Winter 2026: Montréal cultural guide for families

Place des Arts Junior, Quartier des Spectacles
Cirque, theatre, dance, music, and puppetry: this series of cultural events invites the whole family to enjoy performances full of fun, emotion and discovery. The Sons et brioches morning shows even offer muffins and croissants before diving into the captivating world of each performance. This winter’s lineup includes:

• Ages 6+: Olympic Symphony (January 25, 2026 at the Maison symphonique)
• Ages 5 to 12 : Babouche (February 1, 2026 at the Cinquième Salle)
• Ages 5 to 9: La redoutable symphonie d’El Kapoutchi (February 15, 2026 at Théâtre Maisonneuve)
• Ages 6+: The Feather and the Turtle (February 22, 2026 at the Maison symphonique)
• Ages 6+: The Magic of Harry Potter (March 3 and 4, 2026 at the Maison symphonique)
• Ages 6 to 10:Pinocchio (March 5 to 7, 2026, at the Cinquième Salle)
• Ages 5 to 12: Mwana et le secret de la tortue (March 22, 2026 at the Cinquième Salle)
• Ages 6+: The OSM Carnival of Insects (March 22, 2026, at the Maison symphonique)

Teens will love the regular programming at Place des Arts, which offers an array of choices to spark their interest in culture.  Choose a show and set aside some special time to bond together.

La Tohu, Saint-Michel

This venue for performance, creation, and experimentation specializes in contemporary circus, showcasing the finest circus acts from here and abroad. This winter, catch:

• Ages 12+: Paradisum (February 5 to 8, 2026)
• Ages 8+: Kintsugi (February 19 to 22, 2026)
• Ages 4+: Clip! (March 3 to 7, 2026)

Peter Pan, la comédie musicale – Théâtre St-Denis, Montréal, until  January 4, 2026
With stage direction by Luc Guérin and vibrant choreography by the dynamic duo Team White, a cast of around twenty performers, accompanied by a seven-piece orchestra, whisks audiences away on a magical journey to Neverland. Thrilling adventures, heartfelt moments, and whimsical touches weave together throughout the story. From daring battles with the fearsome Captain Hook to soaring flights among the stars and tender reunions, this Broadway classic—winner of three Tony Awards—invites audiences of all ages to rediscover the magic of their inner child. This play is presented in French.

MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE – February 27 to March 7, 2026, Quartier des spectacles
Arts, gastronomy, light installations and the Nuit blanche All-Nighter make up this great family event that lights up the winter and delights lovers of good food and culture. A host of free outdoor activities and a long list of shows set the stage for another exciting edition. Stay tuned!

Festival international du film pour enfants de Montréal (FIFEM) – February 28 to March 8, 2026 
An inspiring festival created for children and families, the FIFEM offers an international selection of films from around the globe. It’s a great March Break activity to do with your kids! 

Festival international de Casteliers – March 4 to 8, 2026 
Come celebrate the 11th art at this major annual gathering dedicated to puppetry, showcasing creations from here and abroad. While you’re there, don’t miss Marionnettes en vitrines ! Maître et relève, a walkabout exhibition displayed in the storefronts of Outremont’s shops.

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts , Downtown
Right in the heart of the historic Golden Square Mile downtown, the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts (MBAM) hosts world-class international exhibitions and offers workshops for all ages on Saturdays and Sundays. Families can enjoy an artistic experience focused on the current major exhibition or explore the museum’s permanent collections. Admission is free for visitors aged 20 and under.   Now on: 

Kent Monkman: History is Painted by the Victors  (September 27, 2025 to March 8, 2026); Rising Suns:  Indigenous Art from the Confederacies of the Great Lakes and Rivers (until October 11, 2026) ; Underbelly (until February 1, 2026); Comfort and Indifference (until May 3, 2026); and  Streaming Light (until January 4, 2026).

The Art of the Brick: LEGO® Art Exhibition –until January 10, 2026,  312 Sainte-Catherine Street West, Downtown
Created by artist Nathan Sawaya, this exhibition features 130 incredible works built from over one million LEGO® bricks. Marvel at original sculptures, reimagined versions of some of the world’s most famous masterpieces, and even a 6-metre-long Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton! Admission is free for children under 4.

Museum of Illusions of Montréal, Old Montréal
At the heart of this playful and educational destination for all ages, discover over 70 visual experiences, including holograms, stereograms, optical illusions, and immersive rooms designed to delight the senses and challenge the mind. Admission is free for children aged 0–4.

Dinos Alive: A Spectacular Journey into the Jurassic Era – Until January 11, 2026,  Place Bonaventure, Downtown
Step back in time with Dinos Alive, an immersive exhibition featuring life-size dinosaur reproductions and a fully themed environment. Discover over 40 iconic dinosaurs, including T-Rex, Stegosaurus, and Velociraptor, as you explore the Jurassic era like never before.

Titanic: An Immersive Voyage – until January 11, 2026, Place Bonaventure, Downtown
This bilingual exhibition offers a fresh perspective on the fate of the legendary ship through archival materials, immersive installations, and virtual reality experiences. Step aboard and explore the Titanic like never before.

PHI, Old Montréal
In the heart of Old Montréal, PHI offers a great way to introduce young people to contemporary art through an innovative, cutting-edge program. Guided tours can be arranged, and admission is free for children 12 and under. Don’t miss the current exhibitions: Josèfa Ntjam: swell of spæc(i)es (until January 11, 2026), Emeline Courcier: Burn from Absence (until February 15, 2026), Manuel Mathieu: Unity in Darkness (until March 8, 2026), and Keiken: Sensory Oversoul (until March 8, 2026).

The AURA Experience at Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal, Old Montréal

This multimedia experience created by renowned Montréal studio Moment Factory immerses the whole family in a captivating visual and musical universe, projected onto the neo-Gothic architecture of Montréal's Notre-Dame Basilica. Free for children 5 years and under.

The Man Who Planted Trees: An Immersive Story – until January 4, 2026, at Les 7 Doigts Building, Downtown

This experience invites children and their families to step into a magical forest at 2111 St-Laurent, where nature comes to life through art and technology. Inspired by the story of a shepherd who transforms a barren valley into a thriving forest, this interactive journey reveals the power of trees. In addition to the exhibition, your ticket includes access to fun family activities: a film screening, interactive games, and nature-themed discoveries.

SAT, Quartier des spectacles 

Exhibitions and immersive experiences come together in this creative laboratory dedicated to the development of digital culture. At the heart of the Satosphère, you and your teens and kids can enjoy a true audiovisual experience.

Tonight with The Impressionists – Paris 1874 – untilJanuary 18, 2026, Arsenal Contemporary Art , Les Quartiers du Canal

Equipped with your virtual reality headset, step into 19^th-century Paris, family in tow, to relive the birth of Impressionism as if you were truly there. This immersive virtual reality expedition transports you to the very first Impressionist exhibition in 1874 bringing you face to face with Monet, Degas, Renoir, and their contemporaries at a pivotal moment in art history. For ages 8 and up. 

The Horizon of Khufu – until January 29, 2026, Old Port of Montréal, King Edward Pier 
Immerse yourself in the mysteries of the Great Pyramid of Giza and experience the funerary rites of King Khufu in this virtual reality expedition into ancient Egypt. Suitable for ages 8 and up.

Redpath Museum, Downtown

Head over to the McGill University campus to discover incredible specimens of extinct animal species, fossils - including impressive dinosaur skeletons sure to impress young and old alike - and collections from ancient Egypt, including mummies. Suggested contribution of $10 (adults only).

Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal Archaeology and History Complex, Old-Montréal

Blending history, literature, and investigation, Sherlock Holmes: Cracking the Case draws you into the world of Sherlock Holmes, the legendary detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Transported to 19th-century London, you’ll explore the author’s inspirations and follow the master of deduction step by step through full-scale settings.. The Come aboard! Pirates or Privateers? permanent exhibition is sure to delight budding sailors (5 to 12 years old) thirsty for knowledge and adventure. More of a landlubber? With Archaeo Adventure youngsters can follow the steps of an archaeologist and experience a simulated archaeological dig through the construction site, the tent and the laboratory area.

Château Ramezay – Historic Site and Museum of Montréal, Old Montréal

The permanent exhibition Life at the Château: Splendour and Misery in New France offers an immersion into 18th-century Montréal that's sure to intrigue children of all ages. Free admission for children 4 and under.

Marguerite-Bourgeoys Historic Site, Old Montréal

Step back in time to the city’s beginnings and meet some of Montréal's most symbolic figures at this historic site. Take in the permanent exhibition, Meet Margeurite! where children can learn more about this extraordinary woman hailed as the “Mother” of the 17th-century colony.  Free for children 12 and under.

Écomusée du fier monde, Village

At the heart of a spectacular public bath converted into a museum, youngsters can discover the industrial and working-class history of the Centre-Sud district. Free for children 6 years and under.

MEM – Centre des mémoires montréalaises, Quartier des spectacles
This inclusive, forward-thinking museum and community space highlights the voices of citizens past and present, shedding light on the identities and stories that shape “Montréalness.” Bring the family to explore its current permanent and temporary exhibitions, along with MEM’s public spaces. Admission is free for children 12 and under, with a reduced rate for teens aged 13 to 17.

La Maison Saint-Gabriel, Pointe-Saint-Charles

Head southwest of Montréal to visit a three-hundred-year-old farmhouse, where you'll get a glimpse of rural Montréal between the 17^th and 20^th centuries. There are many family activities offered this summer in addition to guided tours for ages 6 years and up.

Musée des Hospitalières de l'Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal
This museum offers a look back at four centuries of history through its former monastery, the caregivers’ garden, hospital, three chapels, a crypt and the burial site of Jeanne Mance—co-founder of Montréal and founder of the Hôtel-Dieu. Explore the permanent collection focused on sacred art, hospital care, medicine and pharmacy., Every last Saturday of the month, from 10 a.m. to noon, families are invited to take part in thematic activities for children. Admission is just $5 for ages 5 and up and includes access to the current exhibition and a fun collage workshop.

Montréal Science Centre, Old Port of Montréal

For budding scientists of all ages, the Montreal Science Centre offers fun and enriching exhibitions for all age groups. Don’t miss Nanualuk – Northern Expedition, a permanent exhibition that takes visitors on an immersive quest into the Canadian Arctic filled with enriching interactive challenges, along with the 5 permanent exhibitions and films  shown at the IMAX®TELUS cinema.

Exporail, the Canadian Railway Museum, Saint-Constant

This museum on Montreal's South Shore offers permanent, temporary and virtual exhibits to introduce visitors to the fascinating world of railways. Children can climb aboard various train carriagesand participate in the numerous thematic activities held throughout the year. Free admission for children 2 years and under.

Smith House (under construction), on Mont Royal

Why not round off a wonderful walk on the “mountain” with a visit to Smith House to take in the free exhibition, The Thousand Faces of Mount Royal: Olmsted, the Visionary? Here, you’ll experience an ode to the mountain and the photographers who have immortalized it through their lenses, from the vision of the architect of Mount Royal Park to the shots of celebrated photographer William Notman, with a few of today's Instagram photos thrown in for good measure. There’s no lack of things to do as a family on the mountain, plus plenty of other fun activities designed to awaken your senses and help you get in tune with nature.

Ecomuseum Zoo, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue

The only outdoor zoo on the island of Montréal, here you can observe native Quebec animals in their natural habitat. Wolves, hawks, and other magnificent creatures: keep your eyes peeled!