Art Festivals in Montreal

Festival International Nuits d’Afrique

Montreal’s Festival International Nuits d’Afrique is a 10-day world music festival that features music from Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America. Remaining at the forefront of promoting musical creativity and the arts, the Festival International Nuits d’Afrique annually deploys a wide range of mixed talents here and across the ocean from Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America. It is considered to be the largest festival of its kind in North America.

The Rhythm of the World

The festival features more than 40 concerts along with over 500 artists from Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean Islands. The purpose of the festival is to take the audience on a musical journey across the four corners of the globe. Encouraging the best of traditional and modern music, the Festival International Nuits d’Afrique has kept the authentic character, the spirit of family and holiday magic, and especially the passion for beautiful music that has earned the festival a loyal and growing following every summer.

International Artists at Festival International Nuits d’Afrique

Many of the big names in the world music scene have attended this International Festival. Youssou N’Dour (Senegal), Alpha Blondy (Ivory Coast), Les Ballets Africains (Guinea), Miriam Makeba (South Africa), Omar Sosa ( Cuba), Papa Wemba (Zaire), Femi Kuti (Nigeria), Habib Koite (Mali), Ricardo Lemvo (Zaire / Cuba), Wasis Diop (Senegal), Sierra Maestra (Cuba), Ismael Lo (Senegal), Cheb Mami ( Algeria), Geoffrey Oryema (Uganda), Positive Black Soul (Senegal), Angelique Kidjo (Benin), Funk’N’Lata (Brazil), Amadou and Mariam (Mali), Ray Lema (Rep. Dem. Congo), Baaba Maal (Senegal), Orquesta Sensacion (Cuba), Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens (South Africa), Tiken Jah Fakoly (Ivory Coast) and so many more have all participated in Montreal’s Festival International Nuits d’Afrique.

Venues for Montreal’s Festival International Nuits d’Afrique

If you plan on attending the festival during your visit to Montreal, here is information about some of the venues for Festival International Nuits d’Afrique. The main concert area for the Nuits d’Afrique festival is Montreal’s Place Émilie-Gamelin. However, various other venues are used. Some of these other venues include the Métropolis, the National, the Cabaret du Mile-End, and the Club Balattou.