Spring 2026: Montréal cultural guide for families

Place des Arts Junior, Quartier des Spectacles
Cirque, theatre, dance, music, and puppetry: this series of cultural events invites the whole family to enjoy performances full of fun, emotion and discovery. The Sons et brioches morning shows even offer muffins and croissants before diving into the captivating world of each performance. The spring 2026 lineup includes:

• All ages: Ratatouille in concert (April 12, 2026, at the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier)
• Ages 5 to 12: Le bibliothécaire (April 19, 2026, at the Cinquième Salle)
• Ages 8 and under: Elmo's Got the Moves (May 24, 2026, at Théâtre Maisonneuve)
• Teens will love the regular programming at Place des Arts, which offers an array of choices to spark their interest in culture.  Choose a show and set aside some special time to bond together.

La Tohu, Saint-Michel

This venue for performance, creation, and experimentation specializes in contemporary circus, showcasing the finest circus acts from here and abroad. This spring, catch:

• Ages 8+: WOW: World of Words (March 26 to 29, 2026)
• All ages: L’Impro Cirque (April 9 to 11, 2026)
• Ages 4+: Ten Thousand Hours (April 23 to 26, 2026)

TD Blue Metropolis Children’s Literary Festival – April 23 to 26, 2026
The family programming of the Blue Metropolis International Literary Festival invites young readers and their families to explore the rich diversity of children’s literature, while enjoying a wide range of activities, events, and exhibitions held at venues across Montréal.

Montréal Sketchfest – April 30 to May 9, 2026, Théâtre Sainte-Catherine
With your older teens, come discover comedians and performers from across North America for evenings full of laughs and entertainment, in both English and French.

Festival Petits bonheurs – May 1 to 10, 2026, Maison de la culture Maisonneuve
This event, designed especially for children aged 0 to 6 and their families, features shows, workshops, short films, and exhibitions that help spark young children’s creativity.

Festilou – May 10 to 24, 2026
The 17th edition of this storytelling festival for young audiences brings the whole family together through activities held at Théâtre de l’Esquisse, in libraries across 16 Montréal boroughs, as well as in parks, at Le Jockey bar, La Cenne, and more. For children aged 3 and up, their families and educators.

Montréal Comic Arts Festival – May 15 to 17, 2026 
The largest comic arts festival in Canada - bilingual and free -  brings together comic creators, publishers and the public to celebrate comics from here and around the world.

Eurêka! Festival – June 5 to 7, 2026, Parc Jean-Drapeau, at the foot of the Biosphère, Île Sainte-Hélène
Over three days, Québec’s biggest science fair takes over the area at the foot of the Biosphere. The program features a wide range of free outdoor activities for the whole family, including hands-on workshops and interactive science experiments.

MURAL Festival – June 2026
This huge and popular urban art festival is back in the city! For this new edition, the walls along Saint-Laurent Boulevard once again turn into a true open-air art gallery—perfect for a family stroll.

Francos de Montréal – June 12 to 20, 2026, Quartier des spectacles
The best of Francophone music comes together for this 37th festive and colourful edition. The outdoor shows and concerts are a great way to sing, celebrate, and dance as a family.

Festival sur le Canal – June 19 to 21, 2026, Esplanade du Centenaire
At the corner of Saint-Patrick and Pitt streets, spend a day outdoors filled with music, featuring performances by local artists and gourmet food stands. Family-friendly and free, it’s the perfect way to enjoy a laid-back weekend along the Lachine Canal.

Parents and Kids Fair – Dates and location to be announced
Designed for parents of children aged 0 to 6, this is the go-to place to learn about education, childcare, leisure, and family activities. You can also attend a wide range of conferences, children’s shows, fashion shows, and other activities centred around childhood.

Musée d’art contemporain, Downtown

The MAC family exhibitions and activities are designed for children aged 6 and up, as well as teenagers. Alongside a dynamic and welcoming staff, you can admire original works as a family and open your vision to avant-garde creations. Stay tuned for Spring 2026 workshops and until May 3, 2026,  check out the exhibition, Comfort and Indifference, an exploration of comfort and indifference in the wake of global crisis. Free for 18 years and under.

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts , Downtown
Right in the heart of the historic Golden Square Mile downtown, the Montréal 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.   Now on: 

• The Torlonia Collection – Masterpieces of Roman sculpture (March 14 to July 19, 2026) 
• EVER MORE by Kurt Hentschläger (until April 5, 2026)
• Comfort and Indifference (until May 3, 2026)
• Richard Avedon: Immortal – Portraits f Aging , 1951-2004 (until August 9, 2026) 
• Rising Suns:  Indigenous Art from the Confederacies of the Great Lakes and Rivers (until October 11, 2026)

OASIS immersion, Palais des congrès 

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 0-5.This spring until April 4, 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.

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 0–4.

Bubble Planet Experience  May 31, 2026,  Place Bonaventure, Downtown
Dive into an immersive world where technology, creativity, and sensations come together. 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 May 31, 2026, Place Bonaventure, Downtown

Step back in time with Dinos Alive, an immersive exhibition featuring life-size dinosaur reproductions and a fully themed environment. Discover over 40 iconic dinosaurs, including T-Rex, Stegosaurus, and Velociraptor, as you explore the Jurassic era like never before.

Harry Potter: Visions of Magic – starting March 27, 2026, Place Bonaventure, Downtown 
Embark on an immersive journey into the mysteries of the wizarding world. Explore iconic locations like the Room of Requirement, the Hall of Prophecies and Newt Scamander’s menagerie. Using an interactive wand, light up multi-sensory sets and experience a unique, magical artistic adventure in Montréal. Recommended for ages 12 and up.

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 from April 23 to 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. On March 28, 2026, don’t miss Petit SAT Fest: a family‑friendly program of 360° immersive short films presented in the dome, inviting all ages to explore poetic and playful worlds together, along with an on‑site interactive animation creation booth. Free admission for children under 2.

The Horizon of Khufu – until April 30, 2026, Old Port of Montréal, King Edward Pier 
Immerse yourself in the mysteries of the Great Pyramid of Giza and experience the funerary rites of King Khufu in this virtual reality expedition into ancient Egypt. Suitable for ages 8 and up. 

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:  

• Montréal 1976: An Olympic Feat (March 27 to September 13, 2026)
• Aunties’ Work (until May 24, 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).

Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal Archaeology and History Complex, Old-Montréal

Blending history, literature, and investigation, Sherlock Holmes: Cracking the Case draws you into the world of Sherlock Holmes, the legendary detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, until March 29, 2026. Transported to 19th-century London, you’ll explore the author’s inspirations and follow the master of deduction step by step through full-scale settings. The Come aboard! Pirates or Privateers? permanent exhibition is sure to delight budding sailors (5 to 12 years old) thirsty for knowledge and adventure. More of a landlubber? With Archaeo Adventure youngsters can follow the steps of an archaeologist and experience a simulated archaeological dig through the construction site, the tent and the laboratory area.

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.

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 this extraordinary woman hailed as the “Mother” of the 17th-century colony.  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.

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 17^th and 20^th centuries. There are many family activities offered this summer in addition to guided tours for ages 6 years and up.

Musée des Hospitalières de l'Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal
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: Medecine and Charity, highlighting the heritage of Hotels-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 exhibitionsfor 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 carriagesand participate in the numerous thematic activities held throughout the year. Free admission for children 2 years and under.

Smith House (under construction), on Mont Royal

Why not round off a wonderful walk on the “mountain” with a visit to Smith House to take in the free exhibition, The Thousand Faces of Mount Royal: Olmsted, the Visionary? Here, you’ll experience an ode to the mountain and the photographers who have immortalized it through their lenses, from the vision of the architect of Mount Royal Park to the shots of celebrated photographer William Notman, with a few of today's Instagram photos thrown in for good measure. There’s no lack of things to do as a family on the mountain, plus plenty of other fun activities designed to awaken your senses and help you get in tune with nature.

Ecomuseum Zoo, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue

The only outdoor zoo on the island of Montréal, here you can observe native Quebec animals in their natural habitat. Wolves, hawks, and other magnificent creatures: keep your eyes peeled!