Winter 2025: Montréal cultural guide for families

TOHU, Saint-Michel
A creative hub for innovative and boundary-pushing contemporary circus arts, TOHU offers the best circus performances from here and around the world. What to see this winter:
5 years and over: HA HA HA (December 18, 2024 to January 5, 2025)
4 years and over: Perruche (January 19, 2025)
For all ages: Duck Pond (February 5 to 9, 2025)
6 years and over: Maputo Mozambique (February 20 to 23, 2025)
For all ages: JUVENTUD, Manifeste jonglé (March 12 to 16, 2025)

Maison symphonique, downtown

Ages 8 and up: My Dear Concerto! (February 2, 2025) 

Ages 5-12: Carnival des insectes (February 16, 2025) 

Ages 8 and up: Disney's Fantasia  (April 2 and 3, 2025)

L’Illusion Théâtre de marionnettes, Little Italy
This outstanding creative hub for the marionette arts features many shows at its home in Petite-Patrie. What’s on this winter:
6 to 10 years: Clémentine – Une histoire (vraie)  (February 5 to 8, 2025) 
7 years and over: Conte du Littoral (March 18 to 27, 2025)

Montréal Boréal – Le Jam du Nord – February 7 to 16, 2025, on Notre-Dame Street West between Lacasse and Courcelle streets. 

For its third edition, this free and festive event will take place in the vibrant Saint-Henri neighbourhood to celebrate the winter season. Exceptionally, Notre-Dame Street West will become a pedestrian-only zone, with enchanting winter installations, a 100% local music vibe, maple taffy, a heated artisan market under a dome, and a variety of activities for all ages.

MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE – February 27 to March 9, 2025, Quartier des spectacles
Arts, gastronomy, dazzling light installations, and the Nuit blanche Montréal All-Nighter  unite for this fantastic family-friendly event that celebrates winter and captivates foodies and culture lovers alike. Expect a wide array of free outdoor activities and non-stop performances in this 26th edition. Stay tuned!

Montréal International Children’s Film Festival (FIFEM) – March 1 to 9, 2025, Cinéma Beaubien
Designed for children and families, the FIFEM offers an international selection of films from around the world. It’s the perfect activity to enjoy with your little ones during spring break.

Festival international de Casteliers – Dates to be announced
Come revel in the 11th art during this annual celebration of puppetry arts.

Festival Immersif de Kultur et d'Art Scandinave / Nordique - FIKA(S) – Dates to be announced 
The 5th edition of this refreshing festival, which celebrates Scandinavian and Nordic way of life in Montréal and Québec, offers a variety of fun parent-child activities spread over an entire week.

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts , Downtown

In the heart of downtown’s historic Golden Square Mile, the MMFA hosts top international exhibitions, and offers workshops for all ages on Saturdays and Sundays. Bring your family to enjoy an art experience on the major exhibition on now or the museum collections. Free for 0 to 25 years old.

Now on: Two by Two, Together  (until October 5, 2025), Glenn Gear, ulitsuak | marée montante | rising tide(until March 30, 2025), Anri Sala: Ravel Ravel Interval (November 29, 2024 to April 27, 2025) and Joyce Wieland, Heart On (February 8 to May 4, 2025).

The PHI Foundation for Contemporary Art

Located in two heritage buildings in Old Montréal, the PHI Foundation for Contemporary Art presents this winter Oma-je (until March 9, 2025), the largest immersive exhibition in North America by renowned French artist Laure Prouvost. A wonderful way to introduce young people to contemporary art, especially through workshops and guided educational tours led by the PHI Foundation’s educators, available in both French and English.

OASIS immersion, Palais des congrès de Montréal

Immerse yourself in the magical world of OASIS immersion! Three immersive galleries and two illuminated experiences fill this 2,000-m² multimedia space with dazzling effects to delight all ages. This winter, commune with nature during Root for Nature, a sensorial experience created in collaboration with National Geographic to highlight conservation and sustainable development issues (until December 30, 2024). Or immerse yourself in the beautiful and luminous world of VAN GOGH – Distorsion, through over 225 paintings, drawings and sketches. Free for children 5 and under.

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. At the heart of the Satosphère, you and your teens and kids can enjoy a true audiovisual experience.  Sign up for free creative workshops, where kids aged 5 to 17 can explore artistic and digital practices in a fun, hands-on way!

Coded Dreams – until January 12, 2025, PHI Centre

This immersive exhibition invites you to explore the boundaries of artificial intelligence (AI) and unlock the doors of imagination through two unique and captivating experiences where you influence the story. For ages 13 and up.

Festival international de Casteliers – March 3 to 9, 2025 

Come celebrate the 11th art at this grand annual event dedicated to the art of puppetry.

Tintin, the Immersive Adventure – until January 12, 2025, Arsenal Contemporary Art Montreal

Immerse yourself in the world of Hergé and his famous Belgian reporter. Discover legendary artifacts and unique treasures before diving into an immersive experience spread across six themes. Free for children aged 4 and under.

The Horizon of Khufu – until January 19, 2025, Old Montréal, 2, de la Commune Street West 
Embark on a virtual reality expedition to ancient Egypt, diving into the mysteries of the Great Pyramid of Giza and experiencing the funeral rites of King Khufu. For ages 8 and up.

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

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. l Exhibitions on display: Witches – Out of the Shadows (until April 6, 2025) and The Heart and Soul of Saint Henri  (until May 11, 2025). Free for children aged 4 years and under

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. The temporary exhibition two five zero, 1 chapel - 15 artists (until March 13, 2025) highlights the 250th anniversary of the Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel with 14 artists paying tribute with original works. You could become the 15th artist by entering your own artistic interpretation of the chapel. 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 brand-new, inclusive and innovative museum and civic space celebrates the voices of citizens past and present, highlighting the identities and stories that define "montréalité". Discover the permanent and temporary exhibitions Montréal, Detours – Urban Experiences produced in collaboration with Urbania (until December 2025), A Mile in My Shoes (until August 31, 2025), Still Here! Indigenous Peoples’ Voices in Montréal (until February 23, 2025) in addition to the MEM's public spaces with your family. Free admission for children 12 and under, and special rates for teenagers 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.

Montréal Science Centre, Old Port of Montréal

The Montréal Science Centre offers budding scientists fun and enriching exhibitions for all age groups. This winter, take your family to see the interactive exhibition Banquet (until March 16, 2025) as well as the five fun permanent and temporary exhibitions for all ages.

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, take a ride on a miniature train, and participate in the numerous thematic activities held throughout the year. Free admission for children 2 years and under.

Smith House, 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! 

Day Camps

Registration for spring break and summer day camps opens at the start of winter! If your kids want to immerse themselves in Québécois culture with local hosts, refine their artistic talents, or learn a new language – all while you explore the city – here’s a curated selection of fun and safe Montréal day camps to keep them active and happy, whether for a day or an entire week.