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Events

Montréal High Lights Festival - Downtown © Tourisme Montréal, Stéphan Poulin

Montreal High Lights Festival

Montreal’s lively 11-day mid-winter festival is designed to bring some light and warmth into local lives. It is billed as ‘three festivals in one’, having a gastronomic, musical and artistic component. There are more than 100 concerts scheduled, more than 200 culinary and wine events, and various shows and exhibitions, many of them free of charge.

Venue: Various; Date: 21 February to 2 March 2008; Website: www.montrealhighlights.com

Canadian F1 Grand Prix

For more than a quarter of a century the world's top motor racing drivers have been meeting at the demanding Gilles-Villeneuve Circuit to battle out an important race in the Formula One World Championship. This year's race will be as exciting as ever.

Venue: Gilles Villeneuve Circuit; Date: 8 June 2008; Website: www.grandprix.ca

Montréal International Jazz Festival © Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, Caroline Hayeur

International Jazz Festival

Montreal's annual jazz festival is one of the best in the world, just celebrating its 25th anniversary. Superstars of jazz, like Oscar Peterson, feature on the programme, which offers more than 400 concerts over about 10 days each summer.

Venue: Various; Date: 26 June to 6 July 2008; Website: www.montrealjazzfest.com

International Celtic-Acadian-Louisiana Festival

The Celtic music festival features Celtic and Acadian musicians and comprises music shows, music workshops, dance shows, dance workshops, food tasting, storytelling and many other activities. Since 2003, the Festival has been a meeting place for music and for those who love music.

Venue: Vaudreuil-Dorion; Date: July 2008, TBC

Montréal International Fireworks Competition at La Ronde amusement park © Tourisme Montréal, Stéphan Poulin

Pyromusical Competition

Montreal’s annual international fireworks competition is the largest event of its kind in the world, and spectacular to behold. Each year about eight teams from various countries compete for putting on the most impressive pyromusical display for a minimum of 30 minutes. This extremely popular event is allegedly watched by nearly two and a half million people who have a good view from various spots in the Montreal city limits.

Venue: Paid seats at La Ronde. Other good viewing points are Jacques Cartier bridge (closed to traffic for the duration), along the banks of the St Lawrence and in Vieux Montreal; Date: 21 June to 6 August 2008; Website: www.internationaldesfeuxloto-quebec.com