Festival fever takes over this week as Montreal transforms into a multi-sensory playground of live music, circus arts, indie cinema, and comedy mayhem. From choir harmonies and Afrobeat block parties to wild genre films and late-night laughs, Week 28 is pure July magic. You’ll find stages in the streets, films in every corner of Concordia, and a pasta-slinging hideaway in Mile End that’s redefining the lunch scene.
This one’s for the city lovers—the ones who don’t want to miss a thing. Let’s dive in. 🌆🎪🍝
Restaurant of the Week: Prezze Mollo
📍 Address: 68 Avenue Fairmount Ouest, Mile End
🌿 Ambiance:
Fresh, fast, and full of soul—Prezzemollo is a love letter to Italy’s laid-back lunch culture. Bright wood, olive tones, and open-counter energy give this place the feel of a stylish Roman lunch bar, but with Mile End’s signature creative touch. Created by Luca Cianciulli (of Bottega Pizzeria fame), the space is breezy and welcoming, perfect for quick bites, slow lunches, or espresso-fueled people-watching.
🍽️ Menu Highlights:
The menu is short, sharp, and executed beautifully—perfect for those who crave real-deal Italian flavors without the fluff.
- Mortadella Focaccia – pillowy, warm, and oozing with pistachio cream and stracciatella
- Paccheri with Nduja – creamy tomato sauce with just the right kick
- Cacio e Pepe – peppery, silky, and textbook perfect
- Caprese Salad with Burrata – a light, summery essential
- Tiramisu or Lemon Tart – simple, elegant finishers
🍸 Beverage Program:
Prezzemollo offers natural-leaning Italian wines, beer (including Birra Menabrea), and a few low-intervention picks. The Aperol Spritz is a warm-weather winner, and the iced teas and espresso drinks keep things easy and crisp.
⏰ Hours:
Open weekdays for lunch and early dinner. Lineups are common, but turnover is fast. Takeout available.
💰 Price Range: $–$$
Fresh pasta for under $20. Sandwiches around $14. It’s high-value without the attitude.
🌟 Why it fits this week:
With festivals filling the streets and long afternoons calling for quick escapes, Prezzemollo hits that perfect mid-summer balance: unfussy, flavorful, and deeply satisfying.
🔗 Website
📖 Food Menu PDF
🍷 Drink Menu PDF
📝 Tastet Review
🎤 Performances of the Week
Here’s what to catch from Thursday, July 17 to Sunday, July 20—all part of Montreal’s summer-long celebration of sound, art, and electric street energy.
Presented by MontrealNightlife.com
🎶 Voices Around the World: Festival International de Chant Choral (ICAV)
Returning for its 29th edition, the Festival International de Chant Choral de Montréal (ICAV) brings together over 30 choirs from 8 countries in a celebration of harmony across cultures.
On Thursday, July 17, head to Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste for the International Gala Concert, where ensembles from South Korea, Finland, France, and the U.S. fill the space with stirring choral works. Earlier in the evening, enjoy a free outdoor sing-along at Place des Arts — a community moment you won’t forget.
📍 Venues: Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Place des Arts
📆 Dates: July 14–21
🎟️ See full schedule at icav.ca
🌍 Global Rhythms Take Over the City: Festival International Nuits d’Afrique
Now in its 38th edition, Nuits d’Afrique transforms the city into a vibrant celebration of Afro-Caribbean and world music.
This Friday, July 18, the TD–Radio-Canada Stage at Quartier des Spectacles lights up with:
- 7:30 PM: Aboulaye Koné & Bolo Kan (Ivory Coast/Montreal)
- 9:30 PM: Pamputt (Guadeloupe)
Expect food stalls, artisan markets, DJs, and the kind of dancing that starts before sundown and ends somewhere near midnight.
📍 Main Site: Quartier des Spectacles
📆 Dates: July 9–21
🎟️ Explore the full program at nuitsdafrique.com
🎥 Cinema for the Bold: Fantasia International Film Festival
Get weird, stay late, and dive deep into genre cinema’s wildest edge at the Fantasia International Film Festival, back from July 18 to August 4.
On Saturday, July 19, notable screenings include:
- 3:00 PM – “The Roundup: Punishment” (South Korea)
- 6:30 PM – “Invoking Yell” (Chile)
- 9:45 PM – “Hundreds of Beavers” (USA)
With Q&As, cosplay, and late-night food trucks, Fantasia is more than a film fest—it’s an entire cinematic subculture.
📍 Venues: Concordia Hall Theatre, J.A. De Sève Cinema
📆 Dates: July 18 – August 4
🎟️ Full lineup and tickets at fantasiafestival.com
😂 Just For Laughs Takes Over Montreal
From iconic galas to wild improv and dirty late-night showcases, Just For Laughs is the biggest comedy festival on the planet—and it’s home right here in Montreal from July 17 to 28.
On Sunday, July 20, don’t miss:
- 7:00 PM – JFL Originals Showcase at Théâtre Sainte-Catherine
- 8:30 PM – Free outdoor variety show at Place des Festivals
- 9:00 PM – “The Nasty Show” at MTELUS
The city becomes a comedy playground—walk a block, find a laugh.
📍 Venues: MTELUS, Théâtre Sainte-Catherine, Place des Festivals
📆 Dates: July 17–28
🎟️ View schedule at mtl.org
