Your Ultimate Guide to Surviving Osheaga in Montreal

After three long years, Osheaga is finally returning to Montreal in all its former glory and bringing a slew of phenomenal artists to the music industry.

Montreal’s biggest music festival takes place on six stages over three days (July 29-31) and usually brings together around 70,000 people in the timeless Parc Jean-Drapeau.

Emerging artists usually get 30 minute sets with headliners for 90 minutes, sometimes longer. It’s an absolute blast full of good music, warm weather (hopefully) and happy people.

The 15th edition of Osheaga drew an impressive lineup this year, as always, and will include artists like Montreal’s Arcade Fire, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Future, Machine Gun Kelly, Dua Lipa, Glass Animals and many more.

If you’re already here in Montreal or visiting for the festival, we’ve prepared your ultimate tips and tricks guide to surviving the three-day party. From getting around, to lodging, to what to wear, and Osheaga’s rules about booze and weed, here’s how to deal with the big party.

Get prices

Ok, unless you jump the fence and avoid security (we do NOT recommend this), you need passes to enter the grounds of Osheaga.

Ahead of this weekend’s festival, here are the passes still available:

  • General admission tickets are available for $145 and include a day pass for Friday, Saturday OR Sunday shows
  • Montreal Casino Gold Ticket will send you back $275 for a day pass (Friday, Saturday OR Sunday) and includes access to the Casino de Montreal’s GOLD terrace (a raised furniture platform offering a choice view), fast track access of the festival and private toilets
  • Platinum Garage Ticket costs $585 and includes access to the front pit viewing area, exclusive bars and terraces, a backstage tour, shuttle service between stages, on-site concierge, fast track entrance to the grounds, as well as private lockers and toilets
  • General Admission Weekend Pass are up for grabs at $375 which includes a festival ticket for all three days (Friday, Saturday AND Sunday)
  • Montreal Casino Gold Weekend Pass costs $675 and offers access to the Casino de Montréal’s GOLD terrace (an elevated furniture platform with prime views), fast-track entry to the festival site, and private restrooms for Friday, Saturday AND Sunday

Sorry folks, the deluxe suite ($20,040) passes are all sold out, maybe next year?

Where to stay

STM

There is no accommodation at Parc Jean-Drapeau, but don’t worry: find a Airbnb or a hotel near any metro line will suffice.

Any hotel or Airbnb near the Green Line (Atwater to Sherbrooke) or Orange Line (Laurier to Place d’Armes) might be your best bet.

The transfer from Berri-UQAM to the artificial island of Parc Jean-Drapeau (Jean-Drapeau metro station) is simple and takes about two minutes.

what to wear

Don’t come to Osheaga naked and be prepared for whatever Mother Nature has in store for you. The festival takes place rain or shine. Be prepared for sun, rain, heat, and maybe even a little cold (not likely, but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared).

You will want to dress comfortably so you can move and dance. We also recommend bringing a poncho in case of rain and a sweater for potentially chilly nights.

The shoes are also Very important. Don’t bring a pair of kicks you care about. Osheaga grounds get very muddy and dirty. You may want to favor closed-toe shoes, so we recommend stay away from sandals and flip flops.

Go for a comfortable pair of sneakers that you don’t mind if they get destroyed. Sturdy fangs might also be a smart call.

what to eat

Festival-goers are allowed to bring a snack for personal consumption (such as a granola bar), but meals, sandwiches, coolers and lunch boxes are prohibited.

We suggest you grab something to eat before you go to the festival and try to limit one meal per day onsite as, as with all festivals on the planet, food is expensive once there.

Any of these cheap meals will do, as well as any of these five meals for $5

Getting around Parc Jean-Drapeau

Osheaga

The two best options for getting to the site are the metro (to Jean-Drapeau station), followed by an easy walk to the festival site. You can also ride a bike. The bike is fast, convenient and really gets you in the Montreal summer mood.

There is a bike park (called Le Terminus) a few steps from the festival entrance.

The STM (Montreal’s public transit network) also offers a special Osheaga rate, offering unlimited travel for the weekend. Take as many subway rides as you want from 10 a.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday for $14.75.

The STM also offers free access to the metro at certain stations (Saint-Laurent, Place-des-Arts, McGill, Peel, Champ-de-Mars, Place-d’Armes and Berri-UQAM) on Saturdays and Sundays all year round. summer.

Find accommodation near one of the above stations and ride for free.

If you are driving, there is parking at Jean-Drapeauranging from $20 to $30 per day.

Alcohol and weed

Osheaga has bars and liquor kiosks on site if you want to do some booze, but you can’t bring outside booze onto the grounds. Security is pretty diligent in looking for your bags to make sure you don’t. Partygoers must show two pieces of ID to purchase alcohol and be 18 years of age or older.

You can bring your own weed, as long as it’s in a sealed package SQDC (and weighs less than 30 grams).

Osheagers are not permitted to bring illegal drugs onto the field and bags are also checked to ensure this.

Tips & Tricks

Osheaga has The swallows, a first responder and intervention group for women and vulnerable people who experience acts of harassment and sexual assault. The team is spread across the site and wears pink shirts. You can contact them directly or ask the security guards if you need services.

From a once-enthusiastic Osheager who hung up his festival dancing shoes at a later age, here are some tips and tricks to help you out:

  • There are outhouses at the back near the Espace 67 statue and the Ferris wheel. They are generally much cleaner.
  • Rent a locker to store your belongings.
  • Bring water (preferably in a collapsible bottle so you don’t have to carry it).
  • Bring snacks and fruit.
  • Bring a hat to protect yourself from the sun, you will be knocked out after a few hours!
  • There are rest areas throughout the site — take advantage of them!
  • Bring a large picnic towel – there are lots of grassy areas near the stages.

Things you CANNOT bring

Several items are prohibited on the site by Osheaga. We recommend going through it with a fine-toothed comb to avoid having objects removed:

  • Animals (except guide dogs)
  • Any object that can be used to cause bodily harm
  • Beach balls, soccer balls, frisbees, etc.
  • Drone
  • Firearms, knives or weapons of any kind
  • Fireworks
  • Flags and banners
  • Folding chairs
  • Glass bottles and cans
  • Rigid coolers
  • Illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia
  • Large backpacks (camping style)
  • Large Sports Umbrellas
  • Laser pointers
  • Megaphones
  • Musical instruments
  • Excluding alcoholic beverages
  • Professional video/audio recording equipment
  • Selfie sticks or similar monopods
  • Skateboards
  • tents
  • Totems
  • Water gun or fogger

Happy Osheaga-ing!

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