First Fridays are back at Montreal’s Olympic Park this summer

Food trucks, live music and flavours from around the world are once again taking over Montreal as ‘First Fridays‘ returns for another season of culinary celebration.

What started as a bold idea by food lovers Guy Vincent Melo and Gaëlle Cerf in 2012 has grown into the largest street food gathering in Canada. Held on the first Friday of each summer month, the popular festival brings together more than 50 food trucks and food vendors, transforming the Olympic Stadium grounds into a bustling outdoor feast.

Festivalgoers say there’s something for every taste here.

“So far we’ve had Mexican and we’ve also had Argentinian food, which is the first time for me, which is quite good and that certainly won’t be the end,” said Miguel.

“I did expect it to be a lot of like food trucks and it’s really nice out so there’s a lot of people. I guess the vibe is really good,” added Tash.

“Spanish food, paella, some Mexican food, tacos, Uruguayan food, churros, so Colombian food,” said Carlos.

But First Fridays is about more than just great food.

This year’s 15th anniversary also comes with monthly themes — starting with the anniversary launch, followed by an Olympic edition in July as the city celebrates 50 years of the 1976 games, Fiesta Latina in August, and an Asia-inspired edition in early September. Organizers say the event aims to give a platform to immigrant communities and emerging artists, creating a space where cultures can connect through food and entertainment.

“We’re super excited to have those communities coming in and really taking over the first Friday. It’s really a way of, I would say, celebrating the diversity of Montreal, putting it out there and really showing off all the beautiful, beautiful street gastronomy that we have in Montreal,” said Gaëlle Cerf, co-founder of ‘First Fridays’ and Vice-president for Les Survenants.

This year, a family zone introduces with mini-Olympic games, sports challenges and more.

“We always try to create something really fun. And this year, we have les ‘Gars des jeux’. And they’re coming with like gigantic games that people can play with or without the kids,” added Cerf.

The festival has also made sustainability a priority. From banning single-use plastics and reducing food waste to encouraging visitors to arrive by metro, bus or bicycle, organizers are working to make the event as environmentally friendly as possible. Festival sites are now powered by hydroelectricity, reducing the need for generators.

The free, two-day outdoor event runs every month, through September 5th.

“On a quiet evening on the first of the ‘First Fridays’, usually we have between 15 and 20,000 people who come here. So come early. We open at 4 p.m. and until 6 p.m. it’s cool… and then it’s the lineup party,’ added Cerf.