September 14, 2025
Jackalope sets the Old Port ablaze with dazzling skateboarding and rock climbing displays
While the site around Montreal’s Olympic Stadium, the usual home of the Jackalope festival, continues to undergo serious renovations that include changing the entire roof of the iconic stadium, Jackalope once again set the Old Port district ablaze with a dazzling display of skateboarding and rock climbing.
For the second year in a row, Jackalope took place in the Old Port of Montreal, at the Quai Jacques-Cartier, which is not only the eldest portion of the city, but maybe the most gorgeous part of it, as well. Historically speaking, it is among the oldest areas in North America too, and that is reflected in the buildings and cobble stone streets in the area.
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It, of course, is also a key part of the cities tourism that sees cruise ships from all over the world dock and its passengers deboard to spend time here. Thus, while the massive renovations that are taking place on the Olympic stadium are taking places, elongated by repairs to the stadiums tower that were sustained in an arson attack that set the stadium ablaze, which was set to protest the high costs of repairing the stadium, the Old Port district is the perfect place to hold this festival.
Already, the Old Port feels like a better spot for Jackalope, and once the Olympic stadium construction is finished, the festival organizers are going to have a tough choice to make. Return to where it started, or stay in the Old Port where there is a whole of foot traffic from tourists who arrive on cruise ships that dock just next to the festival site.
Every year, Jackalope brings an incredibly talented cast of athletes to compete in Montreal. This year’s edition featured skateboarding legend Bob Burnquist, who could also be found skating around the streets of Montreal, incognito, checking out the sites.
As well as legends, Jackalope has always done well in bringing young talent to the city – and every year I find myself more and more amazed at the skills that these kids bring to the vert ramp. This year, two eleven year olds set the audience ablaze with incredible tricks that were absolutely mind blowing to see. When I was eleven years old, I was happy if I landed a kick flip – yet here these two were, pulling off insane maneuvers at dizzying heights.
I must admit, while I like the festival site around the Olympic stadium, especially for live music events such as the Punk In Drublic tour, I think the Old Port is a much better destination for the Jackalope festival. With the cruise ships in port, it draws in a crowd that otherwise wouldn’t get to experience anything like that and – who knows, could even influence passengers to book cruises that align with Jackalope in the future.
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I just wish Jackalope wasn’t the same weekend as so many other amazing festivals in and around the city, like Music 4 Cancer, Envol et Macadam, A Varning Fest and so many more. Lets better organize these dates, folks, instead of sharing the crowds that would show up to all these events!
That’s just my two cents on the matter though. More people mean a better chance at a higher budget through government funding and sponsors!
