In town for Jazz Fest -- what not to miss

A place I love is Jardin Nelson, which is  a restaurant located right on Place Jacques Cartier.  In back is an outdoor seating area where they have live jazz most weekends (good place for brunch), and during Montreal Jazz Fest, they often have special events.  Its very close to the Marché Bonsecours which will probably help on the craftsy need.  

Hi Jonathan, 

you may want to head down to Old Montréaland check out Marché Bonsecours there is always something going on there, don't forget to check out all the antiques on the trendy Rue Notre-Dame you'll fond some cool stuff. If way you walk any street in the old town, you'll come across some really neat art galleries. If you want to check out our version of soho or Greenwich village, I suggest Le Plateauthere are a many great little spots there, from vinyl shops, to second hand clothes to some really cool local designer suff. If you're a foodie, you are in for a treat, just about anywhere you'll find great food... i haven't yet experience the latest craze of food trucks like Grumman 78, but I am told the they can be found at the jazz Fest. Take a late night around Place Jacques Cartier and check out the buskers, in a few alleys around you'll find some locals sketching and selling paintings. Walk the city, ditch the car and ride the mėtro, visit the Underground City .

Hope you enjoy it

Hey there - Jazz fest is soon ending and to be honest there is a ton of great activities. It is really hard to chose just one- here is a website that will help you find what you are looking for : http://www.mtlblog.com/2014/07/50-things-to-do-this-july-2014-in-montreal/

mtl blog is very famous among montrealers, when we need to keep up to date. 

I strongly suggest the La Carifiesta which is a Caribbean festival/ parade happening downtown.