Things to do in Montreal

734 activities, venues and outings in Montreal, from theatres and live music to parks and tours.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first. Showing the top 40 of 734.

DoCinemaQuartier Latin-Le Village
Cinémathèque québecoise
Modern theater complex with 17-screens (most shows in French only), cafe, restaurant and bar.
Tue-Sun regular showing 17:00, exhibition hall Tue-Fri 11:00-20:00 and Sat Sun 16:00-20:00Exhibitions free; film screenings $8 adults, $7 seniors (65+)/students, $5 children (6-15), free for children 5 and under · Wheelchair accessible
DoTheatrePlateau
Théâtre de Verdure
3000-seat outdoor theater open for a summer program of dance, music, movies, and theater. Plan to line up early for the popular symphonies in the park series or just join the crowd of picnickers on the grass around the lake.
30 Jun-17 Aug, Wed-Sun 19:30Free-$30 depending on the show
DoTheme parkParc Jean-Drapeau
La Ronde
An amusement park that is a member of the Six Flags chain.
Discounts are readily available: a Coca-Cola tin is worth an $8 discount on any rides ticket · Limited wheelchair access
DoAmusement parkOld Montreal
Voiles en voiles
This venue offers a diverse range of outdoor activities, including aerial adventure courses, wall climbing, and inflatable games, all set within a thematic environment inspired by 18th-century pirate and royal ships.
Open now · closes 9 pm
DoCinemaQuartier Latin-Le Village
Cinéma Cineplex Odeon Quartier Latin
Showcases mostly mainstream Hollywood films, all dubbed in French.
$11.75 general admission, $8.25 children and seniors · Wheelchair accessible
DoLive music venueQuartier Latin-Le Village
Maison de la culture Frontenac
Cultural centre in Sainte-Marie. Many free shows. Music, dance, cinema, theatre, etc.
Tue-Thu 13:00-19:00, Fri-Sun 13:00-17:00
DoLive music venueDowntown
Bell Centre
Centre Bell
Home of the Montreal Canadiens ice hockey team, commonly known as the Habs. Also hosts larger concerts.
DoLive music venue
MUTEK
An annual gathering, held in Montreal. The MUTEK festival showcases emerging forms of electronic music and the latest trends in sound creation.
DoLive music venue
Montreal International Jazz Festival
Festival International de Jazz de Montréal
The world's largest jazz festival, this festival is a major international event, attracting many big name artists. Many streets in downtown Montreal are closed off to traffic for two weeks and several concert stages are set up. There are many free outdoor shows and indoor concerts (paid). Late June - early July.
DoPark
Parc du Mont-Royal
North of avenue des Pins, between avenue du Parc and chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges. This beautiful, immense urban park tops the "mountain" (at 232 m, it's more like a hill) that overlooks all of Montreal and lends the city its name. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, creator of Central Park and Prospect Park in New York, the park is elegant and accessible, and has hundreds of nooks and crannies to explore. A broad and gradual 8-km (5-mile) bike and pedestrian path begins at the Monument Georges-Étienne Cartier (on Avenue du Parc, opposite the western end of rue Rachel, where the bike path continues), winding its way around the mountain and culminating at the Belvédère (lookout) and Chalet Mont-Royal, with incredible views of downtown, the St. Lawrence river, and the Eastern Townships. The Belevedere and Chalet are also accessible from downtown by the newly restored staircase, access via the path at the top of rue Peel. Many smaller paths and trails crisscross the park. For lazy visitors, or those with limited mobility, you can enjoy a wonderful view from the mountain by taking bus route 11, which stops at the lookout on Chemin Remembrance, and at Beaver Lake. Every Sunday during the summer, thousands of people get together at the monument on Avenue du Parc to enjoy the big tam-tam jam.
DoMarinaSouth West
H2O Adventures
Lachine Canal Nautical Centre
Offers kayak, pedal boat, and canoe rentals, plus beginner kayaking lessons, along the Lachine Canal; it's just across the canal from the Atwater Market.
May: Mon-Fri 12:00-20:00, Sat Sun 09:00-20:00; Jun-Aug: 09:00-20:00 daily; Sep: Mon-Fri 12:00-19:30, Sat Sun 10:00-19:30. Kayaking courses offered Wed 18:30-20:30 and Sun 11:00-15:00, other times available upon demandKayaking lessons $39 M-F, $45 Sa Su. Rental prices vary based on type of boat and amount of time
DoVerdun
Bleu Blanc Rouge skating rink
This refrigerated rink is a donation from the Montreal Canadiens children's foundation, and is normally open longer than regular rinks in Montreal. Call before going to be sure it's open.
09:00 to 22:00
DoVerdun
Dance lessons near the river
During the summer, drop in the municipal greenhouse any evening for salsa, tango, country or line dancing. Check website for hours and details.
May to AugustFree
DoPlateau
Main Madness
Two weekends each summer St-Laurent boulevard is closed to cars for the Main Madness street fair. More an overgrown sidewalk sale than fair, restaurants, and shops set up in the middle of the street.
One weekend in June and AugustFree
DoParc Jean-Drapeau
Montreal Casino
Casino de Montréal
Opened in 1993, this is the largest casino in Canada. Open to visitors aged 18 or older.
24 hours daily
DoHochelaga-Maisonneuve
CF Montréal
Club de Foot Montréal
Members of Major League Soccer since 2012, and one of three Canadian teams in the otherwise U.S.-based league. While not as widely followed as the Canadiens, CFM (originally the Montreal Impact) are still a major force in the city's sports scene, with routine sellouts of their stadium (which holds a shade under 21,000). Games for which an especially large crowd is expected are played at the Olympic Stadium—typically the home opener, and sometimes major in-season matchups or playoff games. As in several other sports, and in social and cultural matters, the Montreal–Toronto rivalry is present in soccer, with CFM matches against Toronto FC among the highlights of any season.
DoWest Island
McGill University MacDonald Campus
Visit MacDonald Campus of McGill University, featuring its experimental farm, raptor/rare bird centre, eco-museum, and arboretum.
DoDowntown
Molson Stadium
Stade Molson
An outdoor Canadian football stadium on the McGill campus. The McGill Redbirds (Quebec University Football League) and the Montreal Alouettes (Canadian Football League) play here.
DoDowntown
Montreal Forum / Pepsi Forum
Forum de Montréal / Forum Pepsi
An entertainment complex at the site of the former home of the Canadiens from 1926-1996. It is home to an AMC Cinema (22 screens) and The Montreal Comedy Nest.
DoWest Island
Parc-nature du Cap-Saint-Jacques
Go to the makeshift beach at Cap Saint-Jacques in the summertime. The park also offers hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails.
Adult admission: $4.50, parking: $7.00
DoWest Island
Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue Canal
Have a summer picnic at the Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue Canal, a National Historic Site in Sainte-Anne de Bellevue and watch the pleasure boats go through the historic locks to avoid the rapids. Then take stroll on Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue Street, which has a small-town character, rather than the predominantly suburban character of the West Island.
DoVerdun
Strøm Spa Nordique
One of the best spas in the city, this place has a beautiful location next to the lac des battures on Nun's Island. There is no nearby public transportation, unfortunately.
DoVerdun
The Natatorium
Swim at the Natatorium which is a huge outdoor swimming pool.
$2.25 adult, $1.25 child
DoVerdun
Verdun circus school
Verdun circus school is a venue for circus shows. See website for a schedule to see a circus show.
DoTheatreMile-End
Rialto Theatre
5723, avenue du Parc
DoCultural centerWestmount–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce
Maison de la culture Notre-Dame-de-Grâce
3755 rue Botrel
Tue-Wed 13:00-19:00, Thu-Fri 13:00-18:00, Sat Sun 13:00-17:00
DoCultural centerPlateau
Maison de la culture du Plateau-Mont-Royal
Exhibits local artists.
Tue-Thu 13:00-19:00, Fri-Sun 13:00-17:00Free
DoParc Jean-Drapeau Not mapped
Beach park
Clean water and sand attracts families to this small, man-made beach at the south tip of Ile Notre Dame. Activities include a playground, volleyball, and watercraft rentals. There are bathrooms, changing rooms, and a snack bar.
20 Jun-24 Aug: daily 10:00-19:00Ages 14 and up $8, 6-13 $4, 65+ $7, family $20. Season passes available
Do Not mapped
Festival Mondiale de la bière
Annually, in June: several days of tasting beers, ciders, and other beverages from all over Quebec, Canada and further afield. The event typically offers over 500 different beverages, from over 70 brewers, from many countries. There is no admission fee, and samples typically sell for 2-8 tickets ($1 a ticket) for a 150-200 ml sample. There are also musical performances and food kiosks. The festival can get very busy at peak times (Friday and Saturday evening of the event), so it is advisable to arrive early to avoid possible long queues.
Do Not mapped
Francofolies
A festival celebrating French-language music from around the world. Similarly to the jazz festival, many free outdoor concerts are offered in a section of downtown that is closed off to traffic for a week. Mid-June.
Do Not mapped
Heavy Montréal
A two-day heavy music festival taking place in Parc Jean-Drapeau on Île Sainte-Hélène.
Do Not mapped
International Festival of Film on Art
Devoted to the promotion and presentation of the finest productions on art and media art. A ten-day competitive festival, it is the most important annual event of its kind in the world. FIFA has become a focal point for artists and artisans from the art and film communities, and for art and cinema enthusiasts.
Do Not mapped
Just For Laughs Festival
Comedy festival with three main components: indoor paid shows (usually stand-up, but not always), free street theatre/comedy, and a mini film festival called Comedia. July.
DoSouth West Not mapped
Lachine Canal National Historic Site
Lachine Canal Bike Path
A beautiful 14.5-km-bike path that runs along the Lachine Canal from downtown to Parc René-Lévesque in Lachine.
Do Not mapped
Montréal en lumière
A relatively new wintertime affair, attempting to transplant the city's festival magic to the cold season. Includes three main categories of activities: food and wine, performing arts, and free activities both indoor and outdoor. February.
DoParc Jean-Drapeau Not mapped
Osheaga Music and Arts Festival
A three-day indie & alternative rock festival held annually in Parc Jean-Drapeau on Île Sainte-Hélène at the end of July/beginning of August.
Single day ticket from $159
Do Not mapped
POP Montréal International Music Festival
A massive feast of up-and-coming bands in a variety of popular genres. In early fall, host to more than 80 events, more than 300 artists, a conference, and an arts fair. POP Montreal showcases emerging and innovative artists alongside rising international stars and is committed to encouraging vibrant indie communities.
Do Not mapped
Parc Maisonneuve and Jardin Botanique de Montreal
The Jardin Botanique is one of the largest botanical gardens in the world and features the First Nations Garden, the Insectarium, the Tree House, and 16 different themed gardens and greenhouses.
Do Not mapped
Shakespeare-in-the-Park
During the summer in parks around Montreal, Repercussion Theatre puts on outdoor performances of Shakespeare plays free of charge.
DoSummit
Mount Royal
Mount Royal is a mountain in the city of Montreal, immediately west of Downtown Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The city's name is derived from its name. The mountain is part of the Monteregian Hills situated between the Laurentians and the Appalachian Mountains.
233 m high

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Montreal (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Place data from Overture Maps. Some descriptions from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).