I’ve been to many music festivals in my time as both a music lover and a journalist. My teens were spent in the sweaty moshpits of Warped Tour in Toronto and in my 20s I frequented the muddiest of venues up and down the U.K. Still, no festival on this Earth could prepare me for Igloofest in Montreal. As winter tightens its icy grip on the city, most seek refuge indoors, wrapped in layers of wool and sipping hot toddies. But for those who crave something wilder, something that transforms the biting cold into an electrified playground, there’s Igloofest — the world’s coldest (and arguably coolest) electronic music festival.
Now in its latest edition, Igloofest continues to prove that subzero temperatures are no excuse to stay home. Instead, thousands of festival-goers — wrapped in their best-thrifted snowsuits, fur-trimmed hoods, and neon accessories — descend upon the Old Port to dance under the stars. The result? A surreal, frostbitten rave where icicles form on eyelashes and basslines melt the chill away.
Some festivals are defined by their headliners. Others by their setting. Igloofest? It’s defined by sheer, unapologetic survival. When speaking with Igloofest organisers, like Tasha Prentice who is the brand and media director for Igloofest, it’s clear that nothing stops them from putting on a good party — even with the plummeting temps and wind chill. Montrealers like to have fun and when you live in a place that’s cold for most of the year, you learn to make due. The masterminds behind Piknic Électronik launched Igloofest in 2007, and what began as a bold experiment quickly became a winter phenomenon. From just 4,000 attendees in its first year, the festival has exploded in popularity, drawing a staggering 70,000 fans by 2012 — all braving the elements, even when the wind chill plunges to a bone-chilling -30°C.
Now an unshakable tradition, Igloofest 2025 has been lighting up Montreal’s Old Port and will take on Gatineau and Quebec City, proving once again that in Canada, winter is no excuse to stop dancing. This year’s lineup delivered a curated blend of underground heavyweights and global dance icons, with pounding techno, hypnotic house, and bass-driven beats reverberating against the frozen St. Lawrence River. Think Berlin warehouse energy — just with snowbanks, thermal gloves, and food trucks dishing out Canadian classics like poutine and beaver tails.
French duo Bon Entendeur kicked off the third week of the festival on Thursday with the entire crowd singing along to the pair’s hits. The following night brought London-born Zambian DJ Kilimanjaro to Canadian audiences for the first time, stating “Minus temperatures but that didn’t stop me from bringing my usual KILIMANJARO energy to you beautiful Canadians for the first time […] it was absolutely mental to be playing a set in the thick snow, but we got it lit.” Halfway through the set, things got so fire that he ended up shirtless for the rest of his set — something even the sturdiest of Canadians would be apprehensive to do.
That evening, there was only one man left to take the decks and send Montreal’s frozen rave into overdrive — Steve Angello. The Swedish house music icon, known for his anthemic productions and electrifying performances, delivered a grand finale that was nothing short of spectacular, proving that even in subzero temperatures, the right music can set a crowd on fire. The anticipation was palpable as thousands of festival-goers, wrapped in layers of thermal gear and retro snowsuits, packed into the Old Port for one last dance under the winter sky. As Angello took the stage, the towering LED screens bathed the snow-covered dancefloor in neon hues, and the first beats of his signature big-room sound sent a shockwave through the icy air. The following night featured a set by Germany’s very own Yulia Niko who wowed the crowd and stated that the “way people bounce here with the music is so special,” giving a special shoutout to Montrealers and attendees alike.
Looking ahead to next year’s edition of the festival, which will likely be just as cold as this year’s, it’s important to plan how to stay warm now. Beyond the music, Igloofest is a winter fashion lover’s dream. Attendees from Montreal and beyond wear one-piece snowsuits from vintage shops across the city, turning the dancefloor into a vibrant runway of retro ski gear. Some choose to wear full-length character costumes to add another layer of warmth while also making a statement.
What I found most compelling was the Igloofest-branded toques — or beanies if you’re from outside of Canada — from various years the festival has occurred. Prentice explained that these winter hats have become so iconic in the Igloofest world that they’ve become collector’s items. When you really needed to warm up, there were crackling fire pits everywhere and hot mulled wine — because, let’s be real, even the hardest partiers need a little insulation.
Another way to keep warm? A cheeky little trip to Bota Bota. It’s not your typical spa: it’s housed within a beautifully transformed ferryboat, providing glimpses of the ever-changing scenery of Old Montreal. The contrast between the spa’s tranquil atmosphere and the bustling city beyond makes for a truly transportive experience—one where time seems to slow down as the river gently sways beneath you. I indulged in a 60-min massage which was needed after partying the night away the evening before. But what truly is at the heart of Bota Bota’s experience is its water circuit, designed around the Nordic tradition of thermal therapy. The cycle is simple yet powerful:
– Heat, by raising your body temperature in a steam room, dry sauna, or hot tub, allowing your muscles to relax and toxins to release.
– Cold, dive in and take the plunge—literally. You step into a cold bath or shower, or, if you’re braver than I am, you can visit the outdoor river deck in your bathing suit in the winter — where crisp air acts as nature’s own cryotherapy. This shocking contrast improves circulation, strengthens the immune system, and leaves you feeling invigorated.
– Relaxation, perch in a hammock, a cozy lounge chair, or a quiet meditation space to find and collect yourself post-festival.
The visuals, too, are a spectacle in themselves. Towering LED walls flicker with kaleidoscopic graphics, transforming the snowy landscape into something futuristic and otherworldly. Snowflakes catch the light, creating an almost hallucinatory effect — like you’re raving inside a cyberpunk snowstorm on a distant planet. The entire space is an immersive neon-lit, ice-sculpted fever dream, with massive LED screens, interactive art installations, and enough dancing to keep the most frostbitten fingers & toes functional.
For first-timers, Igloofest is a lesson in endurance. The cold is no joke, and preparation is key. Pro tips from veterans? Hand warmers are your best friend. Layers are non-negotiable. And whatever you do, don’t forget your gloves. It’s all fun and games until you try to text your friends with frozen fingers. What makes Igloofest truly special is its ability to turn the brutal Canadian winter into something magical. It’s raw, it’s relentless, and it’s a testament to Montreal’s ability to party through anything. But beyond the logistics, the real secret to surviving Igloofest is to fully surrender to it. Don’t fight the cold — embrace it. Let the music take over. Lose yourself in the shared madness of thousands of people refusing to let winter dictate their fun. Igloofest is not just about enduring the elements — it’s about conquering them together.
What makes Igloofest truly magical is its defiant spirit. Montreal doesn’t just endure winter — it celebrates it, turning icy winds and snow-covered streets into a playground for the brave. Here, frostbite is a badge of honour, and the collective energy of thousands moving in rhythm transforms the cold into something almost mythical. So, if you’ve never stomped your moon boots — Montreal attire that is good for both staying warm and dancing — to pounding basslines in a blizzard, or if you’ve never felt the primal thrill of dancing while snowflakes melt on your skin, let Schön! provide you with your official invitation for next year’s edition of Igloofest. Just don’t forget your mittens.
Visit Igloofest Gatineau and Quebec City for information on upcoming shows and keep an eye out for next year’s edition of Igloofest Montreal by following @igloofest_mtl.
words. Kelsey Barnes
