The last full week of July is stacked for families. A major Haitian cultural festival opens at Parc Lafontaine, the Old Port’s pirate ship adventure park is in peak season, and free outdoor shows are running across the city nearly every night. Here is where to take the kids this week.

🥁 Festival Haïti en Folie

The largest Haitian music festival in the world is celebrating its 20th edition this week, and it is free, family-friendly and genuinely spectacular. From July 23 to 27, Parc Lafontaine transforms into a five-day celebration of Haitian culture: live concerts every night, a packed food fair with Haitian cuisine, dance performances, film screenings, and workshops in percussion and dance that welcome kids of all ages. The highlight for little ones is the Rara parade, a Haitian street procession tradition where spectators can join the march through the Plateau neighbourhood. Friday night brings a free concert by the legendary Boukman Eksperyans; Saturday closing night features internationally acclaimed artist BélO. Entry is free across all main programming.

📍 Where: Parc Lafontaine, 3933 avenue du Parc-La Fontaine, Plateau-Mont-Royal
🗓️ When: July 23 to 27, concerts from the evening; food fair and activities from the afternoon. Free.

🎭 SOS Labyrinthe: Camper’s Christmas

The Old Port’s famous labyrinth is pulling off one of the summer’s most unexpected themed events this week: Camper’s Christmas, running July 24 and 25. Think Christmas decorations in the middle of summer heat, festive activities, and the usual maze madness with a holiday twist. Kids who love a good surprise will eat this up. Every Thursday the same venue also runs Blackout nights for a different kind of adventure. SOS Labyrinthe is located in a former Old Port hangar and keeps families busy for a solid 90 minutes minimum.

📍 Where: SOS Labyrinthe, Hangar 16, Old Port of Montreal
🗓️ When: Camper’s Christmas July 24 and 25. Regular hours daily 10 AM to 9 PM.

🌿 Théâtre de Verdure: Free Outdoor Shows

Parc Lafontaine’s open-air amphitheatre runs free programming Wednesday through Saturday all summer, and this week is no exception. The 2,000-seat outdoor venue hosts a mix of theatre, music, circus arts, and film under the stars, all at no cost. It makes an easy combo with a visit to the Haïti en Folie festival in the same park. Check their schedule for this week’s specific shows, as programming rotates nightly.

📍 Where: Théâtre de Verdure, Parc Lafontaine, 3933 avenue du Parc-La Fontaine
🗓️ When: Wednesday to Saturday evenings through August 26. Free (some shows require free reservations).

⚓ Voiles en Voiles: Pirate Ship Adventure

The Old Port’s pirate-themed adventure park is in full swing, and it remains one of the most pure-fun outings you can do with kids aged 3 and up. Life-size replica ships, 10 aerial obstacle courses from 1 to 10 metres high, a climbing wall, archery tag, inflatable playgrounds, and an immersive cinema experience all in one sprawling outdoor space. The setting on the waterfront is half the fun. Book online to skip the line, especially on weekends.

📍 Where: Voiles en Voiles, Old Port of Montreal (near Clock Tower Beach)
🗓️ When: Daily 10 AM to 9 PM through the summer season. Tickets required (various packages).

🔭 Biodome, Insectarium and Espace pour la Vie

If the heat gets heavy, the Biodome is the best air-conditioned family experience in the city. Four wild ecosystems under one roof (tropical rainforest, sub-Antarctic islands, Laurentian maple forest, Gulf of St. Lawrence) with penguins, otters, lynx, and toucans all living their best lives. Combine it with the newly renovated Insectarium next door, and you have a full half-day that genuinely educates and wows. The multi-passport covering the Biodome, Insectarium, Botanical Garden, and Planetarium is the best value if you plan more than one stop.

📍 Where: 4777 avenue Pierre-De Coubertin, Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie (near Olympic Stadium)
🗓️ When: Daily 9 AM to 6 PM. Tickets at espacepourlavie.ca.