A complete guide to Osheaga 2025: The lineup, a festival-goer checklist, and more

Everything you need to know for surviving—and thriving—at Montreal’s biggest music festival.

The Main

1 août 2025- Read time: 7 min

Photograph: Susan Moss

Osheaga is one of the best things to do in Montreal during August, full stop. It's a summer staple—part music festival, part muddy rite of passage. With 55,000 people pouring onto Île Sainte-Hélène each day, it’s a three-day marathon of heat, headliners, and hydration anxiety.

Olivia Rodrigo. Tyler, the Creator. The Killers. Jamie xx. DoeCHii. If you're anywhere near Montreal, you already know what's coming: Osheaga weekend. Three days of music, mud, overpriced drinks, and unrelenting vibes on Parc Jean-Drapeau—and you either prep smart or get swallowed whole.

This guide is for the real ones: First-timers, seasoned pros, the ones debating whether to break in those new Docs, and the ones who forgot deodorant last year and paid the price. Here’s everything you need to know to survive (and maybe even enjoy) Osheaga 2025.

The basics: When, where, and who

The 18th edition runs August 1–3, 2025, with headliners The Killers (Friday), Tyler, the Creator (Saturday), and Olivia Rodrigo (Sunday). Expect up to 55,000 people a day, six stages, and dozens of acts ranging from international legends to local discoveries.

The main stages (Bell Rivière and Coors Light Mountain) sit side by side, while others like the belairdirect Valley, Coca-Cola Island (EDM central), Scotia Forest, and SiriusXM Backyard are scattered across Parc Jean-Drapeau. Set times drop in July, and trust us: download the app and start planning.

Osheaga's 2025 headliners + afterparties

In 2025, Osheaga’s got range. From Olivia Rodrigo’s heartbreak anthems to Tyler, The Creator’s chaotic charisma, the top of the bill is stacked. The Killers bring the throwback sing-alongs, and acts like Jamie xx, Gracie Abrams, Doechii, and Glass Animals round out a lineup that spans pop, indie, R&B, electronic, and whatever Barry Can’t Swim is.

Download the app (Google Play or the App Store) or check the set times online to avoid those brutal “wait, they’re on now?!” moments.

Photograph (clockwise from top left): Laura Jane Coulson / Luis Panch Perez / Supplied

The Bell and Coors Light stages run side by side. Plan for at least one act you’ll have a terrible view of. The Forest and Island stages are EDM havens. The Valley and Backyard Sessions are best for indie darlings, deep cuts, and surprise favourites.

Don’t know who to see? Let the app guide you—or just wander. Some of Osheaga’s best moments aren’t headliners, they’re the random sets you stumble into while looking for a bathroom.

As for afterparties? Osheaga nights don’t end at 11. Official afterparties pop off at places like MTELUS, New City Gas, Stereo, and Newspeak, often featuring festival acts in a more intimate setting.

Unofficial ones? Follow local promoters or just ask the person in the Olivia Rodrigo shirt where they’re headed.

How to get to Osheaga (and back without stress)

Take the metro. Period. The Yellow Line gets you directly to Jean-Drapeau station. Bixi stations and limited parking exist, but trust that transit is your best friend. Buy an unlimited weekend pass ($14.75), or a 3-day Zone A pass if you're staying longer.

Leaving the festival? Unless you want to weep in a crowd of 10,000 people trying to funnel into one metro stop, leave before the headliner encore or prep for a long wait. Alternatively, walk across the Concorde Bridge for an unbeatable skyline view and less chaos.

Metro runs until 1 a.m. on Friday/Sunday and 1:30 a.m. on Saturday. Want to beat the crush? Leave before the encore. Want the full sweaty, shoulder-to-shoulder experience? Stick around and plan for a 30-minute wait.

You could take a Bixi bike to the site and use their valet system as well. Avoid driving unless you’re a fan of parking lot purgatory.

What to wear & bring to Osheaga (and what you can't)

Check the weather. Then check again. It will be hot, maybe rainy, definitely dusty.

Bring:

Shoes: Closed-toe and comfy. You’ll walk miles and your feet will get trampled.
Sun protection: Hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses are non-negotiable.
Layers: A light hoodie or windbreaker goes a long way after sundown.
A poncho or grab a dollar-store tarp
Portable charger (you will run out of battery)
Foldable blanket or towel
Empty reusable water bottles (refill at hydration stations)
Snacks (discreet ones—picnic baskets get confiscated)
Small bags (max 20" x 6" x 12")
Cannabis (legal, sealed, SQDC-labelled)
Phone chargers, blankets, beach towels, collapsible chairs

Pro tip: Wet wipes, a face mask (dust is real), and a poncho will make you feel like a seasoned pro.

Not Allowed:

Alcohol, glass containers, totems, frisbees, coolers, drones, pro cameras
Bad vibes
Backpacks over 20” x 6” x 12”
Glass containers
Selfie sticks, drones, skateboards, fireworks (yes, really)
Culturally appropriative outfits (just… don’t)
Professional camera gear (unless you’ve got media credentials, but even then, you can't bring wireless equipment)

Avoid sandals, headdresses, and massive bags.

Festival Etiquette 101

Don’t camp in the middle if you’re not watching. People will hate you.
Be aware of your space. That giant flag? It’s blocking 20 people’s view.
Hydrate and feed yourself. Do not let one overpriced tequila lemonade be your only sustenance.
Use the porta-potties in the back. They’re cleaner, roomier, and less trauma-inducing.
Tip the staff. Food vendors, bartenders, medics—they’re the backbone.

Food, drinks & refills

Osheaga has stepped up its food game in recent years. Expect everything from vegan tacos and jerk chicken to boozy snow cones and bar stations that actually move quickly (sometimes).

The food court between the main entrance and the Trois Disques statue has everything from tacos to vegan burgers. Expect meals around $10–20. Gluten-free, veggie, and halal options are generally available.

Charging stations, chill-out tents, art installations, and even misting zones are peppered throughout. Bring a blanket for lounging. Merch booths drop limited festival items daily, so hit them early.

Water refill stations are scattered throughout the site. Bring a bottle. Refill it. Drink it. Repeat.

Staying cool + Safety & harm reduction

Medical tents and harm reduction teams (like GRIP and Les Hirondelles) are on site. If you're feeling unwell, need drug testing info, or just need someone to talk to, seek them out. They’re trained, non-judgemental, and essential.

Download the app, know the green-plus signs for medical tents, and don't be afraid to ask for help. Security is there to assist, not hassle. (Literally and Figuratively)

Also: Chill zones exist. Use them. Grass patches, art installations, and hammocks are fair game.

As for accessibility, Osheaga offers dedicated viewing platforms, adapted toilets, paratransit shuttles, and accessible pathways. Guide dogs are welcome. For more info, check the accessibility page on the official site in advance.

Where to stay and eat near Osheaga

There’s no camping. If you’re coming from out of town, you’ve got three options:

Downtown hotels (close but pricey)
Airbnbs along the metro line (Plateau, Villeray, Verdun, etc.)
Hostels like M Montreal or SaintLo (if you’re feeling social)

Pro tip: anywhere near a metro = fair game.

As for where to eat? If you’re fuelling up before the gates or grabbing a bite after the headliner, you’re in luck: some of Montreal’s best restaurants are just a few métro stops away.

Head to Saint-Lambert for a sit-down meal (Limousine comes to mind) or stop in Verdun for casual gems like Bossa, Janine, or Street Monkeys. Over in the Village and Centre-Sud, you’ll find late-night options like Moqueur, Bouillon Bilk, or Le Red Tiger. There's also scoping the best restaurants in Old Montreal: