What to do in Montréal on Labour Day weekend 2024

Montréal is renowned for all kinds of free things to do in summer, including on Labour Day weekend! Relax, play and picnic in Montréal's parks and green spaces such as Mount Royal, where you can take in the view from the Kondiaronk lookout and chalet and hear Les Tam-tams drummers next to the George-Étienne Cartier monument. Or simply relax on a blanket near the fountain in Parc La Fontaine or in Jarry Park. If the weekend's warm, go for a dip at the Aquatic Complex and the beach at Parc Jean-Drapeauor one of the many other city pools and beaches.

Downtown, the Quartier des spectacles surprises with outdoor performances, multimedia projections, and art installations that double as urban oases as part of Les aventures du cœur de l’île ‒ don’t miss activities at Esplanade Tranquille, performances and mini golf at Jardins Gamelin in the Quartier Latin, and free film screenings during the Estival du nouveau cinéma. 

See incredible street dance performances at the JOAT Festival international de street dance from August 27 to September 2 in the Quartier des Spectacles. And catch short, family-friendly alleyway performances during Le FAR Festival des arts de ruelle from August 26 to September 8. And discover entertainment, food and drink at the city’s summer pop-up spaces, with urban oases like the Old Port’s Marché des Éclusiers, POP Montréal’s Marché des Possibles, Village au Pied-du-Courant and more.

Join the Piknic Électronik and OfF Piknic Electronik outdoor dance parties at Parc Jean-Drapeau, and catch local and international artists like IAM (August 29), Disclosure (August 30) or Misstress Barbara (September 1).

There’s more music all weekend with Cigarettes After Sex at the Bell Centre (August 31) and Crumb with L’Rain and Discovery Zone at the Théatre Beanfield (September 1). On August 30 at Place Bell in Laval, Sean Paul will be whipping the crowds into a frenzy, followed by Arcángel & De La Ghetto on September 1. Dance the weekend away at New City Gas with Mustafa Ismaeel (August 30), Khen (August 31), Seven Lions (September 1). Under the SAT’s 360-degree dome, enjoy the vibe of Scottish duo Optimo (Espacio) and Montréal’s The Fitness (August 31) and have a blast at the first edition of the new COURAAAAAGE! event series in the Satopshère and SAT Space with Partiboi69 b2b DJ Heartstring, Uffie (DJ set), Felix Patry b2b The Holy, Diet Rave Star and special guests (September 1). Check out our list of the best bars and clubs for electronic, pop and more as well as our guide to Montréal’s hidden bars where cozy evenings await.

MURAL Festival may be over, but you can still see all the newly painted murals on Saint-Laurent Boulevard and adjacent streets – hear more about the mural artists on a street art tour with Spade & Palacio. Or take yourself on self-guided audio tours of the murals, historic Montréal and other sights thanks to TourBird - audio walking tours. 

In Old Montréal and the Old Port of Montréal, stroll the boardwalk for a great view of the Saint-Lawrence River and the vistas beyond. Or look out at the entire city on La Grande Roue, relax with a river view at Clock Tower Beach and bliss out with the water circuit at Bota Bota, spa sur l’eau and other world-class spas.

Kids of all ages can climb high at the Voiles en Voiles adventure park, wander through the SOS Labyrinthe, explore the Saint-Lawrence River by pedal boat, ride a mini-train on Bonsecours Island, and zip over the port on the Tyrolienne MTL Zipline! Take an eco-friendly cruise with Petit Navire, have dinner on the river with Bateau-Mouche, or indulge your need for speed by jet boating with Saute-Moutons and Jet Saint-Laurent.

Discover more of Montréal by bike, on a guided bike tour or on a BIXI shared bike. Keep an eye out for public art works along the way. In Old Montréal, see famed Notre-Dame Basilica and search out the projections of Cité Mémoire on historic buildings. Easily viewed from the Old Port, Living Connections illuminates the Jacques-Cartier Bridge every night. Follow our guide to Montréal's most famous icons to see more of the city's major sights and architecture.

Explore the nature-focused Espace pour la vie museums at Olympic Park: walk around the themed gardens and greenhouse of the Jardin botanique; visit the Biodôme's beautifully renewed immersive ecosystems, from the fish, birds and plants of the Tropical Rainforest to penguins and ice floes of the Sub-Antarctic Islands (be sure to buy your timed tickets ahead of time); search the cosmos in immersive shows at the Planetarium; and learn about insects at the newly renovated Insectarium. 

A few steps away on the esplanade of Olympic Park, kids can play at Îlots76 with bouncy castles, a play area, snacks and more, watch (or join!) skateboarding at Vans Skatepark and try rock climbing at Nomad Bloc.

Along with park playtime, swimming and boating, visit Parc Jean-Drapeau for the famed geodesic Biosphère, Environment Museum, featuring new exhibitions about the planet, from sea to sky. Or see a variety of Québec wildlife at the conservation-focused Ecomuseum Zoo and all kinds of animals at the Zoo de Granby. For families, the Montréal Science Centre features the interactive exhibition Banquetas well as The Techno Garden experience at the end of the Kind Edward Quay. And, for the extra-adventurous, ride roller coasters and other rides both big and small at La Ronde amusement park!

Spend time on Montréal’s terrasses this weekend too: choose from top outdoor terrasses and amazing rooftop patios, or surround yourself with greenery at Montréal’s lushest garden patios. Try some of Montrealers’ favourite lunch restaurants, summer brunches, newest restaurants and “buvettes." Dig into long-time classics like smoked meat, poutine and Montréal bagels. If you’re craving pizza, join the debate over who makes the best pizza in Montréal or the best tacos. 

Montréal's bountiful public markets beckon with seasonal produce and BBQ-ready food, delicious meals to go and a diversity of desserts. Speaking of seasonal, wherever you are in the city, treat yourself to the best locally made ice cream and frozen treats. Meanwhile, Le Burger Week serves up original and exclusive burgers from dozens of participating restaurants from September 1 to 8. And the city’s chefs create a variety of delicious tacos and spicy sides during Taco Fest MTL from August 31 to September 2.

Labour Day weekend is also a great time to have dinner and see a show at the Casino de Montréal, where live music and cabaret shows entertain every evening, along with incredible seafood and more on the grill at Le Montréal, a gourmet buffet at Pavillon 67, and quick delicious eats at L’Instant. 

Downtown, explore the wide variety of excellent meals at gourmet food halls, including Time Out Market, Marché Artisans, Le Cathcart Restaurants et Biergarten and Le Central - Manger Montréal. Get your caffeine fix at Montréal's indie coffee shops – and fresh-baked doughnuts to go with it! Add more sweetness to your life with creations from Montréal's best bakeries and pastry shops, best chocolate shops and local candy shops. Sip a creative cocktail at happy hour. Or go for dinner and a show or just go for the soul and Motown music at Le Balcon. For more culinary discoveries, check out Tourisme Montréal's favourite year-round food picks and great places to eat with kids.

Art enlivens every corner of the city this Labour Day weekend. Visit the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts to see blockbuster exhibition Saints, Sinners, Lovers and Fools, featuring some 150 art works and objects from the Netherlands between 1400 and 1700. 

At the Phi Foundation, see Efflorescence/The Way We Wake, a duo presentation by multidisciplinary artists Rajni Perera and Marigold Santos, which brings together sculpture and  painting produced by the artists between 2021 and 2024, beginning with the collaborative piece after which the show is named. Be sure to see Sonia Boyce’s immersive installation FEELING HER WAY created from bespoke wallpaper, posters, photography, sculpture, video and sound. You can also discover the mysteries of ancient Egypt, from the Great Pyramid of Giza to the funeral rites of the king with the PHI Studio’s virtual reality adventure The Horizon of Khufu at the Old Port. At the PHI Centre, be sure to see the cinematic installation Broken Spectre by Richard Mosse as he plunges us into the destruction of the Brazilian Amazon rainforest.

A massive immersive art experience in surround sound and laser light, Oasis Immersion takes over the ground floor of Palais des congrès, currently wowing visitors with Root for Nature, Dreaming Asia and the return of VAN GOGH - Distorsion. You can also discover (or buy) art more art in our Montréal guide to gallery hopping and these affordable places to buy contemporary art.

Montréal history museums and numerous religious sites blend history with art. Visit Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal Archaeology and History Complex for Olmecs and the Civilizations of the Gulf of Mexico. At the McCord Stewart Museum see Norman Parkinson: Always in Style (until September 2), Portraits and Fashion – Québec Photographers Beyond Borders (until September 29) as well as the permanent exhibition Indigenous Voices of Today: Knowledge, Trauma, Resilience.

Take a guided tour of Maison Saint-Gabriel, Museum and Historic Site, where time has stopped in the days of Marguerite Bourgeoys or go back in time at the Château Ramezay, where you can also catch historical recreations during the day. And don’t miss the always impressive and moving World Press Photo Montréal exhibition at Bonsecours Market, from August 28 to October 14. For the full end-of-summer scoop, check out our Montréal summer cultural calendar.

Whether you're looking for outdoor fun and adventure, illuminating art, entertainment or simply a long weekend of relaxation, the Labour Day long weekend in Montréal is the perfect opportunity to explore what the city has to offer and soak up summer in September.