43 things to do in Montreal this Canada Day weekend: June 29 to July 2
Well, Montreal, it’s time to celebrate the birth of our great nation. The usual concerts, parades, and fireworks will be taking place throughout the city this weekend, June 29 to July 2, but for those looking to celebrate the anniversary a bit differently, we definitely got you covered this hot Canada Day weekend.
From a massive Canada Day cake to all sorts of swimming and live magic, here are 43 things happening in the Montreal this weekend.
Be safe, have fun and Happy Canada day!
Montreal Canada Day Parade
The Canada Day Parade in Montreal has been expanding every year since its inauguration in 1977. The parade aims to highlight our country’s diversity by showcasing all of the world’s colours. The parade features floats, music, dancing, costumes and a whole lot of Canadian pride. Don’t forget your red and white flare!
When: Sunday, July 1
Time: 11 am – 1:30 pm
Where: Begins at Rue St. Catherine and Rue Fort and ends at Place du Canada
Price: Free
Wyclef Jean at Beachclub
Beachclub claims to be the largest outdoor club in North America. Its name tells you exactly what it is: a club on a beach. As if the weather this weekend isn’t enough to get you fist pumping on a beach, it’s headlined by Haitian rapper, Wyclef Jean!
The club features a massive open-air dance floor, bars and restaurants and small beaches for guests wanting to escape the electronic dance music.
If you can’t make Wyclef Jean on Saturday, the Canadian EDM duo, Dvbbs will be there on Sunday!
When: Wyclef Jean on Saurday June 30, Dvbbs on Sunday, July 1
Time: 12 pm – 3 pm
Where: 701 Rue 38, Pointe-Calumet
Price: General admission – $25, VIP pass – $50
Canada Day Cake
The Old Port serves their massive, traditional Canada Day cake that measures 4″ by 8″. Get there quick, there are only 2,000 pieces of cake! Even if you don’t want a slice, it’s impressive to see a cake of that size. But let’s be real, who wouldn’t want a slice of free cake?
When: Sunday, July 1
Time: 2 pm
Where: Old Port
Price: Free
Jacques Cartier Bridge
If you’re looking for a local favourite spot to take in the fireworks, the Jacques Cartier Bridge is for you. The bridge is completely closed off to vehicular traffic from 8:30 pm to 11:30 pm and invites you to dangle your feet off Canada’s 3rd busiest bridge while taking in a spectacular vantage point of the fireworks.
When: Sunday, July 1
Time: 10 pm – 11 pm
Where: 134 Jacques-Cartier Bridge
Price: Free
Mtl en Arts
Mtl en Arts is Montreal’s largest open-air art exhibition. The festival aims to further promote and develop the concept of art in the street and in public spaces and closes off a portion of the famous Rue Saint Catherine to vehicular traffic.
The one-kilometre stretch of art welcomes painters, photographers, sculptors, illustrators, ceramists, and glassmakers.
When: June 28 to July 2
Time: 9 am – 8 pm
Where: 576 Rue St-Catherine Est
Price: Admission is free
Papagroove at Montreal Jazz Fest
Papagroove is a fusion of the finest jazz and funk musicians from Montreal. Papagroove play music they’ve dubbed Afro-funk, blending funk, rock, soul, and jazz. They’re playing a free show in front of their hometown crowd and they definitely have the funk.
When: Friday, June 29
Time: 10 pm – 11 pm
Where: Club Jazz Casino de Montréal à la place SNC-Lavalin
Price: Free
Plage en Fête
Spend the scorching hot Saturday at Parc Jean-Drapeau’s Aquatic Complex. The Parc is hosting the usual Olympic-sized pools, diving boards and towers, sprinklers and water polo but have also added some holiday activities. Saturday’s activities include friendly races, inflatable jungle gyms, volleyball, and prizes to be won.
When: Saturday, June 30
Time: 10 am – 7 pm
Where: Parc Jean-Drapeau
Price: Free for kids 13 and under, $9 for 14+
Joe List at the Comedy Nest
There’s plenty of funniness happening in Montreal this weekend. If you’re looking for a big venue show to get you cued up for Just for Laughs, check out Joe List. The Boston-native has appeared on Conan, The Late Show with David Letterman and was a finalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing.
When: June 29 and 30
Time: 8 pm and 10:30 pm
Where: 2313 Rue Saint-Catherine – 3rd floor of the Pepsi Forum
Price:$15
David Blaine Live
The famous magician, illusionist, endurance artist and possibly wizard, is in Montreal this weekend to wow audiences with a variety of tricks. He’s performing at the beautiful Olympia de Montreal. Be prepared, there’s no telling what he will do.
When: Monday, July 2
Time: 8 pm
Where: Olympia de Montreal
Price: $81.75 – $112.35
Village au Pied-du-Courant
Montreal’s urban beachside village is a trendy and entertaining spot to enjoy Canada Day. It offers a breathtaking view of the Jacques Cartier Bridge and the fireworks and sits on part of the Saint Lawrence River. Head to the man-made beach town and enjoy the river, an art gallery or just lounge around in the garden’s hammocks.
The site features live DJs, food trucks and bar kiosks.
When: Every weekend until September 1
Time: 5 pm – 12 am on Fridays, 3 pm – 12 am on Saturdays and 3 pm – 11 pm on Sundays
Where: 2100 Rue Notre-Dame Est
Price: Free to enter
Notre-Dame Basilica
Celebrate Canada Day Sunday mass at Montreal’s most viewed structure at 11 am and hear a 25-person choir accompanied by the organ. Or, take a walking tour of the basilica which is an absolutely gorgeous spectacle. It is filled with hundreds of wooden carvings, several religious statues, and gigantic stained glass windows.
When: The Notre-Dame Basilica is open year round
Time: 8 am – 4:30 pm on weekdays, 8 am – 4 pm on Saturdays and 12:30 pm – 4 pm on Sundays (mass starts at 11 am)
Where: 110 Rue Notre Dame Ouest
Price: Free
The Loons in Westmount
Westmount will host a citizenship ceremony and a barbeque, followed by the launch of an art project called The Loons. The Loons is an interactive light show that consists of 15 floating, luminous sphere loons that each represent one decade from Canada’s history as a country.
When: Sunday, July 1
Time: 8 pm – 8:30 pm
Where: Westmount Park, Westmount
Price: Free
Fireworks from Au Sommet Place Ville Marie
Experience Montreal’s fireworks from the tallest vantage point in the city. Montreal’s viewpoint atop the Place Ville Marie summit gives you a 360-degree fireworks experience like no other.
Virtually at eye-level, it’s the perfect spot to watch the fireworks explode in mid-air.
When: Sunday, July 1
Time: 11 am – 11 pm, fireworks start at 10 pm
Where: 4 Place Ville Marie, Montreal
Price: General admission ranges from $9 to $19 dependent on age
Marché des Possibles
The Marché des Possibles (The Market of Possibilities) is a massive market that hosts food, 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.
Canada Day activities include live bands, DJs, face painting and caricatures, a water gun fight and balloon animals in honour of our nation’s birthday.
When: Every weekend until July 29
Time: 11 am – 9 pm
Where: 5635 Rue St. Dominique
Price: Free to enter
Tam Tams
Tam Tams is a Montreal landmark. If things are too hectic in the city this weekend with all the Canada Day activities, go and relax on Mont Royal.
Tam Tams is a giant outdoor party with dancers, sports and drummers all gathered around the Sir George-Etienne Cartier monument. When the weather is nice this weekend, head over to the mountain and enjoy a longstanding Montreal tradition and vibe. 420 friendly.
When: Every Sunday until October
Time: 12 pm
Where: Mont Royal
Price: Free
Comedy at the Art Loft
There will be a DJ and snacks. BYOB and 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)
Oka Beach
Beat the heat at a real beach this weekend.
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
Stand-up paddleboarding
The Fleuve Saint-Laurent is a gorgeous sight to look at. This weekend, make it a gorgeous sight to stand on as well, especially in the heat.
Lasalle KSF is a store that specializes in surfing, kayak, and paddleboarding and they have teamed up with Parc Jean-Drapeau to get you stand-up paddleboarding this summer.
The event opened this week and also offers paddleboarding yoga, fitness, and wave riding.
When: From now until September 3
Time: 10 am – 7 pm
Where: 350 Circuit Gilles Villesneuve, Parc Jean-Drapeau
Price: $20 an hour and $10 for each additional hour
Nextdoor Pub & Grill
Nextdoor Pub & Grill is the place to be on Sundays. They offer deals at both ends of their hours – bottomless caesars and mimosas in the afternoon and 29 cent chicken wings at night. Be sure to get there early because there’s a constant line from 6 pm to 8 pm.
When: Every Sunday
Time: 8 am – 3 pm caesar/mimosa deal, 4 pm – midnight wing special
Where: 5175A Rue Sherbrooke Ouest
Aquazilla
Aquazilla will be a wild way to beat the 35+ degree weather. 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
Piknic Électronik Canada Day Edition
The weekly EDM festival at Parc Jean-Drapeau is bringing DJs Keinemusik, Adam Port, &Me and Project Pablo to three separate stages on Sunday.
If you want to spend Canada Day dancing to electronic vibes, Piknic Électronik is all yours. The venue features food trucks, bars, and a relaxation zone.
When: Sunday, July 1
Time: 2 pm – 9:30 pm
Where: Parc Jean-Drapeau
Price: $19 at the door
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
Nomadic Massive at Montreal Jazz Fest
The Montreal-based Nomadic Massive has assembled band members from around the world to create a unique niche in the jazz-rap genre. Their lyrics are in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, and Créole. They’ll be performing songs off their newest album, The Big Band Theory. Who doesn’t love a good pun?
When: Monday, July 2
Time: 9 pm and 11 pm
Where: TD Stage, Place des Festivals
Price: Free
Canada Day at La Ronde
La Ronde is Quebec’s biggest amusement park sure, but it’s especially special on Canada Day. Get your fireworks fix right from the source and experience them from as close to the launch pad as you can be. La Ronde offers waterfront seats (and food and drinks) at the La Ronde bistro where you can see the fireworks from the launching pad across the water. The synchronized music that accompanies the fireworks plays through La Ronde’s house speakers. It costs money to get into La Ronde but once you’re there, you’re in prime territory. Battle the Goliath during the day and relax to first-hand fireworks at night.
When: Sunday, July 1
Time: 11 am – 11:30 (special Canada Day hours)
Where: 22 Chemin Macdonald
Price: $57.99 for a day pass
Canada Day at Montreal’s Old Port
The Old Port hosts a slew of activities for kids, (face painting, caricatures and inflatable jungle gyms) a friendly floor hockey game, and a 21-gun salute. The same venue is a primetime spot for folks who want to watch the fireworks as well. Gather at any of the Old Port’s spectacular restaurants, bars, or cafes or find a spot on the pier and join thousands of people gawking at the Old Port’s Canada Day fireworks.
When: Sunday, July 1
Time: 2 pm – 12 am, the fireworks start at 10 pm
Where: Montreal’s Old Port
Price: All Canada Day activities are free
NDG’s Colourful Saturdays
Swing by NDG’s Benny Library and de-stress by colouring and/or painting a variety of different scenes. The library provides coloured markers, pencils, crayons and colouring canvas, and books. Just show up and let your creativity run wild the rest of your afternoon.
When: Saturdays
Time: 11 am to 1 pm
Where: Benny’s Library, 6400 Avenue de Monkland
Price: Free
PoutineFest
After 3 successful editions in Montreal, PoutineFest has branched out to other venues and their first stop is at the Quartier Dix30. Chefs from a variety of South Shore restaurants will be showcasing their best poutines for you to devour. Check out Quebec’s favourite meal from the following restaurant’s food trucks: Charlie’s Shack, Greg’s DINER, Le Smoking BBQ, Poutine Factory, Poutine No 800, Seasoned Dreams, and Smoke’s.
When: From June 29 to July 2
Time: 5 pm – 11 pm
Where: 9405 Boulevard Leduc, Brossard
Price: Entrance is free, poutine vouchers are $13
George Thorogood and The Destroyers at Montreal Jazz Fest
With over 15 million albums sold over the course of a 40-year career, the man behind Bad to the Bone rolls in to Montreal and invites everyone to his Rock Party! An hour and a half of guitars, riffs and his energy boogie-blues.
When: Sunday, July 1
Time: 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Where: Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier
Price: $67.70 – $89.20
Cinema du Parc at Midnight
Cinema du Parc is showing Terry Gilliam’s 1985 film Brazil at their quaint, trendy, little theatre. The film follows Sam Lowry (Jonathan Pryce) in a futuristic society that is needlessly convoluted and inefficient. He dreams of a life where he can fly away from technology and spend eternity with the girl of his dreams Jill Layton (Kim Greist). The film drama/fantasy also stars Robert De Niro.
When: June 29 – July 2
Time: 11:30 pm – 1:15 am on Friday – Sunday, 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm on Monday
Where: Cinema du Parc – 3575 Rue du Parc
Price: $12.50
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: June 29 – July 2
Time: 7 pm – 8 pm
Where: Madeleine-Parent Park
Price: Free (recommended $5 donation)
London Pub’s Industry Night
If you want to keep the long weekend party going on Monday night, head to London Pub. They offer industry nights on Mondays. It’s designed to offer inexpensive drinks to bar, pub, and restaurant staff from around the city but it’s slowly morphed into drink deals for everybody. Grab a $4 single or a $3 shot of Jameson. Plus they have a free dart board and an in-house jukebox.
When: Every Monday at London Pub
Time: 7 pm – 3 am
Where: 1337 Boulevard Maisonneuve Ouest
Admission: Free to enter, drink deals vary.
Parc for Kids: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
Cinema du Parc doesn’t only screen classic films at midnight. They also appeal to the younger crowd and are doing so this weekend with the likes of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971). The film follows guests who invited to see the inner workings of Willy Wonka’s world famous (and crazy) candy factory.
Gene Wilder absolutely steals the show.
When: June 30 – July 1
Time: 10 am – 12 pm
Where: Cinema du Parc – 3575 Rue du Parc
Price: $9 – $11
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
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
Canada Day at Terrasse sur l’Auberge
Terrasse sur l’Auberge is the rooftop terrace to beat in all of the Old Port. Sit on a stylish rooftop terrace located in the heart of the Old Port overlooking the Saint Lawrence River as the fireworks ignite Montreal’s sky with colour.
A $25 cover is charged per person and you might want to reserve early as the 100-person terrace fills up quickly. Also, expect some marriage proposals, it’s that gorgeous.
When: Sunday, July 1
Time: 2 pm – 11 pm
Where: 97 de la Commune St Est
Price: $25
Complexe Atlantide
Complexe Atlantide is a huge amusement park fused with water slides, mini putt, a wave pool and animals located in Saint-Calixte, an hour outside of Montreal.
Families are encouraged to spend a few days on site as the park is found in the middle of Quebec’s largest campground.
Complexe Atlantide also hosts a petting zoo, a haunted house, a variety of restaurants, and an ice cream parlour. You can’t really call yourself a family oriented park until you have an ice cream parlour on site.
When: From now until August 22
Time: 10 am to 6 pm
Where: 11155 QC-335, Saint-Calixte
Tickets: Varies depending on your selection, tickets available online
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
Jean-Doré Beach
If Oka Beach is too much of a hike to beat the heat this Canada Day weekend, we’ve got a gorgeous and close alternative: Jean-Doré Beach.
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
Pointe Claire Canada Day
Alexandre-Bourgeau Park in the West Island is hosting a massive Canada Day party for people wishing to escape the city. The park is offering free swimming, a citizenship ceremony, art workshops, free paddleboarding, live music and of course, fireworks.
The fireworks will be launched from a barge from Lake Saint-Louis.
When: Sunday, July 1
Time: 2 pm – 10:45 pm
Where:2 Cartier Ave, Pointe-Claire
Price: Free
Demolition Derby
Maybe fireworks aren’t your thing and you’d rather see old cars smash into each other? We can’t blame you. Napierville hosts a massive demolition derby every Canada Day where over 80 cars are destroyed right in front of you throughout the day.
When: Sunday, July 1
Time: 10 am – 6 pm
Where: Napierville Dragway – 15 Rue St-André, Napierville
Price: $25
Bikini Warehouse Sale
With summer in full swing, especially after this weekend’s heatwave, why not expand your bikini collection? Espace POP is having a sale on AngelX bikinis for %50 off.
When: July 1 – 2
Time: 10 am – 7 pm
Where: Espace POP – 5587 Avenue du Parc
Elektra Digital Arts Festival
Montreal’s electric summer kicked off this week and sticks around until August. Elektra is a digital arts festival that promotes art and robotics. The festival’s first day features art exhibitions, musical performances, and workshops.
When: From now until August 5
Time: 6 pm – 11:30 pm
Where: 5445 de Gaspé Avenue
Price: $22.50, available online
Dreamworks Animation in Concert
Yeah. Exactly how it sounds.
Experience genre classic films from Shrek to Kung-Fu Panda, projected onto the big screen and accompanied by live music performed by the Orchestre Métropolitain. Great for the whole family!
When: Saturday, June 30
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier
Price: $81.75