Summer still has a few tricks left. Before the school-bus alarm goes off, Montreal and the surrounding region have a solid stretch of kid-approved outings coming up: a last-chance weekend for the biggest balloon festival in Canada, free films at a classic neighbourhood cinema, a free puppet invasion in Verdun, a free family afternoon on the island, and a step back into 18th-century Montreal in the Old Port. Here is what to put on the calendar.

🎈 International Balloon Festival: Last Chance This Weekend (Through Aug 16)

More than 450,000 people attend this festival every year, and it is easy to see why. The International de Montgolfières in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu fills the sky with hot air balloons twice daily: a quiet morning launch at 6 a.m. and an evening flight between 6 and 7 p.m. Tonight (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday) are the final chances to catch this year’s edition, including the famous Magic Nights, where balloons are illuminated from the inside like giant lanterns after dark. There are also rides, concerts, food, and a full amusement zone for younger kids. It is about 40 minutes southeast of downtown Montreal on the South Shore, and it is worth the drive.

📍 Where: Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, about 40 minutes southeast of downtown Montreal via A-10/A-35
🗓️ When: Final two days, Friday Aug 14 and Saturday Aug 15. Evening flight launches 6–7 p.m.; Magic Nights after dark. See montgolfieres.com for hours and ticket details.

🎬 Ciné-Été: Free Family Films at Cinéma Beaubien (Every Weekend Through Aug 30)

Every Saturday and Sunday morning through August 30, Cinéma Beaubien partners with Maison de la culture Rosemont for a free family film screening at 9:30 a.m. Tickets go out at the box office starting at 9 a.m. on the day of. The lineup spans 11 films selected for children of all ages. It is a great call for a rainy morning or any day when you want a proper cinema experience without the price tag. This tradition has been running for more than 20 years, which tells you everything you need to know about how it holds up.

📍 Where: Cinéma Beaubien, 2396 rue Beaubien Est, Rosemont (Metro Beaubien or Jean-Talon, short walk)
🗓️ When: Every Saturday and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. through August 30. Free. Tickets at the box office from 9 a.m. on the day of screening.

🎭 Festival Marionnettes Plein la Rue: A Free Puppet Invasion in Verdun (Aug 21–23)

Now in its 15th edition, this festival turns Promenade Wellington into an open-air puppet theatre for three days. Local and international companies bring street performances, installations, giant-scale marionette creations, and hands-on workshops to one of Montreal’s most walkable commercial strips. The Saturday morning slot is ideal for younger kids, Sunday has a more relaxed pace, and Friday evening works as a shorter visit. Everything is free, and Wellington has good food options if you want to stretch it into a full afternoon.

📍 Where: Promenade Wellington, Verdun (Metro De l’Église or Verdun, 5-minute walk to the festival zone)
🗓️ When: Friday Aug 21 (4–9 p.m.), Saturday Aug 22 (9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.), Sunday Aug 23 (10 a.m.–5 p.m.). Free.

🎉 Petit Piknic: A Family Afternoon on the Island (Aug 30)

Piknic Électronik is already all-ages on regular Sundays, but August 30 has a dedicated family version: Petit Piknic runs noon to 3 p.m. at Parc Jean-Drapeau, with Le Loop Studio curating the music alongside games, on-site entertainers, food trucks, and noise-cancelling headphones available to rent for kids who need the volume managed. Under-12s are free. It is a low-key, outdoorsy way to spend the last Sunday before back-to-school truly starts counting down.

📍 Where: Jardin Le Petit Prince, Parc Jean-Drapeau, Île Sainte-Hélène (Metro Jean-Drapeau)
🗓️ When: Sunday, August 30, noon to 3 p.m. Under-12s free. Check piknicelectronik.com for ticket info.

🏛️ 18th-Century Market at Pointe-à-Callière: Free History in the Old Port (Aug 29–30)

The Pointe-à-Callière museum’s annual 18th-century market is a back-to-school weekend tradition that brings New France to life in the Old Port. Craftspeople set up period-accurate stalls, and visitors can try traditional games, watch an introduction to fencing, listen to songs and stories from the era, and catch traditional music and dance. Entry to the outdoor market is free, which makes it an easy stop to pair with a walk along the waterfront. Kids who studied New France at school suddenly see the whole thing differently.

📍 Where: Pointe-à-Callière museum, 350 Place Royale, Old Port (Metro Place-d’Armes, 10-minute walk to the waterfront)
🗓️ When: Saturday–Sunday, August 29–30. Free outdoor market. Check pacmusee.qc.ca for times.