Just for Laughs Festival: Fun in the Quartier des Spectacles

Every year, the Just for Laughs Festival takes over Montreal with varied shows and performances. Notable hilarious celebs that are joining us this year are Andy Samberg, Seth Rogan, Aziz Ansari, Russell Peters, Iliza Shlesinger, Miranda Sings, and many more. The Just for Laughs Festival isn’t just about the shows, however. The Quartier des Spectacles will be host to numerous activities, performances, and food trucks, to name a few. If you haven’t bought tickets to a show, there is plenty for you to do and see during the Just for Laughs Festival.

Food & Drink

The food trucks will be congregating in the Quartier des Spectacles during the Just for Laughs festival. This is an opportunity you don’t want to miss out on, seeing as this isn’t something that happens very often. Save for First Fridays, the food trucks are not often all in one spot. Some of the food trucks that will be on hand for your culinary enjoyment include Camion Au Pied de Cochon, Mr. Crémeux, P-A et Gargantua, Pas d’cochon dans mon salon, Route 27, Lucille’s, and so many more. Most of the food trucks will be available until 11:00pm, but some are staying put until 3:00am for those late night munchies. For a complete list of trucks, check out the Street Food Montreal website.

It’s illegal to drink outdoors on the streets of Montreal… or is it? During the festival, you can sip a margarita outside on the streets of the Quartier des Spectacles (oh, you rebel!). There are numerous SAQ stands throughout the area where you can purchase the alcoholic beverage of your choice. Just make sure to keep your drink within the confines of the Quartier des Spectacles.

Shows

It isn’t a Montreal festival without a slew of free shows to keep us entertained. Laugh along with the crowd and listen to some funnies while walking around. Keep an ear out for musical concerts that will have you grooving all day. Don’t miss out on circus performers who will juggle, unicycle, and demonstrate acrobatics all for your enjoyment. Try to spot the mimes trapped in their invisible boxes, or the masked characters on their bicycles. Bonus points if you can find Waldo. Everywhere you look, there is a performance of some sort. Don’t bother trying to pick just one.

Join in on the Fun

The Just for Laughs festival doesn’t want you to simply be a spectator. That’s only half the fun! Get your portrait drawn by a caricaturist (don’t expect a regal and serious picture… it is Just for Laughs after all). Try your hand at a game in L’aréna des jeux, fun for people of all ages. Participate in the interactive game shows spread out across the area and try to win a prize. Finally, go about your business in the panoramic public washroom. Complete with one-way mirrors, you can use the facilities while watching everything going on around you, if you dare.

With so much to do during the Just for Laughs festival, it would be a crime to stay home and watch Netflix all week. Get off the couch and head over to the Quartier des Spectacles for food, fun, and entertainment.