Montreal’s Must-Do Tourist Activities

La Fête Nationale du Québec is the National Holiday of the province of Québec. On this day, various events, shows and spectacles are planned in Montreal and throughout the province of Quebec. La Fête Nationale always occurs on June 24, which happens to be St. John the Baptist Day. Festivities take place on both June 23 and June 24. It is one of Montreal’s most popular holidays and it is a paid holiday in Montreal and the rest of Quebec.

Montreal’s International Fireworks Competition (L'International des Feux Loto-Québec presented by TELUS) is an annual fireworks competition that takes place during the summer months in Montreal. The Montreal International Fireworks Competition has been taking place since 1985 at La Ronde and is one of the most popular summer events in Montreal. The fireworks competition runs from mid-June till mid-August. Each year, over 3 million people attend the fireworks displays. The festival uses more than 6,000 fireworks.

Montreal's International Jazz Festival (Festival International de Jazz de Montréal ) is the largest jazz festival in the world. This 11-day summer music festival takes place between late June and early July in the heart of downtown Montreal. Located inside the Quartier des Spectacles, around the Place des Arts, the festival features some of the most famous artists from around the world. Each year, over 2 million spectators attend the International Jazz Festival.

The Montreal Science Centre introduces children to science and technology through various interactive activities. The Montreal Science Centre features both temporary and permanent exhibitions that encourage participation and really get children involved.

The Place des Festivals is a large public urban space that is dedicated to festivals and entertainment within the Quartier des Spectacles. The Place des Festivals draws huge festivals, particularly, during the summertime because of the many free events that take place in the Quartier des Spectacles. As part of the Place des Arts, the Place des Festivals contains the biggest interactive fountain in Canada.

Montreal’s Pointe-à-Callière Museum is both a museum and historical site at the same time. Located in Old Montreal, the museum was founded in 1992 to celebrate Montreal’s 350th birthday. Pointe-à-Callière is packed with information on the archaeological and historical riches of Montreal.

Montreal’s Quays of the Old Port offers plenty of activities for Montreal locals and visitors. Located at the Eastern end of the Lachine canal, and just off the St. Lawrence River, the Old port is great place for locals and tourists to mingle. During the summer, it offers a riverfront destination for walking, cycling, pedal boats, rollerblading and even Segway rentals.