# Just for Laughs Montreal: what to do between sessions in Montreal

Source: https://eventweekends.com/festival/just-for-laughs/
Last checked: 2026-11-02

## In short

- **When:** 21 July to 1 August 2027 (expected, not yet confirmed by the organiser)
- **Where:** Quartier des Spectacles, Montreal, Canada
- **Free time:** Music runs from the afternoon, so mornings and the day after are free.
- **Best base:** Downtown: Crescent Street and the underground city.
- **Getting there:** Montréal-Trudeau (YUL) has the 747 express bus to downtown in 45 to 60 minutes; taxis are a flat fare.
- **Weather:** In July and August, Montreal averages highs of about 27°C and lows of 16°C, with roughly 98 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 15 h 09 min of daylight.
- **Top things to do:** Old Montreal walking tour; Food tour of the Plateau and Mile End; Quebec City day trip

## Weather and what to pack

In July and August, Montreal averages highs of about 27°C and lows of 16°C, with roughly 98 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 15 h 09 min of daylight.
- A rain jacket or umbrella: it rains often in this month.
- Earplugs, a power bank and a small backpack; campers add a head torch.

## Airport to venue

Montréal-Trudeau (YUL) has the 747 express bus to downtown in 45 to 60 minutes; taxis are a flat fare.

Metro to Place-des-Arts.

## Where to stay

- **budget:** Latin Quarter. Near Berri-UQAM metro, one stop from the circuit line.
- **mid:** Downtown. Crescent Street and the underground city.
- **luxury:** Old Montreal. Boutique hotels on cobbled streets.
- Hotels we would book: HI Montreal Hostel (budget), Hotel Le Germain Montreal (mid), Hotel William Gray (luxury)

## Day plans for the free hours

### Before the gates open (Wednesday 21 July)

Music runs from the afternoon. Mornings are free: get out on the water or into town.
- Easy outing: Food tour of the Plateau and Mile End. Bagels, smoked meat and poutine.
- Free: Mount Royal lookout.

### A day off-site (Thursday 22 July)

Skip the early acts and take a day trip. Be back for the headliners.
- Half-day: Old Montreal walking tour. Notre-Dame Basilica and the old port.
- Eat: Schwartz's, Smoked meat since 1928

### Campers: shower, food and a break

Day passes for pools and spas, and a real meal in town.
- Rain or heat backup: Notre-Dame Basilica AURA show. Light and sound show inside the basilica.
- Eat: St-Viateur Bagel, 24-hour bagels

### Recovery day (Monday 2 August)

Slow outings only.
- Easy outing: Jet boat on the Lachine Rapids. Soaking-wet rapids ride.
- Eat: La Banquise, Poutine all night

## Tours worth booking

- [Old Montreal walking tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Old%20Montreal%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-just-for-laughs): Notre-Dame Basilica and the old port.
- [Food tour of the Plateau and Mile End](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Montreal%20food%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-just-for-laughs): Bagels, smoked meat and poutine.
- [Quebec City day trip](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Quebec%20City%20day%20trip%20from%20Montreal&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-just-for-laughs): Walled old town, 3 hours each way.
- [Jet boat on the Lachine Rapids](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Lachine%20rapids%20jet%20boat&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-just-for-laughs): Soaking-wet rapids ride.
- [Notre-Dame Basilica AURA show](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=AURA%20Notre%20Dame&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-just-for-laughs): Light and sound show inside the basilica.
- [Mont-Tremblant day trip](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Mont%20Tremblant%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-just-for-laughs): Mountain village.

## Where to eat

- Schwartz's: Smoked meat since 1928
- St-Viateur Bagel: 24-hour bagels
- La Banquise: Poutine all night
- Jean-Talon Market: Big open market

## With kids

- Biodôme and Insectarium.
- Montreal Science Centre.

## Rainy-day backups

- Museum of Fine Arts.
- Pointe-à-Callière archaeology museum.

## Getting around

- STM metro and buses; the yellow line to Jean-Drapeau for the circuit.
- BIXI bikes everywhere.

## Questions people ask

### When is Just for Laughs Montreal 2027?

The next edition is 21 July to 1 August 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

### What is the weather like during Just for Laughs Montreal?

In July and August, Montreal averages highs of about 27°C and lows of 16°C, with roughly 98 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 15 h 09 min of daylight.

### How do I get from the airport to Quartier des Spectacles?

Montréal-Trudeau (YUL) has the 747 express bus to downtown in 45 to 60 minutes; taxis are a flat fare. Metro to Place-des-Arts.

### Where should I stay for Just for Laughs Montreal?

For most visitors the best base is Downtown: Crescent Street and the underground city.

### What else can we do around Just for Laughs Montreal?

Good short outings in Montreal include Old Montreal walking tour, Food tour of the Plateau and Mile End, Jet boat on the Lachine Rapids. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

### What is there for kids and families near Just for Laughs Montreal?

Family-friendly picks: Old Montreal walking tour, Jet boat on the Lachine Rapids, Mont-Tremblant day trip. Biodôme and Insectarium.

### How far is Quartier des Spectacles from Montreal centre?

About 1 km in a straight line. Metro to Place-des-Arts.

More in Montreal: https://eventweekends.com/city/montreal/