10 Things to Do in Montreal in June

The heat arrives in Montreal during June and you should take advantage of the season's outdoor plans. Offering some of the best things to do in Montreal in summer, keep in mind that average temperatures range from 15° to 25°, so I recommend packing light clothing, sunscreen and discovering your favourite brewery to cool off.

June is the perfect month to enjoy the month's typical art murals, as well as music and culture festivals, Formula 1-style car races or summer parties with fireworks decorating the sky. You can also celebrate **Quebec'**s birthday, dance to the beat of drums, attend open-air film screenings or buy tickets for a Montreal cruise.

Late May to early June brings the summer festivals to Montreal, where the best parties and events of the year are held. The weather is pleasant and allows you to enjoy outdoor activities.

If you plan to visit Montreal in 5 days, I recommend including these festivals in your itinerary.

Festival of Fire

If you like Latin music, I suggest you sign up for the Festival of Fire which takes place between the last days of May and the first days of June, you can enjoy its activities in the open spaces of the Olympic Park. Wear comfortable shoes as there will be dancehall, trap, pop reggaeton and reggae shows to keep you warm and jumping.

It is important to bring your original passport, as without this document you will not be able to access the festival (photocopies are not accepted). I recommend you not to miss this event, as every year they have special surprises and a very entertaining repertoire of artists.

Details of interest: General admission costs approximately €130, VIP passes for over 18s cost around €270 and include a privileged view of the stage, food and beverage section, toilet and more. Hotels tend to fill up quickly during the festival dates, so be sure to book well in advance.

YATAI MTL or Itadakimasu Festival

The cultures of Japan and Canada merge in an exciting event featuring food tastings, live music, open-air markets and temporary exhibitions. The YATAI MTL Festival, Itadakimasu or Japan Week in Montreal, is a celebration that focuses a large part of its activities on Japanese street food.

On their website you can find out which cultural venues, restaurants, cafes and spaces are ideal to visit during this week. To better understand the event, bear in mind that there is a street food area and a cultural exhibition area.

You can also see activities that simulate the Yatai, which takes place in Japan during the summer and consists of a ritual carried out in rivers and temples.

Details of interest: You can download a free map from the official website and find out which restaurants are associated with the event.

MURAL Festival

Are you an art and mural lover? The MURAL Festival is an urban event that lasts at least a fortnight, transforming Montreal's lifeless walls into real artistic paintings. The streets commemorate the summer in their best colours and the street party is accompanied by music.

Details of interest: On the official website you will find a dynamic map with the sites that will be protagonists during this event. There are many free activities in Saint-Laurent, but to enter some events you will need to buy tickets.

Portugal International Festival

June is considered Portugal History and Heritage Month in Canada, so I suggest you head to the Portuguese Quarter to enjoy Montreal's Portugal International Festival, which offers gastronomic experiences, free concerts, cultural performances and a massive parade. It's a great way to celebrate Portuguese heritage with Portuguese clothing, art and food.

Details of interest: It's a completely free festival.

During the last days of June there are many summer parties in the city, one of the most fun is L'International des Feux Loto-Québec or the Montreal Fireworks Festival, considered one of the biggest fireworks shows in the world. The show lasts approximately thirty minutes and takes place every Saturday from June to August.

To enjoy the lights and fireworks I recommend arriving early at La Ronde, from where you will have an unparalleled view of Dolphin Lake and the event in general. The interesting thing about this celebration is that there is a competition between fireworks artists from different countries, every Saturday you can enjoy a different nation including Portugal, Belgium, Ukraine, Finland and more.

Details of interest: General admission is around 35 €, there is also a Summer Passport which grants access to all the fireworks displays from different countries, starting at 70 €.

Formula 1 fans can experience an adrenaline-filled adventure at the Grand Prix, a speedway race that has been held in Montreal since 1961. Enjoy three days of racing, customised lessons, fun-filled music parties, food stalls and a variety of events to feed the adventurer in you.

Passes for the three-day event range from €130 to €680, as ticket prices vary depending on the grandstand, and there are a variety of options ranging from privileged views of the most daring corners to family zones ideal for attending with children. Detailed information about each grandstand can be found on their official website.

Details of interest: Please note that tickets sell out quickly, as this is an event with an expected annual attendance of at least 100,000 people, so I suggest you buy your tickets early.

The best part of visiting a country with a different culture is taking advantage of its gastronomic offerings and checking out the street food. From hot dogs in New York to bug markets in Asia, every culture has a different menu to offer and Montreal is no exception, with its bagels, smoked meat sandwiches, French fries, grain cheese and more.

Les Premiers Vendredis has been celebrated since 2012 and you can enjoy its gastronomic activities on the first Friday of every month during the summer, specifically the celebrations kick off in June, so I recommend you sign up. More than 50 street food carts are set up in the streets of Montreal, along with some stands of important local restaurants.

Details of interest: Admission is free and you don't need to book, the cost depends on the number of food stalls you want to visit.

Between late June and early July, Montreal hosts the annual International Jazz Festival, which is considered one of the largest jazz events in the world. Approximately 500 jazz shows are performed in the Quartier des Spectacles.

The event attracts around 3000 musicians from some 30 countries who perform outdoor and indoor concerts in a variety of jazz styles.

Details of interest: Most activities are free, however some concerts have a cost which will vary depending on the location and the artist.

Every year on Quebec's birthday, a big party is held in the city, as Montreal is part of this province. The event, better known as La Fête National du Québec, takes place in Place des Festivals, an open-air square used as a concert hall.

This event has been held since 1834 and features the Québec National Day Parade, where you can wear the national or regional flag and dress up as something that represents Québec culture. There are dancers, bands, skateboarders and more. The parade lasts about an hour and you must register on the official website.

You can also participate in the Quebec National Day Dance which includes colourful outdoor and indoor dance floors, as well as other free activities.

Details of interest: Most activities are free of charge, but you must register in advance.

Another annual event not to be missed is Tam-Tams, a free outdoor festival held in the mountains of Montreal, which welcomes locals and tourists alike and is considered a multicultural event. You can enjoy drum circles, food stalls, arts and crafts vendors, craft beers, rides and live music.

Specifically, it takes place every Sunday in June in Mont Royal Park, accessible via the Mont Royal metro station or the 11 West bus stop.

Details of interest: Just bring your passport or ID and extra cash to take advantage of the food stalls.

If you like a laid-back vibe, Picnik is the event for you, including electronic music shows and outdoor dancing. In addition, there are food stalls, craft beer gardens and other attractions for the whole family.

Ticket prices will vary depending on the artist and are usually more expensive if you are located on the terrace. The general pass includes access to the selected show and food and drink stalls, while the terrace has queue-free access, exclusive toilets and more surprises. It's one of the best things to do with kids in Montreal.

Details of interest: Various dates are set between May and October, so keep an eye on the official website.

In June, locals take advantage of the warm weather to attend open-air film screenings at various locations around the city, especially in parks and squares. The event is usually held at the Cinéma sous les étoiles, also known as the cinema under the stars.

Details of interest: Admission is free, most films and documentaries revolve around social, cultural and political issues.

Montreal Art Night is an event that blankets the streets with art during the summer, starting in June and ending at the end of the season in Old Montreal.

It's one of the best things to do in Montreal, as artists take to the streets after dark to provide quality entertainment, including musical performances, dance shows, graffiti creation, mural exhibitions and much more.

Details of interest: Admission is free, but if it's your first time in the city I recommend opting for one of the best Montreal tours which usually offer a guided experience ideal for making the most of the experience.

Summer is probably the best time to go to Montreal as it offers endless tourist possibilities, such as outdoor activities and relaxing events. I suggest you don't miss out:

• A hop-on hop-off bus tour of Montreal ideal for exploring hidden sites as well as the city's most sought-after attractions.
• A getaway to Quebec from Montreal, a plan to explore the best attractions of the province, such as the 83-metre high Montmorency Falls, the Plains of Abraham or the Place Royale, an iconic building related to the founder of the city.
• A guided sightseeing cruise on Montreal's St. Lawrence River is an ideal activity if you're in search of a summer tan. During this tour you will learn about the maritime history of the metropolis and explore the historic areas of the harbour.

• Montreal is a very busy city, especially during the month of June due to the high season. To get to the main attractions, avoid driving, as parking is hard to come by. Instead, I suggest opting for the metro, bus or the best city tours.
• The format of the plugs is different from Europe, so I suggest you bring an adaptor.
• Tipping is obligatory, so it's advisable to leave a 15% tip on top of the price you pay.
• Bring waterproof shoes, as temperatures in Montreal are unpredictable.