With the summer festivities slowly starting to wake up the city, you don’t have to look long to find what to do in Montreal during your weekend. Several free activities are on the program with suggestions, each more exciting than the last.
If you want to know how to spend your weekend from May 3 to 5, 2024, this list is for you. With options such as a funfair, cider tastings, an evening sip & paint that ends in parties and Cinco de Mayo celebrations, to name just a few examples, your free time won’t be free for long.
Taste free ciders
Price: Free
When: Several dates from May 4 to 11, 2024
Address: Several addresses in Montreal, QC
Why you have to go: As part of Cider Week, several establishments in the city are organizing tastings and it’s free! From May 3 to 5, you can come to La Chope Angus for the Cidrerie Milton evening, at Le Vinologuea stone’s throw from the Maisonneuve Market to taste the new ciders from the OH! from the Cidrerie Autour de la pomme or at the Marché des Saveurs at Marché Jean-Talon to try Labonté de la pomme beverages.
Accessibility: To be checked depending on the location
Cidre du Québec website
Have fun at a funfair
Price: Free entry, $37 taxes included for daily access to the rides or $2 per coupon, $26 for 14 coupons and $34 for 24 coupons. Please note that daily access is $5 off if purchased online in pre-sale
When: Several dates from May 2 to 12, 2024
Address: Carrefour Angrignon – 7077, boul. Newman, LaSalle, QC
Why you have to go: Ferris wheel, games of skill, rides of all kinds; Fun fairs are always fun and the Amusement Fun Show installations are arriving in the Carrefour Angrignon parking lot this weekend.
Whether it’s to win a beautiful doggie for your datescreaming in the attractions with your gang or enjoying the carnival food, there are a myriad of reasons to go for a ride, so let yourself be tempted!
Accessibility: Site accessible to wheelchairs and strollers
Amusement Fun Show website
Spend your Sunday at the museum
Price: Free
When: May 5, 2024 and several other dates depending on the establishment
Address: Several participating establishments
Why you have to go: Did you know that there are at least sixteen museums in Montreal that you can visit for free thanks to a government initiative, but also through “Borrow a Museum” passes available in libraries or at door parties open events organized by the institutions in question.
Dozens of exhibitions are therefore within your reach, without having to pay your money. This Sunday is the first Sunday of the month, which means that many establishments are raising their prices for one day, all you have to do is take advantage of it.
Accessibility: To be confirmed depending on the museum chosen, several establishments are accessible
Quebec government website
Take a trip to the Vélocité Festival
Price: Free
When: May 2 to 5, 2024
Address: Parc Jean-Drapeau – 1, Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, Montreal, QC
Why you have to go: An event aimed at cycling fans of all levels will be held at Parc Jean-Drapeau with diverse and free activities. It is therefore for the third edition of the Vélocité Festival, in a musical and lively atmosphere, a village of exhibitors, races on the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit, a demonstration of sports bikes, documentary screenings and more will take the park by storm.
Prepare your bike and show up on site to share your passion with other fans like you.
Accessibility: Wheelchair and stroller accessible
Website of the Vélocité Montréal Festival
Watch a revised version of the famous “Swan Lake”
Price: Starting at $48
When: Four performances from May 1 to 4, 2024
Address: Théâtre Maisonneuve – 60, boul. De Maisonneuve O. Montreal, QC
Why you have to go: An evening of ballet like no other, what do you think? During four performances, the famous and poignant show of the Swan Lake will be presented in a reimagined way to give you a unique experience.
“Marie Chouinard and Hofesh Shechter seize the Swan Lakeshake it up and subvert its beauty as they wish in two daring proposals, by turns mysterious, radical or explosive,” we can read on the event website.
Then, the creation Minus 16 by choreographer Ohad Naharin will complete the evening which is aimed at people who want to see romance and perfect tutus put aside.
Accessibility: A few places are provided in each of the performance halls for people in wheelchairs upon purchase of specific tickets
Dance Dance website
Reconnect with nature during an immersive experience
Cost: $33.92 + $1.50 service fee per adult – Students/children: $28.74 + $1.50 service fee
When: Several availabilities – The exhibition is presented five to six days a week
Address: Palais des congrès de Montréal – 1001, place Jean-Paul-Riopelle, Montréal, QC
Why you have to go: For a trip as informative as it is full of emotion to the heart of our ecosystem, head to Oasis Immersion for its experience Vivid Natureinspired by the historic signing of the COP15 agreements.
Using 360-degree projections, you’ll dive to the bottom of the oceans, fly with birds and even reach the top of a volcano in the first room of the sensory trail, which represents biodiversity in all its grandeur. In the second, giant crystals add a real touch to the abstract atmosphere that emanates from the images illuminating the walls and floor to represent the interdependence between nature and the human world.
The last, particularly touching, offers as much a warning as a glimmer of hope by revealing the impact of modernity on life on Earth, but also the actions put in place to restore a certain balance.
Accessibility: Wheelchair and stroller accessible. Certain scenes may affect photosensitive people
Oasis Immersion website
Celebrating the Mexican traditions of Santa Cruz and Cinco de Mayo
Price: Free
When: May 5, 2024 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Address : Pointe-à-Callière – 350, place Royale, Montreal, QC
Why you have to go: In a festive and musical atmosphere, Pointe-à-Callière organizes a workshop as well as concerts highlighting the Cinco de Mayo and Santa Cruz celebrations. Leaving stereotypes aside, you will be able to learn more about the historical facts and beliefs behind these events.
Then, it’s time for music with concerts by Son Jarocho Montréal, a community collective of Mexican music that shares the typical rhythms of the villages of Veracruz in Mexico.
Accessibility: Wheelchair and stroller accessible
Pointe-à-Callière website
Redo your wardrobe at the thrift store
Price: Free access, items for sale on site
When: May 4 and 5, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Address: Kapara Vintage Sale – 81, av. du Mont-Royal W., Montreal, QC
Why you need to go: A big thrift sale hosted by Kapara Vintage is happening this weekend with prices ranging mostly from $5 to $25. There you will find fitting rooms, a table with materials to make bracelets for free, a tattoo kiosk, lots of summer clothes, “upcycled” items and pieces vintage. If your wardrobe needs some love, you know where to go.
Accessibility: Small steps make wheelchair access more difficult
Facebook event page
Do Zumba outdoors
Price: Free
When: May 5, 2024 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Address: Parcours Gouin reception pavilion – 10905, rue Basile-Routhier, Montreal, QC
Why you have to go: This Sunday, we’re moving! Zumba instructor David Herrera will have you dancing salsa, merengue, bachata and several dances to make you sweat a little. Bring your shoes, a bottle of water and your good mood, you don’t need anything more!
Facebook event page
Cinco de Mayo at Tres Amigos
Price: On average $25 for a main course
When: May 4 and 5, 2024
Address: Several addresses in Montreal
Why you have to go: In a nod to Cinco de Mayo, the 3 Amigos organize various celebrations depending on the branches. There will be prizes, DJs, mariachis and dancers in all locations. Moreover, the terrace of the restaurant on rue Sainte-Catherine is the largest in the area, so if the weather is nice, why not enjoy the sun and the festivities at the same time?
Accessibility: Most establishments are difficult to access for wheelchairs, except the Pointe-Claire branch which is accessible
3 Amigos website
Go to a paint & sip party and dance the night away
Price: $62.33 per person for both activities
When: May 3, 2024 from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Address: Ausgang Plaza – 6524, rue Saint-Hubert, Montreal, QC
Why you need to go: An activity paint and sip invites you to show creativity by providing you with the materials required to paint a canvas, on the theme of the artists of the Fuego Fuego Latin music festival in Montreal. Then, a party will allow you to dance until the early hours. As long as it’s a two-for-one, why not combine art and the pleasures of gang dancing?
Accessibility: Wheelchair and stroller accessible, ages 18 and up
Facebook event page
