While most would agree that visiting Montréal at any time of year is marvellous, the month of May is packed with loads of festivals and events, showcasing this wonderful city as we head from spring to summer.
Quartier de l’innovation
If there’s one thing you won’t struggle for while travelling around Montréal, it’s a strong mobile signal and a reliable internet connection. Online access and download speeds are amongst the very best in Canada, which is largely due to the city being at the cutting edge of technology. This easily allows for everything from playing online games and common digital purchases, to the most detailed academic studies and scientific research using mobile or desktop applications.
This is because Quebec-based mobile operator Videotron have been using the Quartier de l’innovation as their testing hub, in partnership with other local and international technology providers. Encompassing around 3.5km of central Montréal, this area features a host of projects and exhibitions, plus innovation locations to explore while staying in the city.
Un nouveau partenariat entre @Videotron et Samsung pour offrir la 5G aux Québécois. #qimtl #5G #LabVihttps://t.co/H2EOs3E0Se
— Quartier de l’innovation (@QIMontreal) December 13, 2019
When you’re kicking back and relaxing in the heart of the city, Skyping friends or uploading your travel photos to Instagram, betting on the ice hockey (Montreal Canadiens, of course!) or playing casino games at Mr Green on your smartphone, there’s a good chance you’ll be connecting via the very first Canadian 5G network. In fact, his is expected to be the next huge leap for the iGaming industry, with companies like Mr Green embracing the latest innovations, including HD live video streams, to improve their award-winning client experience.
The Quartier de l’innovation also hosts the annual Montréal Summit on Innovation (MSI) in May of each year, showcasing some of the latest advances in science and technology from around the world, aimed at bringing smarter living to business ventures and communities alike in Canada. The goal of all this is to make Montréal the smartest city in North America, and they’re not far from that objective.
Montréal Museums Day
Boasting a fascinating history and renowned as a thriving centre of French-Canadian culture, Montréal boasts a wealth of museums which showcase everything to do with the past, present and future of this wonderfully diverse part of Quebec.
What’s more, since the 1980s, to celebrate International Museums Day, all the finest museums in the city open their doors to visitors for free. In 2020, according to Tripsavvy, Montréal Museums day is scheduled to take place on Sunday 31st May and will feature an impressive selection of 30 participating museums and galleries.
The Biosphère, the former United States pavilion, was one of Expo 67’s most popular attractions and it’s the only one that the “minirail” passed through. When you visit the museum, you can still see the openings in the dome. pic.twitter.com/IhoHoAXxix
— Biosphère Montréal (@biospheremtl) January 17, 2020
The list of museums allowing free entry on the day include the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts and the Montréal Museum of Contemporary Arts, for those of an aesthetic persuasion. Find out more about the North American environment at The Biosphere, then discover more about indigenous animal and plant life native to Quebec at the Montréal Biodome.
Visitors can explore the past at the Pointe-à-Callière History and Archaeology Museum, discover dinosaurs and even a shrunken head at the Redpath Natural History Museum, then gaze at the stars with a visit to Montréal Planetarium. On this awesome day of free museum visits, there are even free shuttle buses to get you between destinations.
Magnificent May in Montréal
If what we’ve mentioned above isn’t enough to keep you busy, there’s lots more going on in Montréal this May. There’s the Medieval Fair that’s unique in North America between 1-3 May. Lovers of the written word will enjoy the Blue Metropolis International Literary Festival from 1-6 May.
Travis Scott, 50 Cent, and Young Thug round out Canada’s prominent hip-hop festival Metro Metro 👀🔥https://t.co/enOldY1Qmm
— HotNewHipHop (@HotNewHipHop) February 24, 2020
50 Cent is just one of the artists at Festival Metro Metro over three days on May 15-17, while on the same dates, Pouzza Fest will see over 200 punk rock bands playing at different venues around the city. Meanwhile, every Sunday from May 27th to September, Piknic Électronik showcases the best electronic music at the Plaine des Jeux park.
Finally, you can’t be expected to do so much May on an empty stomach. The Montréal Beer Fest will brew up a treat between 21st and 24th, while on the first Friday of the month, Les Premier Vendredis is the largest gathering of food trucks in Canada, right by the Olympic Park. Tasty!
We hope you see it more clearly now. May and Montréal are a great match.
