Montreal is a world-class city with ahost of events, festivals and cultural groups:
Top Festivals
January-February:
Féte des Neiges (Snow Festival) celebrates the pleasures of winter in the Parc des Îles.
June:
Tour de l’Île for cyclists and Canada’s only Formula One race, the Grand Prix Player’s du Canada for car racing fans.
June and July:
weekend firework displays on the banks of the Saint Lawrence, and Montréal’s International Jazz Festival, featuring 400 concerts around the city.
July:
Juste pour Rire (Just for Laughs) Festival brings together some 500 top comedians, or dance at the Nuits d’Afrique celebrations.
July and August:
Francofolies de Montréal, a festival of French song with 200 erformances
August-September:
Festival des Films du Monde (World Film Festival) takes place over three weeks
Top Arts & Entertainment Attractions
Just For Laughs Museum
2111 Saint-Laurent Blvd. (Downtown)
Montréal, Québec, H2X 2T5
(514) 845-4000 Fax: (514) 849-5462 reservations: (514) 845-5105
Saint-Laurent METRO
Founded in 1993, the Just For Laughs Museum has only one “raison d’être”: the evolution of humour, both local and international, in all its forms. Since 1999, we have been offering exhibits and events for the whole family. Reservations suggested. OPEN: Tuesday and Wednesday, by reservation only (minimum 60 persons); Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission, Group rates available.
L’Opéra de Montréal
260, de Maisonneuve Boulevard West -1st floor
Montreal (Quebec) H2X 1Y9
(514) 985-2258 (tickets) Fax: (514) 985-2219
Place-des-Arts METRO
Performance of traditional and contemporary operas at Place des Arts. Performance dates: Peter Grimes – September 2001, Nabucco – November 2001, The Gala – December 2001, Thérèse Raquin – February 2002, Tosca – March 2002, The Rape of Lucretia – April 2002, L’Elisir d’amore – June 2002. Admission. Group rates available
Montréal Canadiens Hockey Club
1260 de La Gauchetière Street West (Downtown)
Montréal, Québec, H3B 5E8
(514) 932-2582 Fax: (514) 989-28711 Toll Free 800 363-3723 (514) 989-2841 (Reservations)
Bonaventure / Lucien-L’Allier METRO
Since March 16, 1996, the Montréal Canadiens have a new home and Montrealers are discovering one of America’s most modern amphitheatres. A building made-to-measure for a team rich in traditions and glory. 21,000 seats to accommodate fans to action packed events. Admission.
Orchestre Métropolitain du Grand Montréal
(Downtown)
(514) 598-0870 Fax: 1 800 361-4595 (Toll Free)
(514) 840-9195
For over 20 years, the Orchestre Métropolitain du Grand Montréal has been performing at Place des Arts and touring the island of Montréal, presenting accessible programs, multidisciplinary concerts, a talented young conductor and pre-performance conferences. Admission.
Orchestre symphonique de Montréal
(Downtown)
(514) 842-9951 Fax: (514) 842-0728
One of the most prestigious orchestras in the world, the OSM presents approximately a hundred concerts per year. These concerts take place at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier of Place des Arts and at the Notre-Dame Basilica in the heart of Old Montréal. Admission.
McGill Chamber Orchestra
(Downtown)
(514) 487-5190 Fax: (514) 487-7390
The McGill Chamber Orchestra is enjoying a rebirth. Critics are hailing its enthusiastic dedicated permanent ensemble of 14 of Canada’s best professionals, led by Martin Foster. A dedicated, reinvigorated Board of Directors headed by Canadian Astronaut Marc Garneau, new sponsors and our loyal audience all add luster to continuing a tradition that is this season enjoying its 64th year of continuous concert giving in Montréal. The MCO is part of Québec’s bedrock artistic history. You will enjoy our concerts, the MCO pre and post concert experiences, the intimacy and acoustic excellence of Pollack Hall. Let us know how we can continue to make your experiences “unforgettable”. Admission: $15.00 Children, $15.00 Students, $25.00 to 38.00 Adults, $15.00 Senior Citizens, Group rates available.
Théâtre du Nouveau Monde
84 Sainte-Catherine Street West (Downtown)
Montréal, Québec, H2X 1Z6
(514) 866-8668 Fax: (514) 878-7880
Place-des-Arts METRO
The TNM is the theater for all your special events. It is a remarkable space that Montrealers enjoy for its intimacy. A warm reception hall is available for cocktails and all types of occasions. In the same area you can find Le Café du Nouveau Monde, a warm and friendly restaurant-bar-café on two floors. Behind the regular theater there are two smaller reception areas equipped with a bar for more intimate gatherings. Also on the upper floor there is a rehearsal hall and a VIP salon which can be used for a variety of events.
Pepsi Forum Entertainment Centre
2313, Sainte-Catherine Street West (Downtown)
Montréal, Québec, H3H 1N2
(514) 93-FORUM (933-6786) Fax: (514) 932-4008 toll-free: 1 888 61-FORUM (613-6786)
Atwater METRO
Visitors will be overwhelmed by the numerous activities offered at the Pepsi Forum: bowling, wall climbing and more than 200 of the latest interactive games and sport simulators. They can also relive the emotions of the Old Forum or visit the theme gallery and Walk of Fame that pays homage to the entertainment and hockey stars who performed and played within its walls. The Pepsi Centre features the latest films in its 22-theatre complex and its restaurants and cafeterias offer menu items from the four corners of the world. Open all year round. Various schedules depending on the activities. Admission charge only for movie theatre.
Jeunesses Musicales du Canada
305 Mont-Royal Ave E, Montreal, Quebec H2T 1P8
(Downtown)
(514) 845-4108 Fax: (514) 845-8241
Jeunesses Musicales du Canada (JMC promoted music particularly among children between the ages of 3 to 12, and to support young professional instrumentalists, singers and composers in developing their careers. JMC’s season features some 800 concerts given by nearly 80 artists in close to 150 performance venues in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes, reaching audiences of over 100,000 people (75,000 youth and 25,000 adults).
Compagnie Jean Duceppe
Place des Arts (Downtown)
175 Sainte-Catherine Street West
Montréal, Québec, H2X 1Z8
(514) 842-2112 Fax: (514) 842-1548
Place-des-Arts METRO
For its 31th season, la Compagnie Jean Duceppe offers to whisk you away on an amazing adventure. Open up your heart and mind, because theatre is a great way to dive into the heart of one’s soul. Admission, Group rates available.
Saidye Bronfman Centre for the Arts
5170 de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine Road (Mount Royal)
Montréal, Québec, 3W 1M7
(514) 739-2301 fax: (514) 739-9340 Reservations (514) 739-7944
Côte-Sainte-Catherine METRO
Québec’s only multi-disciplinary cultural institution, the Saidye Bronfman Centre for the Arts offers events and activities for all ages, including professional theatre, a School of Fine Arts, the Youth Institute and Art Gallery. Closed Friday night. Admission.
Hippodrome de Montréal
7440 Décarie Blvd.
Montréal, Québec, H4P 2H1
(514) 739-2741 fax: (514) 340-2025
Namur METRO
The finest horses and the best drivers in the world meet at the Hippodrome for exciting harness-racing action. Track and simulcast. Videopoker. Le Centaure Restaurant. Group rates available.