Wine, Dine, and Re-Discover Montréal’s Joie de Vivre This Summer

As the first beams of summer sun brush Montréal’s cobblestone streets, verdant parks, and sandy beaches, it feels like someone pushes a magic “on” button. Almost instantly, Montréalais gather on terrasses (patios) and picnic blankets, and start to summer all out.

If you’ve been to Montréal before and loved it, prepare to fall in love again. This lively city is always changing from season to season, and summers hold an extra special appeal. Restaurant patios and food markets come alive with seasonal eats, historic sites are refreshed with state-of-the-art exhibits, and a packed cultural calendar brings surprises around every corner. 

As one of the world’s most walkable, bikeable cities, having fun in Montréal is as easy as stepping outside. Here’s how to experience Montréal’s unparalleled joie de vivre this summer.

On any given summer weekend, there’s bound to be a festival happening in Montréal. If you only attend one, make it MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE (July 6-16). Essentially a city-wide circus, Montréal’s streets are transformed into living stages for circus artists coaxing “oohs” and “awes” from the crowd, acrobats swinging from 50-foot-tall structures, and street jesters sending passersby into fits of laughter. Just For Laughs (July 14-29) keeps the giggles going with some of the biggest names in comedy. Later, Jackalope (August 25-27) puts the spotlight on daredevils competing in high-adrenaline skateboard and bouldering competitions.

The Montréal air fills with music in the summer. Festival International de Jazz de Montréal (June 29-July 8) brings dozens of concerts to the city, many of them free, in a range of genres that goes well beyond jazz. Festival International Nuits d’Afrique (July 11-23) is a must for fans of African, Caribbean, and Latin music. Osheaga (August 4-6) welcomes the best of the best on the international festival circuit to Parc Jean-Drapeau, a beautiful island within eye-shot of downtown. The park also hosts a cool mini-festival, Piknic Electronik, every Sunday throughout the summer.

One of the best ways to summer all out in Montréal is to stroll through the festive seasonal events that pop-up across the city. Canada’s largest food truck gathering, Les Premiers Vendredis, takes place every first Friday and is a veritable paradise for grazers. Village au Pied-du-Courant hosts live music and delicious eats on a scenic urban beach by the river, while La Guinguette du Sud-Ouest throws nearly 100 free concerts across two stages, plus gourmet bites cocktails. If you’re not sure where to start, there’s always something happening at Les Jardins Gamelin.

In Montréal, crushable cocktails are often paired with inspired views from rooftop patios Grab a spot at Terrasse Nelligan, overlooking the Old Port; Marcus at The Four Seasons, in sight of an impressive Leonard Cohen mural; and Bivouac, perched above downtown’s Place des Festivals. Montréal’s cocktail scene is always in full swing, with creative mixologists tending bar at secret speakeasies like Le Mal Nécessaire, in stylish hotel bars like Bar Nacarat, and on lush garden patios throughout the city.

Juicy IPAs, lagers, and ales simply taste better al fresco. Microbreweries like Messorem, in the southwest, have outstanding craft beer and outdoor ambiance to match, while the picnic tables on Microbrasserie Dispensaire’s terrasse are ideal for watching the world go by on the Plateau. Natural wine lovers also keep good company in Montréal — enjoy a bottle at BarBara’s lively corner terrasse, or with a side of panzerotti on the church-facing patio at Knuckles. 

The Old Port of Montréal may be 381 years old, but there is always something new to discover. The neighborhood’s rich history has been revitalized with ground-breaking visual displays like OASIS Immersion, a 21,500-square-foot immersive multimedia venue inside Palais de congrès. Designed by award-winning local studio Moment Factory, the AURA Experience enhances one of the city’s top attractions, the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal, with projections, shadows, lights, and orchestral music. The PHI Center offers a glimpse into the future of art with eclectic exhibitions at the intersection of art film, music, design, and technology.

Revisit Montréal’s terrific lineup of museums both in and out of the Old Port. Close to the waterfront, the Pointe-à-Callière is the largest archaeology museum in Canada, and a visit to either the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts or Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal never disappoints.

Every summer, Montréalais flock to sandy urban beaches alongside the St. Lawrence River. Verdun Beach is a petite beach that draws families for a refreshing dip, while Plage du Quai de l’horloge brings beachy fun to the Old Port. The latter is the perfect place to watch the summer fireworks festival, L'International des Feux Loto-Québec.

For an aquatic adventure, team up with KSF for surf lessons on the St. Lawrence or a white-water kayaking excursion. Traveling with friends? Rafting Montréal runs thrilling jet-boating and rafting adventures on the Lachine Rapids, perfect for groups. If you prefer to stay on the dry side, book a rejuvenating treatment at Montréal’s floating spa, Bota Bota, located on an old ferryboat; or set sail on a dinner cruise complete with fireworks and a circus performance. 

Montréal is one of the rare North American cities where you don’t need a car, especially in the summer when cyclists buzz by on BIXIs and stylish road bikes. A leisurely ride along the Lachine Canal is a great way to spend a sunny afternoon. If you want to team up with other cyclists and learn about the city’s architecture, history, and food culture, consider booking a bike tour.

Montréal is also supremely walkable, with tons of options for guided tours to sight-see with a local expert. Many streets — such as Mont-Royal Avenue, Bernard, Ontario, and Wellington — transform into pedestrian-only thoroughfares that pulse with energy in the summer. Saint-Laurent Boulevard (a.k.a. The Main) shuts down to traffic every June for the MURAL Festival; a stroll through this open-air museum is an unforgettable way to immerse yourself in Montréal’s summer spirit.

For your next getaway, summer all out in Montréal and experience the special joie de vivre that makes this destination one-of-a-kind.