It’s funny how quickly things change. What used to be a semi run-down, rowdy area has been transformed into the glorious Festivals Square it was meant to be, thanks to a little sprucing up and new infrastructure. Montreal is probably the world capital of festivals, with over 100 each year. This public square has seen artists like Stevie Wonder, Arcade Fire, and other local celebrities, plus countless urban exhibitions, since its opening in 2009. I predict a bright future for this place, be it a food truck gathering or a Cirque du Soleil show. It is definitely something that makes Montreal unique. Where else in the world is there a gigantic city square dedicated to festivals, where people can gather year-round regardless of the weather?

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Dancing The Night Away at Montreal's Place Des Festivals

It’s funny how quickly things change. What used to be a semi run-down, rowdy area has been transformed into the glorious Festivals Square it was meant to be, thanks to a little sprucing up and new infrastructure. Montreal is probably the world capital of festivals, with over 100 each year. This public square has seen artists like Stevie Wonder, Arcade Fire, and other local celebrities, plus countless urban exhibitions, since its opening in 2009. I predict a bright future for this place, be it a food truck gathering or a Cirque du Soleil show. It is definitely something that makes Montreal unique. Where else in the world is there a gigantic city square dedicated to festivals, where people can gather year-round regardless of the weather?

Decibel Overload in Montreal

Aptly nicknamed the “Festival Capital”, Montreal is indeed quite the lively city whose electric atmosphere lasts year-round. World-class acts frequently perform at one of the outdoor festivals like Osheaga, Jazz Festival, Francofolies and Nuits d’Afrique, which all draw hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Crowds gather at the newly refurbished Place des Festivals in downtown Montreal and listen to free concerts, from May to October and beyond, as Montrealers know better than to ignore the joys of winter. Other popular events include the fireworks festival (every Saturday of July-August at 10PM, with exceptional views from the Clock Pier in Old-Montreal) as well as Igloofest, Just for Laughs and Circus Week.

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