Summer 2026: Montréal cultural guide for families

ECHO — May 21 to August 16, 2026, Big Top, Quai Jacques-Cartier, Old Port 

Plunge into the heart of a modern odyssey that explores the deep bonds between humans and animals. When Future and her dog, Ewai, stumble on a mysterious cube, they embark on a journey of discovery, hope, and empathy, quickly learning that their actions have the power to shape this world. 

Recommended reading: 17 exciting activities to do near the Cirque du Soleil’s Big Top in Old-Montréal and Where to eat in Old Montréal around the Cirque du Soleil’s Big Top 

Place des Arts, Quartier des spectacles 

Concerts, comedy acts, circus, theatre, dance, music, musical comedy: the whole family is invited to enjoy a series of cultural performances that blend fun, emotion, and discovery. Older teens will particularly appreciate the regular programming at the Place des Arts, featuring an excellent lineup designed to pique their interest in culture. Choose a show together to create shared memories.

MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE — July 2 to 12, 2026

MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE (The Montréal Cirque Festival), presented by La TOHU, is celebrating its 17th anniversary. Over 10 days, your whole family can enjoy memorable performances by artists and acrobats from all over the world in some of the most iconic venues around the city, but also in parks and streets. Check out the free indoor and outdoor programming that will delight young and old alike. 

Just For Laughs Festival — July 15 to 26, 2026
The Just For Laughs Festival Montréal is the largest comedy festival in the world that for over 40 years has made the city laugh with its diverse and festive program. For close to two weeks, renowned performers and emerging talent will perform original shows in the Quartier des spectacles and several venues across the city. The OFF Just For Laughs Montréal Festival adds a daring touch with its no-holds-barred approach to comedy, theatre and music. The perfect night out with teens! 

Osheaga — July 31 to August 2, 2026, Parc Jean-Drapeau 
The biggest “wow” festival for teens aged 13 to 17. Look forward to pop, hip-hop, indie and electronic music, art installations, street food trucks, and an energizing ambiance with: 

• a TikTok/Gen Z vibe, 
• multiple stages, 
• international artists adored by your teens,
• unforgettable sunsets over Montréal, tons of activities between concerts. 

Les Lumières de Saint-Michel — August 7 to 9, 2026 

For its 4th year, Les Lumières de Saint-Michel returns to the La TOHU outdoor courtyard and the reception pavilion at Parc Frédéric-Back for three days of completely free festivities, including circus performances and entertainment. 

Festival Marionnette Plein la Rue — August 21 to 23, 2026 

The Promenade Wellington comes alive with larger-than-life puppets that are as marvelous as they are fun during this festival that brings together several companies from Québec and abroad. Let yourself get swept up by the magic of puppetry with these mesmerizing free shows. Take a moment to check out the diverse, lively summer programming at the Promenade. 

The Festival des arts de ruelle de Montréal (FAR) — August 29 to September 13, 2026 
The alleyways of Montréal, among the hidden gems of the city, reveal all their charm and joie de vivre during FAR (Alley Arts Festival). Now in its tenth edition, it offers a warm, inviting program for the whole family in these cozy, community spaces. 

JOAT Festival — September 1 to 7, 2026
Bring your teens to celebrate street dance culture with over a hundred artists who will immerse you in the world of dance: high-level battles, breaking, hip-hop, popping and krump among others. It’s an opportunity to discover these Afro-American community dances that have become popular the world over. 

Musée d’art contemporain, Downtown
The MAC family exhibitions and activities are designed for children aged 6 and up, as well as teenagers. While the temporary venue at Place Ville Marie no longer hosts exhibitions, you can still visit the indoor and outdoor spaces of the PVM, where alongside a dynamic and welcoming staff, you can admire original works and appreciate the link between art and the urban landscape. In summer 2026, workshops take place on Saturday, July 4 and 18, 2026 as well as on August 1 and 15, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Free for 18 years and under.

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Downtown
Right in the heart of the historic Golden Square Mile downtown, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MBAM) hosts world-class international exhibitions and offers workshops for all ages on Saturdays and Sundays. Families can enjoy an artistic experience focused on the current major exhibition or explore the museum’s permanent collections. Admission is free for visitors aged 20 and under. Current exhibitions include: 

• The Torlonia Collection – Masterpieces of Roman sculpture (until July 19, 2026) 
• Richard Avedon: Immortal – Portraits of Aging, 1951-2004 (until August 9, 2026) 
• Keerat Kaur: Sweet Speech (until September 20, 2026) 
• Rising Suns: Indigenous Art from the Confederacies of the Great Lakes and Rivers (until October 11, 2026)

Plus, take advantage of The Artcycle, available again from June 11 to September 2026 in various parks and venues across Montréal to enjoy creative outdoor workshops. 

World Press Photo Montréal — August 26 to October 12, 2026, Marché Bonsecours 
Bring your teens to see the 19th edition of this not-to-be-missed exhibition, a flagship event of Montréal’s fall calendar. Featuring the winning photos from the prestigious international photojournalism contest, the exhibition highlights the events that marked the past year and includes accompanying exhibitions by Quebecer artists and photojournalists. Free for children under 10.

OASIS immersion, Palais des congrès, Downtown 

Experience immersive adventures in the enchanting world of OASIS immersion. Located in a 2,000-m² multimedia space, discover three immersive galleries and two luminous experiences with your family. Free for children aged 0 to 5.This summer until August 30, 2026, explore:

• Root for nature, a true sensory bath in nature created in collaboration with National Geographic, focusing on conservation and sustainable development issues, 
• The Immersive Carnival of the Animals, a journey into a vibrant retro-futuristic world filled with whimsical characters—half animal, half instrument—and a playful, interactive scenography.

Place Bonaventure, Downtown
This summer, Place Bonaventure is the ultimate cultural destination for families with three must-see immersive exhibitions: 

• Harry Potter: Visions of Magic — until June 29, 2026 
  Embark on an immersive journey into the mysteries of the wizarding world. Armed with an interactive wand, explore iconic locations like the Room of Requirement, the Hall of Prophecies or Newt Scamander’s menagerie and light up the multi-sensory sets. Recommended for ages 12 and up.
• Bubble Planet Experience — until August 30, 2026 
  Dive into an immersive world that combines technology, creativity, and sensory experiences. Across eleven themed rooms filled with giant bubbles, inflatable structures, fantastical landscapes, and virtual reality, this multi-sensory adventure sparks imagination, reveals the magic of science, and awakens the child in all of us.
• Dinos Alive: A Spectacular Journey into the Jurassic Era — until August 30, 2026  
  Travel back to the Jurassic era with Dinos Alive, an immersive themed exhibition featuring life-size dinosaur reproductions. Discover over 40 iconic dinosaurs, including T-Rex, Stegosaurus, and Velociraptor.

Museum of Illusions of Montréal, Old Montréal
At the heart of this playful and educational destination for all ages, discover over 70 visual experiences, including holograms, stereograms, optical illusions, and immersive rooms designed to delight the senses and challenge the mind. Admission is free for children aged 0 to 4.

PHI, Old Montréal

In the heart of Old Montréal, PHI offers a great way to introduce young people to contemporary art through an innovative, cutting-edge program. Guided tours can be arranged, and admission is free for children 12 and under. Don’t miss the current exhibitions on view until September 13, 2026:

• Jakob Kudsk Steensen: Otherworlds 
• Paola Pivi: Come check it out lies lies lies

The AURA Experience at Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal, Old Montréal
This multimedia experience created by renowned Montréal studio Moment Factory immerses the whole family in a captivating visual and musical universe, projected onto the neo-Gothic architecture of Montréal's Notre-Dame Basilica. Free for children 5 years and under.

SAT – Quartier des spectacles

Exhibitions and immersive experiences come together in this creative laboratory dedicated to the development of digital culture. Inside the Satosphere, enjoy a fully immersive audiovisual experience with teens and children alike. Be sure to explore the SAT workshops offered for youth aged 7 to 17.  

Musée McCord Stewart, Downtown

Explore the history of Montréal in its diversity through exhibitions that often take interactive avenues. Numerous workshops and guided tours for the whole family are organized every weekend and admission is free to 12 years and under. Don't miss the permanent exhibition Indigenous Voices of Today: Knowledge, Trauma, Resilience which showcases the knowledge and history of Indigenous peoples, as well as the current temporary exhibitions: 

• Céline in Dior: A Dazzling Moment (until September 7, 2026) 
• Montréal 1976: An Olympic Feat (until September 13, 2026)
• On the Menu – Montréal: A Restaurant Story (until October 18, 2026)

Redpath Museum, Downtown

Head over to the McGill University campus to discover incredible specimens of extinct animal species, fossils - including impressive dinosaur skeletons sure to impress young and old alike - and collections from ancient Egypt, including mummies. Suggested contribution of $10 (adults only).

Heroes of Greece. The Age of Troy — until March 7, 2027, Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal Archaeology and History Complex, Old Montréal

The whole family is invited to explore one of Antiquity’s greatest epics: the Trojan War, Homer’s heroes and the gods of Olympus—where human passions and divine conflicts intertwine. Nearly 400 authentic artifacts are brought together, several of which are being presented in North America for the very first time. Also back on until September 9, 2026 is Summer on the Pointe: a lineup of free, festive activities will take place on the museum’s forecourt, in a warmly decorated urban oasis that’s perfectly adapted for families. 

Also worth visiting with the whole family:

• Come aboard! Pirates or Privateers? will delight young sailors aged 5 to 12 who are eager for knowledge and adventure.
• Archaeo-Adventure: kids step into the shoes of an archaeologist and experience a simulated dig, moving through the excavation site, tent, and lab space.

Good to know: Admission is free for children aged 0 to 4, making it an affordable and educational outing for young families.

Château Ramezay – Historic Site and Museum of Montréal, Old Montréal
The permanent exhibition Life at the Château: Splendour and Misery in New France offers an immersion into 18th-century Montréal that's sure to intrigue children of all ages. Free admission for children 4 and under.

La Maison Saint-Gabriel, Pointe-Saint-Charles
Head southwest of Montréal to visit a three-hundred-year-old farmhouse, where you'll get a glimpse of rural Montréal between the 17th and 20th centuries. There are many family activities offered this summer in addition to guided tours for children 6 years and up.

Marguerite-Bourgeoys Historic Site, Old Montréal 
Step back in time to the city’s beginnings and meet some of Montréal's most symbolic figures at this historic site. Take in the permanent exhibition, Meet Margeurite! where children can learn more about the influence of this pioneering woman on 17th-century Montréal. Free for children 12 and under.

Écomusée du fier monde, Village
At the heart of a spectacular public bath converted into a museum, youngsters can discover the industrial and working-class history of the Centre-Sud district. Free for children 6 years and under.

MEM – Centre des mémoires montréalaises, Quartier des spectacles
This inclusive, forward-thinking museum and community space highlights the voices of citizens past and present, shedding light on the identities and stories that shape “Montréalness.” Bring the family to explore its current permanent and temporary exhibitions, along with MEM’s public spaces. Admission is free for children 12 and under, with a reduced rate for teens aged 13 to 17.

Musée des Hospitalières de l'Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal, Plateau-Mont-Royal
This museum offers a look back at four centuries of history through its former monastery, the caregivers’ garden, hospital, three chapels, a crypt and the burial site of Jeanne Mance—co-founder of Montréal and founder of the Hôtel-Dieu. Explore the permanent collection focused on sacred art, hospital care, medicine and pharmacy, as well as a temporary exhibition on view until September 13, 2026: Medicine and Charity, highlighting the heritage of Hôtels-Dieu from the Middle Ages to New France.  Every last Saturday of the month, from 10 a.m. to noon, families are invited to take part in thematic activities for children. Admission is just $5 for ages 5 and up and includes access to the current exhibition and a fun collage workshop.

Espace pour la vie, Quartier olympique

The largest museum complex in Canada devoted to the natural sciences  encompasses:

• the Biodôme
• the Planetarium
• the Botanical Garden
• the Insectarium
• the Biosphère (in Parc Jean-Drapeau)

A ton of activities and exhibitions for all ages await! Free for children 4 years and under.

Montréal Science Centre, Old Port of Montréal
For budding scientists of all ages, the Montreal Science Centre offers fun and enriching exhibitions for all age groups. Don’t miss Nanualuk – Northern Expedition, a permanent exhibition that takes visitors on an immersive quest into the Canadian Arctic filled with enriching interactive challenges, along with the 5 permanent exhibitions and films shown at the IMAX®TELUS cinema.

Exporail, the Canadian Railway Museum, Saint-Constant
This museum on Montreal's South Shore offers permanent, temporary and virtual exhibits to introduce visitors to the fascinating world of railways. Children can climb aboard various train carriages and participate in the numerous thematic activities held throughout the year. Free admission for children 2 years and under.

Ecomuseum Zoo, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue
The only outdoor zoo on the island of Montréal, here you can observe native Québec animals in their natural habitat. Wolves, hawks, caribou, and other magnificent creatures: keep your eyes peeled!