Festival, Montreal

Favorite thing: Montreal is a city of festivals.
All summer, festivals follow one another to everybody's enjoyment.
- The International Montreal Jazz Festival
- The Just for Laughs Festival
- The Franco-Folies
- Formula One Racing
- Firework competition
- many, many more...

They close a portion of the downtown area which becomes a pedestrian area. Stages are put together and artists performs free concerts or presentations outside in the streets. Everybody in Montreal gets in the spirit and the ambiance is great.

Couple of special events :
179th Annual Saint Patrick's Day parade Mar. 16, 2003
Montreal Museums Day May 26, 2002
Tour de l'Île bicycle race, June 1, 2003
Fête nationale, June 23 and 24 - parade and events
Canada Day, July 1 - parade and events

Fondest memory: Festivals Highlights :
January
Fête des neiges Jan. 25-Feb. 9, 2003 (weekends)

February
Festival Montréal en Lumière, Feb. 13-Mar. 1, 2003
The 21st Rendez-vous du cinéma québécois Feb. 20-March 2, 2003
Festival Voix des Amériques, Feb. 13-17, 2003

March
Festival International Montréal/Nouvelles Musiques, Mar. 2-11, 2003
International Film Festival on Art Mar. 13-23. 2003

April
18e Journées du cinéma africain et créole film festival, Apr. 25-May 3, 2003

May
8th Annual Jewish Film Festival May 8-15, 2003
Festival de théâtre des Amériques May 22-June 5, 2003

June
Le Mondial de la bière, June 4-8, 2003
Nuit blanche sur tableau noir, June 6-9, 2002
Montreal First People's Festival June 10-20, 2002
Le Grand Prix du Canada - Formula One, June 13-15, 2003
International fireworks competition, June 15-July 28, 2002
Festival international de Lanaudière, June 27-July 29, 2003
Montreal International Jazz Festival, June 26-July 6, 2003

July
International fireworks competition, June 15-July 28, 2002
Comedy festival Just for laughs/Juste pour rire, July 10-20, 2003
Music Festival Nuits d'Afrique, July 11-21 2002
Dragon Boat Race Festival, July 20 and 21, 2002
Les FrancoFolies, July 24-August 2, 2003
Divers/Cité Gay and Lesbian Pride days, July 28-Aug. 3, 2003

August
St-Jean-sur-Richelieu Hot Air Balloon Festival, Aug. 10-18, 2002
Montreal International Film Festival, Aug. 21-Sep. 1, 2003

September
Magic Lanterns Festival at the Botanical Garden Sept. 13-Nov. 3, 2002
Image et Nation international queer film festival, Sept. 19-29, 2002
Festival Orgue et couleurs classical music fest, Sept. 25-Oct. 6, 2002
Journées de la culture Sept. 27, 28 and 29, 2002
Montreal Chamber Music Festival Sept. 20-Oct. 5, 2002

October
Festival international de nouvelle danse Oct. 9-12, 2002
International Festival of New Cinema and New Media (FCMM) Oct. 10-20, 2002

November
Cinemania fest, French films subtitled in English, Nov. 7-17, 2002
Coup de coeur francophone Nov. 7-17, 2002

Favorite thing: Take a look at any of the summer festivals. Montreal in the summer time is an amazing city. Take a look at the free shows on the streets during the Jazz Festival, the Just for Laughs (comedy) festival or the Francofolies (French music festival). You'll see great acts and it's all free !!!

Favorite thing: see the outdoor festivals in the summer. The Jazz Fest is a must, comedy fest, cultural celebrations....there are activities all summer long and there are always free events.

Fondest memory: There is a great variety of restaurants.

Favorite thing: More in the Nightlife section about this annual Montreal festival tradition.

Visit the festival's website: http://www.hahaha.com

Fondest memory: Great shows for all ages, and all pocketbook levels. Some of the best in comedy from around the world, from big names (like Tim Allen, Wayne Brady, Jim Belushi, Eddie Izzard,) to lesser-knowns on their way up (Eddie Izzard was not well-known when he first appeared at Just for Laughs,) and very talented and entertaining street performers brought in from around the world.

Past big names include Drew Carey, Jay Leno, and legends like George Burns.

Favorite thing: From August 5th to the 12th celebrate Montreal’s Italian Week, and succumb to the culture, charm and charisma of the green, white and red. The 2007 edition of Montreal’s Italian Week will mark the 14th anniversary of this Italian Classic, which continues to resonate the traditions, aromas, and pride of a unique way of life. Celebrate Montreal’s Italian Week in true Italian style, from fashion shows to gastronomical food courts, opera to bigliardini tournaments, music, theatre, dance and art, there is something for everyone to enjoy at Montreal’s Italian Week. For one week in August everyone is Italian!

All outdoor activities are free to attend, and are located at various venues across the city including Little Italy.

Favorite thing: This is the West Indian celebration for Montreal. The parade takes place on Rene Levesque Blvd starting at rue Guy st. The year I went it did not last long and did not have a lot of floats etc. At night a party is held at Jean Drapeau park that same day and an afternoon party was supposed to be held on Sunday. Unfortunately, the party did not start on time it was hours off its original schedule and I decided not to wait.

Favorite thing: Jazz is not the only music that is played at this venue. There are many free concerts offered around the downtown area. More than one stage is setup so if you do not like one group you can always go to another place. Most are held near the Hyatt and Hilton hotels as well as Place de Arts.

Favorite thing: Get out into the huge crowds of people and explore the Spanish quarter during the Jazz Fast.