Family Festivals in Montreal

The Montreal High Lights Festival (Festival Montréal en Lumière) is one of the largest winter festivals in the world and Montreal's most popular winter festival. Occurring in the Month of February, the High Lights Festival is a 10-day celebration of light shows, free events, live music, performance arts and fine food and wine.

Fête des enfants de Montréal is an annual festival for children that takes place in Jean Drapeau Park. La Fête des enfants de Montréal features over a hundred free activities including live performances, music, dance, creative workshops and sports, cooperative games and inflatable structures. The purpose of this festival is to provide children with an environment of discovery!

Montreal's Fête des Neiges de Montréal Winter Festival is an annual festival that is held yearly at Jean-Drapeau Park. This festival is a celebration of the essence of winter that turns the city of Montreal into a winter wonderland. It has been happening in Montreal for several decades. The purpose of this three week-end festival is to encourage everyone to have fun in the snow. The Fête des Neiges is one of Montreal's largest outdoor winter events.

La Fête Nationale du Québec is the National Holiday of the province of Québec. On this day, various events, shows and spectacles are planned in Montreal and throughout the province of Quebec. La Fête Nationale always occurs on June 24, which happens to be St. John the Baptist Day. Festivities take place on both June 23 and June 24. It is one of Montreal’s most popular holidays and it is a paid holiday in Montreal and the rest of Quebec.

The International Balloon Festival of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu (International des Montgolfières de Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu) is the largest hot air balloon festival in Canada. This gathering of balloons is very popular with kids of all ages. The International Balloon Festival of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu features hot air balloons, music, rides and attractions. Along with hot air balloons, the festival also features activity areas with various games, inflatable structures interactive animated shows.

Montreal’s International Circus Arts Festival (Montréal Complètement Cirque)is an international festival celebrating circus arts. Hundreds of circus artists from around the world participate in this summer festival. The festival features performances, showcases, conferences and exhibitions all over the city of Montreal. You’ll find circus artists, magicians, clowns, acrobats, makeup artists and much more.

Montreal’s Bike Festival (Féria du vélo de Montréal) is a bicycle festival that features several cycling activities. During this one-week festival, the entire island of Montreal becomes a playground to participate, experience and interact with Montreal’s world-renowned cycling culture. Participants of the Montreal Bike Festival come from all over North America and all over the world.

Montreal's International Jazz Festival (Festival International de Jazz de Montréal ) is the largest jazz festival in the world. This 11-day summer music festival takes place between late June and early July in the heart of downtown Montreal. Located inside the Quartier des Spectacles, around the Place des Arts, the festival features some of the most famous artists from around the world. Each year, over 2 million spectators attend the International Jazz Festival.

The Montreal Museums Day takes place every year in the month of May. During this day, many of Montreal's most popular museums offer free admission, free activities and free shuttle buses. It is the perfect occasion to explore Montreal's museums network for free.

The Magic of Lanterns (La Magie des Lanternes) is Montreal’s annual fall festival of lights that marks the arrival of autumn in beautiful style. It is a remarkable celebration of light in the Montreal Botanical Garden's Chinese Garden. The festival is marked by hundreds of silk lanterns that illuminate various areas of The Chinese Garden.