There will be music and comedy and much more in the city, which will also see the anniversaries of several of its most successful events.
The Montreal International Jazz Festival turns 30. The Cirque du soleil, the international fireworks festival and the Montreal Bike Fest, which culminates with the Tour de l'ile cycling event, all turn 25. That only scratches the surface.
Marie-Josee Pinsonneault, a spokesperson for Tourism Montreal, reels off a list of attractions, including an exhibition on pirates, an avant-garde music festival and a beer festival where more than 400 types of brew can be sampled.
"I think it will be a rediscovery of all the great opportunities, venues and festivals that Montreal offers every summer," she said of the jam-packed events calendar.
She acknowledged travellers may be keeping a closer eye on their wallets this year.
"Right now everybody is uncertain. But I'm sure everybody will need a bit of holidays and everybody will need something to change their minds."
She said currency exchange rate should also give a boost to Montreal's tourism industry, something that was echoed by Hugo Leclerc of the Montreal International Jazz Festival.
"A lot of our visitors are from the U.S. and the difference between the Canadian and U.S. dollars should be able to work in our favour," he said.
Montreal gets about a quarter of its tourists from the U.S. and half the total number are from Canada outside Quebec.
The jazz festival and the Just for Laughs comedy festival are two of the anchors of the season.
Bruce Hills, head of the Just for Laughs festival, says his event will soon announce the big-name headliners already booked.
"We plan on a big, star-studded, fantastic event for the summer," Hills said, although he acknowledged it may have to be fine-tuned if some corporate sponsors who have not yet confirmed their presence opt to bow out.
"At that point, we'll have to make decisions," he said. "I don't think the stars will be affected but other things -- maybe what we do on the street -- will be affected a little bit."
The tab for the street performers is paid by corporate sponsors whereas star acts generate ticket revenue.
Hills said Just for Laughs will still offer economical package deals, which he expects to be "even more in demand with the (economic) climate the way it is."
Leclerc says about a dozen shows have been announced for the jazz festival with more to come. Legendary guitarist Jeff Beck, bluesman Buddy Guy and the festive Pink Martini are among those on the bill.
"All the sponsors were confirmed for this year so as far as everything is concerned there aren't any worries for this festival," said Leclerc, who noted the event will add an extra day this year as it does for every five-year anniversary.
The prestigious Rogers Cup tennis tournament is on tap again starting Aug. 10 and the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve will echo with the sound of roaring race car engines as NASCAR returns to the city on Aug. 29-30.
"With the experience we've gained over the last two years, the on-track performances of Canadian drivers such as Ron Fellows and Patrick Carpentier and the growing popularity of NASCAR in our province, we are confident this third edition will be a resounding success," said Francois Dumontier of Stock-Car Montreal, a subsidiary of the International Speedway Corp.
Travellers to Montreal also have an abundance of restaurants, clubs, stores, bars, the Biodome and museums at their disposal.
Among the attractions, the Pointe-a-Calliere archeology and history museum is offering a look at pirates through 150 objects, giving a glimpse into the lives of privateers from the 16th to 19th centuries.
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WHAT'S HAPPENING IN MONTREAL
Some of the major events in Montreal this summer:
- Cirque du soleil, Through to July 12, www.cirquedusoleil.com
- Montreal Bike Fest, May 30-June 7, www.velo.qc.ca
- Mondial de la biere beerfestival, June 3-7, www.festivalmondialbiere.qc.ca
- Nuit blanche sur tableau noir visual arts street festival, June 4-7, www.tableaunoir.com
- Montreal Fringe Festival, June 11-21, www.montrealfringe.ca
- L'International des Feux international fireworks festival, June 13-Aug. 15, www.internationaldesfeuxloto-quebec.com
- Montreal International Jazz Festival, July 1-12, www.montrealjazzfest.com
- Just for Laughs International Comedy Festival, July 16-26, www.hahaha.com
- Les FrancoFolies de Montreal, July 30-Aug. 9, www.francofolies.com
- Rogers Cup tennis tournament, Aug. 8-16, www.rogerscup.com
- NASCAR Nationwide Series, Aug. 29-30, www.circuitgillesvilleneuve.ca
