The Bulletin: Surreal museum drinks, donut smash burgers, and 800 ways to Fringe [Issue #132]

Temperatures and spirits are high this weekend: Montreal comes in hot with a jam-packed slate of festivals, pop-ups, and block parties taking over the city, from indie theatre stages to riverside raves.

There’s MURAL Festival, Fringe Festival, YATAI, and Fest of the Fest. Add in Polski Piknik, Les Premiers Vendredis, Playa del Courant, and Quebec Ocean Week. Then there are wine tastings, gallery openings, street fairs, and outdoor performances.

You’ll find free workshops at Jean-Talon Market, $5 parties at Esplanade Louvain, a surrealist buvette at the Musée des beaux-arts, and Caribbean beats on Saint-Laurent Stage for the summer season’s first full-fledged weekend of fun.

All together, you’ve got a weekend that truly captures what makes Montreal summers so special.

At the same time, Quebec’s new French signage laws go into effect, Montreal cracks down on short-term rentals, and the future of the Hudson’s Bay building remains unclear. It's a lot, but that’s how we like it.

Here’s what’s on this weekend.

Activities, parties, points of interest, art exhibitions, you name it: These are the weekend events you don't want to miss.

Thursday

🎪 The Montreal Fringe Festival is in full swing with 800+ performances spanning theatre, dance, comedy, music, and circus, plus outdoor programming with live shows and a beer tent.

🔥 Aire Commune teams up with No Diploma Records for a high-energy night of open-air hip-hop, R&B, Latin, and Afrobeat sets at Esplanade Louvain, with tickets starting at just $5.

🏖️ Pied-du-Courant’s June beach season begins with an opening night party featuring tunes by High Klassified and DJs YAYA and Nana Zen–free entry before 7pm.

🧵 H. Fisher & Fils, a 100-year-old sewing shop turned historical heritage site, officially opens to the public with short guided tours explaining the shop’s legacy within Jewish immigrant communities and the Montreal garment industry.

🎨 MURAL Festival brings art to life along Saint-Laurent with live painting, free block parties, and local businesses joining in on the action.

🔊 Gabrielle Harnois-Blouin’s “Porosity” exhibit opens at the PHI Centre, an all-ages choral experience developed with elementary school students to explore how children absorb and shape their surroundings.

🎭 Mile End Improv’s “Fest of the Fest” kicks off, offering six nights of differently themed shows for a playful and offbeat alternative to the main Fringe lineup.

🎉 Datcha reopens its doors after a months-long flood-induced closure, reclaiming its spot as one of Montreal’s most beloved dance floors with a program of returning DJs.

📜 Attend Galerie Erga’s vernissage for of the fifth edition of Art Sur Papier, an exhibition showcasing 39 Canadian artists pushing the creative limits of paper across styles, subjects, and mediums.

Friday

🛍️ Stroll Promenade Wellington for a sunny summer sidewalk sale this weekend with over 250 participating businesses, restaurants, and bars to browse everything from upcycled clothes to bike gear over 1.3km of pedestrianized street.

🪐 Rising Montreal artist Flara K celebrates her debut album “Seasons” with an intimate acoustic performance and drinks at Studio Le Crib.

🎧 Attend a groovy all-night community rave for a rare set by Lakuti, Berlin-based DJ/label founder/curator, and Guthrie, dedicated DJ & one of the minds behind Ferias.

🌊 To wrap up a week of eco-action and celebration, Quebec Ocean Week presents a major shoreline cleanup at Clock Tower Beach for a 3-day program that blends environmental impact with festive activities.

🎤 Fléau Dicaprio launches his new album Big Wop – Mile-End sur la map with a free block party on the Saint-Laurent Stage as part of MURAL Festival programming, delivering a proudly local show celebrating Montreal and Mile End culture.

Saturday

🇵🇱 Polski Piknik Montréal serves up a cultural buffet of pierogi, sauerkraut, live music, traditional performances, artisan kiosks, and Żywiec-fueled fun at Parc La Fontaine for the annual Polish Festival.

🍅 Jean-Talon Market kicks off a summer-long weekend program of free, family-friendly activities like kids’ cooking classes, gardening workshops, and watercolor sessions inspired by the market’s vibrant stalls.

💌 The ITEMS market returns to Livart for its seventh edition, filling the space with local artists, designers, and makers for a weekend of creative discoveries and unique finds.

🌴 A free Caribbean Block Party brings island vibes to the Saint-Laurent Stage with a high-energy DJ lineup celebrating the musical diversity of the Caribbean.

🛍️ Spend a day browsing as Total Market returns for its fifth edition at Église Saint-Jean Berchmans this weekend with over 45 local vendors and items ranging from thrift gems to artisan goods.

🍺 Ferias and Wills Beer host a free, family-friendly, back patio summer block party with sounds by Cosmo, Guthrie, and Alina on an Eelastique audio system. 

🐞 Celebrate the launch of Goodee x Dave Arnold, a limited edition collaboration line of hand-painted watering cans, with an in-store launch party complete with free donuts and a visit from Dave himself.

🎨 Livart presents a relaxed drink & draw evening of watercolors and wine–three glasses provided with ticket purchase!–plus visual references and expert inspiration.

Sunday

🌷 Drop by a community-building block party thrown by the Centre Sud Tenants Union in the Gay Village, complete with free food, face paint, childcare, and a workshop.

⚽ GOAL Initiatives and Bossa Sandwicherie throw a block party featuring live music, giveaways, and delicious sandwiches, with some proceeds going towards youth sports programming.

🎂 Batiment 7 celebrates its 7th birthday party with a ceramics activity, free arcade, band show, art exhibition, and more, plus hotdogs, free sweets, and other goodies to eat and drink.

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WHAT TO EAT & DRINK IN AND AROUND MONTREAL

Scope the latest restaurant openings, recommendations on where to eat, plus new menus, old classics, and everything in between.

The Musée des beaux-arts throws a Surrealist-themed Buvette on June 5 with wines from Fréchette, bites by Chomchom, activity workshops, and gallery access for an evening of creativity and conversation.

Quebec’s largest Japanese street market is back this weekend, starting June 5th–find the best spots to taste, sip, and celebrate Japanese cuisine, crafts, and traditions in our complete guide to YATAI MTL.

Junjun celebrates its first anniversary on June 5 with the launch of its summer menu and a festive night of music by the Flores Bros, marking one year of community, culture, and unforgettable meals.

Tousignant is serving up a June-only “3B” burger in collaboration with Bernie Beigne, with a portion of proceeds from sales of the smash burger in a donut bun going towards Canadian cancer charities.

Gato expands to Bromont with a second location which opens June 5 and offers the same beloved tacos, cocktails, and hospitality that made their Sutton spot a hit.

Symbiose Vins hosts a summer kickoff tasting on June 6 featuring Quebec-grown wines and ciders from Martin Laroche of Le Grand St-Charles, complete with BBQ bites and storytelling straight from the vineyard.

A huge street food festival returns to Olympic Park on June 6 and 7: Les Premiers Vendredis‘s season opener features over 50 food vendors, live music, festive hangout zones, and a vibrant celebration of culinary diversity.

Café Mina Mina has officially opened its doors in Saint-Henri: the new cafe and mobile barista bar offers specialty coffee, iced beverages, and handmade pastries in an earthy, welcoming space.

Lieux Communs and Mauve Vin & Fleurs present an afternoon aperitif wine tasting on June 7 featuring four fresh cuvées with winemakers in attendance, set to a vinyl DJ soundtrack–first come, first serve.

A festive BBQ at Café Caron & Frères pairs a menu of hotdogs, cocktails, beers, iced refreshments, and more with an upbeat DJ set on June 7 for a sunny, feel-good neighborhood afternoon.

Braderie d’Isle celebrates 11 years on June 7 with food, beers, music, and special surprise guests at a festive summer celebration highlighting local products and community bonding.

For hotdogs, cocktails, and good vibes (what more could you want, really?), drop by Bonheur d’Occasion’s festive and fresh summer block party on June 8.

Vinorama plays host to a “Spanish Delights” Cariño pop-up on June 8, offering a snack menu of pepitos, bravas, ice cream, and a special selection of Spanish wines.

Find pizza, pasta, and wine galore at Trattoria Fugazi’s block party on June 8, featuring a terrasse DJ set and free bites with a beverage purchase.

Here, you'll find a weekly round-up of the latest local news, from entertainment to current affairs and more.

Reclaiming Pride: A new grassroots festival in Montreal is bringing Pride back to its activist roots with a focus on inclusivity and community-led celebration. Read more.

Montreal considers updating noise bylaws to protect nightlife, hoping to balance residents' right to peace and quiet with supporting the city’s thriving nighttime scene. Read more.

Looking for the best new eats this month? Our updated June guide to Montreal’s top new restaurants is here, featuring everything from down-to-earth barbecue to high-concept tasting menus. Read more.

Mind your French: Quebec’s new signage rules have come into effect, meaning businesses must prioritize French or risk facing fines up to $90K. Read more.

Gabrielle Drolet turns chronic pain into a witty, heartfelt exploration in Look Ma, No Hands, a memoir on rediscovering her voice after losing the ability to use her hands. Read more.

Organized crime has undergone an upgrade, with criminals outsourcing the grunt work of acting on threats via digital platforms to evade justice in a growing trend dubbed “Uberized” extortion. Read more.

Airbnb, beware: Montreal cracks down on short-term rentals to fight housing scarcity and illegal listings. Read more.

Summer is starting strong: For the can’t-miss festivals, street fairs, and open-air shows this month, browse our picks for the best things to do in Montreal this June. Read more.

The future of the Hudson’s Bay building is in limbo as Montrealers debate what should replace the newly-closed flagship store. Read more.

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And that wraps yet another weekly bulletin. We’ll be back with more curiosities, local stories, and events to discover next week.

If ever you catch something we should know, don't hesitate to reach out to us on Instagram.

👋 Masthead: Philip Tabah, Founder & Head of Creative / Daniel Bromberg, Co-Founder & Head of Operations / Jean-Philippe Lauzon, Co-Founder & Head of Tech / JP Karwacki, Managing Editor / Amber Spector, Social Media Manager / Anahi Pellathy, Editorial Intern