Fireworks Competition

The International Fireworks Competition is always a fun affair!  This year the festival runs from July 1st to August 1st on Saturdays and Wednesdays.  Officially it is run by Laronde and with a ticket to the amusement park on a fireworks day you can get up close and personal to the fireworks.  You don't have to spend all that money to enjoy them though.  At the old port is a great place to view them as well as on mount Royal.  You can even enjoy them with the music by tuning into 105.7 FM.
The fireworks usually start at 10pm and last half an hour.

https://www.sixflags.com/larondeen/linternational-des-feux/program

Family Skate Day Pointe-Claire

Now that the weather has given us a bit of a break it's time to head out and actually enjoy the winter season! The city of Pointe-Claire has organized a family skating day at Hermitage Park.  The event takes place from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm and should be a fun, free activity for the whole family.  Two rinks will be open  with animated games as well as inflatable games and best of all hot chocolate!

• Date: Saturday, February 1st
• Time: 12pm - 4pm
• Cost: free!
• Where: Hermitage Park, 400 Hermitage, Pointe-Claire

more info: http://www.ville.pointe-claire.qc.ca/en/calendar-of-events-sports-and-leisure/family-skate-day.html

La Fete des Neiges

It is now mid-January and if you aren't already enjoying winter activities with your kids now is the perfect time to start.  La fete des Neiges is starting tomorrow at Parc Jean Drapeau and will run for 4 weekends. This is a fun festival that kids (and adults) of all ages will enjoy.  There are activities such as sledding and skating that are free and other activites such as tubing and dog sledding which do have a fee.  More information is available on the site as prices do vary.  Lots of fun can be had even without paying anything though as entrance to the park is free.  Make sure to bring your skates or sleds (or rent them there) A new thing this year is that it has extended into the evening with outdoor concerts and nightime skating among other activities.  Take advantage of the season!

 http://www.parcjeandrapeau.com/events/fete-des-neiges-de-montreal/

Free Swim

Swimming is a great, cheap activity to do with kids.  I often bring my children to the community pool and one of the best things is that it's free!  Most communities have a pool you can use that is either free or very affordable!  In the summer it's easy to spot them but in winter there are many indoor pools that are equally as accessible!  They often provide life jackets for the new swimmers and sometimes even some pool toys.  To find the pools in your area simply log onto your city's website and look under sports and recreation.
The Montreal on the Cheap blog has also made a nice list of many pools in montreal: http://www.montrealonthecheap.com/2013/08/montreal-public-swimming-2013-season/

Make sure to call ahead to know when the family free swim hours are and if there are any specific rules like required bathing caps.  And also, the bonus of bringing your kids swimming is that usually bedtime that evening is very easy as it knocks them out! :)

Orchestra and Video Games

My kids loveSuper Mario Bros.  They've never played but for some reason adore them.  If I let them, they could watch clips of super mario bros on youtube for hours so when I saw this family activity I knew it was perfect!  Les Concerts Campbell is putting on a concert with an orchestra of 50 musicians playing themes from popular video games.  It's a chance to introduce kids to classical music with something they will actually listen to.  The concert is completely free and presented in Jarry park.

When:  Aug. 20th, 2011, 4:00pm
Where: Parc Jarry
Price: free!

http://www.accesculture.com/emplacement/ParcJarry

Pinocchio Play in the Park

Going to the theatre is a great family activity.  Theatre la Roulotte is putting on the play "Pinocchio" in French in parks around Montreal.  Here's a great opportunity to introduce your kids to theatre without having to spend any money.  These, like shakespeare in the park, are completely free.  The company is putting on shows until Aug. 23 around the city.

Price: Free!

Website: http://www.accesculture.com/activite/Pinocchio

Virgin Radio- Movies in the Park 2011

Virgin radio 96 is offering movies in the park again this year in different parks across the city. All you have to do is bring your lawn chair and they provide the movie and even free food! Typically they are on Wednesday nights and the food starts around 7pm.

Price: free!!!

Locations:

July 20th - Parc Berthiaume-du-Tremblay (Laval) for the screening of Due Date

July 27th – Centennial Park (D.D.O) for the screening of Never Say Never

August 3rd – Hampstead Park (Hampstead) for the screening of Arthur

August 10th – St-Thomas Park (Hudson) for the screening of Something Borrowed

August 17th – Pierre-Laporte Park (Greenfield Park) for the screening of Life As We Know It

August 24th – Bellevue Park (Pincourt) for the screening of No Strings Attached

August 31st – Vanier College for the screening of TBD

September 7th – John Abbott College for the screening of TBD

Website: http://montreal.virginradio.ca/Events/MoviesInThePark

Shakespeare in the Park: Macbeth

Free theatre in the park from July 28, 2011 - Aug. 21, 2011. Bring your older kids and teens to see a Shakespeare play right in your own neighborhood park. This year the repercussion theatre is performing the tragedy "Macbeth". It is absolutely free - although donations are accepted to help the troupe keep running. Just bring yourself a folding chair and enjoy the show!

Location: various parks around the city

July 28: Dorval, Parc Pine Beach, 7:30pm
July 29: Outremont, Mount Royal Cemetary, 8:00pm
July 30: Ville-Marie, Cabot Square, 8:00pm
Aug. 2-3: Westmount, Parc Westmount, 8:00pm
Aug. 4: Verdun, Parc George O'Reilly, 7:30pm
Aug. 5: Pierrefonds, East Community Centre, 8:00pm
Aug. 6: Parc La Fontaine, theatre de verdure, 8:30pm
Aug. 7: NDG, Parc NDG, 8:00pm
Aug. 9: Hudson, Parc Thompson, 8:00pm
Aug. 10: Kirkland, Parc Ecclestone, 8:00pm
Aug. 11: Cote St.-Luc, Parc Pierre Elliott Trudeau, 8:00pm
Aug. 12: Senneville, Parc Senneville, 8:00 pm
Aug. 13: Morin Heights, Parc TBC, 4:00pm
Aug. 14: Saint-Laurent, Parc Philippe-Laheurte, 7:30pm
Aug. 16: Parc Extension, Parc Howard, 8:00pm
Aug. 19: Beaconsfield, Centennial Park, 8:00pm
Aug. 20-21: Westmount, Parc Westmount, 8:00pm

Price: free!!

Dates: July 28, 2011 - Aug. 21, 2011

Website: http://repercussiontheatre.com/productions/shakespeare-in-the-park/

Free Family Movies in French

Here's a cool free family activities on the weekends especially when the weather doesn't cooperate.  Beaubien cinema is offering free screenings of family movies in the morning from June 25 to September 4.  The movies are in French so keep that in mind in case the little ones don't understand French.
The movies are shown Saturday and Sunday mornings at 10am.  Tickets can be obtained as of 9:30

Here is the schedule for the rest of the summer:

July 23 & 24: Megamind
July 30 & 31: Rango
Aug. 6 & 7: Rio
Aug. 13 & 14: Yogi L'Ours
Aug. 20 & 21: Frissons des Collines
Aug. 27 & 28: Kerity et la Maison des Comptes
Aug. 30 & 31: ?? Surprise ??

Where: Beaubien Cinema,  2396 Beaubien Est, Montreal, H2G 1N2

When: Saturday and Sundays at 10:00 am

Website: http://www.cinemabeaubien.com/fr/evenements.aspx

Fireworks in December!

Telus is sponsoring Fire on Ice : Free fireworks at the Old Port every Saturday between December 4 and January 8.  The great thing about these fireworks is the time:  the show is on at 8.  This means that I can actually bring my small kids without worrying that they will be cranky from missing their bedtime.  The fireworks at 10 in the summer was a little too late for them.

Where:  Old Port of Montreal

When: Saturdays:
                 December 4, 11,  18, 25 at 8 pm
                 December 31 at midnight
                 January 8 at 8 pm

Website: http://www.quaysoftheoldport.com/telus-fire-on-ice.html

Place des Arts - Junior Theatre

Place des Arts has a whole range of programming geared for families with children of all ages for very reasonable prices. Known as 'PDA junior', families with kids as young as 3 can enjoy a fun, interactive play for just 8$ a person, or 25$ for a family of 4. I think it sounds like a great way to introduce children to theatre. It seems like most of the programming is only French but since a lot of families in Montreal are bilingual or want to expose their children to more French, it should be a great experience. Some things are a little more expensive but for the most part seem pretty reasonable.

Where:

• Place des Arts, various theatres
• 175, rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest, Montréal, QC H2X 1Z8

When:

• check the program on their site to see when the various shows are available.

Cost:

• 8$ and up

Ages:

• various shows have different age specifications but start at 2 and up.

Website:

• http://pdajunior.com/

Easter Farm - Cavendish Mall

Easter farms are fun activities for families with young children and Montreal has a number of them happening around. The Cavendish Mall in Cote- St. Luc is having an Easter Farm again this year friom April 1 to April 5.  Each year at Easter my kids and I really look forward to seeing the animals at these free Easter farms.  At the Cavendish Mall this year you can also enjoy Pony Rides and the Cavendish Mall "Express Train".

Where:

• Cavendish Mall
• 5800 boul. Cavendish (ch. Kildare), Côte-St-Luc

When:

• April 1 - 5, 2010

Cost:

• free!

Musée des maîtres et artisans du Québec

The Musée des maîtres et artisans du Québec is a neat little museum in St. Laurent that is offering creative art workshops for families.  Each weekend there are worskhops that last about 1 hour that explore a different artisanal art form.  The main series on right now is focused on glass.  Glass painting, beading, and mosaic will all be explored on different days.  Families with children 7 and up can participate for only 10$ for the whole family (2$ extra per person if more than 4).  Other projects allow families with children 5 and up to participate.  Please make sure to call to reserve first.  Should be a fun way to get creative with the kids!

When:

• Saturdays and Sundays
• 2 pm

Where:

• 615, avenue Sainte-Croix, Saint-Laurent, Montreal Qc H4L 3X6

Cost:

• 10$ for a family of 4, 2$ per extra person

Phone Number:

• 514-747-7367 ext. 7204

Website:

• http://www.mmaq.qc.ca/programme_famille_en.htm

Easter Farm - Plaza Pointe Claire

Here's another Easter Farm happening around the city. This time at Plaza Pointe-Claire.  A great chance for little kids (even toddlers) to see some of the animals they sing about in "Old MacDonald Had a Farm".  There will be goats, ducks, chickens, piglets, and more.  What makes this mini farm stand out from the others I've talked about is that on Friday, April 2nd you can actually get a free colour photo of your child with a baby animal (between 10 am - 3 pm).  What a great experience and a wonderful keepsake.

Dates:

• March 26 - April 3

Where:

• 269 Boulevard St-Jean, Pointe-Claire, Quebec, H9R 3J1

Cost:

• free!

Website:

• http://www.plazapointeclaire.com/en/

Easter Farm at Carrefour Angrignon

I have been waiting to find out if Carrefour Angrignon is holding an Easter Farm again this year and I am happy to see that they are!  It's a great activity especially for toddlers because they get to see animals up close and, for the parents, it's free so you don't have to worry about spending a lot of money just to have your two year old throw a tantrum and have to leave.  As soon as I mention the word animals to my toddlers they become good as gold and are very excited to go on this adventure.  You can see the usual mini farm animals, rabbits, chicks, sheep.  Bring some change to get food to feed the animals.

When:

• March 24 - April 5
• ** closed on Easter Sunday (April 4)

Time:

• Regular store hours
• Monday - Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  
  
  Wednesday to Friday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  
  Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  
  Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Place:

• Carrefour Angrignon
• 7077 Newman Boulevard, LaSalle (Quebec), H8N 1X1

Cost:

• free!

Website:

• http://www.carrefourangrignon.com/nouvelles_evenements.aspx?lang=en-CA

Screening of the movie "Up"

I was driving to work this morning when I heard about a neat little event happening this weekend.  There are 7 children between the ages of 12 and 8 who are organizing a screening of the movie "Up" to raise money for Haiti.  The movie will be shown from 2 pm to 5 pm at the Westview Bible Church in Pierrefonds for 5$ a person.  Not only is this an oppurtunity to see a good movie at a good price but you will be supporting a really good cause as well as encouraging these children's efforts.  They will also be holding a raffle during the intermission where you could win some really great prizes including an autographed hockey stick, ski passes, movie passes and more. 

Date:

• Saturday March 27, 2010

Time:

• 2 pm - 5 pm

Place:

• Westview Bible Church, 16789 Pierrefonds Blvd.

Cost:

• 5$ per person, popcorn and drink included!

Website:

• http://montrealhomelearners.ca/content/haiti-relief-project

Easter Farm at Place Versailles

From March 18th to April 3rd, Place Versailles is also having an Easter Farm.  Animals like ducks, geese, peacocks will be on site for all to see.  Place Versailles is also having children's "mini rides" and the Three little pigs house. Kids will be able to ride on little rides and participate in a colouring contest for a chance to win a giant chocolate bunny.  This should be a fun event for small children.

 

Where:

• 7275 rue Sherbrooke est

Dates:

• March 18th - April 3

Hours:

• Easter Farm: Regular Store Hours
   
  
  
  Monday to Friday: 9:30 am to 9 pm
  
  Saturday: 9 am to 5 pm
  
  Sunday: 10 am to 5 pm

• Mini Rides (2nd floor):

          Thursday and Friday: 11am - 4pm and 5pm - 8pm
   
          Saturday and Sunday: 11am to 4pm

• The Three Little Pigs House: 

          Thursday and Friday: Noon - 4pm and 5pm - 8pm

 

          Saturday: 10am - Noon and 1pm - 4pm

 

          Sunday: Noon - 4pm

 

• Cost: free!

Website:

• http://www.placeversailles.com/events/events.asp 

Easter Farm- Les Jardins Dorval

Easter is coming up fast this year!  With that comes a really nice, free activities for families with small children: The Easter Farm at the local malls.  My kids love to see animals and have been feeling a little deprived with the winter.  At these Easter farms you can see ducks, llamas, chicks, sheep, and other little farm animals.  Children can even feed them if they are brave enough. 

 

My kids review: They love it!

 

Les Jardins Dorval is the first mall that I have noticed so far that is advertising it but I imagine that others will be continuing the tradition too.  I will post the malls to the blog as I find out about them.

 

• Where: Les Jardins Dorval  - 352, ave Dorval
• When: March 30 - April 5 (closed on April 4)
• Cost: free!

Website:

• http://www.lesjardinsdorval.ca/home/ 

Centaur Theatre: Far Away Tales, Close to Home

Going to the theatre is such a great experience!  I can't wait for my children to be old enough to bring them.  For parents who do have children that are old enough, the Centaur Theatre is putting on a play appropriate for children aged 7 - 15.  This play, comprised of three stories, will have music, dance and theatre.  It is called "Far Away Tales, Close to Home" and promises to be a magical experience for the new theatre-goers and is even less expensive then going to the movies!

 

When

• Saturday, March 27, 2010

 

Time

• 10:30 a.m.

 

Cost:

• Adults- $8.00
• Children - $6.00

Website:

• http://www.centaurtheatre.com/ 

St. Patrick's Day Parade

A great tradition in Montreal is the annual St. Patrick's day parade.  According to some research it's been going on since 1824!  It's a great event for the whole family and if the weather keeps staying as nice as it does these days it promises to be even better this year.  The 2010 Parade is on Sunday, March 14th.  It will start at noon on St. Catherine Street and Fort (a little further east from Place Alexis Nihon).  It continues along St. Catherine until Phillips Square.  There will be lots of music, floats and wonderful costumes and it is completely free!  Keep in mind that it's the same day we change our clocks so make sure to be there on time :)

Where: Downtown Montreal - Starting at Fort and St. Catherine, heading East

When: Parade starts at noon on Sunday, March 14, 2010