ISS is available virtually and in-person Mondays-Fridays during business hours.
Montreal was referred to as "Canada's Cultural Capital" by Monocle magazine, and it's no wonder why as Montreal has an exciting jazz scene, thrilling nightlife and access to many museums, orchestras, operas, ballets and films.
Festivals
It is also home to many festivals, especially in the summer, including the Just for Laughs comedy festival — the largest in the world of its kind.
Other festivals include:
- Montreal International Jazz Festival
Montréal en Lumière - Les Premiers Vendredi (First Fridays Food Festival)
- Les FrancoFolies de Montréal
- Pop Montreal
- Montreal Fireworks Festival
Place des Arts
Place des Arts is home to the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestre Métropolitain du Grand Montréal, the chamber orchestra Musici de Montréal, the Opéra de Montréal and Les Grands Ballets Canadiens.
Food
Quebec and Montréal have some unique dishes which should not be missed during your stay!
Poutine: what may be Quebec’s signature dish! Poutine is french fries, gravy and cheese curds in a messy pile. Even the New York Times has celebrated the arrival of poutine to some other major cities outside of Canada. There are gourmet versions available, but for the poutine-newbie, the traditional take on this Quebec dish is recommended.
Bagels: New York isn’t the only city with famous bagels! Montreal bagels are different from their cousins south of the border. They are smaller and denser than a New York bagel and should definitely not be missed.
Tire sur la Neige: made by pouring still hot, boiled maple syrup into the snow to form a soft chewy taffy-like candy.
Tourtière: Tourtière is a traditional Québécois meat pie. The fillings vary, but it often involves minced pork, beef, or wild game. The pies are sold in grocery stores across Quebec.
Queues de Castor a.k.a. Beaver Tails: Don’t let the name fool you, this delicious Canadian pastry consists of fried dough (in the shape of a beaver tail) and is topped with a variety of different condiments
Sports and Culture
Montreal's Arts and Culture Calendar: Find out what to do, to see and to listen to. Concerts, shows and lectures, on-site or online, choose your next cultural outing