Festival day-tripping around Montréal!

Whether you’re into yoga, jazz, classical or electronic music, hot-air ballooning or the country scene, Montréal’s surroundings are teeming with festivals to satisfy your cultural and spiritual cravings. Time to sharpen your pencils and start planning some day trips for a taste of Québec’s joie de vivre and creativity.

40 years old already! The Festival de Lanaudière invites classical music lovers and world-renowned artists (Alain Lefèvre, Kent Nagano and more) to celebrate an exciting new crop of concerts and special events. Recognized by peers and discerning audiences alike, it is the biggest classical music festival in Canada and among the most important of its kind in North America.

Estimated time: a 90-minute drive from Montréal

When: July 1 to 6, 2017

Une publication partagée par Michel Cunha (@michel_cunha) le 13 Juil. 2016 à 12h21 PDT

Ghost Town Blues Band, Sugaray Rayford, The Commonheart, Curtis Salgado, C.J. Chenier The Red Hot Louisiana Band, John Hammond, The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra with Terrie Odabi Frank Bey, Coco Montoya and Lulu Hughes: that’s just a sampling of some of the star performers that will be gracing the stages of Tremblant’s picturesque pedestrian village. Blues buffs, prepared to be bowled over by the 24th edition of the Festival International du Blues de Tremblant.

Estimated time: a 90-minute drive from Montréal

When: July 7 to 16, 2017

Une publication partagée par MONTREAL AIM FESTIVAL (@aim_festival_montreal) le 27 Mars 2017 à 7h13 PDT

Bring your tent or RV, your energy and your love of a good time, then dance your shorts off to the sounds of techno, deep house, pop electronic and chill out. The Montréal AIM Electronic Music Festival invites music lovers to Carillon Park in Saint-André-d’Argenteuil, a national historic site of Canada, for three adrenaline- and music-infused days of fun. The free camping site is set up especially for the festival with temporary infrastructures. There’s also a paying option if you want to pamper yourself with the permanent washrooms and showers.

Estimated time: about 80-minute drive from Montréal

When: July 14 to 16, 2017

Imagine a colourful fleet of 125 hot-air balloons filling the sky, major shows and free entertainment for all ages. That’s the family-friendly L’International de montgolfières de Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, which features a fun, music-filled program for young and old alike. For its 34th edition, world-renowned artist Wyclef Jean, former member of the ‘90s hip hop group The Fugees, will be performing. Groovy!

Estimated time: a 40-minute drive from Montréal

When: August 12 to 20, 2017

Une publication partagée par Tourisme Mont-Tremblant (@tourismemonttremblant) le 27 Juin 2016 à 10h36 PDT

Meditative hikes, initiations to SUP yoga, honing your practice at the lake’s edge: relaxing has never been this lush and inspiring. The Festival Wanderlust Tremblant at the heart of Mont-Tremblant in the Laurentians, invites everyone to commune with nature and enjoy an array of yoga-centric activities. Discover different practices, inspiring nights and engaging conversation and reconnect with you.

Estimated time: a 1.5-hour drive from Montréal

When: August 24 to 27, 2017

Une publication partagée par Festival Western de St-Tite | (@fwst_officiel) le 7 Juin 2016 à 12h17 PDT

Saint-Tite, situated in the Mauricie region, has built itself a stellar reputation for its leather industry and boasts the title, “Leathertown of Québec”. Today, it welcomes professional rodeo competitions, country music shows, a parade and a unique ambiance during the  Festival Western de St-Tite, which celebrates its 6th edition this year. Yee-haw!

Estimated time: a 2-hour drive from Montréal

When: September 7 to 17, 2017

Une publication partagée par lagrosselanterne (@lagrosselanterne) le 9 Août 2015 à 14h43 PDT

Be part of the new wave of cultural creators from here and afar at a great forest campsite in Béthanie. La Grosse Lanterne, which has partnered with the team from Piknik Électronik and Igloofest, offer a unique experience of cool concerts, a chill ambiance that gravitates around outdoor BBQs and swimming and, come sundown, a magical atmosphere created by lighting and visual effects. Welcome to a whole new enchanting forest!

Estimated time: an 80-minute drive from Montréal

The rest: Festivoix de Trois-Rivières (June 29 to July 9), Festival d’été de Québec (July 6 to 16), Festival Musical Indépendant Diapason in Laval (July 6 to 9), Mondial des cultures Drummondville (July 7 to 15), FestiJazz Mont-Tremblant (August 2 to 6), Festival du maïs in Saint-Damase (August 3 to 6), Festival du cochon de Sainte-Perpétue (August 3 to 6), Festival de la Chanson de Granby (August 16 to 26) and Tremblant Gourmand (September 14 to 17).

Up next: Four great day trips from Montréal.