Montreal’s MURAL festival returns for its 13th edition

Get ready, street art enthusiasts – Montreal’s MURAL festival returns for its 13th Edition on Saint-Laurent Blvd., and it’s all Free!

“It’s a street that never really sleeps, so for us, what better canvas could there be for a street art festival to bloom?” said Nicolas Munn Rico, Chairman at MURAL.

“This is the soul of Montreal,” said urban artist Théo le Roux (Téo). “When I first came here, this is what sold me on the city. The energy is out there—it’s not in your apartment, it’s right there in the street.”

Montreal’s MURAL Festival returns to where it all began for its 13th edition—on Saint-Laurent Boulevard. Visitors and street art lovers can enjoy days filled with murals, concerts, art installations, and exhibitions, running until June 15.

“We’ve been exploring different zones around Montreal over the past few years, and I think people have been really craving for us to reinvest our time and energy back into Saint-Laurent,” said Munn Rico.

The festival is taking over much of the Plateau area, where 20 murals are scattered across the neighborhood.

Multidisciplinary visual artist Téo, who splits his time between Paris and Montreal, unveiled his latest mural, inspired by the vibrant Les Tam-Tams du Mont-Royal festival.

“It’s also a reference to Madrid’s gates, since the city is surrounded by them,” said Le Roux. “So here you have a massive gate with two characters. It’s like a symbolic gateway from Place des Arts to the mountain, to the Tam-Tams. This mural serves as a gateway for people to experience street art.”

Benoît emphasized that what makes this event unique is its showcase of artistic voices from various generations, cultures, and communities.

“We have a very rich scene here, and we should never be shy about it,” he said. “We’ve got some of the best talent, and they’re starting to export themselves all over the world.”

This year’s festival features a series of giant inflatable beavers, created by artists from five provinces to mark the 50th anniversary of the beaver as Canada’s official emblem.

Both Munn Rico and Le Roux highlighted the festival’s aim to engage youth and inspire creativity.

“I think the kids might be the most inspired,” said Le Roux. “Adults see things through adult eyes—we recognize it’s amazing—but for kids, it’s pure magic.”

“When I was a kid, I was lucky that my parents brought me to museums around the world,” said Munn Rico. “Seeing art at a young age can really influence you. Even though I’m not a painter, I became an entrepreneur in the art world. It changed my life.”

Visitors can expect powerful artwork, immersive installations, and block parties celebrating music from a variety of cultures.

“Just show up on Saint-Laurent, have fun, find the murals, find the inflatables, and just have a day,” said Munn Rico. “Really discover Montreal—be a tourist in your own city.”