A cultural event that happens every year in Montreal is called Italian week! Montreal has a large Italian community and we even have our very own Little Italy. This cultural festival takes place in different neighborhoods of Montreal outside Little Italy as well, like St. Leonard, Riviere des Prairies and Laval.
The grand finale takes place on Saint-Laurent Boulevard in Little Italy. The last night is always the most exciting with the Opera performances. This year, they opera featured is Pagliacci. In addition, you can enjoy the food vendors, the bouncy houses for children and all the Italian products on display for sale! As an Italian Montrealer, I feel such pride and joy attending this yearly festival. It is something that I always encourage our EC Montreal students to be a part of as well.
In addition to the outdoor opera there will be a fashion show under the stars, classical and popular music concerts, a Fiat 500 car expo, movie screenings cultural walking tours and an Italian dessert contest!
Some of my favorite restaurants in Little Italy include Pizzeria Napolitana, Restaurant Gus and the iconic bakery Alati Caserta, where you can find the most delicious cannoli you have ever had in your lifetime! You can also get take out or hit the Jean-Talon or Milano food market and fill a picnic basket with Italian products to enjoy in one of the several parks located in Little Italy. You can get fresh prosciutto, salami, pannini, Italian cheeses, figs, roma tomatoes, olives, hot Italian peppers and so many more foods to enjoy!
The festival will take place from August 9 to August 18, 2019. You can access Little Italy by metro. Take the metro to de Castelneau, located on the Blue line or to Jean-Talon, located on the Orange line. Please don’t miss this amazing and delicious event! You can be part of this and so many more festivals when you come to Study English at EC Montreal !!
Buon divertimento e buon appetito!