Montreal Hosts Expanded Indian Food Festival and Holi Celebration 2026

The Old Port of Montreal is hosting the Flavours & Colors Festival 2026 this weekend, blending an Indian food festival with traditional Holi celebrations. Organized by the Indo-Canadian Diaspora of Quebec, the weekend event showcases India’s vast culinary heritage alongside music, interactive cultural programming, and multi-community engagement.

Montreal’s Old Port is set to come alive this weekend as the Indo-Canadian Diaspora of Quebec (ICDQ) presents the Indian Food Festival and Holi celebration, also known as the Flavours & Colors Festival 2026.

Running Saturday and Sunday, June 27 and 28, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., the event promises a vibrant mix of India’s culinary diversity alongside the joyful spirit of Holi.

A taste of India in the heart of the city

Visitors will be able to experience a wide range of Indian street food, regional dishes, and traditional desserts.

Organizers describe the festival as a celebration where bold flavours meet cultural tradition, offering a chance to explore India’s food heritage in a lively outdoor setting.

For Sachin Gupta, co-founder of the Indo-Canadian Diaspora of Quebec, the festival is about much more than food.

“We’re trying to marry Indian culture with Canadian culture,” Gupta said. “We’ve been doing a lot of activities off and on different parts of the island, but now we’ve decided to take one step up and do it on a bigger scale.”

Gupta said the organization has hosted Holi-inspired colour celebrations for the past six or seven years, but wanted to expand the event into a larger cultural experience.

“This year, we said it’s not enough. We need to integrate more into the culture, more diversity, and introduce Indian culture to the wider society.”

Music, culture, and eco-friendly colour play

Beyond food, the festival features music, cultural programming, and eco-friendly colour celebrations inspired by Holi, the Indian festival of colours.

Gupta explained that the two-day event is designed to offer different experiences.

“The first day is more about Indian performances, Indian dance, Indian music, meditation, yoga, food tasting, and cooking preparations,” he said. “Day two is more about the Canadian culture. DJs from Quebec and from North America, from wider Canadian provinces. Tomorrow is more like a party.”

He hopes the festival becomes a bridge between communities.

“We really want to show the wider community in Montreal what India is about, what our culture is, and the types of foods we eat,” Gupta said.

Family-friendly activities by the waterfront

The festival also includes a children’s area with bouncy castles, making it a family-friendly outing.

Set against the waterfront backdrop of the Old Port of Montreal, visitors can enjoy entertainment and scenic views throughout the weekend.

For many attendees, social media helped bring them to the event.

“We saw reels and posts on Instagram and social media,” one festivalgoer said.

The visitor said they were especially looking forward to experiencing the food and entertainment.

“I think the food and the music,” they said. “I know tomorrow there are a lot of DJs, so I’m excited for that and all the food that there is.”

An unmissable summer celebration

Gupta said the idea for the expanded festival also came from conversations with restaurant owners looking for a larger platform to showcase Indian cuisine.

“There are a lot of Indian restaurants now, but they always told us they didn’t have a platform to promote their food,” he said. “We promised last year that we would do something big, and today we’re here at Montreal’s international stage promoting Indian food.”

He hopes the event encourages Montrealers to embrace the city’s cultural diversity by attending festivals from different communities.

“We should encourage all our communities, our Canadian community…to participate in these types of events,” Gupta said.

Quoting an ancient Sanskrit saying, Gupta said, “The world is one family. If we consider the world as one family, then let’s explore more about this family. Let’s eat their food, enjoy their culture, their music, and celebrate together.”

Future Outlook

The Indo-Canadian Diaspora of Quebec aims to establish the expanded Flavours & Colors Festival as a permanent fixture on Montreal’s international summer calendar. By partnering with local restaurant owners and scaling up the infrastructure at the Old Port, organizers intend to use this platform annually to deepen cultural integration and showcase evolving South Asian culinary and artistic talent in North America.

FAQs

What are the dates and hours for the Flavours & Colors Festival 2026?

The festival takes place on Saturday, June 27, and Sunday, June 28, 2026. The event opens daily at 11 a.m. and closes at 9 p.m.

Where is the Indian Food Festival and Holi celebration being held?

The weekend event is located at the waterfront venue of the Old Port of Montreal in Quebec.

What is the difference between the first and second day of the festival?

The first day focuses primarily on traditional Indian cultural elements, including classical music, dance performances, yoga, meditation, and culinary demonstrations. The second day transitions into a collaborative party format featuring DJs from Quebec, North America, and various Canadian provinces.

Is the Montreal Indian Food Festival suitable for young children?

Yes, the festival is designed as a family-friendly outing and features a dedicated children’s activity area complete with bouncy castles.