Break out summer – June is here and so is the Ultimate Guide to Music Festivals between Toronto,Ontario, and Montreal, Quebec. Being on the international circuit, the world’s best in music sweep into town and party it up with the local talent. There is not a dull moment with festivals like the Toronto & Montreal Jazz Fests, Picnik Electronik, MUTEK, NXNE, SPACE IBIZA and something new this yearDIGITAL DREAMS, spread out between Montreal and Toronto.

Picnik Electronic Montreal

Every Sunday, Jean-Drapeau Park, Montreal

The tenth season of this innovative weekly electronic music event kicked off May 20th with a whopping 8,500 attendees at it’s Montreal home in Jean-Drapeau Park. Taking place in Montreal, Gatineau and Barcelona, Picnik brings together international and national talent like Nina Kraviz,Valentin Stip and Tribe Called Red for a day of music in the park.This Sunday Summer regular event is an easy way to spend a weekend – or every weekend this summer

MUTEK International Festival Of Digital Creativity and Electronic Music

May 30th – June 3rd, Varied Locations, Montreal

The 13th annual MUTEK festival starts May 30th-June 6 and has grown to 30,000 entries. MUTEK is a sure fire way to transcend out of the norm and immerse yourself in the world of Electronic music and digital arts with performances, symposiums and video installations like the “A Vision” film series. This year marks the debut ofRecombinant Media Labs’ CineChamber: a 10 -screen wrap around video installation, emerging viewers into the sounds of live artist residencies, concerts and studios source sessions from over the years fused with colourful avant-garde images.With over 300 musical artists preforming over varied locations during the week long festival expect to see  bigger names at the Nocturne series like Nicolas Jaar, Jeff Mills,  Mathew Jonson, Minilogue,  Shlohmo, and Toronto’s own Nautiluss in the line-up.

Space Ibiza

Saturday June 9th, Sound Academy, Toronto

On a tiny Island, off the coast of Spain, lies Ibiza Island- the unoffical “Party capital of the world”. This island’s playground of electronica parties was a proverbial “never-never land” for Canadian electronica/house musicenthusiasts until now – thanks to the second annual Toronto leg of Space Ibiza World Tour on June 9th at theSound Academy. Featuring one of the most important players on the Global techno scene, Slovenian underground DJ and Beatport’s 2011 winner of Best Overall Artsist, UMEK.To add to the bouncy Island worthy vibes the duo of Kalle & Kaveh aka PleasureKraft and one of the hottest electronica DJ/Producers around, Jay Lumen, are also on this one-night-only roster.

North By North East

June 11-17, Varied Locations, Toronto

It doesn’t get much bigger than the infamous NXNE Festival. On it’s 18th year of it’s run North By North Eastkeeps getting bigger and better. This year the impressive week long roster boasts 650 bands, 30 plus film screenings; media conferences, workshops and lectures like “To stream or not to stream” and “graffiti goes global” that are blowing the top off my “cool meter.” Some of the bigger names headlining this year’s festival areThe Flaming Lips, Matthew Good, and Raekwon & Ghostface Killah.

Toronto Jazz Festival

June 22- July 1st, Varied Locations, Toronto

The TD Toronto Jazz Festival has grown massively since it’s inception in 1987, now taking place over 10 days.  The Toronto Jazz Festival draws in 1500 artists and some of the biggest celebrities in Jazz music. Included in the 350 performances this year are Janelle Monae and legendary Natalie Cole. One of the biggest draws to the festival is the impressive 1,200 seat tent where a majority of the festival’s performances are put on for free. Did we mention the stage is fully-licensed? Wine and Jazz in the summa air, what could be dreamier?

Montreal Jazz Festival

June 28-July 7th, Varied Locations, Montreal

Boasting the impressive title of “Largest Jazz Festival in the world” the Montreal Jazz Festival runs from June 28th-July 7th and has been going strong for 30 years. Much like it’s Toronto cousin most of the Montreal Jazz Festival is free. Drawing over 3,000 musicians from the genres of R&B, Soul; Funk, electronic; folk, hip hop and more, the Mtl Jazz Festival is so much more than Jazz music. This year Ziggy Marley, Mistress Barbara, Deltron 3030, Norah Jones, B.B. King, Rufus Wainwright and Beirut are just some of the huge names headlining this year’s festivals.

Digital Dreams

June 30th-July 1st, The Flats at M.C.A (formerly Ontario Place) Toronto

If you want to think of beaches, sexy-ness, and some of the biggest names in dance music than look no further than Canada’s largest Electronic Dance Music Festival: Digital Dreams. Taking place at The Flats (or what anyone over 12 knows as Ontario place) over Canada Day July 1st long weekend it’s a good thing the stages are near the water because this year’s lineup is hot; AfroJack, Kaskade, Alesso, Major Lazer and A-trak!

-Lauren Schell