Spring break in Montréal: fun for all

In addition to its many free seasonal activities, Montréal offers countless ways to have fun during spring break. Walk, snowshoe, cross‑country ski, ice skate or sled across the city’s major green spaces, such as:

• Mount Royal Park, in the heart of the city
• Parc La Fontaine, in the Plateau‑Mont‑Royal
• Parc Maisonneuve, in Hochelaga‑Maisonneuve
• Parc Jarry and Frédéric‑Back Park, in Villeray—Saint‑Michel—Parc‑Extension

Montréal makes skating easy to enjoy, whether you’re with kids or a night owl on the ice. Dress warmly and rent skates at the refrigerated Beaver Lake rink atop Mount Royal. You can also reserve guided tours, sleds, snow tubes, snowshoes and cross‑country skis. No matter which neighbourhood you’re exploring, families, couples and solo travellers will never run out of options.

Glide along the tree‑lined Parc La Fontaine ice skating rink in the Plateau, or skate on the pond in Parc Jarry, just steps from Jean‑Talon Market.

In the Quartier des spectacles, grab a beginner snowboard or snowskate, a snow scooter or a sled and zoom down the six slopes of the Glissades Gamelin, from January 16 to March 8, 2026. Afterwards, warm up at the heated L’Après‑glisse Chalet or at Café Tranquille.

Wander through the snowy gardens and heated greenhouses of the Jardin Botanique, and explore the cross‑country trails of neighbouring Parc Maisonneuve. Nearby at the Olympic Park, the free Red Bull Heavy Metal event on February 28, 2026, brings together world‑class snowboarders ready to push urban snowboarding to the limit on epic courses.

Change of scenery! Cross the river and enjoy the winter programming at Parc Jean-Drapeau, including its ice skating path and cross‑country ski loops—discoverable even by fat bike. Equipment rentals are available on‑site.

For more flexibility, Poubelle du Ski offers a wide variety of rental gear—seasonal or short‑term—for the whole family. From cross‑country skis to skates, hockey equipment, helmets, gloves and snowboards, you’ll find everything you need.

When it’s time to refuel, stop by one of Montréal’s many places to eat with kids in Montréal. Kids will especially love our guide to the best hot chocolate in Montréal. And pick up the best Montréal bagels, pastries and fresh-baked doughnuts! for a special spring-break snack on the go.

The must‑see LUMINO festival features 30 glowing outdoor art installations and light projections across 15 locations in the Quartier des spectacles and downtown. Nearby, head to the free Esplanade Tranquille skating rink at Sainte‑Catherine and Clark. Rent skates, glide to music and interactive lights, take lessons (Sundays 10 a.m.–1 p.m. for kids; Saturdays 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. for adults) and enjoy snacks at Café Tranquille. Don’t miss the winter illumination trail downtown, shining until March 8, 2026. 

The iconic winter festival MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE returns from February 27 to March 7, 2026, celebrating gastronomy and culture with guest chefs, indoor shows and a large outdoor site offering food, drinks, music and a kids’ zone. Nuit Blanche lights up the night on February 28, 2026, with activities for all ages.

In the Old Port, stroll along the frozen St. Lawrence River and admire the winter skyline from a heated cabin on the La Grande Roue de Montréal. Starting in March, thrill seekers can once again soar over the port on MTL Zipline during weekends. To further explore Montréal’s diverse districts, book a guided winter walking tour.

In Outremont (and beyond), celebrate puppetry at the Festival international de Casteliers, from March 4 to 8, 2026. Don’t miss Marionnettes en vitrines! La Pire Espèce, a storefront exhibition from March 2 to 7.

Montréal has many kid-friendly museums and galleries, some offering free entry for ages 12 and under, as well as creative workshops. Book your tickets for:

• McCord Stewart Museum
• Montréal Museum of Fine Arts
• Musée d’art contemporain

In Old Montréal, Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal’s Archaeology and History Complex, offers a free cultural spring break program inspired by the exhibition Sherlock Holmes: Become a Detective, from February 28 to March 6, 2026. The museum’s forecourt becomes an investigative playground where families solve a mystery blending science, history and heritage. Inside, films, storytelling and board games round out the programming. Kids will also love the interactive exhibition Come Aboard! Pirates or Privateers?

At the Montréal Science Centre on the riverfront, watch adventure films and enjoy hands‑on scientific exhibitions for all ages.

Also in the Old Port, the Marguerite‑Bourgeoys Historic Site invites families to explore a remarkable heritage space. A climb to the belvedere offers breathtaking river views. During spring break, follow Capucine and Églantine, two little mice who arrived with Marguerite Bourgeoys in 1653—an adventure also found at Maison Saint-Gabriel in Pointe‑Saint‑Charles.

In the Olympic district and Hochelaga‑Maisonneuve, Espace pour la vie—Canada’s largest natural sciences museum complex—delights families with its many exhibitions (advance tickets strongly recommended):

• Biodôme – five ecosystems with lynx, monkeys, exotic birds, penguins and more
• Planetarium – films and immersive astronomy
• Jardin botanique – tropical greenhouses and plant collections
• Insectarium – one of North America’s largest, with immersive educational experiences

For more immersion, head downtown to OASIS immersion at the Palais des congrès. Also, don’t miss the immersive experience The Man Who Planted Trees at the 7 Fingers building, running until March 8, 2026—a magical forest brought to life by art and technology.

A bit farther out, Zoo Ecomuseum in Sainte‑Anne‑de‑Bellevue is home to over 100 Québec species (bears, otters, lynx, wolves, hawks, foxes). Exporail – The Canadian Railway Museum in Saint‑Constant is a dream for train lovers.

From March 2 to 6, 2026, spring break at la TOHU in Villeray–Saint‑Michel–Parc‑Extension offers a full lineup of free family activities. Indoors, enjoy clown shows, interactive storytelling, circus and street‑dance workshops, and a creation‑focused visit of an exhibition. Outdoors, join the skating carnival with Le Patin Libre and explore Parc Frédéric‑Back on skis, snowshoes or even a snow scooter.

For budding movie lovers, the Montréal International Children’s Film Festival presents new films from February 28 to March 8, 2026, at Cinéma Beaubien in Rosemont–La Petite‑Patrie.

At the Place des Arts, public spaces transform into creative play zones from March 4 to 7, 2026, between noon and 3 p.m., with interactive shows, outdoor animations, circus and craft workshops, a community cooking activity, roaming face‑painting, reading corners and more.

The areas around Montréal offer ideal family day trips, such as Parc‑nature du Cap‑Saint‑Jacques or Parc‑nature de l’Île‑de‑la‑Visitation, where you can rent snowshoes and cross‑country skis. Tremblant Resort and other mountains in the Laurentians and Eastern Townships are also great options for fresh air and all kinds of winter sports.