January

January 12-28, 2012- Igloofest - Each January, Montréal's weekend nights at Jacques-Cartier Quay become a lot warmer than the rest of the city. Upon entering Igloofest, guests are greeted by igloos that can hold up to 15 people. Once Montréal party revelers have enjoyed the igloos, they may enjoy ice sculptures before entering the city's craziest winter rave and dance party.

Red Weekend - Valentine's Day celebrations are given five days during one of the biggest parties on the Montréal gay scene - Montréal Red Weekend. The weekend features a host of parties and social events with the highlight being the Red Party on Saturday night.
Feburary 9 - 20, 2012 - PanAfrica International Film Fest - African/Creole cinema festival. This Montréal festival features the most compelling works from Africa and Creole nations. Over 12,000 people take part in this event, which includes over a hundred unforgettable films from around the world.
February 16 to April 29, 2012 - Butterflies Go Free - Each February Montréal's Nature Museums invite guests and butterfly enthusiasts to learn about 50 - 75 butterfly species from around the world. Escape the cold and take a trip with us to learn about species from destinations such as Costa Rica, Ecuador, Indonesia and throughout the globe.
February 16 - 26, 2012 - Montréal High Lights Festival - During the depth of winter, this annual Montréal winter festival heats up the city with fun for people of all ages. Be sure not to miss this Montréal winter festival and take part in outdoor ice skating, an ice slide, live music and dance performances, fireworks and gastronomical delights.
February 26, 2012 - Montréal All-Nighter - As the Montréal High Lights Festival comes to a close, the last night of the festivities bring night owls, art aficionados, theatre buffs and music lovers from downtown to Old town Montréal. The event features 120 activities including art galleries and theatres keeping their doors open until dawn, creating dancing shadows at City Hall plaza or catching an outdoor movie screening. For this night, both the Montréal Metro and free shuttle services will be running throughout the night.

March 15-25, 2012 - FIFA - The Montréal International Festival of Film on Art is now approaching its 30th year and strives to increase the appreciation, knowledge and awareness of the arts. Over the course of the event, films are presented on diverse themes such as mime, tattoo, circus acts and comics.

April 4 - 21, 2012  - Vue sur la releve - This performance art festival should not be missed. Venues are located throughout the city, including La Maison de la culture Frontenac, Cabaret La Tulipe, Le Lion d'or, and Le National.
April 18 - 23, 2012 Montréal International Literary Festival (Blue Metropolis) - This is a five-day long multilingual international literary event. Take in the collective works of over 250 writers, publishers, and other artists. This festival is sure to awaken your imagination and inspire your creativity during your next trip to Montréal.

May 1 - 31, 2012 Montréal Chamber Music Festival - Experience the unparalleled culture of Montréal with this spring festival dedicated to classical music. Performances take place around the city in historic venues. May 2012 dates TBD - Festival Transameriques - This dance theatre festival is unique experience. This year, the festival will showcase original works by Wajdi Mouawad, Merce Cunningham, and Ivo Van Hove among other works. Discover an original Montréal cultural institution.
May 27-June 3, 2012 - Montréal Bike Festival - Gear up for a weekend of fun and exercise. This Montréal festival offers preferential rates when you register early. Ask our concierge for more details.

June 8-12, 2012 - Grand Prix - Rev up for the world's best auto racing event, featuring 70 laps and 300km of pure excitement. Don't miss this special event.
June 8-16, 2012 - Les FrancoFolies - Take in the best of French language music during this unique Montréal festival. Attended by nearly a million people every year, this event is one you wont want to miss.
June 8-July 7, 2012 - International Festival of Jazz - One of the world's most acclaimed Jazz Festivals, the International Festival of Jazz is a must-see event that is often attended by over 2 million people. Over 500 concerts take place in small jazz clubs, large venues, and everything in between.  Montreal's biggest music festival offers something for everyone.
June 2012 - Montréal International Festival of Art - With eleven days of festivities, encompassing two weekends, this Montréal festival is dedicated to showcasing talent in the visual arts and crafts. Explore both established talent and emerging artists.

July 7-31, 2012- Just for Laughs Comedy Festival - This is the largest comedy festival on earth, featuring acts in both English and French. Street performers, emerging talent, and established comedians are all part of this unique event.
July 2012  - Fantasia International Film Festival - Explore the world's largest genre film festival with films from around the world. 
July 2012  - Dragon Boat Race Festival - Experience live entertainment, arts and crafts, the Children Drawing Contest, and more. With over 200 teams from all over North America, the Dragon Boat Race Festival will be a weekend that you will never forget.
July 2012 - Divers/Cite Gay and Lesbian Pride - Show your pride at Montréal's annual Gay and Lesbian pride event.

August 2012  - Otakuthon - Celebrate Japanese animation, graphic novels and pop-culture with thousands of fans during the largest Québec anime convention. Held at Palais des Congrès, fans may attend the masquerade and J-Pop Concert, play video and role-playing games, listen to panels or participate in workshops.
August 2012 - St Jean sur Richelieu Hot Air Balloon Festival - More than 100 hot air balloons blow into the Montreal area each August for Canada's largest balloon festival. The family event features concerts from popular artists, twice-daily hot air balloon rides, a children's pajama day party and so much more. The event is held approximately 20 minutes southeast of Montréal.
August 2012  NAPA Auto Parts 200 - Experience the tremendous speed at Canada's most important NASCAR race. With a long straight away and several tricky curves, the road course provides for exciting action.
August 2012  - Montréal World Film Festival - As one of the oldest and most well-respected Canadian film festivals, the WFF proudly focuses on international films with just a few produced in Hollywood. In addition to the World Competition, films are accepted for world cinema, documentaries, tributes and others.

September 2012 - Montréal Marathon - Join thousands of dedicated runners and see Montréal's sights from a different perspective. The marathon winds through Notre-Dame Island, Historic Old-Montréal, Canada's Grand Prix F1 Circuit and culminates at Olympic Stadium, completing the final 300 meters just as the 1976 Olympians.
September 2012  - Burlesque Festival - Reviving the popular form of entertainment from the 1930s and 1940s, the Montréal Burlesque Festival is sure to wow all attendees. Today's burlesque tends to put an emphasis on style, often involving humor with outrageous costumes and props.
September 2012 - Pop Montréal - Get ready to listen to some of the biggest international acts and popular Québec artists during the annual Pop Montréal music event. Expect more than 400 acts to perform at 50 various venues across the city. Artists perform the best from rock, indie, alternative, hip hop and folk genres. 

October 2012 - Festival du Monde Arabe - Founded in 2000, the festival is dedicated to the arts of the Arab world and strives to develop dialogue between Arab and Western cultures. The celebration has diversified in nature and now includes dance, music theatre, visual art, multidisciplinary arts and emerging media.
October 2012  - Montréal Improv Festival - Are you are ready to laugh? MProv will surely not disappoint. The Montréal festival brings together local, national and international improvisation troupes each year; once the specific dates are released, we'll post them here.
October 2012 - Festival du Nouveau Cinema - For approximately 40 years, this independent film festival in Montréal has brought prominence to both Canadian and international film directors, while bringing cutting-edge audiovisual practices and the newest technologies to enhance the theatre experience.
October 2012 - image+nation Montréal LGBT Film Festival - As North America's largest LGBT film festival, films are shown that are pertinent to both the gay community and the larger, global world. Be sure to check back as once the specific dates are released, we'll post them here

November 2012 - Cinemania - If you are looking to preview over 200 French-language films and cannot make it to France, Cinemania in Montréal is your chance to view a wide range of films covering masterpieces, provocative exposes and feature films by new directors. Cinemania is the only French-language film festival to provide English subtitles for all films and will be held at Imperial Cinema.
November 2012  - Rencontres Internationales du Documentaire - With over a hundred videos from around the world, this annual event prides itself on its international scope. The program is organized around themes: social, political and environmental; and includes workshops to engage the filmmakers and attendees in dialogue and debate.
November 2012 - M for Montréal - Discover who's who within the Montréal music scene at this annual music showcase. M for Montréal features a series of outdoor concerts, large attractions and intimate indoor concert venues. 

December 2012 - Salon des métiers d'art - Featuring both emerging and renowned artists, this is the destination for what's happening within the field of Canadian arts and crafts. This annual Montréal event serves as the largest professional craft show in Canada, with over 200,000 visitors and 400 participating exhibitors.
December 2012 - Old Montréal's Extravaganza - Each year the quaint streets of Old Montréal come alive in the holiday spirit. Throughout the month of festivities, local museums, institutions and shops embrace the holiday spirit with grand decorations, and both indoor and outdoor events.