Summer is in full swing and that means festival season is on in Montreal. This month is filled with some of the biggest events our city anticipates all year long, finally! Here are my top Montreal July 2022 family activities.

Montreal Jazz Festival – Until July 9

Enjoy one more weekend at the Jazz Festival with kid-friendly activities at the Rio Tinto Music Factory. Located outside Maisonneuve Theatre, interactive musical activities are a great way to experience the festival vibe as a family. The Little School of Jazz is always a hit with shows at Complexe Desjardins multiple times per day.

Montreal Streetfood Festival – July 7-10

Montreal gets its own night market street food event with cuisine from Asia, Europe, South America and Quebec. Over 20 local restaurants will be offering up dishes from around the world, in a casual atmosphere in the Old Port. Food isn’t the only thing on the menu as the event will also feature games and special performances, and a great view of the fireworks at La Ronde on July 9th.  

Montreal Clock Tower, Thursday: 5-11pm, Friday-Sunday: 12pm-11pm

Montreal Completement Cirque – July 7 -17

Montreal’s circus festival is back with tons of family-friendly shows. The highlight this year will be the 3 Giants installations, 50-foot-tall acrobatic archways in 3 locations throughout the downtown area. Three circus companies will put on shows under these giants: Cirque Eloize at Jardins Gamelin at Quartier des spectacles, Les 7 Doigts at the Esplanade PVM de la Place Ville Marie and Machine de Cirque at Vinet Park near the Atwater Market. Over 60 shows will take place over the 10 days.

Daily at 6pm and 9:30pm, Free

Calixa-Lavallee Agricultural Expo – July 8-10

There’s nothing like a country fair and this one is only 45 minutes away from Montreal. The event features a demolition derby, tractor pull, livestock competition, fireworks and daily games and inflatables, a petting farm, and the chance to try out an excavator or milk a mechanical cow Be sure to check the calendar to see which daily event your family is most interested in attending.

$15-$20/person

Comicon – July 8-10

If you’ve got a comic book lover this event is for you. The family zone will have activities including Nerf battles, archery lessons, light sabre training and more. Stars from Futurama, Spiderman, Vikings and others will be on-site to meet guests. Saturday will feature a costume masquerade. And of course, the exhibit hall may be the main attraction for some with over 450 vendors.

$25-$35, kids 6-12 are free on Friday and $5 the other days

Just for Laughs Festival – July 13-31

While the shows at JFL may not be kid-friendly, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy as a family at this 40th edition. Outdoor free events will take place at Quartier des Spectacles and Place Ville Marie. More details soon.

Grand Poutinefest – July 13-31

Another excuse to head out to the Old Port for some food. Poutine is on the menu with tons of different variations to try, from vegan to lobster to keto.

Old Port Clock Tower

Shakespeare in the Park – July 14 – August 6

Repercussion Theatre is back for another season of Shakespeare in the Park with this year’s show: All Shall be Well. Pack along a blanket and a picnic dinner and enjoy one of the 7pm shows in parks throughout the city including Parc Trenholme in NDG (July 19), Westmount Park (July 23-24) or make an outing to the Hudson Village Theatre (July 31). Concessions will be available on site.

Geek Quest – July 23 – August 21

Tohu will have many great family shows this year, but this month features one the entire family will enjoy. Geek Quest by Throw 2 Catch features high-flying acrobatics from two 90s kids who want to become superheroes. The show features 90s music, humour and amazing stunts. 1pm and 4:30pm shows are available under the TOHU big top tent.

$24-$30

Highland Games – July 31

Get ready for a day of dancing & athletic competitions, back pipes, fiddles, tug-o-war and so much more at this event taking place on the grounds of the Douglas Hospital in Verdun. For an authentic Scottish food experience, book a VIP ticket at the Burgundy Lion Patrons’ Pavilion ($).

Kids under 14 free, $20/adult