Festival, Montreal

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Probably one of the more prominant festivals during the summer in Montreal. There is SO SO SO much to do. Most of St. Denis is blocked off for pedestrians during mid-July when this festival runs.

There is a parade at the start of the festival and after that, the factastic floats are parked alongside the street so festival goers can take upclose pictures of the floats. Last year there was Pewee Herman, Charlie Chaplin, Austin Powers, Mr. Bean and so many more.

They also have some free performance shows and a giant video screen showing episodes of Just For Laughs Gags. There's facepainting, giant games (chess, checkers, etc.), a merchandise store.

If you can, make sure to get tickets for one of the Indoor or Gala shows. They are absolutely fantastic! Tickets are only about $20 CAD and well-worth it. We saw the "Late Nite Down Under" show featuring comedians from Australia and New Zealand. Try to book early because they go fast! My friend and I wanted to see the "Asian Invasion" show but it was already sold out a week before it showed.

Just For Laughs Festival 2008 runs from July 10 - July 20. Some of the paid shows may run outside those dates though.

This comedy festival has been going strong for 25 years! There are many indoor and outdoor shows. If you plan to attend one of the shows, please purchase your tickets ahead of time. People come from all over the world for Montreal's festivals, and tickets go fast. If you did not buy any tickets, you can try and win some from the radio (good luck) or check out the free shows. The festival runs each July

This weekend there is the Montreal High Lights Festival occuring hand in hand with the Lights Festival, better known as Le Festival des Lumières, where Montrealers celebrate winter in all it's glory. Especially on the night of the 3rd of March to the 4 th of March, when practically everything of a cultural nature is going to be open all night long. There are going to be a great number of events to attend, amongst them a night dancing to dj's music on Ste-Catherine street (in front of the Place des Arts). The Usine C in collaboration with the Sat are organising a great event http://www.elektrafestival.ca/. If your in town this weekend, it's no time to sleep!!! Even museums are supposed to stay open all night! ;-) Who said that winter was boring?

Wow. Montreal sure is different from NY. And the Jazz festival is one prime example. It is a huge outdoor festival where most of the acts are FREE! Sure, the really big names require tickets, but from what I saw last year, the quality of free acts is fantastic!

It makes summer the best time to visit Montreal!

Elecktra is a Digital Arts Festival,
where events and performances are presented, often interactive ones to a public from all walks of life, who are curious enough to see what others' dreams are made of. For the imagination is constantly appealed to.
Made in collaboration with many Organizations and Companies who are knowned for their avant-garde visions on Electronic Arts, they showcase, to paraphrase them, "artists and works that combine innovative electronic music and creative imagery derived from new technologies (animation, installations and robotics). It is a nexus where the latest in digital technology meets diverse mediums, such as music, video, cinema, design, gaming and sound/interactive installations...While the event attracts avant-garde artists from around the world, it also shines the spotlight on home-grown talent, positioning Montreal as one of the North American hub for the electronic arts. "
Ticket Info.
You can find some interesting images, on their web site.

Click here for access to their BLOG

The seventh edition of the Elektra Festival, will be from the 9th through 14th of May 2006.

If you are coming during halloween season, you won't be out of things to do.
There are things to do for all ages . Amongst them is the festival in Old Montreal called "La Grande Mascarade". It lasts for about 4 days. They have free oustide activities; not expensive theatrical type activities, costume parties with DJs for the older children, etc, etc...
Go to their web site, it will be better for explanations, than I would.

All I can say, is that it's great fun!!!

This year, 2005's Montreal International Jazz Festival will be held from June 30th to July 10th, as it usually always falls on or around the first week of July in its habitual location of the Place-des-Arts metro station vicinity. Many stages such as the Loto-Quebec stage, Stella-Artois stage, GM stage await your venue to offer you an amazing brochette of Jazz, Rythm & Blues and World music shows, all for free. Day, Evening and night people will be enjoying some of the greatest names in the musical industry; one can also enjoy interior shows for which you need to buy tickets, for example Pat Metheny's, Khaled's, Michael Bublé's, The Neville Brothers', Gregory Charles' and many others. There are no age restriction to attend outside shows, even children have a special designated musical area close to the Place-des-Arts complex Esplanade area. Expect a lot of people at all times of day and rest assured that shows are never cancelled due to bad weather, only sometimes delayed but always continued as the weather permits. Part of Ste-Catherine St. is closed throughout the event as one will find vendors of all kinds: food, drinks and Jazz Fest souvenirs to bring back home.

While Montreal is known for its summer festivals, it does no simply go into hibernation in winter!

One of the city's winter festivals is the Fête des neiges (litteral translation: Snow Festival) which takes place on consecutive weekends, usually from late January to mid-February, on Jean-Drapeau Island.

It is an ideal outing for the whole family, as many of the activities are geared towards kids. Fixtures at the festival include the skating path and the tubing slides. You can also take a dog sled ride to appreciate the scenery of the island. There are also a variety of shows, exhibits and kiosks that you can visit. Check out the festival's website (shown below) to see the program.

When I was there, the ice sculpting competitions had just ended, so even though I did not see the sculptors in action, I did not have to wait to take pictures of their works!

Please note that while access to the site is free, most of the activities are not. However, there are some discounts for children under a certain age (which vary from one activity to the next).