Montreal is ready to embrace Formula 1’s arrival to the city with a range of events. We take a look at the biggest and best events for motorsport fans during the week of the 2023 Canadian Grand Prix!
The Canadian Grand Prix is one of the best-attended and most-loved events on the Formula 1 calendar. After an enforced two-year absence due to the coronavirus pandemic, the race returned to the schedule last year. Following huge demand for tickets once more in 2023, Montreal is set to embrace F1’s return with a range of events and activities across the city in the days leading up to the 2023 Canadian Grand Prix.
Crescent Street Grand Prix Festival
Crescent Street is the place for Formula 1 fans to be over the 2023 Canadian Grand Prix weekend. The street gets closed off over the race weekend, having hosted top tier entertainment for motorsport fans at each running of the Grand Prix since 1999. Footfall in excess of 600,000 is expected.
New owner-operator of the event, Feldman Entertainment Quebec Inc., has extended this year’s festival by one day. In 2023, the festival runs for four days, from Thursday June 15 to Sunday June 18.
The Crescent Street Grand Prix Festival will feature DJ sets, musical acts – including local favourites Sam Roberts Band – and celebrity pit stop challenges. In the past, Formula 1 drivers have also made appearances on the main stage. Expect F1 car displays, merchandise stalls and more – plus check out the best pubs, clubs and restaurants in the vicinity during your visit. Learn more about the festival on the official website.
Maxim Grand Prix Party
The team behind Crescent Street Grand Prix Festival are also producing the Maxim Grand Prix Party on Saturday June 17. Taking place at Windsor Station, the event will be a star-studded affair celebrating the race weekend. Top tier DJs will be performing, including Grammy Award-winning Diplo.
Partners for the 2023 Maxim Grand Prix Party have not yet been announced. Last year, the Williams F1 team was a Collaborating Sponsor of the event. They had two of their Formula 1 cars on display alongside a line-up of Lamborghinis and F1 simulators. Ticket prices range from $275 CAD for admission to over $50,000 CAD for the most exclusive VIP access.
Grand Prix Party at Ritz-Carlton
Got space for formal wear in your suitcase? On Friday June 16, you can party like it’s 1912 at The Ritz-Carlton on Rue Sherbrooke Ouest. The official hotel partner of the Mercedes Formula 1 team, the Ritz-Carlton’s black tie event will take place from 18:00 and feature live musical performances from Issac Delgado y Orquesta and various DJs.
Featuring fine wines, a champagne bar and a luxurious piano lounge, proceeds from ticket sales for the Grand Prix party will be donated to the Barry F. Lorenzetti Foundation, a charity which aims to improve mental health care in Canada.
Le Richmond’s Grand Prix themed events
The Le Richmond restaurant, at 377 Ave Richmond in the Griffintown district, will host a number of lavish events over the 2023 Canadian Grand Prix weekend. With backing from Formula 1 tyre supplier Pirelli, the Red Carpet Gala on Saturday night is the place to be seen.
The event will welcome “distinguished guests”, with a cocktail reception, seafood station, unlimited drinks and VIP treatment for all guests. Tickets are priced at $500 CAD.
Le Richmond also plays host to a ‘Kickoff Party’ on Thursday night, a ‘Gentleman’s Club’ on Friday evening and a race after party on Sunday. Further information can be found on the restaurant’s website.
Aston Martin F1 and Peroni join the action
From June 15-18 at 1241 Saint-Catherine Street West, a free, immersive experience titled “Le Paddock” will take place. Hosted by Italian brewing company Peroni, the event will celebrate the brand’s partnership with the Aston Martin Formula 1 team.
Running for its second successive year, visitors can learn more about the history of one of Italy’s finest brewing companies, try out Peroni’s Nastro Azzurro 0.0% and get up close to an Aston Martin F1 car. There’s the opportunity to re-live iconic racing moments and learn more about the partnership between the two brands.
Espace Grand Prix
Want to try your hand at being an F1 driver? The Espace Grand Prix, in front of the Sephora store at Centre Eaton de Montreal, is your opportunity to do so! With simulators on site from June 8-18, this is the perfect chance to feel the speed and adrenaline of racing. Further sports stations allow you to to compete against your friends and partake in cycling, tic-tac-toe, ping-pong and more.
At the race track
Of course, the main event is the 2023 Canadian Grand Prix itself, taking place at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on the Ile Notre Dame island, as it has done since 1978. The three days of Formula 1 action will be complemented by a range of support series.
Joining F1 on track this year will be Ferrari Challenge and F-1600. A pit lane walk will take place on Thursday, though fans will need a ticket to partake in the event. Tickets for the pit lane walk have already sold out. Click here for the full on-track schedule at the 2023 Canadian Grand Prix, plus further advice about visiting the circuit.
What else is happening in Montreal over 2023 Canadian Grand Prix weekend?
- Experience world-class entertainment at La Voûte, a converted bank vault, from Thursday June 15 to Sunday June 18. The four nights of activities culminates in a race after party on Sunday evening, tickets for which are priced from $265 CAD.
- Time Out Market’s trendy food hall will have be taking part in the Grand Prix festivities from June 13 to June 18. DJ sets, F1 simulators and more fun activities are on offer. Home to some of the city’s best restaurants, it’s the place to be if you want to sample some of the city’s finest foods! Visit the Time Out website for more details.
- Business owners in Peel Street will be bringing the festival atmosphere to the city with the now traditional Formule Peel event. Featuring fashion, music and gastronomy, plus a line up of classic sportscars to get up close with on the street!
- Soubois club will be celebrating the Grand Prix with a week full of special events. Check out a different headlining DJ each night!
- New City Gas at 950 Ottawa Street is putting on special events over the 2023 Canadian Grand Prix weekend, featuring performances from Duke Dumont, Steve Angello and other top names.
- A number of high profile concerts are taking place at the Bell Centre in Montreal across Grand Prix week. Nickelback perform there on Wednesday June 14, The Cure headline on June 16-17 and Shania Twain performs on race day itself.
- Keep an eye out across downtown Montreal for other businesses celebrating Grand Prix weekend. Expect kiosks, street food, freebies and merchandise from a range of companies across the city.
- Even more ideas for how to spend your time away from the track on 2023 Canadian Grand Prix weekend can be found in Off Track Activities.
Hi I have a close friend who is an artist who would like to exhibit her art works during Grand Prix, could you please help her get to the right person who deal with this activities.
Thank you,
I’m sorry but I don’t have any contacts to help in this case. I suggest she reaches out to some businesses in Montreal associated with either F1 or the art world.