Free things to do this spring in Montréal

A stroller’s paradise

The free-est and most popular thing to do in Montréal with locals is walking. The city has garnered accolades for how walkable it is, and with dozens of lovely neighbourhoods that are easily accessible and connected, it’s a cinch to get out there and see the sights. For literal sites of note, a scenic walk along the Old Port of Montréal boardwalk is a great place to start — you’ll be next to the St. Lawrence River with views of the city, the iconic Habitat 67 and the Biosphère, plus you can make a stop at the famous BONJOUR Structure for that requite selfie. 

Continue on through Old Montréal and through Downtown to see the iconic Place Ville Marie and The Ring, not to mention Esplanade Tranquille and its beautiful 7,000 square foot rooftop garden which you can watch reawaken in spring. Chinatown and its cool gates are a next logical destination. 

From verdant views, there’s nothing quite like the Kondiaronk Belvedere at the top of Mount Royal. Stroll around the two ponds at Parc La Fontaine (you might even catch a free show at Théâtre La Verdure!) and escape the city entirely in beautiful Parc Jean-Drapeau, where cyclists can ride around the pro Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve race track, home of the F1 Grand Prix, at no cost. While you’re on the island check out the free and petite botanical garden Jardin des Floralies, a local secret.

Speaking of gardens and parks,  the Governor’s garden— the green space behind the Old Port’s historic Château Ramezay museum — is free of access and makes for a quaint lunchtime pit-stop. For a longer trek, head north to Parc Frédéric-Back and the very beautiful Parc-nature de l’Île-de-la-Visitation.

The city’s public markets may sway you to spend bucks with their beguiling produce, cheese and baked goodies, but they’re free to visit, at least! And a feast for the eyes, especially the most famous, Atwater Market and Jean-Talon Market.

If the weather does you dirty, it’s simple: head below ground to the Underground City, a 32 km long pedestrian network right downtown that’s packed with window-shopping, people-watching and public art to take in, especially with the Art Souterrain festival happening in March and April — see more details below.

And if you crave more free time in nature and don’t consider the cost of gas an unacceptable expense, may we suggest a few well-worthy road trips?

Festivals for FREE

As the HQ for Montréal’s countless festivals, Quartier des Spectacles and its Place des Festivals in the heart of downtown is a go-to spot year-round for free entertainment. You’re pretty much guaranteed to get an eyeful, especially with the well over 100 free activities, exhibitions and experiences planned for the spring months. From interactive art installations to innovative performances and tons of live music, the Quartier des Spectacles has something for everyone at any time.

Among the events lighting up Quartier des Spectacles this May there’s Festival Accès Asie and its free performances and activities exploring the cultural richness of Canadians of Asian origins, as well as the Japanese cultural festival Japan Week and street food festival YATAI MTL at the end of the month. All offer art and free performances in addition to the paying events.

From the end of May to early June every year, the Festival TransAmériques is a jam-packed theatre and dance festival that programs lots of free outdoor performances downtown, while even more boundary-pushing emerging artists perform at the OFFTA in May.

Right on its heals, the St-Ambroise Montréal Fringe Festival keeps performance month going through May and into June with its boatload of far-out theatre, dance, comedy, magic and circus shows — in addition to several free performances and live music shows at Parc des Amériques, aka Fringe Park, on Saint-Laurent Boulevard at the corner of Rachel.

Music makes the world go ’round

Word to the wise: one of the little-known perks of the school year winding down is that the McGill’s Schulich School of Music offers a selection of free classical music and jazz recitals. Nearby within the Place des Arts, check out the 5 à 7 musicaux concert series this spring, where students from three Montréal universities perform free shows over three evenings each, giving you the chance to discover some rising stars.

Speaking of classical, the Montréal Chamber Music Festival presents an array of chamber music and more for a couple of weeks in June, which include some free lunchtime concerts as well — but be sure to book tickets in advance. Over on the banks of the Lachine Canal, spread out your picnic blanket and enjoy the popular Festival sur le Canal mid-June weekend fest, featuring folk, rock, pop and more, all live, outdoors and free.

Spring is also time for one of the world’s biggest francophone music festivals, Francos de Montréal, at Quartier des Spectacles. Wander Place des Festivals for free and soak up the atmosphere and sounds of over 250 shows on several stages throughout the festival dates in June.

Art, art everywhere

May is synonymous with museums here, because it’s Montréal Museums Month: an annual event that has the city’s museums featuring free activities like tours and workshops for all ages. Visit as many as you can! Among the museums to visit there’s the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (currently at Place Ville Marie), the McCord Stewart Museum, the Canadian Centre for Architecture and more. Be sure to book your tickets ahead of time.

Put a spring in your step by following Art Public Montréal’s itineraries for art-focused walking tours, from larger-than-life sculptures in Old Montréal to multi-storey murals. Some come with free podcasts, too, packed with extra insider info. 

From mind-March to early April, follow the Art Souterrain Festival route through the Underground City to see new artwork by over 50 artists from around the world. Explore the walkways and tunnels on your own or take a guided tour. 

While exploring public art, stop by Place des Arts to see Orb, a four-metre-wide spherical sculpture perched atop a body of water, created by Spanish street artist Spy. And nearby at the Place Ville Marie Esplanade, The Ring, by award-winning landscape architects Claude Cormier + Associés, is a must for selfie-loving art fans. 

A stroll up St. Lawrence Boulevard at any time is colourful, but even more so in mid-June during the MURAL Festival, when you can watch artists paint new works on buildings’ walls and catch live music on outdoor stages. 

Make a visit to the always-free admission PHI a priority when in Old Montréal to see expertly curated solo and group exhibitions of contemporary art by acclaimed international and local artists.

Discover more galleries and artist-run centres by gallery-hopping throughout the city, including the five floors packed with contemporary art spaces in downtown’s Belgo building (home to the SBC Gallery of Contemporary Art, Galerie Hugues Charbonneau, SKOL and more).

Visit downtown’s Leonard & Bina Ellen Art Gallery, Galerie de l'UQÀM, Ellephant, Artexteand VOX, as well as Saint-Henri’s Bradley Ertaskiran and Griffintown’s Arsenal and Blouin-Division. In the Plateau and Mile End, go to Oboro, Galerie Simon Blais, Centre Clark, Dazibao and Optica, and in Little Italy you’ll find GalerieERGA.

Let’s get literary

April brings with it the Blue Metropolis International Literary Festival, packed with a full schedule of readings, workshops, discussions, children’s programming and more, including several free events. 

The Montréal Comic Arts Festival at the end of May unites graphic artists, illustrators and authors on Saint-Denis Street between Gilford and Roy, for a fun weekend packed with free activities for all ages.

For kids aged 7 and up specifically, Festilou is a week-long spoken word celebration in mid-May that offers several days of storytelling. We’re talking 75+ free activities at Théâtre de l’Esquisse and in over 20 city libraries across town, as well as in parks and more.

Block parties and community fun

By the end of March you’ll probably feel like some sporty action — good thing it’s time for Jeux Urbains, a free three-day festival that combines sport, urban culture and the arts at the Montréal Eaton Centre. It brings together high-level and amateurs alike plus talented urban artists that will leave you awed.

Food lovers can at least get in the mood for sugaring off season at the end of March without spending a penny thanks to the free programming at Cabane Panache, a lumberjack camp on Willington Street in Verdun complete with festive music, open fires and lots of atmosphere. Complètement Sucres has the same idea, except it happens in HoMa and lasts from mid-March to early April. It’s free to visit but obviously not to eat. 

Experience another side of food with the art experiments, culinary activities, social activism and more of Cuisine ta Ville, an annual event at Place des Festivals downtown in May.

Starting in mid-May, watch for live performances, music, karaoke, yoga and more entertainment (plus great food and drink!) at Jardins Gamelin outside Berri-UQÀM metro station, right downtown.

The Eureka! Festival celebrates science in all its forms, inviting families to take part in all kinds of science and environmental activities for a fun-filled weekend including over 100 interactive activities in late May. It happens at Parc Jean-Drapeau, and it’s all completely free.

And in June, feel the F1 fever emanate throughout the city as downtown gets into the Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada mood with free events and live music and DJs.