Montreal’s Winter Music Festival

Montreal winters are brutally unforgiving. The cold northern winds flow through its streets and if you’re not dressed properly, you will feel its chill slice through your body. There are some who stay indoors and patiently wait for the season to pass but there are many who welcome winter’s embrace. Besides, the city’s citizens are not the type to shy away from the cold and there is a certain “joie de vivre” that pulsates through them. There’s nothing like below zero temperatures to make you feel alive.

During the later weeks of January going into the early days of February, when the temperatures are at their lowest, there’s an outdoor electronic music festival called Igloofest. Over the years the list of performers has grown exponentially with each consecutive year getting bigger. Some of our favourite acts for 2018 included Kaytranada, Nate Husser, BOI-1da, and DJ Esco.

The festival is held in Montreal’s historic Old Port and its nestled in between the waters of the St. Lawrence River and the 17th century buildings. Once you step inside the grounds, you will be welcomed into a winter village of sorts that has been accentuated with contemporary elements. The festival-goers are seemingly unfazed with being outdoors and some are even decked out in their ski apparel and other interesting winter-inspired garb.

Learn more about Igloofest here.

Words & Photography: Jon Carlo Tapia