WEDNESDAY JUNE 27 TO SUNDAY JULY 1

Festival International Montreal en Arts (FIMA) @ a huge swath of St-Catherine East, between St-Hubert and Papineau. The 13th edition of FIMA and their famous Boulev’art open this week! One kilometre of St-Catherine Street will be closed for five days as 85 artists and exhibitors of all disciplines, from Montreal, Quebec, Ontario, USA and Cuba, line the streets with their original works. Take a gander at FIMA’s full program here!

THURSDAY JUNE 28 TO SATURDAY JULY 7

Montreal Jazz Fest @ Place des festivals, at Jeanne-Mance and St-Catherine. Yes, yes, yes! It’s Jazz Fest time again! As we insisted last year, this is a time for hand-holding, pocket flasks and short skirts. Rufus Wainwright, Escort and Chromeo are this year’s free headliners, on June 28, July 3 and July 7, respectively. However, many other great artists will also be in town: James Taylor, Ben Harper and Janelle Monae are the mere tip of the iceberg. Tickets can be purchased here!

FRIDAY JUNE 29

6pm. One Year Anniversary Party @ Citizen Vintage, 5330 St-Laurent. One of our favourite Montreal vintage shops, Citizen Vintage, celebrates it’s one year anniversary with live music, treats, prizes and general good times. Full event and raffle information is available on their Facebook event page.

8:30pm. Esperanza Spalding @ Metropolis, 59 St-Catherine East. The beautiful and talented Esperanza Spalding returns to Montreal for the 33rd Montreal Jazz Fest (see above), bringing her jazz bass and magnificent voice to the Metropolis stage. Tickets range from $36 to $56 and can be purchased here.

SATURDAY JUNE 30

11am. Summer Artisan Fair @ Ukrainian Federation Hall, 5213 Hutchison. Rock Camp for Girls Montreal hosts a summer art fair that will include some of the best local ceramists, jewellers and crafters Montreal has to offer, along with door prizes and live music all day! Notable vendors include v.bot clothing and accessories, Curious Little Bird, Bake Sale Girl and more! Until 5pm.

10pm. L’international des feux Loto-Québec @ La Ronde, or Quays of the Old Port. Find a high vantage point on any for the rest of the summer and behold some magnificent fireworks brought to you this year by Japan, Switzerland, Canada, Greece, France, Portugal, Italy and the USA. Loto-Québec’s grand finale takes place on Saturday, August 3. If you don’t want to leave the island (or pay money to see the fireworks), just shimmy down to Old Port with a blanket, a beverage and a buddy – the view is still fantastic!

SUNDAY JULY 1

11am. Canada Day Parade @ downtown core, St-Catherine from du Fort to Peel. Happy Birthday, Canada! We love you big time. Don’t miss Montreal’s 35th annual Canada Day Parade through downtown, ending at Place du Canada where cake and activities will abound! Until 4:30pm.

by Tyler Yank | Photo Johann Sauty