Ranked by Guinness World Records as the world's largest jazz festival, The Montréal International Jazz Festival has been synonymous with a passion for music for the past three decades.

For 11 days every year, the French-speaking metropolis of North America becomes the venue where fans of all types of jazz-related music rub shoulders with aficionados of jazz in its purest form. The Festival hosts some 3,000 musicians from over 30 countries, 650 concerts (including more than 370 free events) and 2.5 million visitors!

Several city blocs are closed to traffic, as right of way is given exclusively to pedestrians, creating a festive and secure spot with cafés and bistros, an art gallery, street performers and a musical park for children. It's the summer celebration par excellence for people of all ages and origins, a cultural breath of fresh air, and a place for incredible musical discoveries.

All the big names have appeared here over the years, including Dave Brubeck (featured in this video) and stars such as Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder

Montréal is without the true heartbeat of Planet Jazz!

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