10 Things to Do in Montreal in July

July has tourist proposals that will make you fall in love, whether you want to cool off on the surrounding beaches, try a Hawaiian ice cream or enjoy French music, there are different plans every day waiting for you. It is one of the months with more festivals that include gastronomic activities, comedy shows, medieval demonstrations and film screenings.

You can also take advantage of events involving African and Latin American culture, try Canadian snow crab, sign up for a women-only marathon or get up close to the fashion shows.

Canada Day is celebrated every July 1 to commemorate the country's independence from the United Kingdom in 1867. In Montreal there is a parade that covers the streets of the city, plus you can attend festivals, free concerts, barbecues and more. Very early in the morning you can go to the Clock Quay to see the grand opening cannon shot and the aerial shows.

In the city's parks there are amusement rides, temporary tattoo stations, make-up artists for children and typical food tastings. Don't miss the sharing of the cake, where slices are handed out for free.

At the end of the day there is a closing show with live music including a fireworks show.

Details of interest: For the parade flags and objects allusive to the country with the typical colors are distributed, but you should arrive early as there are limited quantities.

If you are traveling to Montreal with the purpose of improving your French or learning to communicate in this language, I recommend landing at Les FrancoFolies which takes place between June and July, an event that celebrates French music and attracts the best local and foreign performers.

You can make a small donation to contribute to a ticket, which is given to people who cannot cover the cost of admission.

Details of interest: Access to some events is completely free, however there are concerts ranging from 12 to 30 € approximately.

July is the month with the most variety of festivals, with locals taking advantage of the warm temperatures to immerse themselves in outdoor activities that include music, regional food and medieval rituals.

Montreal Cirque Festival

For eleven days you can enjoy the Montreal Cirque Festival, which offers an itinerary of circus shows in different parts of the city. There are outdoor attractions in the streets, impressive costumes, structures full of adventure and acrobatics that will make your hair stand on end.

On the official website you can find the dynamic map that shows the locations of the circuses, as well as options for lodging in the surrounding area, places to eat or have a beer and offers on nearby attractions.

Details of interest: Most activities and circuses are free, but some shows have a cost.

Streetfood Festival

If you want to try around 100 different dishes, I suggest you stop by the Montreal Streetfood Festival, a street food event that hosts proposals from different continents such as Asia, Europe and America, as well as typical food from the province of Quebec.

You can't miss the churros, takoyaki, corn, tornado potatoes, tacos or a surprise tasting. You can also stop by the night market that takes place in the Old Port of Montreal for four days. As it is a family event, pets with their respective leashes are welcome, and you can also enjoy parking for your car.

Details of interest: The entrance fee is approximately 2 €, and each food stall has its own payment system. It is important to have Canadian dollars in cash, although there are some ATMs available.

Festival of Comedy and Laughter

The Festival of Food and Laughter or Just for Laughs, is an event where laughter will never be lacking. It has been held since 1983 and brings together more than 400 comedy activities, funny, wacky and unexpected plays.

Details of interest: You can buy tickets for each show, but the most economical and cost-effective option is to purchase a passport for several shows. Prices range from 78 to 160 €.

Nuits d'Afrique International Festival

The Nuits d'Afrique International Festival encompasses cultural activities from Africa, Antilles, Latin America and lasts approximately thirteen days. During the first days you can enjoy a wide repertoire of at least 700 artists from 30 countries, who perform shows in the most emblematic points of Montreal.

The following days of the festival, there are more than 150 free activities, such as outdoor exhibitions, concerts, dance workshops, craft sales and tastings at the Timbuktu market.

Don't miss the cabaret shows that open their doors for locals and foreigners, with discounts and special promotions. For example, you can pay a ticket and enjoy an additional pass free of charge.

Details of interest: I recommend arriving in advance to all activities.

International Fantasy Film Festival

Between July and August you can enjoy the International Fantasy Film Festival which features special events and free activities such as Korean animation screenings, lectures and things to do with children.

Details of interest: To appreciate the exhibition of films you can buy an individual pass for about 10 €, or group tickets (up to 20 people) for about 135 €.

Medieval Festival of Lanaudière

The Medieval Festival of Lanaudière gathers magical activities around the medieval past of the country. You can enjoy a musketeer show, performances inspired by the Middle Ages, Viking crafts and the International Horse Tournament.

Also, don't miss the immersive adventures for children, music events, exhibitions of indigenous peoples and rare objects from New France. Another ideal booth will take you on a journey through the world of pirates who will tell you their story, while staying aboard their ship. If you're still looking for fun, sign up to join a medieval troop, enjoy historic Quebec music or learn more about medicinal plants.

Details of interest: General admission tickets range from 15 to 26 euros, depending on the number of hours you want to reserve to visit the recreational booths. Children pay a fee ranging from approximately 9 to 16 €, while family packages have an average cost of 38 to 55 €.

I invite you to celebrate the heritage of the Kanien'kehá:ka, a community belonging to the Kahnawà:ke that since 1991 has been holding events commemorating their culture on Kateri Tekakwitha Island, just twenty minutes from Montreal. Most of the activities revolve around indigenous rituals, for example you can enjoy the Echoes of a Proud Nation Pow Wow or the Grito de Orgullo that annually organizes songs and drum dances.

The duration of the Pow Wow festivities is two days where you will see colorful costumes, gastronomic stands to taste indigenous native food, stands of handicrafts, carvings and jewelry, as well as storytelling spaces for children.

Also not to be missed is the Friday Night Social where you can meet people with authentic indigenous customs and enjoy a dance show. Note that parking is free, so you can get around by car.

Details of interest: The general admission price is around €7. Adults over 60 pay an average rate of €4 and children under five are completely free.

During the season from April to August you can take the opportunity to try the delicious and mysterious Canadian snow crab, a seafood dish with a lot of flavor. In July you will find fresh proposals and I recommend you to include this tasting in your itinerary, since in August they tend to be more expensive and difficult to obtain.

Thanks to the pleasant temperatures in July, the crab has the ideal conditions, with a tender flavor. The most recommended time to try it is during lunch, some places I suggest are:

• Le Filet, you will also find other marine dishes, vegetarian, gluten free and French food. In this restaurant the snow crab has an approximate price of 20 €.
• Garde Manger, if you want to eat seafood or try Canadian food, this is the ideal restaurant for you. The snow crab is included in different dishes ranging from 17 to 34 €.
• Da Vinci, if you want to accompany the snow crab with Italian dishes, this place is the best option. I recommend you to book in advance, you also have the option to reserve a private room. The dishes have an estimated cost of 22 to 34 €.

Details of interest: The snow crab is a seafood that is recommended to accompany with cranberry sauce or champagne syrup.

Life is more fun from the sea, so during your visit in July I suggest you buy tickets for a cruise and see the city from another perspective. One of the best options is to sail by boat for an hour through the St. Lawrence River that offers unparalleled landscapes.

In addition to circling the city, you will have the opportunity to take a look at the Boucherville Islands and admire the architecture of its paths or pass under the Jacques-Cartier Bridge. It is one of the most entertaining activities to do during the summer and the best thing is that it is an ideal plan for the whole family.

Details of interest: The entrance fee for this type of maritime adventure is around 50 €.

After walking and hopping at the festivals and events in July, you'll surely want to make a stop to cool off. The best option is to head out in search of the best local ice cream parlors, which usually welcome the month with special flavors in keeping with the season.

Traveller Tip

If you're not into ice cream, you can opt for a frozen drink, a glass of wine or citrus cocktails. July can be a very hot month and it is important to stay cool and hydrated.

Unicone

Unicone is one of Montreal's ice cream parlors with more proposals to taste, as a new flavor is added weekly. For example, you can try an authentic pistachio gelato with the best ingredients from Italy. Additionally, it offers ice cream cakes, cookies with ice cream, special creations and areas with activities for children.

Its main location has a nice decoration, ideal for taking pictures, there are spaces to sit and even rooms to take a nap. Detailsof interest: It is located in Saint Denis, nine minutes from downtown, ice creams range from approximately 9 to 40 €.

Kamehameha

Try the Taiyaki ice cream, a specialty of the Hawaiian ice cream shop Kamehameha. It also offers ice cream whose cookie is shaped like a fish and is filled with nutella or dulce de leche.

You should visit this ice cream parlor in July since the rest of the year they offer sweet and salty Hawaiian bowls, but in the hot months they have a cold smoothie stand and delicious and refreshing ice creams inspired by the Hawaiian culture.

Details of interest: They have two locations in Sainte-Catherine about twenty minutes from downtown. The ice cream portions are generous and are around 7 €.

La Maison Lavande

If you want to have an ice cream next to the lavender fields, I suggest you take the car and drive twenty-five minutes to this paradisiacal place. I recommend you to visit La Maison Lavande where the ice creams are prepared with organic lavender and have a refreshing taste.

Here you can organize a picnic and enjoy the flowering. The entrance fee is around 8 € from June to July and small glasses of ice cream are 2 to 3 €.

Details of interest: On site you can take advantage of buying other products, such as oils, facial and body creams, accessories and more.

Startup Fashion Week is an event that has been held during July in Montreal since 2014. It showcases emerging designers and Canadian talent with a futuristic approach. There are booths for shopping and attending fashion conferences.

Details of interest: Admission is around €5.

The Mun Girl race is an event exclusively for women, and I recommend you wear all-terrain clothing, as you will go through mud and foam stations, as well as fun slides. It is an ideal activity to share with friends and includes at least 17 obstacles for the pink army.

Details of interest: The entrance fee is approximately 37 €.

Nothing more refreshing than a swim at the beach, during July the temperatures are ideal and the sand stays warm, so I suggest you visit Jean Dore beach. Right in front of it is an inflatable obstacle course that attracts children. If you want to get a tan and go around the harbor, you can rent canoes or pedal boats.

It's a fun plan since in July the waves in Montreal improve their conditions and will allow you to surf. In addition, there are volleyball courts, freshwater pools and yoga lessons.

Details of interest: It is located fourteen minutes from downtown, you can park in the Jean-Drapeau Park for about 14 €, but being a beach so close I recommend you move by subway or bus. The entrance to the beach is around 15 €.