Montreal During Formula1: The Gold, The Glam, The Grand Prix
where the city runs fast, sparkles hard, and doesn’t sleep.
If you’ve ever wondered… “What happens when an artsy, already-charismatic Canadian city shifts into high gear, and throws on a leather jacket?” Welcome to Montreal during Formula 1.
Every June, the Grand Prix du Canada rolls into town, bringing with it a wave of adrenaline, roaring speed, and heels that somehow handle cobblestones. Whether you're here for the race, the rooftop atmosphere, or you just happened to plan your trip without realizing what weekend it was… buckle up, you’re in for a ride.
And while the track is the heart of it all, it’s what happens around the race that makes the weekend unforgettable.
Let’s unpack what that actually looks like.
So… What Happens During F1 Weekend?
Short answer? Controlled chaos, glitter, and $25 cocktails.
Longer answer? Montreal doesn’t just host the Grand Prix, it becomes it.
People fly in from everywhere. Hotels book out. Rooftops get lineups. Streets shut down, DJs take over entire blocks, and champagne flows like it’s part of the city’s water system. But somehow, it never feels exclusive in that velvet-rope, need-a-wristband kind of way. Montreal makes the spectacle feel like something you’re invited to, even if you’re just passing by.
The race energy seeps into every part of the city. You’ll find pedestrian-only zones across a few downtown areas like Crescent, Peel, and de la Montagne turn into open air-stages filled with:
F1 streaming live on big screens
Pop-up brand activations
Ferraris and McLarens on display like art pieces
Street food, local vendors, and spontaneous dance circles
And street style worthy of its own podium
The city throws the party, then leaves the door open. It’s inclusive, chaotic, unbothered, and effortlessly magnetic.
The Race Itself: Fast, Loud, Iconic
The real Grand Prix action takes place on Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, set on the scenic Île Notre-Dame just outside the core of the city. The track is famous for its tight turns, fast straights, and the kind of mid-race drama that can flip the leaderboard faster than you can say “pit stop”.
But the weekend isn’t just one race. It plays out in three parts. Let me break down what the weekend looks like:
Friday – The Warm-Up
Welcome to Free Practice Day, aka “the soft launch.”
Cars hit the track for test laps, teams fine-tune setups, and fans start filing in, easing into the weekend chaos. It’s chill, surprisingly accessible, and the perfect way to get your bearings without the Sunday rush.
Saturday – The Build-Up
Qualifying Day. This is when things start to get serious. Drivers compete for pole position (the best starting spot on Sunday). It’s fast-paced, strategic, competitive, and just chaotic enough to feel cinematic.
Sunday – The Main Event
Race Day. This is what everything’s been building toward. The vibe is intense, think like game day, but international. You can feel the adrenaline before the engines even start.
If you’re heading to the circuit, here’s what to keep in mind:
Tickets range from general admission to multi-thousand-dollar VIP paddock passes. Prices skyrocket for this event, so booking early is key.
Don’t drive. Unless you’re in the race, use the metro to get to the track.
Sunscreen, water, earplugs, and even possibly a rain poncho (the weather can turn quickly) are your essentials.
You don’t need to speak fluent F1. Even if you don’t know what DRS or tire compounds mean, the energy at the track is electric and contagious.
Say yes (with boundaries). Plans will shift. Go with it, but don’t burn out trying to do everything. Pace yourself. The race might be a sprint, but the weekend is a marathon.
Stay One More Day
The big race happens Sunday, but Montreal doesn’t flip the switch the minute the checkered flag waves.
If you can, stick around for Monday. Monday is like the city’s collective exhale where the morning after carries a slower kind of magic: people swapping stories over brunch, quieter streets still buzzing with afterglow, and the city settling back into itself, gently. It’s the soft landing after three days of overstimulation.
If you came for the thrill, stay for the cool down.
Can’t Make It? Save This Local Secret for Later.
Here’s something most visitors don’t know: when it’s not race weekend, the actual F1 track is open to the public.
Yes, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. You can walk, bike, run, or rollerblade through the same turns the pros take at 300 km/h. No fanfare, no ticket required. Just you and a piece of racing history you can move through at your own pace.
If you are looking for an unexpected, low-key highlight to add to your Montreal list, this is definitely worth it.
Final Lap
Yes, it is about the race; the speed, the rivalry, and the sheer noise of it all.
But it’s also about how the city absorbs it.
The city doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not; it just takes what it already is (creative, chaotic, effortlessly fun) and turns the volume all the way up.
You don’t need to be on a list. You don’t need to know the lingo. You just need to show up, follow the noise, and lean in.
It is the race that brings the hype, but it’s the city that makes it unforgettable.
When it’s over? The city dials the volume down, but the charm still sticks around.
