Montreal’s dedication to the summer festival circuit is back on full display this year, with the return of the International Jazz Festival, the Osheaga music festival, and the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix. Unsurprisingly, several culinary events are also on the docket for this food city. Here, we round up — in chronological order — the food festivals, street markets, and events in store for the season.
Did we miss an upcoming Montreal summer food festival or event? Send us a tip at [email protected]. This post will get regularly updated throughout the summer.
Marché Asiatique de Montréal
When: July 15 to October 2 (Thursdays to Sundays)
Where: Corner St-Laurent and René-Lévesque Est
What: Chinatown is all set to host its yearly Asian market, bringing street eats from around the continent — and live performances — to a festive outdoor space put together in collaboration with La Pépinière, an organization dedicated to converting underused urban spaces into collective hangouts.
Marché de Nuit de Montréal
When: July 28–31 and August 25–28
Where: Corner St-Laurent and René-Lévesque Est
What: From the same organizers of Marché Asiatique de Montréal comes this night market with an expanded food offering, including “stinky tofu, bbq-grilled giant squid, fried baos, whole spit-cooked lamb, and more,” per Tastet.
Les Premiers Vendredis
When: August 5, September 2, October 7
Where: The Esplanade of the Olympic Park
What: With its first two events of the season already behind us, this mega Montreal food truck festival will repeat on the first Friday of every month until October. Expect dozens of vendors, including local favourites like Mexican restaurant Calaveras, Jamaican staple Boom J’s, and doughnut slinger Crémy, plus outdoor seating for 3,000 and rotating DJ sets.
Montreal Ribfest
When: August 12 to 14
Where: 13665 Pierrefonds Boulevard
What: The 7th annual edition of RibFest brings together four Southern barbecue pitmasters, dozens of other vendors and food trucks, a beer garden, and a kids’ zone, all in one place. Another reason to visit: The event doubles as a fundraiser for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Island mentoring program.
Pocha
When: August 19 to 21
Where: MR-63 (1101 Ottawa Street)
What: Expect Korean barbecue, kogos, and fried chicken aplenty at this three-day, dog-friendly Korean street market headed to Griffintown. Also on the program: DJ sets, K-pop cover groups, and dance parties.
A Taste of the Caribbean
When: August 25 to 28
Where: Quai de l’Horloge in Old Montreal
What: This event dedicated to spotlighting the culture of the Caribbean is an excellent opportunity to dig into delicious eats from the region. Groove to the reggae while checking out the food from established Montreal restaurants like Seasoned Dreams and Kwizinn to smaller catering outfits like Ti Joe BBQ and Tasty Touch.
Shoni Market
When: September 8 to 11
Where: Sainte-Catherine Ouest
What: This massive food market is again taking over Montreal’s Shaughnessy Village, the Concordia University-adjacent neighbourhood known for its vibrant Asian food scene. Organizers promise the return of “Canada’s biggest pan-Asian foodie market,” which featured more than 100 participating local businesses last year, including Cantonese rice noodle roll experts Yin Ji Chang Fen, Thai restaurant Mama Bangkok, and Sammi & Soupe Dumpling — plus a mega corgi meet-up.
YATAI MTL
When: June 10 to 12
Where: Marché des Possibles and Entrepôt 77
What: This Mile End ode to Japanese culture and street food is closing off Montreal’s Japan Week festivities. Local restaurants like Okeya Kyujiro, Fleurs et Cadeaux, and Ramen Nakamichi will be present, dishing up unagi don (eel and rice), yakitori, and karaage, respectively. The program also includes sake tastings, karaoke competitions, and a canine (shiba and akita, specifically) gathering.
Festival StreetFood Montreal
When: July 7 to 10
Where: Quai de l’Horloge in Old Montreal
What: A festival and night market spotlighting popular street food dishes from Asia, Europe, and South America. It’s the event’s second edition, which launched in 2019 but has been on hiatus since. Festival organizers promise more than 25 restaurants from across the province, serving over 100 international dishes. The admission fee is $3 for anyone over the age of 8.
Spice Island Cultural Festival
When: July 9 and 10
Where: Parc Vinet and Greenz Restaurant
What: After a two-year pause, the Spice Island Cultural Festival is back with a showcase of Grenadian cuisine. Chefs and home cooks will run vendor kiosks and host demonstrations, with musical guests helping keep things lively at Parc Vinet. The event concludes on Sunday with a cook-off at Greenz restaurant in Lachine. Tickets for the latter are $30 on Eventbrite.
Soif de Cidre
When: July 15 to 17
Where: Hangar 1825, 40 Rue des Seigneurs
What: In the first edition of this new cider event, roughly 30 producers from across the province will gather on the Lachine Canal, allowing visitors to sample all sorts of ciders — be they sweet, dry, sparkling, or iced.
The Filipino Night Market
When: July 16
Where: Parc du Pied-du-Courant
What: Spend the evening celebrating the Filipino community and culture with this event put on by Filipinos of Montreal. Expect food from family-run Côte-des-Neiges restaurant Cuisine de Manille and South Shore’s Café Kuya, plus live performances. The event is free, though registration gives you the chance to win a prize.
Le Grand PoutineFest
When: July 13 to 31
Where: Quai de l’Horloge in Old Montreal
What: After touching down in Laval, Lachenaie, the West Island, and elsewhere in the province, this festival dedicated to fries, cheese, and gravy lands in Old Montreal, serving up about 20 variations on the iconic dish, plus a beer pairing workshop, cooking demonstration, and a cheese curd tasting.
Festival International Nuits d’Afrique
When: July 19 to 24
Where: Quartier des Spectacles
What: Though mainly a music festival (more than 150 performances make up the line-up), Nuits d’Afrique is also inviting guests to spend their evenings exploring the flavours of Africa, the Caribbean, and South America, starting July 19. (The festival itself begins a week earlier.) Local food purveyors like Boom J’s, Lloydie’s, and Maquis Yasolo will be there, ensuring you get your fill on Jamaican patties, jerk chicken, and griot.