Celebrate The World's Biggest Jazz Festival in Montreal
Published by Mara Munro, Writer
Country: Canada 
The Experience
For ten solid days, a massive section of Montreal's downtown core is blocked off for the world's biggest jazz festival. Outdoor stages pop up in ten separate locations, and idling motors are replaced with live melodies as the streets and parks spill over with the 2.5 million peaceful music lovers that attend the Montreal Jazz Festival every year.
The Festival International de Jazz de Montreal is the most anticipated summer festival of the city. You can almost feel the surging energy of the massive crowds from the Plateau: the neighbourhood just north of the downtown core where the Montreal Jazz Festival is held.
The most impressive aspect of the Montreal Jazz Festival is that there is something for everyone. If you’re a penniless student, you won’t have to worry about ever paying for shows because, of the 650 concerts, 450 of them are free outdoor performances. The Montreal Jazz Festival schedule is absolutely overwhelming. Each year there are approximately 3,000 artists hailing from over thirty different countries, gracing the stages of ten indoor concert halls and ten outdoor stages.
Of course the big guns are kept inside, and can be quite pricey. The main attractions of 2011 include; Marianne Faithfull, David Liebman, Robert Plant, K.D. Lang, and Yael Naim; and they are in the major concert halls. Then there are the shows in smaller venues, like Club Soda, which feature more up and coming artists, and the price point is a little lower. However, you may find that some of your favourite artists can be seen free of charge. One summer, July Black, Alpha Yaya Diallo and Alice Russel were performing on two glorious hot summer days and starry Montreal nights.
To kick off the 30th anniversary of the Montreal Jazz Festival in 2009, the great Stevie Wonder played a free show attended by over 200,000 fans. The downtown core was gridlocked, and it was impossible for anyone who had not showed up two hours in advance to get anywhere near the show. But if you listened close from any bubbling bistro terrace, you could hear his music bouncing from building to building, and at least catch the fireworks that marked the end of the performance and the beginning of the festival as they illuminated the city in purple, red and gold. The spirit of the world's largest Jazz festival grows stronger each year, and is absolutely an experience for any die-hard music lover, not to miss.
The Festival International de Jazz de Montreal is the most anticipated summer festival of the city. You can almost feel the surging energy of the massive crowds from the Plateau: the neighbourhood just north of the downtown core where the Montreal Jazz Festival is held.
The most impressive aspect of the Montreal Jazz Festival is that there is something for everyone. If you’re a penniless student, you won’t have to worry about ever paying for shows because, of the 650 concerts, 450 of them are free outdoor performances. The Montreal Jazz Festival schedule is absolutely overwhelming. Each year there are approximately 3,000 artists hailing from over thirty different countries, gracing the stages of ten indoor concert halls and ten outdoor stages.
Of course the big guns are kept inside, and can be quite pricey. The main attractions of 2011 include; Marianne Faithfull, David Liebman, Robert Plant, K.D. Lang, and Yael Naim; and they are in the major concert halls. Then there are the shows in smaller venues, like Club Soda, which feature more up and coming artists, and the price point is a little lower. However, you may find that some of your favourite artists can be seen free of charge. One summer, July Black, Alpha Yaya Diallo and Alice Russel were performing on two glorious hot summer days and starry Montreal nights.
To kick off the 30th anniversary of the Montreal Jazz Festival in 2009, the great Stevie Wonder played a free show attended by over 200,000 fans. The downtown core was gridlocked, and it was impossible for anyone who had not showed up two hours in advance to get anywhere near the show. But if you listened close from any bubbling bistro terrace, you could hear his music bouncing from building to building, and at least catch the fireworks that marked the end of the performance and the beginning of the festival as they illuminated the city in purple, red and gold. The spirit of the world's largest Jazz festival grows stronger each year, and is absolutely an experience for any die-hard music lover, not to miss.
When to Go to Montreal Jazz Festival
Festival organizers suggest accessing the new grounds at Place des Festivals from the St. Laurent metro station, or Ontario St. East. Public transit is the best way to get to the Montreal Jazz Festival as driving and parking is a veritable nightmare. If you bike, there are usually extra bike racks for the occasion.
For wheelchair access, please contact Julie Chamberland at 514 288‑1424, ext. 4540, the day before the concert in order to reserve a space.
For wheelchair access, please contact Julie Chamberland at 514 288‑1424, ext. 4540, the day before the concert in order to reserve a space.
Odds n' Ends
The festival grounds are pedestrian only, so no bikes, skateboards or rollerblades are allowed, and strollers are discouraged. You will most likely be lightly searched at the entrance gates, where any cans or glass bottles will be confiscated. Alcohol is not permitted, but sold inside the festival grounds, and reusable water bottles are permitted.
Places to Eat
- Cafe du Nouveau Monde
- Cute French Bistro in the heart of the Jazz Festival.
Recommended Places to Stay
- Montreal International Jazz Festival
- Book an exclusive "Jazz Package" through The Montreal International Jazz Festival website, and get: * Two nights accommodation in a downtown Montreal Hotel * Two breakfasts * One concert ticket for the Jazz d’ici La Presse series * Priority access to tickets for all indoor concerts (subject to availability) * 15% off any indoor concert ticket (subject to availability) * Privilege access to all indoor concerts; * One accreditation offering free entry to the Super Sessions at Maison du Festival Rio Tinto Alcan and to the Montreal Guitar Show *$5 off Les trésors de la Cité… Une visite surprenante du Vieux-Montréal walking tour * One official Festival t-shirt * A shoulder bag with the Festival logo (1 bag for 2 people) * The Festival Under the Stars Souvenir Book * A 2010 Festival International de Jazz de Montréal CD compilation * The program and much more…
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