Montreal as one of a kind EVENTS

Montreal
#1 Advertising & Marketing Event (up from #4)
The three-day event drew a record-breaking crowd of 4,000 in 2015 for workshops, exhibits, and lectures blending commerce and creativity. Speakers included Chelsea Clinton, Alec Baldwin, and Andre Agassi. Next: May 24-26, 2016

Montreal
#4 Entertainment Industry Event
About 1.3 million comedy fans take in the funny fest every year at ticketed events and free outdoor shows. Weird Al Yankovic performed a massive outdoor show in 2015, and Neil Patrick Harris hosted four galas. Vidéotron presented. Next: July 2016

Montreal
#1 Benefit
The most successful cancer-related fund-raising gala in Canada netted $1.5 million in 2015, when the theme was Shanghai Silk. Held at Montreal’s historic Windsor Station, decor included 30,000 daffodils, and the 600-person guest list was limited to sponsors and benefactors. Next: April 14, 2016

Quebec City
#10 Festival & Parade
The skies over the St. Lawrence River fill with ­colorful pyrotechnics for six nights each summer. Each show has a ­different theme, complemented by ­land-based performers with magic, music, and mime. RBC and Loto Québec were presenting ­sponsors in 2015. Next: Summer 2016

Montreal
#4 Sports Event (up from #5)
There’s nothing like race weekend in Montreal, when Formula One fans from overseas make the historic city feel more European than ever. The race takes place at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, on Île Notre-Dame. Mercedes-Benz and Sleeman beer sponsored in 2015. Next: June 10-12, 2016

National
#5 Sports Event (up from #7)
More than 150 P.G.A. Tour stars competed for an increased purse of $5.8 million in 2015. The event was played at the historic Glen Abbey Golf Club and sponsored by RBC, Shaw Communications, and BMW. Next: July 18-24, 2016, Glen Abbey

Montreal
#2 Music Event (up from #3)
Sponsored by TD Bank and RioTintoAlcan, the 11-day festival routinely draws two million spectators from Montreal and other locales. New this year: Club Jazz Casino de Montréal, including free entry and concerts every night. Next: June 30-July 9, 2016

Montreal
#4 Music Event (up from #6)
The festival, presented by Virgin Mobile, turned 10 this year and celebrated by hosting 116 artists—including 21 Canadian bands—on six stages, including the world’s biggest mobile stage. A faithful faction of the 135,000 fans arrived on a dedicated Via Rail train from Toronto. Next: July 29-31, 2016

Montreal
#10 Music Event
Attendance at the electronic music festival dropped by 10 percent in 2015 due to record cold temperatures. But the 12 outdoor dance parties still drew 74,000 ravers over Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. The Old Port of Montreal and Sapporo were sponsors. Next: January 14-February 6, 2016

Montreal
#7 Media & Literary Event (new to the list)
The international festival, promoting creativity and intercultural understanding, grew by 29 percent to 37,000 attendees (and 293 authors) in 2015. New for 2016: love and sex in the age of social media, and a diversity award for a Montreal author. Next: April 11-17, 2016

Montreal
#2 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event
Despite record-breaking cold weather in 2015, Montrealers and tourists came out to celebrate cuisines from Switzerland, the featured country, and Washington, D.C., the featured American city. RBC was the presenting sponsor again, with Bell. Next: February 18-27, 2016