The Bulletin: Two massive street fairs, wheelchair races, and pedal-powered slushies [Issue #137]

Another summer weekend, another reason to ignore your inbox—except when this newsletter arrives, of course.

Why? Montreal’s packing in the goods: pedestrian parties, outdoor jazz, spicy festivals, tattoo brunches, surfboard sales, and one very chaotic motorized wheelchair race over in Hochelaga. Dance on a terrasse, dive into Film Noir, or ball out on a pop-up dinner/art show that everyone’s talking about—whatever you're feeling this weekend, there’s something going down in every corner of the city, and something's gotta pique your interest.

Also—if you’ve ever read, shared, or supported The Main, this part’s for you: We’re throwing our first-ever block party next weekend, so consider this notice your last reminder to get on the list.

Drinks, DJs, a dog-friendly hangout! Come hang with us, meet the faces behind the stories, and help us toast to 137 issues of good trouble.

But first, here’s everything happening this week:

🥐 CROISSOUND X ROYALMOUNT 🎧

Rethinking nightlife: Croissound is an experience where music and coffee come together to transform your mornings into magical moments. Don't miss Montreal's biggest morning open-air event with a DJ set, croissants & coffee at Royalmount.

Come dance this Saturday, July 12 starting at 11 a.m., it's free!

RSVP HERE

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

Thursday

📽️ 100+ fantasy films over two months, and it all starts here: Start making plans to see Demons and Wonders, the 2025 summer cycle of programming running from July 1 to August 30 at the Cinémathèque québécoise.

🎆 FYI, Team Canada is performing tonight at L’International des Feux Loto-Québec—show starts at 10 p.m.

🕺 SoulFest Montréal lights up Square St-James with soul, funk, gospel, and R&B, with open-air shows downtown all weekend long.

🎉 Plaza St-Hubert becomes a pedestrian party for PlazaPalooza, a weekend of live shows, DJs, games, and its classic sidewalk sale—for the best spots in the area, check our guide to Plaza St-Hubert.

🌸 Pari Passu Gallery’s newest show opens with exhibiting artists on-site to discuss the playful tribute to childhood, featuring toys, textiles, and whimsical creations by Montreal artists.

🌍 Festival International Nuits d’Afrique continues to fills the city with the sounds of Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America, featuring over 700 artists and a 13-day program of indoor and open-air concerts.

🎭 Hudson Village Theatre presents Bed and Breakfast, a witty and heartfelt two-man play about love, identity, and finding home, with only two actors taking on dozens of roles.

🎪 ShazamFest celebrates 20 years of circus, music, wrestling, workshops, and carnival magic with four days of camping, food, and endless creativity on a dreamy Eastern Townships farm.

Friday

🎷 Wander Notre-Dame St West this weekend for open-air jazz, street food, and local shopping at the fourth edition of À L’ouest de la Dame.

🏄 September Surf and Brainchild Surfboards host a street party and surfboard sale with local shapers, BBQ, drinks, and summery DJ beats.

🖼️ Groovy & Chill throws an art show party at WIP Gallery with a free poetic exhibition by Beaver Sheppard and Angie Warhol followed by an eclectic ticketed DJ lineup.

Saturday

🥐 Don't miss Montreal's biggest morning open-air event with a DJ set, croissants & coffee at Royalmount.

🏝️ The Spice Island Cultural Festival brings the music, dance, and cuisine of Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique to Mackenzie-King Park for a vibrant day of Caribbean pride and community.

🖌️ The Montreal Makers Market takes over Rosemont with over 75 local makers, fresh finds, artisanal goods, free entry, and a laid-back, dog-friendly atmosphere.

🌞 Système hosts its weekly terrasse BBQ with sunny sets from n10.as radio and good vibes on the grill.

🏆 A hilariously high-stakes motorized wheelchair race through an obstacle course is on at Place Simon-Valois for the one and only Course des Glorieux Triporteurs.

Sunday

🏠 Parquette hosts an all-ages, BYOB, afternoon-into-evening “Home” party for a community-cenetered hangout on and around the dance floor.

🎶 Community-driven music crawl SomethingFest takes over Mai/son, Quai des Brumes, and La Sala Rossa to showcase local and emerging acts.

💿 Ferias keeps energy high at Sans Soleil with Edward Reilly on deck, saké cocktails flowing, and vinyl vibes all night.

📽️ Film Noir au Canal opens its 9th edition with Carol Reed’s classic The Third Man, introduced by filmmaker Pascal Plante and preceded by live music at Square Saint-Patrick.

🚗 Garagist brings back its Cars & Coffee series with rare wheels, a new east-end venue, and a popup café by Mano Cornuto.

🚶The Musée des beaux-arts leads a free outdoor tour of its sculpture garden and pavilions, the first of a new weekly Sunday tradition (no tickets needed!).

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.

Menu Extra and Dan Climan turn Studio Giovanelli into an ephemeral dining experience from July 9-12 with an eight- or six-course tasting menu that riffs on his colourful work.

Zamalek and Ausgang launch a new drink collaboration at PlazaPalooza on July 10, spending an afternoon celebrating with DJ sets, live painting by Jeh Martinez, and BBQ sandwiches from Le Nestor.

…Followed by the Zamalek x Ausgang afterparty on July 10, with DJs Sami, Alina, Juju le Moko, and Fred spinning until 3 a.m. alongside Zamalek-based cocktails.

Le Bouillon Parisien pops up at Le 9e from July 9-13, with an exclusive menu of affordable French classics served in the iconic art-deco atmosphere of La Grande Salle.

Coureur des Bois hosts a Texas-inspired grilled feast on July 10, with chefs Jean-Sébastien Giguère, Paul Toussaint, and Steve Plante serving three waves of shareable plates.

Disco Mayo pops up at Madame Slush for “Disco Slush” on July 12, a playful evening of picnic bites, pedal-powered slushies, music, and summer fun.

Mutoïde hosts a Flash Day on July 12 with special tattoos by Zach Barrault and Mother Dagger, DJ Sunny on deck, plus hot Neapolitan pizza slices.

Baumier launches its first Wine Garden in Piedmont on July 12: 16 agencies, 90+ wines, food by Baumier, and a tasting glass included for $45.

Nirvana presents “Takeover,” a Chinatown Day pop-up tasting menu collab available July 12 and featuring Dobe & Andy, Mon Nan, Buboy, and more.

Le Patio has soft-opened in Verdun, a new go-to spot for coffee and chill in the heart of the neighborhood.

Café SAT celebrates fine pastry and coffee with a family-friendly feast on July 12 with childrens workshops and acclaimed bakers and roasters collaborating on cakes served live to the crowd.

Nikkei rings in three years on July 12 with one-off dishes, exclusive cocktails, surprises, and the launch of their new project, El Gato Rojo.

Café Alphabet celebrates its 2nd anniversary with a Panigiri Block Party on July 12, serving up coffee, matcha, Freddos, gyros, and live music.

The Bromont Wine Festival returns to the Eastern Townships from July 12-13 with tastings, local producers, and more, come rain or shine.

Menu Parfois takes over the kitchen at Bar Wills on July 13 with oysters, tomatoes, BBQ, and fresh snacks to pair with beer until it’s all gone.

Savsav hosts a tattoo pop-up brunch on July 13, with art and ink by Lazy Thom and Artsy Skychi.

Pichai teams up with Pacina for a one-night Tuscan takeover on July 14, pouring rare vintages and unseen cuvées alongside a special à la carte menu of tripe, fiorentina, and other surprises.

There's another party coming up you're invited to.

The Main is throwing its first-ever block party—and you are invited!

It’s our way of saying thanks—for reading, supporting, sharing, and showing up. So we’re bringing together some of our favourite people we’ve met along the way: Bar WILLS, La Spada, DJ HIDI (Hideyuki Imaizumi), and DJ JoJo Flores.

Also on the guest list? A full cast of characters from stories past, present, and future alongside friends, family, and our favourite dogs. Come out, say hi, grab a drink and a bite, and party with us!

RSVP here—and save the date: July 20.

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

A rogue soft-serve machine sparked it all—now Dalmata Gelateria is the Mile End’s most cinematic scoop shop, serving gelato with Sicilian flair and zero shortcuts. Read more.

From Gaelic football captain to one of Montreal’s most trusted food photographers, Alison Slattery built her career on curiosity, community, and a cheap Nikon D40. Read more.

Thinking of taking a dip during the heatwaves? Montreal’s water quality depends heavily on where you swim, with cleaner waters out west and worrying pollution levels in the east. Read more.

On that note, if you need to cool off, we collected a list of the best indoor and outdoor pools to check out. Read more.

Montreal’s smoked meat sandwich just carved out a spot on CNN’s list of the world’s top 25—eternal sandwich glory, confirmed. Read more.

Quebec has rent control, but it’s not stopping Montreal rents from jumping nearly 71% since 2019. Why? Because without a mandatory rent registry, tenants are flying blind. Read more.

Montreal cinemas may be down, but they’re not out—renovations, recliners, and directors like Villeneuve are helping bring the magic back. Read more.

Jérôme Ferrer’s Michelin-starred Europea faces serious allegations of abuse and toxic kitchen culture from over 20 former staff spanning two decades—claims the chef denies. Read more.

Most OQLF complaints last year came from Greater Montreal, mainly about being served in English—up 140% since 2018. Read more.

Montreal Comiccon broke its own record last weekend, drawing over 66,000 fans—and a homecoming appearance by William Shatner didn’t hurt. Read more.

Montreal’s iconic Peel Pub—home of 10-cent wings, student rituals, and legendary New Year’s parties—has closed after over 60 years in business. 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