Inside Montréal’s hottest F1 weekend parties, pop-ups, and activations for Canadian Grand

The Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix is officially taking over Montréal, and the city has once again transformed into one giant Formula 1 playground.

From free waterfront activations and racing simulators to luxury hotel takeovers, celebrity-packed supper clubs, underground afterhours, and champagne-fuelled VIP parties, Grand Prix weekend in Montréal is as much about the scene off the track as the race itself.

And this year, the city is going all out.

Whether you’re looking for free daytime experiences, stylish dinners, waterfront house music, or all-night chaos in Griffintown and Old Montréal, here’s your insider’s guide to the hottest parties, activations, and places to be seen during F1 weekend.

The free F1 experiences everyone should know about

CF Montréal Eaton Centre

One of the best free activations this weekend is happening right downtown at CF Montréal Eaton Centre.

Running May 20 to 24, “The Pit Stop” features:

• F1 racing simulators
• Interactive digital reaction walls
• AI photobooths
• Remote-control car races
• The GV27 Gilles Villeneuve pop-up shop
• Interactive gaming zones
• Food experiences at Time Out Market Montréal

Hours run:

• Wednesday to Friday: 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Saturday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Sunday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Meanwhile, Time Out Market Montréal is also leaning heavily into race week with Peroni tastings, beer-paired bites, cocktails, giveaways, and DJ sets running throughout the weekend.

Holt Renfrew Ogilvy x Mercedes-Benz x Roberto Cavalli

Even luxury retail is getting in on Montréal Grand Prix weekend.

From May 20 to 24, Holt Renfrew Ogilvy is showcasing three Mercedes-AMG vehicles wrapped in exclusive Roberto Cavalli designs, turning the downtown flagship into a race-week fashion and automotive moment.

The display includes:

• AMG CLE 53 Coupe
• AMG GT 55 4MATIC+ Coupe
• AMG SL 63 4MATIC+ Roadster

The custom Cavalli-wrapped vehicles add another layer to the growing crossover between Formula 1 culture, luxury fashion, and experiential retail throughout the city this weekend.

It’s also another strong reminder that during Grand Prix weekend, Montréal’s energy extends far beyond the track and nightlife circuit.

Grand prix crescent

No place captures the chaos of Grand Prix weekend quite like Peel Paddock presented on Crescent Street.

The legendary street festival once again turns downtown Montréal into a massive open-air F1 fan zone packed with DJs, exotic cars, racing simulators, giveaways, pop-ups, food vendors, patios, and live entertainment running late into the night.

Peel Street also becomes a major overflow zone for luxury cars, terraces, and race-week crowds throughout the weekend.

Maison Amex

Another major activation landing on Crescent this year is Maison Amex, bringing American Express cardmembers into the middle of the Grand Prix action with a hospitality-forward race-week experience.

Expect elevated lounge energy, curated food and beverage offerings, exclusive programming, and a premium escape from the crowds just steps from the city’s busiest Grand Prix corridor.

As Formula 1 culture increasingly blends with luxury hospitality and lifestyle experiences, Maison Amex is shaping up to be one of the more polished brand activations woven into the Crescent Street festivities this year.

The Old Port activations are a must

Clock Tower

The Old Port is quietly becoming one of the hottest daytime areas of the weekend thanks to multiple automotive activations happening directly on the waterfront.

Audi’s Rue 26 activation at Clock Tower on May 22 runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and includes:

• Audi vehicle exhibitions
• The unveiling of the R26 Formula 1 car
• Live DJs
• Waterfront experiences
• A drone show at 9 p.m.

Mercedes and Monster Energy are also activating nearby, effectively turning the Old Port into a free open-air Formula 1 expo.

The luxury hotel hubs

You’re bound to spot some drivers, celebs and elite.

The Ritz-Carlton, Montréal

The Ritz remains one of the biggest social epicentres of Grand Prix weekend and is heavily tied to Mercedes activations this year.

One of the most exclusive events of the weekend is Bal Interdit: After Dark on May 22, an immersive black-tie party inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins featuring premium cocktails, champagne, culinary stations, DJs, and performances across two floors.

It’s one of the weekend’s most luxurious and discreet experiences, where the crowd skews more executive, celebrity, and ultra-VIP than nightclub chaos.

Four Seasons Hotel Montreal

The Four Seasons is hosting four days of race-week programming through Marcus Restaurant and Marcus Lounge.

Highlights include:

• Allure Nocturne on Friday
• Rêverie Rouge on Saturday
• DJs running until 3 a.m.
• Luxury brunches and cocktail events all weekend

Marcus Lounge continues to be one of the city’s biggest “see and be seen” spaces during race weekend.

Hôtel William Gray

William Gray continues to be one of the key hospitality hubs for Audi and luxury race-week crowds throughout Old Montréal.

W Montreal

The W Montréal is bringing two very different vibes to race weekend.

On May 22, the Living Room hosts a Race Week party with DJs and high-energy programming inside the hotel’s signature lobby lounge.

Then on May 23, Vinyl Bar returns with its immersive analog music concept, featuring over 3,000 vinyl records guests can browse and play throughout the night.

Between cocktails and music culture, the W is shaping up to be one of the cooler, more low-key hospitality moves of the weekend.

Montreal Marriott Château Champlain

Mascarade at Caf’Conc’ on May 23 is becoming one of the weekend’s more theatrical luxury events.

The Marriott Château Champlain transforms into an immersive masked ball experience featuring caviar, champagne, gourmet stations, layered lighting, artistic performances, and DJ Champion on the decks.

Think elevated masquerade energy meets race-week glamour.

Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, Cadillac Hub

Cadillac is also making a major play during Grand Prix weekend with its Cadillac Hub activation inside Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, running throughout race weekend with free public access — no race ticket required.

The immersive activation highlights the performance and technology behind Cadillac’s growing Formula 1 ambitions and luxury EV push, while also becoming one of downtown Montréal’s biggest automotive experiences of the weekend.

Guests can expect:

• The Cadillac F1 Team show car
• Cadillac high-performance V-Series vehicles
• Daily Tommy Hilfiger x Cadillac F1 merchandise drops
• A chance to win $75,000 toward a Cadillac vehicle
• An immersive in-vehicle Dolby Atmos sound experience
• F1-inspired reaction-time challenges

Hours

• Sunday, May 24: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Friday, May 22: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Saturday, May 23: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The “see and be seen” nightlife spots

Bar George

Bar George remains one of the most important social rooms of Grand Prix weekend.

Between cocktail events, DJs, private dinners, hospitality gatherings, and stylish crowds, it’s one of the best places in the city to spot athletes, celebrities, creators, executives, and racing insiders.

Palma

Palma’s Grand Prix programming includes appearances from DJ Tifi and a special IHANA Wine tasting hosted by former F1 driver Valtteri Bottas before shifting into full nightlife mode later in the weekend.

Sunday also brings a Toronto-meets-Montréal brunch with the race broadcast live across giant screens.

Yoko Luna

Canada’s largest supper club is once again going all out with four nights of Raceweek programming blending glamour, Nikkei cuisine, artistic performances, electronic music, and one of the city’s most fashionable crowds.

Soubois

Soubois continues to be one of the city’s biggest race-week party hubs, hosting four nights of international DJs inside its immersive underground forest-inspired venue.

The crowd here tends to skew fashion-forward, nightlife-heavy, and music-focused well into the early morning hours.

Stereo

For the true afterhours crowd, Stereo remains one of Montréal’s most legendary nightlife institutions and a must during Grand Prix weekend for anyone chasing sunrise sets and marathon dance floors.

Known globally for its no photos or videos policy, music-first atmosphere, and late-night-to-late-morning energy, Stereo draws an international crowd of electronic music lovers, DJs, nightlife insiders, and industry heavyweights throughout race week.

This year’s programming includes Charlotte de Witte and Rony Seikaly, while nearby Stereobar keeps the momentum going with additional race-week sets and packed afterparty crowds flowing deep into the morning hours.

Meanwhile, for those leaning more hip-hop and bottle-service energy, venues like 212 continue delivering some of the city’s strongest late-night race-week party atmospheres, with tight VIP crowds, high-energy DJ sets, and packed dance floors throughout the weekend.

Glamada

Hosted by Diary of a Social Gal, Glamada returns May 19 at Maison Principale as one of the official unofficial kickoffs to Grand Prix week.

The event leans heavily into disco-era glamour, elevated nightlife energy, and fashion-forward social crowds.

Think Studio 54 energy reimagined through a Canadian race-week lens.

212

212 remains one of Old Montréal’s strongest hip-hop-focused nightlife rooms during race weekend.

The venue’s programming from May 21 to 24 promises:

• Late-night DJ sets
• Tight VIP crowds
• Bottle-service-heavy energy
• One of the city’s strongest hip-hop party atmospheres

Its intimate layout and music-driven crowd continue to make it one of the more consistent late-night destinations during Grand Prix weekend.

The biggest nightlife parties

Maison SI Circuit Series

Maison SI takes over Windsor Station for two of the biggest nights of the weekend.

WhoMadeWho headlines May 22 while Diplo takes over May 23, with immersive installations, VIP lounges, elevated dining, and a fashion-forward international crowd expected throughout the venue.

One of the biggest celebrity-heavy events of the weekend.

New City Gas

Still the heavyweight champion of Grand Prix nightlife.

This year’s lineup includes:

• Kaytranada
• James Hype
• Timmy Trumpet
• Twinsick
• Nico De Andrea
• Maxi Meraki
• Lou Phelps
• Dansyn

Expect massive crowds, lasers, bottle service, and one of the highest-energy party atmospheres in the city all weekend.

La Voûte

Set inside a historic bank vault in Old Montréal, La Voûte remains one of the most atmospheric party destinations during race week, with four nights of themed experiences and bottle-service-heavy nightlife.

Auberge Saint-Gabriel

ABGE remains one of the cornerstone hospitality venues of Grand Prix weekend.

Its four-day race-week takeover includes:

• DJ-driven nightlife
• Art installations
• Miami-inspired brunches
• Ballroom parties
• Speakeasy programming
• Elevated dinners and lounges throughout the property

The venue’s layered layout makes it one of the more dynamic hospitality environments during race week.

Bord’Elle

ce again leaning heavily into Gatsby-era glamour with three nights of burlesque-fuelled Grand Prix parties from May 21 to 23.

Expect:

• Champagne towers
• Aerial performances
• Lavish 1920s-inspired décor
• DJs including PeeWee, Baby Yu, Autograf, and Yasmina
• One of the most dressed-up crowds of the weekend

The venue continues to attract fashion-heavy nightlife crowds looking for a more theatrical race-week experience.

Rodeo

One of the newest additions to Montréal nightlife is making its debut during Grand Prix weekend.

Rodeo brings a Wild West-inspired party concept to Griffintown from May 21 to 23 with:

• Cowboy-themed nightlife
• Massive dance floors
• Bottle parades
• BBQ platters
• Line dancing
• High-energy party programming

A completely different vibe from the luxury supper club circuit, but likely one of the more talked-about openings of the weekend.

Muzique

es to be one of the Plateau’s biggest race-week nightlife destinations.

From May 22 to 24, the rooftop and multiple dance floors become a full-scale late-night playground with:

• International DJs
• Bottle service
• Rooftop party energy
• Stylish nightlife crowds
• Johnny Mang headlining programming

Flyjin

s to dominate the Old Montréal nightlife circuit during Grand Prix weekend with four nights of DJ-driven programming.

The Japanese-inspired lounge is known for:

• Red lantern-lit interiors
• High-energy dance floors
• Heavy bottle service culture
• Stylish fashion and nightlife crowds
• Some of the hardest reservations of the weekend

One of the more exclusive hospitality moments happens Thursday night when Belvedere Vodka’s HOUSE OF 10 hosts an invite-only race-week kickoff event in partnership with Flyjin.

The electronic music crowd is spoiled this weekend

Other major electronic and afterhours events happening around the city include:

• Charlotte de Witte at Stereo
• DJ Boring at Newspeak
• MK at Grand Quai
• Matroda waterfront day party
• Devault & Fallon x Croissound
• Rony Seikaly at Stereo
• This Is House open-air series
• Exposé Noir running through Monday morning

The most coveted invite-only dinners and parties

Beyond the big-ticket nightlife events, Grand Prix weekend in Montréal is also packed with ultra-curated hospitality dinners, luxury brand collaborations, private cocktail receptions, and invite-only experiences happening quietly behind closed doors across the city.

These are the rooms where fashion executives, Formula 1 hospitality guests, athletes, celebrities, creators, and luxury brand partners tend to disappear once the public parties start filling up.

Aston Martin x Glenfiddich dinner at Bar George, May 21

One of the most coveted hospitality dinners of the weekend happens Thursday night as Aston Martin partners with Glenfiddich for an intimate race-week dinner experience at Bar George.

The event is expected to bring together luxury automotive guests, fashion insiders, hospitality executives, creators, and invited VIPs inside one of Montréal’s most iconic Grand Prix gathering spaces.

Bar George continues to quietly host some of the city’s strongest private hospitality programming throughout the weekend.

Aston Martin x BOSS party at Grand Quai du Port de Montréal, May 21

Another major Aston Martin-linked moment this weekend is the Aston Martin x BOSS party happening waterfront at Grand Quai du Port de Montréal.

Expect luxury hospitality, fashion crowds, waterfront views, DJs, cocktails, and one of the more globally connected guest lists of the weekend as Formula 1 culture, luxury fashion, and nightlife collide.

Maison Sports Illustrator (SI) Circuit Series at Windsor Station, May 21-24

Maison SI — the Sports Illustrated race-week takeover — has quickly become one of the hardest invitations to secure during Grand Prix weekend.

Hosted inside Windsor Station, the event blends celebrity nightlife energy with immersive production, VIP lounges, fashion crowds, elevated dining, and international talent.

Thursday features WhoMadeWho while Saturday night is headlined by Diplo, drawing one of the weekend’s most connected crowds of athletes, entertainment figures, creators, executives, and nightlife insiders.

Bal Interdit: After Dark at The Ritz-Carlton, Montreal, May 22

Bal Interdit has become one of the defining luxury events of Grand Prix weekend.

Hosted inside The Ritz-Carlton, Montreal on May 22, the immersive black-tie experience transforms the hotel into a theatrical world inspired by the seven deadly sins.

Guests move through champagne lounges, culinary stations, performances, and hidden experiential rooms throughout the evening, creating one of the weekend’s most exclusive hospitality environments.

Living Room (May 22) & Vinyl Bar (May 23) at W Montreal

The W Montréal is once again attracting fashion, music, and nightlife insiders throughout race weekend.

The Living Room Race Week party on May 22 transforms the hotel lobby into a high-energy cocktail and DJ-driven gathering space, while Vinyl Bar on May 23 brings a more curated music-focused atmosphere built around over 3,000 vinyl records and analog listening culture.

Mascarade at Marriott Château Champlain

Mascarade at Caf’Conc’ inside the Montréal Marriott Château Champlain is becoming one of the weekend’s standout theatrical hospitality experiences.

The immersive masked-ball-inspired evening includes caviar, champagne, gourmet stations, artistic performances, layered production design, and a headline DJ set from Champion, creating a more cinematic and elevated alternative to the traditional nightclub circuit.

IHANA Wine tasting hosted by Valtteri Bottas at Palma

One of the more intimate luxury moments of the weekend happens at Palma where former Formula 1 driver Valtteri Bottas hosts an IHANA Wine tasting experience tied to his personal wine project.

The dinner-and-wine crowd here tends to lean more hospitality, fashion, and racing industry rather than nightclub-heavy.

CGV Experience at Jean-Doré Beach

The official CGV Experience at Jean-Doré Beach is also emerging as one of the weekend’s premium hospitality plays.

The floating-platform race-viewing experience combines live F1 screenings with concerts from Bryan Adams, Alessia Cara, Simple Plan, Dean Brody, and The Beaches alongside premium lounges, food service, and elevated viewing environments.

IWC Schaffhausen x Mercedes with George Russell at Mont Royal, May 21

One of the more luxury-forward events of the weekend happens May 21 as IWC hosts a private gathering with Mercedes-AMG Petronas driver George Russell at the IWC boutique in Ville Mont-Royal.

The event blends Formula 1 culture, luxury watchmaking, and hospitality programming into one of the more exclusive brand moments of the weekend.

House of 10 kick off, presented by Belvedere Vodka, unveils the F1 Edition bottle, May 21

Belvedere Vodka is officially launching its new Organic Vodka F1 Edition Bottle during Grand Prix weekend at Flyjin.

The collector-focused release celebrates Belvedere’s partnership as the Official Vodka of Formula 1 and is only available in Montréal throughout race week.

Audi Innovation Series at William Gray Hotel, May 22

One of the more culturally significant hospitality moments of the weekend is Audi’s Montréal edition of the Audi Innovation Series, which this year fully integrates the brand’s new Formula 1 era into its long-running culinary and innovation platform for the first time in Canada.

The Audi Innovation Series has historically blended design, technology, performance, and hospitality through collaborations with acclaimed chefs and immersive dining experiences. But this Montréal edition carries extra weight as Audi officially enters its Formula 1 era with the R26 and Audi F1 initiative now becoming central to the brand’s global identity.

Expect a highly curated mix of:

• Invite-only chef collaborations
• Luxury hospitality programming
• Audi F1 storytelling and brand integration
• Design-forward culinary experiences
• A crowd blending automotive executives, creatives, hospitality insiders, and Formula 1 guests

The timing also aligns with Audi’s major Grand Prix weekend push across Montréal, including the Rue 26 waterfront activation and Audi hospitality hubs throughout the city, making this one of the weekend’s most important intersections of luxury culture, motorsport, and experiential dining.

The TOP hospitality moments everyone will be talking about

Le 9e presents “1931”

One of the most sophisticated culinary experiences of the weekend is happening high above downtown Montréal inside the iconic Art Deco dining room at Le 9e.

Presented by Menu Extra, “1931” channels the glamour of early motorsport culture and 1930s French hospitality through an immersive dinner-and-party experience on May 23.

The evening features:

• A three-course tasting menu by chef Francis Blais
• Wine pairings curated by Alexis Demers
• Piper-Heidsieck champagne moments
• Early motorsport-inspired afterparty energy
• DJs and late-night programming inside the historic 9th-floor space

It’s shaping up to be one of the weekend’s most stylish crossover moments between fine dining, fashion, nightlife, and race culture.

Kaytranada GP26 at New City Gas, presented by PATRÓN and Produkt, May 22

Friday night at New City Gas becomes one of the weekend’s biggest nightlife moments as PATRÓN sponsors Kaytranada’s highly anticipated race-week performance.

Expect one of the largest crowds of the weekend.

Peroni’s Italian-style race week takeover

Peroni is bringing major hospitality energy to race weekend with a dedicated VIP lounge experience and tastings happening throughout Montréal during Grand Prix week.

Expect Italian-inspired aperitivo culture, elevated cocktails, curated hospitality moments, and activations woven throughout some of the city’s top race-week destinations.

Distillerie 3 Lacs race-week cocktail program

Distillerie 3 Lacs is also unveiling three cocktails created exclusively for Grand Prix weekend, adding another local luxury layer to Montréal’s race-week hospitality scene.