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

Ice Fishing Village

The old port of montreal has a fun, different family activity this year: ice fishing!
Weather permitting they are open from Jan. 3, 2014 to March 31, 2014.  Everything that you need can be rented on site..  You can even purchase your fishing license there (which is mandatory).  They are open everyday.

Where: Situated at the marina of the Montreal Yacht Club, Clock Tower Quay

Hours:

•  Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday : 10am to 6pm
• Thursday : 10am to 8pm
• Friday : 10 am to 9pm
• Saturday: 7am to 9pm
• Sunday : 7am to 8pm

Price:

• Adult Access: $12
• Child Access (under 16): $6
• Tip-up rental (2): $7
• Temporary shelter rental (1 to 4 people): $35
• Permanent shelter rental (5 to 12 people): $75
• Jigging rod rental: 7$ (lure not included)
• Sale of minnows: $6/dozen
• Sale of lures: retail price
• Sale of fishing licence: according to Ministère des Ressources Naturelles (fishing licence is mandatory)

website: http://www.villagepecheblanche.com/?lang=en

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

International Hot Air Balloon Festival- Saint Jean sur Richelieu

The International Hot Air Balloon Festival is an annual event about 30 minutes away from Montreal in St. Jean sur Richelieu. There are 115 hot air balloons, including many special shapes, major shows, and a huge site that hosts an incredible variety of animation activities. There is a fair with rides for older kids and adults as well as a designated area for toddlers. There is face painting, a petting zoo, mini putt, concerts... too many things to describe in one post. It's also a family friendly area with changing tables, breastfeeding room and stroller rentals available.
Their website is very extensive and even offers tips for families with young children.
My kids loved this festival!  There was so much for them to do and see that they didn't get bored.
Address:

• 5, chemin de l'Aéroport, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec, J3B 7B5

Phone #:

• 450-347-9555

Price:

• 0-2: free
• 3-12: $7.00
• 13 +: $20.00 ($25.00 on Sat.)
• **Family rates available
• **Nine day passes available
• Parking: $7.00

Hours:

• Aug. 13 -21, 2011
• Weekends: 12:00 pm - end of the show at night
• Week: 1:30 pm - end of the show at night

Website: http://www.ballooncanada.com/

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/

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

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

Pumpkin Picking

Halloween is just around the corner and an activity that's always fun for families is pumpkin picking. It's also a great outdoor before it gets too cold. All the pumpkins are already cut off the vine so all that needs to be done is to search for the perfect pumpkin. The kids will love trying to find the biggest pumpkin. After going pumpkin picking last year I was able to decorate my house with a little pumpkin for every step! - It helped that my son was still a baby and I could put the pumpkins in his stroller :) It's also fun that you need to take a hayride to get to the pumpkin patch. After picking your pumpkins you can also visit with some farm animals - always a favourite activity for my boys. Quinn Farm also offers apple picking at this time of year. They also have a great store where you can buy homemade goodies.


Price:

• Hayride: $2/person 2yrs +
• pumpkin: 0.40$/lb

Location: 2495 boul. Perrot sud, Notre-Dame de l'Île-Perrot, Québec, J7V 8P4

Phone: (514) 453-1510

Website: http://quinnfarm.qc.ca/index-e.php

Tohu - Family Sundays

La Tohu is an organization affiliated with the Cirque du Soleil to promote circus arts in Montreal. During the summer they offer 'Family Sundays' which are described as big family parties filled with theatre, music, and running around! There is face painting, circus skills demonstrations, theatre, and many interactive workshops for parents and children. It has a wide range of activities for all members of the family and best of all: it's free!

Price: free!

Location: 2345, Jarry Street East (corner of Iberville) Montreal (Quebec) H1Z 4P3

Phone #: 514 374-3522

When:

• Sundays from July 26, 2009 - August 23, 2009
• activities start at 1:30pm and show start at 3:00pm

Website: http://www.tohu.ca/en/activities/item.aspx?aid=320

The Centre de la Nature - Laval

The Nature Center in Laval is a really nice place for famillies with young children to go. It has a little farm with pigs, cows, horses, donkeys... you name it! Kids can even take a pony ride for $3.00. There is also a little train that takes you around the park for $3.00/person. Aside from a lot of green space there is a lake where you can rent canoes or kayaks and two great parks with a lot of different games for kids. There are also two pools on the edge of the park (for big and little kids). It truly is a place you can spend the whole day in! Bring a picnic lunch or grab some lunch at the little restaurant.
My kids review: They had a great time! There were so many little activities for them that they couldn't get bored. We went from looking at the animals, to riding on the train, to playing in the park, to looking at fish and turtles in the lake and back to the animals... It was a busy and very fun day!

Address:

• 901, avenue du Parc, Laval (Québec) H7E 2T7

Telephone #:

• 450 662-4942

Price:

• Entrance to the park is free! $3.00 fee for pony rides and train rides.

Hours:

• Everyday from 8:00 am - 10:00 pm

Website: http://www.info.ville.laval.qc.ca/ms/centre_nature/index.html

La Ronde

The major theme park of Montreal, La Ronde is definently a place every family should go at least once. It has over 40 rides and attractions including quite a few rollercoasters. There is a special area designated for younger children but the park is more geared for older kids. It's quite an expensive outing but if you intend to go more than a couple of times you can buy season passes. They are selling mid-season passes right now for $53.00 if you buy it online, which is only about $19 more than a one day pass. Another way to save a little money is to bring your own picnic lunch because the snack areas are pricey.

Price:

• 2 and under: free
• Person 54'' or more: $38.98
• Less than 54'': $25.50
• After 5pm (except fireworks nights): $24.95
• Over 65: $25.50
• **** Most tickets are $5.00 less if bought online
• ****Many coupons available (details on website)

Address:

• 22 Chemin Macdonald Île Sainte-HélèneMontréal (Québec) H3C 6A3

Hours:

• Everyday: 11:00am-9:00pm (until 11:30pm on fireworks nights)

Website: http://laronde.sixflags.com/larondeen/

Granby Zoo

Granby Zoo is located about 40 minutes from Montreal. It is a big zoo with over 1000 animals of 200 different species including elephants, giraffes, gorillas, lions, rhinos... all the typical zoo animals. There is also an amusement park with a lot of rides including a roller coaster and a big water park. It's a great zoo with a lot of animals but very expensive.

Address:

• 1050, boul. David-Bouchard Granby (Quebec)

Price:

• under 3: free
• 3-12: $21.49
• 13-64: $32.99
• 65+: $25.49
• 2 adult + 2 children: $99.00

Hours:

• Everyday (until Aug.30) 10 am - 7 pm

Website: http://www.zoodegranby.com/en/accueil.htm

Beach - Parc Jean Drapeau

A beach right on the island. Great especially for those without access to a car. Nice beach, clean water, volleyball courts and play structures for little kids. There are picnic areas as well as a restaurant on site.

Location:

• Parc Jean Drapeau on Ile Ste.-Helene

Price:

• 5 and under: free
• 6-13: $4.00
• 14 +: $8.00
• 65+: $7.00
• Family: $20.00

Hours:

• June 19 - Aug. 23
• 10 am - 7 pm

Website: http://www.parcjeandrapeau.com/54-The_Beach-event.html

Beach - St. Zotique

The St.-Zotique beach is located about 45 mins from Montreal. It is not just a beach but has lots of activities for young and old. You can rent kayaks, canoes or pedalos. There are also parks for young and old kids, a skateboard, paintball, soccer fields, tennis courts... There is plenty of space to picnic and you can even rent BBQ's. It's also open during the winter where the lake is on ice and many winter activities are offered. It's certainly a full day at St. Zotique beach!

Location:

• 1250 principaleSt-Zotique, Qc. JOP 1ZO
• The beach is located off Hwy 20 west at exits 6 or 9

Price:

• adults 13 and older: $9.00
• seniors :$7.00
• children under 41'' (height): free
• children 42"-50":$3.00
• children 51"-60": $5.00

Hours:

• Everyday from 9am-8pm

Website: St.-Zotique Beach

Beach - Cap St. Jacques

A really fun, clean beach to bring the kids too. It's not too big and the water is shallow for quite a long distance so little kids can enjoy the water too. There's lots of sand to build great sand castles and life guards are on duty.

Address:

• 21115, boulevard Gouin Ouest, Pierrefonds

Price:

• under 5: free
• 6-17: $3.00
• 18 +: $4.50
• parking: $7.00

Hours:

• everyday 10am - 7pm

Website: Cap St. Jacques beach