Easter 2026: family activities and weekend outings in Montréal

Urban escapades for Easter

Once the warm weather returns, the city reveals itself in a brand-new light. Discover Montréal differently this spring with a guided walking, biking, or scooter tour.

Hop aboard La Grande Roue, the tallest observation wheel in Canada, climb aboard the ships at Voiles en Voiles, or test your courage as you soar 1,200 feet above the Old Port with the MTL Zipline.

Sacred moments

Gourmet pleasures 

Dig into Montreal’s culinary scene this Easter weekend! 

• Whether you’re craving classic brunches or innovative menus, the city’s neighborhoods are brimming with mouthwatering options. 
• Indulge in the finest dining experiences at some of the city’s top restaurants or explore the tempting offerings in the heart of downtown. For a quick and delicious bite between adventures, check out these top lunch spots. 
• For an urban sugar shack experience, head to Ste-Hélène Bistro-Terrasse at Parc Jean-Drapeau, where the sugar shack spirit settles in until April 19.

Where to find the best Easter chocolates in Montréal?

Chocolate lovers will find their bliss in Montréal! 

• Discover the refined creations of État de choc, M.&Mme chocolat and Amango Cacao, or order upscale sweet treats from Ernestine – Les Chocolats or Barbon. 
• Craving a foodie adventure? The Jean-Talon and Atwater markets are overflowing with Easter treats to enjoy.

Custom cocktails for an exceptional long weekend 

There’s no better way to kick off the long weekend than with a cocktail! Try a new creation or enjoy your classic favourites at one of Montréal’s trendy bars. Whether you prefer a cozy atmosphere, lively spots, or hidden gems, there’s always the perfect place to raise a glass.

Accessible art right in downtown 

This spring, art takes centre stage with a ton of free activities! 

• In the Quartiers du Canal, Espace VERRE gallery hosts the exhibition Myth, Metaphor and Pâte de Verre by Donald Robertson. This retrospective traces over forty years of creation and showcases his mastery of pâte de verre and lost-wax casting, through works inspired by mythology and history.
• Montréal's streets are bursting with urban art. Discover Montréal's impressive public art collection and installations that beautify the city and enhance daily life. Plus, a wealth of other light installations and art galleries are available for free visits throughout the city. Take advantage!
• If you're in Old Montréal, PHI is a renowned exhibition space known for its fascinating and unique programming. With Habitat sonore, it offers a small group listening session to fully enjoy creations from local and international artists. The experience takes place almost in darkness, giving full space to the different nuances of sound.

A world of discovery for children 

If you've already taken the kids ice skating, tobogganing, walking and playing in the parks to enjoy the last snow, head to Montréal's family-friendly museums.

• Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal's Museum of Archaeology and History, brings the past to life with its projections and interactive exhibits on pirates, railroads and more.
• At the Grand Quay of the Port of Montréal, Panorama Experience offers an immersive outing with a 180-degree view of the city and river. The Eaux vives exhibition immerses visitors in an aquatic universe through installations by local and international artists.
• At Arsenal Contemporary Art, a virtual reality experience plunges visitors into the history and restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. Guided by a Compagnon du Devoir, Eternal Notre-Dame reveals the great eras and secrets of this UNESCO World Heritage monument.
• At the Palais des congrès de Montréal, the immersive Carnival of Animals invites young and old into a colourful retrofuturistic universe. Inspired by Camille Saint-Saëns' work, the interactive exhibition features surprising half-animal, half-instrument characters and offers a playful and sensory experience full of wonder.
• At the Montréal Jardin botanique (Botanical Garden), the earth dons its spring coat and the greenhouses are in bloom. The exhibition A Close-knit Nature explores keystone species and their crucial role in ecosystem balance. The immersive Mégaceta experience immerses visitors in humpback whale behaviours through life-size projections.
• At the Planetarium, science and creativity come together with the immersive exhibition Rouge 2100, a Martian adventure that teaches us more about everything that characterizes Mars, the red planet, including the challenges of potential colonization. This is the last chance to discover the exhibition which ends April 30.
• At the Biosphère, the Emolab exhibition offers families an interactive experience to understand emotions triggered by climate change. The journey explores the impact of these reactions on our behaviours, the reasons for inaction, and ways to strengthen adaptation and resilience in the face of environmental challenges.
• At the Montréal Science Centre, the exhibition FUNNY CREATURES – A Wildly Hair-larious Photo Safari! presents sixty photographs of animals captured in surprising, amusing or touching moments. The journey also invites visitors to explore different natural habitats through these unexpected scenes.

Unforgettable cultural experiences in the world of museums 

The city's museums never fail to amaze us, and Easter weekend is no exception.

• At the McCord Stewart Museum, the exhibition On the Menu - Montréal: A Restaurant History explores the evolution of Montréal restaurants from the 1960s to today. Archives, photos and testimonials tell the importance of restaurants, from delicatessens to fine dining establishments, in the city's culture and collective memories.
• At the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts, the exhibition Rising Suns: Art from the Confederacies of the Great Lakes and Rivers brings together twenty works by Indigenous artists from the Rotinonhsión:ni, Wendat, W8banakiak and Anishinaabeg nations, from the 1970s to today. Painting, beadwork, photography, sculpture and video testify to the richness and diversity of these practices, still underrepresented in art history.
• Also at the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts, the exhibition From the Functional to the Fabulous: 600 Years of Decorative Arts and Design presents over 800 objects, from the Renaissance to today, in the Liliane and David M. Stewart Pavilion. This new showcase of the collection reveals iconic pieces, recent acquisitions and Dale Chihuly's monumental "Soleil" now installed inside the museum.
• The MEM – Centre des mémoires montréalaises invites you to discover the exhibition How Well Do You Know Your Chinatown? which explores the history and evolution of this iconic Montréal neighbourhood. Through testimonials, archives and installations, the journey highlights community life, traditions and realities experienced by the generations who shaped this part of the city.

A wellness break 

A long weekend is often synonymous with a getaway, and what better way to recharge than with a wellness session? Montréal is full of places where you can unwind and enjoy a moment of pure relaxation. Whether your idea of well-being is a floating spa on the St. Lawrence River, a hydrotherapy treatment followed by a soothing massage, a facial at a hotel spa, or a romantic escape to Nun’s Island, Montréal has everything you need to disconnect and rejuvenate over Easter weekend.

Happy Easter!