themes, marine life and animal balloons, caricatures of Quebec celebrities, Quebec artists, music, dancing, and politicians.

Onlookers are encouraged to join the parade once the tail-end has passed.

When: Sunday, June 24
Time: 1 pm
Where: St. Denis and Rue Boucher and ends at Jeanne Mance Park
Price: Free

Piknic Électronik

Celebrate Quebec by dancing to electronic dance music from world-renowned DJs at Montreal’s dynamic man-made island. In honour of the Quebec holiday, Piknic Électronik’s will feature local DJs Clarian, Apportez Votre Vin, Coach Vic, CRi, and headliners Ryan Playground and Tommy Kruise.

When: Sunday, June 24
Time: 2 pm – 9:30 pm
Where: Plaine des Jeux, Parc Jean Drapeau
Price: $14.50 online, $19 at the door

Moving Dunes at the Museum of Fine Arts

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts has unveiled their newest exhibit in the Sculpture Garden – an optical illusion.

The exhibit features silver spheres, designed to look like they’re moving through a dessert, fusing notions of real and virtual to give downtown Montreal its very own urban mirage.

When: From now until October 29
Time: 10 am – 5 pm
Where: 1380 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest
Price:  Free

La Ronde

Aquazilla

Aquazilla just opened up for the summer! It’s a 30-by-35 metre floating obstacle course combined with slides, objects and platforms and your job is to complete the course without falling into the Jean-Doré beach.

Aquazilla features a wiggle bridge (every obstacle course needs a wiggle bridge), a trampoline, climbing towers, a variety of slides, monkey bars, a giant swing, a plank, and a flip bag.

When: From now until September 3
Time: 10 am – 7 pm
Where: Parc Jean Drapeau
Cost: 6 – 13 years: $13 for an hour/$25 unlimited, 14 and over: $15 for an hour/$28 unlimited, tickets available on-site

Club de Golf Hemmingford

The Hemmingford Golf Course is gorgeous, secluded and the 36-hole course is an easy 40-minute drive from the island of Montreal.

If a full 18 is too much, play the front or the back 9 or hammer some balls on the course’s driving range. All while taking in the calming atmosphere of the quaint town of Hemmingford.

When: From now until end of October
Where: 313 Route 219, Hemmingford
Time: 6 am – 5 pm
Price: $45 before 1pm, $35 from 1 pm – 3 pm, $23 after 3 pm

Burgundy Lion Brunch

Burgundy Lion serves traditional English breakfasts every Sunday. The place is usually packed, especially during soccer’s World Cup. Their menu is famous for their blood pudding, sausages, salmon, and Yorkshire pudding.

The pub also has one of the most extensive whisky menus in the entire city. Why not a nice whisky? It’s a long weekend!

When: Burgundy Lion is open year round
Time: 9 am – 3 am
Where:  2496 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest

L’Entrecote Saint-Jean

L’Entrecote Saint-Jean is one of Montreal’s most established restaurant, and their name is so very fitting for this weekend.

The small, French restaurant offers a very simple menu: steak, fries, salad and soup. Their table d’hote features all of the above and it’s only $35.

When: L’Entrecote Saint-Jean is open year round
Time: 11:30 am – 11 pm
Where: 2022 Rue Peel

Paul Myrehaug at the Comedy Nest

The shows are 18+ and last 90 minutes.

When: June 22-24
Time: 8 pm & 10:30
Where: 2312 Rue Saint Catherine
Price: $15, tickets available at the door or online

Jean-Doré Beach

Jean-Doré beach has officially kicked off its summer season.

If you’re in the mood for a beach and don’t feel like travelling, Jean Doré beach is for you. It’s only a 10-minute drive from downtown, on the man-made island of Parc Jean Drapeau. The beach is free for kids under 2 and costs $4.50 for kids aged 3-13 and $9 for guests 14-years-old and up.

The beach offers nautical activities, beach volleyball, lounge chairs, and open water swimming.

When: From now until September 3
Time: 10 am – 7 pm
Where: Parc Jean Drapeau
Price: $4.50 – $9

Parc Jean Drapeau Aqua Complex

Parc Jean Drapeau’s Aqua Complex opened up this week. The site features three massive Olympic sized pools, trampolines, diving boards and towers, shade areas, sprinklers, and water sports.

There’s also water-polo games that take place every Saturday from 1 pm to 6 pm. There are constantly trained lifeguards on duty to ensure guests a safe and enjoyable experience.

When: Every day until September 3
Time: 10 am to 8 pm
Where: Parc Jean-Drapeau
Price: $3.50 – $7.50

Old Port Carriage Ride

The city of Montreal officially announced last week that Montreal’s tradition of horse-drawn carriages will be put to an end by 2020. Take a soothing stroll through the antique part of Montreal while you still can.

When: Every day until October
Time: 8 am – 11 pm
Where: Various locations in Montreal’s Old Port
Price: $15 – $40 depending on length of trip

Billy Bubbles Waffle Shop

The shop specializes in a variety of gourmet toppings inside a freshly fried, crispy waffle cone. Beat the heat by checking out the new shop in the ever-popular Mile End.

When: Billy Bubbles is now open, year round
Time: 5 pm – 9 pm (temporary hours) 12:30 pm – 9 pm (eventual hours)
Where: 152 Rue Napoleon
Price: $3 – $8

Yoga on the Canal

Moksha Yoga Griffintown is bringing guests yoga on the canal this weekend. The session is open to everyone from any (or no) yoga background. The class happens in the evening to give you a cool and calming practice while watching the sunset.

When: Friday, June 22
Time: 7 pm – 8 pm
Where: Madeleine-Parent Park
Price: Free (recommended $5 donation)