Free things to do this spring in Montréal

Great strolls and walks throughout Montréal

The free-est and most popular thing to do in Montréal with locals is walking. The city has garnered accolades for how walkable it is, and with dozens of lovely neighbourhoods that are easily accessible and connected, it’s a cinch to get out there and see the sights. 

Some walks that provide hours of free entertainment

1. A scenic walk along the Old Port of Montréal boardwalk — you’ll be next to the St. Lawrence River with views of the city, the iconic Habitat 67 and the Biosphère, plus you can make a stop at the famous BONJOUR Structure for that requisite selfie.
2. A stroll from Old Montréal towards Downtown to see the iconic Place Ville Marie and The Ring, not to mention Esplanade Tranquille and its beautiful 7,000 square foot rooftop garden.
3. Pass the cool Chinatown gates and zigzag your way through that interesting area, with a requisite stop in every knickknack store, bubble tea spot and bun bakery you come across.

Incredible walks to take in verdant views

1. There’s nothing quite like the Kondiaronk Belvedere at the top of Mount Royal for an arresting view paid with a workout.
2. Stroll around the pond at Parc La Fontaine (you might even catch a free show at Théâtre de Verdure!)
3. Escape the city entirely in beautiful Parc Jean-Drapeau, where cyclists can ride around the pro Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve race track, home of the F1 Grand Prix in June, at no cost. While you’re on the island check out the free and petite botanical garden Jardin des Floralies, a local secret.
4. Speaking of gardens and parks, the Governor’s Garden — the green space behind the Old Port’s historic Château Ramesay museum — is free of access and makes for a quaint lunchtime pit-stop. 
5. For a longer trek, head north to Parc Frédéric-Back and the very beautiful Parc-nature de l’Île-de-la-Visitation.

And if the weather does you dirty… it’s simple: head below ground to the Underground City, a 32 km long pedestrian network right downtown that’s packed with window-shopping, people-watching and public art to take in.

Spring festivals that have free programming in Montréal

As the HQ for Montréal’s countless festivals, Quartier des Spectacles and its Place des Festivals in the heart of downtown is a go-to spot year-round for free entertainment. From interactive art installations to innovative performances and tons of live music, the Quartier des Spectacles has something for everyone at any time. And from there, spring festivals spread into other beguiling Montréal neighbourhoods.

Some of the best spring festivals for free content

• Festival Accès Asie and its free performances and activities explore the cultural richness of Canadians of Asian origins throughout the month of May
• Japan Week, from May 1 to 10, celebrates Japanese cultural richness with lots of free activities and live shows
• YATAI MTL is a Japanese street food festival from June 4 to 7 that also offers art and free performances
• Festival TransAmériques is a jam-packed theatre and dance festival that programs lots of free outdoor performances downtown, from May 28 to June 10
• OFFTA - Live Art Festival, in June, presents even more boundary-pushing emerging artist performances
• St-Ambroise Montréal Fringe Festival, from June 1 to 21, keeps performance month going with its boatload of far-out theatre, dance, comedy, magic and circus shows — in addition to several free performances and live music shows at Parc des Amériques, aka Fringe Park, on Saint-Laurent Boulevard at the corner of Rachel.

Free springtime music festivals and events to enjoy in Montréal

• McGill’s Schulich School of Music offers a selection of free classical music and jazz recitals
• The 5 à 7 musicaux concert series at Place des Arts presents students free shows, giving you the chance to discover some rising stars
• The Montréal Chamber Music Festival presents an array of chamber music and more from June 9 to 21, which include some free lunchtime concerts as well (book your tickets early!)
• Festival sur le Canal, a weekend fest from June 19 to 21, features folk, rock, pop and more, all live, outdoors and free on the banks of the Lachine Canal
• Francos de Montréal, at Quartier des Spectacles, is one of the world’s biggest French language music festivals — wander Place des Festivals for free and soak up the atmosphere and sounds of over 250 shows on several stages from June 12 to 20

A to-do list of free outdoor and community events in Montréal

With six months a year of blissful weather, it makes sense to spend as much time as possible outside. And boy is there lots to do while you’re out there.

• Complètement Sucres has the same idea, except it happens in HoMa and lasts from mid-March to early April — it’s free to visit but not to eat!
• From May 22 to 24, feel the F1 fever emanate throughout the city as downtown gets into the Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada mood with free events and live music and DJs.
• The Eureka! Festival celebrates science in all its forms, inviting families to take part in all kinds of science and environmental activities from June 5 to 7, including over 100 interactive activities, all completely free.
• Check out the city’s pedestrian-only streets throughout the city this summer, from Wellington Street in Verdun to Avenue Duluth and Mont-Royal Avenue on the Plateau: open-air dining, impromptu entertainment, so much room for activities.
• On Sundays, head to Mount-Royal Park for the festive gathering of the Tam-Tams, when the area around the George-Étienne Cartier statue turns into a free percussion spectacle with dance and street food.
• The city’s public markets are a free feast for the eyes, especially the most famous, Atwater Market and Jean-Talon Market.

Free art exhibits and museums to visit this spring

May is synonymous with museums, so visit as many as you can and explore their free collections or free times to visit. Among the museums to visit:

• Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
• Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal 
• McCord Stewart Museum
• Canadian Centre for Architecture 

Put a spring in your step by following Art Public Montréal’s itineraries for art-focused walking tours, from larger-than-life sculptures in Old Montréal to multi-storey murals. Some come with free podcasts, too, packed with extra insider info. 

While exploring public art, stop by Place des Arts to see Orb, a four-metre-wide spherical sculpture perched atop a body of water, created by Spanish street artist Spy. 

Discover more galleries and artist-run centres by gallery-hopping throughout the city, including the five floors packed with contemporary art spaces in downtown’s Belgo building (home to the Galerie Hugues Charbonneau, SKOL and more).

Other downtown art galleries you can visit for free

• Leonard & Bina Ellen Art Gallery
• Galerie de l'UQÀM
• Ellephant
• Artexte
• VOX

And more free galleries in different neighbourhoods

• Bradley Ertaskiran in Saint-Henri
• Arsenal in Griffintown
• Blouin-Division in Griffintown
• Oboro on the Plateau
• Galerie Simon Blais in Mile End
• Centre Clark in Mile End
• Dazibao in Mile End
• Optica in Mile End
• GalerieERGA in Little Italy

Literary events and festivals to enjoy for free this spring

• Blue Metropolis International Literary Festival, from April 23 to 26, is packed with a full schedule of readings, workshops, discussions, children’s programming and more, including several free events 
• The Montréal Comic Arts Festival from May 15 to 17 unites graphic artists, illustrators and authors on Saint-Denis Street between Gilford and Roy, for a fun weekend packed with free activities for all ages
• Festilou is a festival happening from May 10 to 24 for kids aged 7 and up that offers several days of storytelling, including 75+ free activities 

Got your fill? Now see what you can do for a few bucks more with our great guide to spring in Montréal.