As the new month welcomes in its first Saturday, here are a slew of great things to check out around the city today, July 6.
See also
- The biggest balloon festival in Canada floats towards Montreal on August 10
- You can camp out in these urban tents along the Lachine Canal all summer
- 14 pics from the opening night of Montreal's outdoor circus festival (PHOTOS)
- Montrealer who speaks 19 languages dubbed Canada's 'most multilingual' student
The Montreal International Jazz Festival
festivaljazzmontreal/Instagram
The Montreal International Jazz Festival was named the largest jazz festival in the world in 2004 according to the Guinness Book of World Records and it’s only gotten bigger since.
The 39th edition of the festival features over 500 artists from all over the world who will perform over 150 shows during a three-week span.
The streets are completely closed off to traffic and the festival is full of music-hungry fans. Some specific shows cost money to enter but the majority of the shows, both indoor and outdoor, are free.
The festival wraps up its two-week run today.
When: Saturday, July 6
Time: Varying times
Where: Quartier des Specatcles
Price: Free admission to the site
Montreal Comiccon
Comiccon/Shutterstock
Join hundreds of artists, celebrities, and actors at the localized genre festival for pictures, autographs, workshops and Q&As. Comiccon is headlined by Harry Potter’s Tom Felton, Elijah Wood, George St-Pierre, William Shatner, Robert Sheehan, and so many more.
When: From now until July 7
Time: Friday, 1 to 8 pm; Saturday, 10 am to 7 pm; Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm
Where: 1001 Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle, Palais des Congrés
Tickets: Available online, starting at $69 – $229
LA RUE COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE
jfsavaria/Instagram
Some of Montreal’s streets have turned into an open-air circus ring.
Entering its first weekend, The Montreal Circus Festival, known as LA RUE COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE, will use the streets, parks, and sidewalks of the Quartier des Spectacles as stages to showcase colourful, high-flying performances.
The festival includes tightrope walkers, trapeze art, balancing and trampoline acts, fire art, jugglers, gymnastics, live music, human pyramids, and participatory activities for all ages as these master street performers use the urban landscape as their stages.
When: From now until July 14
Time: Varying times
Where: Quartier de Spectacles
Price: Free admission
Festival of India
Alex Hubenov/Shutterstock
The two-day event will feature all sorts of festivities, including a parade down Saint Laurent Boulevard (starting at Rue Milton), restaurant outlets, live music, dancing, yoga workshops, kid’s games, and a souvenir shop.
When: July 6 – 7
Time: 12 pm – 7 pm
Where: Parc Jeanne Mance
Price: Free admission
Carifiesta
Carifiesta Montreal/Facebook
Like it has every year in Montreal since 1975, Carifiesta returns today to honour its Caribbean community in the city.
The festival’s main attraction is the parade. The parade features vibrant colours and exciting costumes dancing to the sounds of Caribbean music.
The parade will close off Rene-Levesque to motorists and cyclists and allow for only pedestrians. The parade features a bevy of Caribbean floats, all representing a different aspect or location within the Caribbean community.
When: Saturday, July 6
Time: 10 am – 4 pm
Where: Rene Levesque, from rue du Fort to rue Bleury
Price: Free
Montreal Beachclub
@beachclubmtl/Instagram
Located in Pointe-Calumet, an easy 45-minute drive from Montreal, Beachclub is exactly what its name implies — a club on the beach.
The outdoor beach site can host up to 10,000 guests at a time, making it the largest outdoor club in North America.
When: Saturday, July 6
Time: 12 pm – 7 pm
Where: 701 38e Rue, Pointe-Calumet
Price: Varying prices
L’International des Feux Loto-Québec
Parc Jean-Drapeau
The world’s largest fireworks festival returned to La belle province last weekend for its 35th edition and the International Fireworks Competition, known officially as L’International des Feux Loto-Québec, will keep the skyline lit tonight as well.
When: Saturday, July 6
Time: 10 pm
Where: Old Montreal
Price: Free
Cirque Du Soleil: Alegria
Alegria by Cirque du Soleil
The world-renowned Cirque du Soleil production will be at the Big Top all weekend.
Alegria, which was first performed by Cirque in 1994, stole the eyes and ears of more than 14 million spectators. Performed under a traditional Big Top tent, the show made its way to 255 different cities over 19 years of touring, until its last performance in 2013.
The show mixes the high energy acrobatics which Cirque du Soleil is famous for with a “rallying theme for change, hope, and optimistic renewal.” The cast is made up of more than 50 performers and musicians, all renowned internationally for their craft.
When: Saturday, July 6
Time: 8 pm
Where: Big Top, Old Port – Jacques-Cartier Quay, de la Commune Street Est
Price: $150 – $412, available online
This Light Never Goes Out – Jim Carrey Exhibition
JimCarrey/Twitter
A new art exhibition featuring works from Jim Carrey is will be on display in Montreal all summer and this steamy weekend might be a good time to check out some art (and you know, air conditioning).
As part of the Phi Centre’s commitment to celebrating technology-based media, the arts centre will present the world premiere of This Light Never Goes Out, featuring over 50 of the actor’s works in an exhibition that will run from June 20 to September 1.
“Jim Carrey is known to most people as a comedic genius on the silver screen, but since 2016, his Twitter feed has been the canvas for a series of satirical and subversive cartoons, penned in response to headlining news,” reads the Phi Centre’s description.
Carrey’s cartoons weigh in on the American political right, focusing on many who are abusing their power in the United States.
When: Saturday, July 6
Time: 10 am – 10 pm
Where: Phi Centre, 315 St-Paul Ouest
Price: $12.40, available online
Stand Up Paddle Boarding – Parc Jean Drapeau
The St-Lawrence River is a gorgeous sight to look at and this weekend, it could be a gorgeous sight to stand on as well.
Lasalle KSF is a store that specializes in surfing, kayak, and paddleboarding and they are teaming up with Parc Jean-Drapeau to get you stand-up paddleboarding this summer.
This great way to stay active, and to be part of the historic River is offered in three different varieties: SUP (stand-up paddleboarding), SUP Yoga, and SUP Fitness.
Paddleboard rentals start at $20 an hour and $10 for each additional hour. They also offer wetsuits to rent for $7 as well as a group 10-rental deal for $150.
When: Saturday, July 6
Time: 10 am – 7 pm
Where: 350 Circuit Gilles Villesneuve, Parc Jean-Drapeau
Price: $20 – $56.50, based on activity chosen
Arthur Simeon – Comedy Nest
As seen on Just For Laughs, on HBO’s Funny As Hell, and a fan favourite on CBC’s The Debaters, Arthur Simeon is originally from Uganda who now lives in Canada and challenges stereotypes through his stand up.
When: Saturday, July 6
Time: 8 pm and 10:30 pm
Where: Comedy Nest, 2313 rue Ste. Catherine, 3rd floor
Price: $15, available online and at the door
Parc Safari
Zoo/Shutterstock
Parc Safari opened its gates daily to their 47th season last month.
The park has over 500 animals, exciting rides, and fun activities to keep you going back all season long.
The park starts off with the “Safari Adventure” where guests can get close to exotic animals like never before. While driving to the main park entrance, the optional adventure path allows for the more docile but equally large animals to check you out in your car.
Oh, how the tables have turned.
Animals on the “Safari Adventure” include buffalo, zebras, llamas, gazelles, ostriches, deer, peacocks, and camels. You’re encouraged to feed and pet the animals during the low-speed trek and you’ll always want to keep your windshield wipers handy. Your car might get dirty but it’s worth it.
It’s not often you get to brag about llama saliva on your windshield.
When: Saturday, July 6
Time: 10 am – 5 pm
Where: 280 Rang Roxham, Hemmingford
Price: Prices vary depending on age. Tickets available at the entrance or online
oTENTik Urban Tents
Parks Canada
For all those campers hoping to take a metro to the site, your time has come.
The popular chalet-type tents that are found the woods in Northern Quebec have made their way to Montreal, right smack in the middle of Montreal, in fact.
oTENTik has set up seven urban tents along the banks of the historic Lachine Canal giving Montrealers and tourists the opportunity to camp out in the city.
When: From now until September 15
Time: Various hours
Where: 828 Rue Mill, Lachine Canal
Price: $120 per night
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