What to do in Montréal on Labour Day weekend 2025

Montréal is renowned for all kinds of free things to do in summer, including on Labour Day weekend! Relax, play, and picnic in Montréal's parks and green spaces such as Mount Royal, where you can take in the view from the Kondiaronk lookout and chalet and hear Les Tam-tams drummers next to the George-Étienne Cartier monument. Or simply relax on a blanket near the fountain in Parc La Fontaine or in Jarry Park. If the weekend's warm, go for a dip at the Aquatic Complex and the beach at Parc Jean-Drapeau or one of the many other city pools and beaches.

Downtown, the Quartier des spectacles surprises with outdoor performances, multimedia projections, and art installations that double as urban oases as part of Les aventures du cœur de l’île ‒ don’t miss activities at Esplanade Tranquille, performances and mini golf at Jardins Gamelin in the Quartier Latin, and free film screenings during the Estival du nouveau cinéma. 

See incredible street dance performances at the JOAT Festival international de street dance from August 26 to September 1 in the Quartier des Spectacles. And catch short, family-friendly alleyway performances during Le FAR Festival des arts de ruelle. And discover entertainment, food and drink at the city’s summer pop-up spaces, with urban oases like the Old Port’s Marché des Éclusiers, Village au Pied-du-Courant and more.

Join the Piknic Électronik  outdoor dance parties at Parc Jean-Drapeau, and catch local and international artists like Misstress Barbara (August 31) and Ki/Ki (September 1).  

Check out our list of the best bars and clubs for electronic, pop and more as well as our guide to Montréal’s hidden bars where cozy evenings await.

MURAL Festival may be over, but you can still see all the newly painted murals on Saint-Laurent Boulevard and adjacent streets – hear more about the mural artists on a street art tour with Spade & Palacio. Or take yourself on self-guided audio tours of the murals, historic Montréal and other sights thanks to TourBird - audio walking tours.

In Old Montréal and the Old Port of Montréal, stroll the boardwalk for a great view of the Saint-Lawrence River and the vistas beyond. Or look out at the entire city on La Grande Roue, relax with a river view at Clock Tower Beach and bliss out with the water circuit at Bota Bota, spa sur l’eau and other world-class spas.

Kids of all ages can climb high at the Voiles en Voiles adventure park, wander through the SOS Labyrinthe, explore the Saint-Lawrence River by pedal boat, ride a mini-train on Bonsecours Island, and zip over the port on the Tyrolienne MTL Zipline! Take an eco-friendly cruise with Petit Navire, have dinner on the river with Bateau-Mouche, or indulge your need for speed by jet boating with Saute-Moutons and Jet Saint-Laurent. Get the adrenaline pumping with Montréal Bungee,  Canada’s highest urban bungee jump.

Discover more of Montréal by bike, on a guided bike tour, or on a BIXI shared bike. Keep an eye out for public art works along the way. In Old Montréal, see famed Notre-Dame Basilica. Easily viewed from the Old Port, Living Connections illuminates the Jacques-Cartier Bridge every night. Follow our guide to Montréal's most famous icons to see more of the city's major sights and architecture.

Explore the nature-focused Espace pour la vie museums at Olympic Park: walk around the themed gardens and greenhouse of the Jardin botanique; visit the Biodôme's beautifully renewed immersive ecosystems, from the fish, birds and plants of the Tropical Rainforest to penguins and ice floes of the Sub-Antarctic Islands (be sure to buy your timed tickets ahead of time); search the cosmos in immersive shows at the Planetarium; and learn about insects at the newly renovated Insectarium.

A few steps away on the esplanade of Olympic Park, kids can play at Îlots76 with bouncy castles, a play area, snacks and more, watch (or join!) skateboarding at Vans Skatepark and try rock climbing at Nomad Bloc.

Along with park playtime, swimming and boating, visit Parc Jean-Drapeau for the famed geodesic Biosphère, Environment Museum, featuring new exhibitions, such as Oxfam-Québec exhibit about climate migration and possible solutions.  Or see a variety of Québec wildlife at the conservation-focused Ecomuseum Zoo and all kinds of animals at the Zoo de Granby. For families, the Montréal Science Centre features the new tyrannosaur exhibit, as well as permanent exhibit about the body and the great Canadian North.  And, for the extra-adventurous, ride roller coasters and other rides both big and small at La Ronde amusement park!

Spend time on Montréal’s terraces this weekend too: choose from top outdoor options and amazing rooftop patios, or surround yourself with greenery at Montréal’s lushest garden patios. Try some of Montrealers’ favourite lunch restaurants, summer brunches, newest restaurants and “buvettes." Dig into long-time classics like smoked meat, poutine and Montréal bagels. If you’re craving pizza, join the debate over who makes the best pizza in Montréal or the best tacos. 

Downtown, explore the wide variety of excellent meals at gourmet food halls, including Time Out Market, Marché Artisans, Le Cathcart Restaurants et Biergarten and Le Central - Manger Montréal. Get your caffeine fix at Montréal's indie coffee shops – and fresh-baked doughnuts to go with it! Add more sweetness to your life with creations from Montréal's best bakeries and pastry shops, best chocolate shops and local candy shops. Sip a creative cocktail at happy hour. Or go for dinner and a show or just go for the soul and Motown music at Le Balcon. For more culinary discoveries, check out Tourisme Montréal's favourite year-round food picks and great places to eat with kids.