Amazing Things To Do in Montréal with Kids This Week (October 5 – 11, 2026)
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What are the best things to do in Montreal with kids this week (October 5 – 11, 2026)?
A cool, showery start to the week gives way to drier mid-week days, with highs of 10–17°C (50–63°F). Plan Jardins de lumière for Tuesday evening, La Fête des récoltes and Verger Labonté for Saturday, and World Press Photo or MBAM as indoor weather pivots. Festival du nouveau cinéma family programming is a Sat/Sun option.
- Best after-dark garden: Jardins de lumière, Jardin botanique — Sep 3–Nov 1; timed-entry ticketed; the new “Résonance” walk and illuminated Japanese and Chinese gardens. Best on Tue Oct 6.
- Best free Saturday highlight: La Fête des récoltes, Musée de Lachine — Sat Oct 10, 1–4 PM; free; farm-animal meet-and-greet, tastings and games.
- Best weekend daytime park: La Ronde Kids Pumpkin Festival + DINOPARC — Oct 3–Nov 1 weekends; ticketed; giant dinosaurs and pumpkin programming on Sat Oct 10.
- Best indoor rainy-day pick: Expo World Press Photo (Marché Bonsecours) — through Oct 12; free for children aged 10 and under; final week of award-winning photojournalism in Old Montréal. Note: the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is closed Mondays, so it is not an option on Mon Oct 5.
- Best indoor art pick: Chiharu Shiota: The Soul Trembles (MBAM) — Sep 26–Feb 14; free for visitors aged 25 and under; thread installations in a quiet museum. Closed Mondays.
- Best day trip: Verger Labonté, Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot — about 30 minutes away; paid site entry; organic apple-picking season, corn mazes and petting zoo.
- Best weekend getaway: Parc national de la Mauricie — just over two hours by car from Montréal; Parks Canada admission; fall-colour season.
- Best free family programme this Sunday: Festival du nouveau cinéma Grande Kermesse des P’tits Loups — Sun Oct 11; free family event.
Last checked: Event details were verified against official organizer and venue pages on October 4, 2026. Weather was pulled from Environment and Climate Change Canada and cross-checked against The Weather Network on October 4, 2026. Schedules, pricing and weather can change, so confirm details and weather forecast before heading out.
Planning at a Glance
Date | Family Highlight | Cost |
|---|---|---|
Mon, Oct 5 | Indoor day: Expo World Press Photo. Mainly cloudy; 60% chance of showers; gusts to 50 km/h. 10°C (50°F), low 4°C (39°F) | Free for children aged 10 and under; budget for adults |
Tue, Oct 6 | Best current Jardins de lumière evening: sunny. 14°C (57°F), low 8°C (46°F); pack warm layers after dark | Ticketed timed entry |
Wed, Oct 7 | Flexible / indoor backup: cloudy; 40% chance of showers. 16°C (61°F), low 12°C (54°F) | — |
Thu, Oct 8 | Mosaïcultures / outdoor option: mix of sun and cloud. 17°C (63°F), low 8°C (46°F); MBAM available as indoor alternative | Free / budget |
Fri, Oct 9 | Flexible day: mix of sun/cloud; 30% chance of showers. 14°C (57°F), low 7°C (45°F) | Free / ticketed |
Sat, Oct 10 | Main outdoor family day — La Fête des récoltes / Verger Labonté / La Ronde, plus FNC P’tits Loups 6+ at 10:30 AM; mix of sun and cloud. 14°C (57°F) | Free festival / paid site entry / ticketed |
Sun, Oct 11 | Grande Kermesse + outdoor-friendly alternatives. TWN secondary forecast: mainly sunny, approximately 17°C (63°F), low approximately 10°C (50°F) | Free / budget |
🏮 1. Jardins de lumière (Gardens of Light) — Sep 3–Nov 1
Montréal’s signature autumn display turns the Jardin botanique into a lantern-lit walk after dark. The new draw is “Résonance”, an immersive walk through the Indigenous Peoples Garden marking its 25th anniversary alongside the illuminated Japanese and Chinese gardens.
What | Details |
|---|---|
Best for families | Ages 4+ especially; younger children enjoy the light and colour, but the outing runs into the evening |
Highlight | The new “Résonance” walk plus the illuminated Japanese and Chinese gardens |
Paid options | Timed-entry tickets; same-day Jardin botanique access is included with the Gardens of Light ticket per Espace pour la vie |
Best weather evening | Tue Oct 6 — sunny, high 14°C (57°F), low 8°C (46°F) |
Backup evening | Thu Oct 8 — mix of sun and cloud, high 17°C (63°F), depending on refreshed forecast |
Why families love it: The route gives children three visually different garden experiences in one walk, with enough movement to break up the quieter installations.
Watch out: Night lows drop to 4–12°C this week, so pack a genuinely warm layer for small kids. Book a timed slot in advance — entry runs on schedule.
🦕 2. La Ronde — Kids Pumpkin Festival + DINOPARC (Oct 3–Nov 1)
The park opens its pumpkin-themed family season October 3–November 1, weekends plus Monday October 12, with the seasonal DINOPARC already in place — more than 15 giant dinosaurs, some up to 15 metres (49 ft) tall. Fright Fest begins the same weekend, but that after-dark, scary side is best left to teens.
What | Details |
|---|---|
Best for families | DINOPARC and daytime Pumpkin Festival programming suit families with younger children |
Highlight | More than 15 giant dinosaurs; pumpkin-season programming through Nov 1 |
Paid options | Ticketed day admission, mandatory online purchase; season pass available |
Best day | Sat Oct 10 daytime — mix of sun and cloud, high 14°C (57°F) |
Why families love it: You can do the dinosaurs and pumpkin activities by day and leave before the evening scares begin.
Watch out: Buy admission online and check the park calendar before leaving. Pumpkin Festival programming is positioned for little ones before 5 PM, while Fright Fest scare zones begin around nightfall, about 6 PM.
Stroller note: The park’s main walkways are paved and stroller-friendly.
Source: La Ronde — official site
🍂 3. La Fête des récoltes, Musée de Lachine (Sat Oct 10, 1–4 PM)
The week’s free outdoor harvest highlight runs Saturday October 10, 1–4 PM on the Musée de Lachine’s grounds by the St. Lawrence River, just west of downtown. Children can meet farm animals, sample seasonal tastings and join games and theatre. Admission is free per the Ville de Montréal.
What | Details |
|---|---|
Best for families | Young kids 0–8; outdoor event by the river |
Highlight | Farm-animal meet-and-greet plus tastings, theatre and games |
Cost | Free admission (entrée libre) |
When | Saturday Oct 10, 1–4 PM, Musée de Lachine (1 chemin du Musée, Lachine) |
Why families love it: It is a rare free, outdoor, farm-animal event inside the city — an easy pick for young children the day before the Thanksgiving long weekend.
Accessibility and logistics caveat: The associated Musealia object-theatre sessions take place on the second floor of a building without an elevator and require a valid ticket for each participant. Performances run at approximately 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 PM, each lasting about 20 minutes. Check current session availability on the Ville de Montréal site before finalizing plans.
Good to know: It is one-day, so Saturday is the only chance; dress for a cool outdoor afternoon and check conditions before heading out.
🌺 4. Les Mosaïcultures, Parc Jean-Drapeau (fall)
On Parc Jean-Drapeau’s Île Notre-Dame, the Jardins des Floralies hold three large-scale horticultural sculptures built from close to half a million flowers and plants — including the striking 11-metre “Mother Earth”. They make a free, open-air art walk that pairs well with a picnic.
What | Details |
|---|---|
Best for families | All ages — big, colourful shapes that inspire wonder |
Highlight | Giant plant sculptures, including the 11-metre “Mother Earth” |
Cost | Free to walk — no separate ticket required |
Hours | Open daily, 6 AM–11 PM |
Best weather day | Thu Oct 8 — mix of sun and cloud, high 17°C (63°F). Tue Oct 6 is also a dry alternative. |
Why families love it: It is an easy, active outdoor art day — kids can run between the installations and burn off energy between stops.
Good to know: The bloom is the seasonal highlight, so it is best enjoyed on one of this week’s dry, milder days before the season colours fade.
🖼️ 5. Chiharu Shiota: The Soul Trembles (MBAM) — Sep 26, 2026 – Feb 14, 2027
A major touring exhibition at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, “The Soul Trembles” fills galleries with Chiharu Shiota’s delicate black-thread installations and sculptural works. Admission is free for visitors aged 25 and under, and reservations are required for the major-exhibition ticket. The museum is closed on Mondays.
What | Details |
|---|---|
Best for families | School-age kids 8–13 and art-curious teens; quieter for younger children |
Highlight | Immersive thread installations in the Golden Square Mile museum |
Cost | Ticketed exhibition; free for visitors aged 25 and under; reservations required |
Best weather-backup days | Wed Oct 7 or Fri Oct 9 — when showers are possible. Not available Mon Oct 5. |
Hours | Tue 10 AM–5 PM; Wed 10 AM–9 PM; Thu–Sun 10 AM–5 PM; Mon closed |
Wednesday evening note | Between 5 PM and 9 PM, only Chiharu Shiota is open, with reduced adult admission |
Why families love it: It is a calm, absorbing cultural outing on the days when the rain moves in — an easy counterweight to the outdoor pumpkin and harvest picks.
Watch out: This is delicate art rather than a hands-on children’s exhibition. Keep little hands clear. Book ahead because reservations are required.
Source: Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
📷 6. Expo World Press Photo Montréal (through Oct 12)
Still in its final stretch, the 19th edition presents 147 award-winning photographs by 42 photographers from 31 countries at Marché Bonsecours in Old Montréal. It is free for children aged 10 and under, and with the exhibition closing October 12 this is the last full week to see it.
What | Details |
|---|---|
Best for families | Older kids and teens most; some images show conflict, so parents should check this year’s selection first |
Highlight | Award-winning photojournalism in a covered Old Montréal market hall — final week |
Cost | Free for children aged 10 and under; check the official site for adult and student pricing |
Best day | Mon Oct 5 — strongest definite indoor-weather day. Wed Oct 7 / Fri Oct 9 — shower-risk alternatives. |
Why families love it: It is the week’s easiest last-chance indoor cultural pick, right in the Old Port area and an easy métro ride away.
Good to know: This is powerful photojournalism rather than a hands-on children’s exhibition — brilliant for a curious teen, parents should preview for younger children.
Source: Expo World Press Photo Montréal
🎬 7. Festival du nouveau cinéma — Family Programming (Oct 8–18)
The festival runs October 8–18, 2026. Verified family programming for this week:
Saturday Oct 10 — P’tits Loups: 6 ans et beaucoup +
What | Details |
|---|---|
Date | Saturday October 10, 2026 |
Time | 10:30–11:25 AM |
Venue | Cinémathèque québécoise — Salle Fernand-Seguin |
Age guidance | Ages 6+ |
Programme | Six short films |
Cost | Ticketed screening — book/check availability because capacity is limited |
Sunday Oct 11 — Grande Kermesse des P’tits Loups
What | Details |
|---|---|
Date | Sunday October 11, 2026 |
Cost | Free |
Venue | Agora du Cœur des sciences, UQAM |
Hours | Check the official event listing for the day’s detailed timetable |
Why families love it: The Grande Kermesse is a rare free, large-scale family film event during the festival — a strong Sunday option. Saturday’s P’tits Loups screening offers a curated programme of short films for school-age kids.
Watch out: Saturday’s screening is ticketed and capacity-controlled; book ahead.
Source: Festival du nouveau cinéma
🏞️ 8. Parc national de la Mauricie — Best Weekend Getaway
For a fall-colour escape with an extra night, Parc national de la Mauricie is in fall-colour season. It sits just over two hours by car from Montréal, depending on traffic and the park entrance, which makes an overnight the natural shape of the visit — time for a morning hike, a lakeside stop and an unhurried return.
What | Details |
|---|---|
Best for families | All ages with an overnight — hiking, canoeing and cabins by the lakes |
Highlight | Fall-colour season across lakes and forest, with trails for different ability levels |
Drive from Montréal | Just over two hours, depending on traffic and entrance |
Hours | Park access and services vary seasonally — check current entrance, facility and trail status before leaving |
Admission | Daily visitor fee; youth 17 and under free where applicable; overnight cabin and campground fees extra — reserve ahead |
Why families love it: A night in the park unlocks a quieter pace — a morning walk, a lakeside picnic and time to enjoy the seasonal colour without rushing back to the city the same day.
Good to know: Pack layers and hiking shoes. Plan meals around your accommodation and confirm current trail, service and foliage conditions before leaving. Check the current Québec fall-colour map or Parks Canada conditions reports.
Forecast caveat: The Montréal forecast does not apply here — check the local Mauricie/Shawinigan forecast before leaving Montréal.
🍎 9. Verger Labonté, Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot — Best Day Trip
About 30 minutes west of downtown, Verger Labonté is an Ecocert-certified organic orchard in apple-picking season. Expect U-pick apples, themed corn mazes, a petting zoo and local treats.
What | Details |
|---|---|
Best for families | All ages — U-pick apples, corn mazes and a petting zoo |
Highlight | Organic U-pick apples with 100% Ecocert certification and immersive themed corn mazes |
Distance from Montréal | About 30 minutes by car (Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot) |
Hours (Sat Oct 10) | 9 AM–5 PM; last admission 4 PM |
Admission | Orchard access $5.95 + tax, plus selected apple-picking bag |
Apple bags | Apple-picking bags start at $25; choose the current bag size and option when booking |
Reservations | Strongly recommended; availability is capacity-controlled |
Corn maze | Extra |
Saturday October 10 is the strong window — a mix of sun and cloud at the orchard, though confirm the Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot local forecast before leaving. Check current apple varieties and picking availability before driving out.
Forecast caveat: The Montréal forecast does not apply here — confirm conditions for Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot before you go.
Source: Verger Labonté — official site
For more escapes within a two-hour drive, see our day trips from Montréal with kids guide.
🌧️ Ongoing This Week (indoor + easy picks)
🏮 Jardins de lumière (through Nov 1) — the new “Résonance” walk is worth an evening on its own; book timed entry ahead. Best evening is Tue Oct 6.
📷 Expo World Press Photo — the dependable indoor pick for Monday’s showery weather. Wed and Fri are shower-risk alternatives. Free for children aged 10 and under.
🖼️ Chiharu Shiota, MBAM — free for visitors aged 25 and under. Closed Mondays, so not available Mon Oct 5.
🎬 Festival du nouveau cinéma (Oct 8–18) — family programming includes P’tits Loups 6+ on Sat Oct 10 and the free Grande Kermesse des P’tits Loups on Sun Oct 11. Check the official schedule for ticket availability and Sunday’s detailed timetable.
🍁 Mount Royal and Parc La Fontaine foliage walks — free, flexible options for a dry spell. Pack a warm drink and comfortable shoes.
🌤️ Quick Weather Check (Mon Oct 5–Sun Oct 11)
Primary forecast: Environment and Climate Change Canada — Montréal, issued October 4, 2026 at 11:30 AM EDT. Confidence: HIGH for Monday through Saturday ECCC baseline; MEDIUM for Sunday because it relies on The Weather Network as ECCC has not yet reached Sunday in the current forecast window. Early-October weather can change quickly, so recheck the forecast before heading out.
Day | Conditions | High | Low | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mon, Oct 5 | Mainly cloudy; 60% chance of showers; windy | 10°C (50°F) | 4°C (39°F) | Primary indoor day |
Tue, Oct 6 | Sunny | 14°C (57°F) | 8°C (46°F) | Best Jardins de lumière evening |
Wed, Oct 7 | Cloudy; 40% chance of showers | 16°C (61°F) | 12°C (54°F) | Flexible/indoor backup |
Thu, Oct 8 | Mix of sun and cloud | 17°C (63°F) | 8°C (46°F) | Strong Mosaïcultures day |
Fri, Oct 9 | Mix of sun and cloud; 30% chance of showers | 14°C (57°F) | 7°C (45°F) | Flexible day |
Sat, Oct 10 | Mix of sun and cloud | 14°C (57°F) | 6°C (43°F) | Main outdoor family day |
Sun, Oct 11 | TWN secondary forecast: mainly sunny | 17°C (63°F) | 10°C (50°F) | FNC Grande Kermesse + outdoor friendly |
Best current outdoor days: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday are the driest. Tuesday is the clearest choice for Jardins de lumière. Saturday remains the strongest concentrated family-outing day for La Fête des récoltes, Verger Labonté and La Ronde. Sunday currently looks favourable for the Grande Kermesse, although its forecast relies on TWN because ECCC has not yet reached Sunday.
Pack: Bring warm layers and comfortable walking shoes. Overnight lows of 4–12°C make the evening Garden of Light outing genuinely cold, so dress small kids warmly. A rain shell covers the showery days (Mon, Wed and Fri).
Families heading to outdoor evening shows should check the updated forecast before leaving.
Sources: – Environment and Climate Change Canada — Montréal (primary Mon–Sat) – The Weather Network — Montréal 14-day forecast (secondary; supplies Sunday)
🏆 Our Top Pick for This Week
Weekly headline — La Fête des récoltes on Saturday Oct 10: The free one-day harvest festival at the Musée de Lachine (1–4 PM) is the week’s purest fall family outing, and it lands on a favourable weekend weather day — mix of sun and cloud, 14°C (57°F). Farm animals, tastings and games for young kids, with free admission.
Best fall evening — Jardins de lumière on Tuesday Oct 6: Sunny with a high of 14°C (57°F) makes Tuesday the most comfortable evening to walk the new “Résonance” route. Book timed entry in advance and dress warmly; the low drops toward 8°C (46°F).
Best free/indoor family programme — Grande Kermesse des P’tits Loups on Sunday Oct 11: A free family event at Agora du Cœur des sciences, UQAM, during the Festival du nouveau cinéma. TWN secondary forecast supports a mainly sunny 17°C (63°F) day. Check the official event listing for the day’s detailed timetable.
Best weekend getaway — Parc national de la Mauricie: Fall-colour season and a drive of just over two hours make an overnight the natural choice. Check the local Mauricie/Shawinigan forecast and current foliage conditions because the Montréal forecast does not apply.
Best day trip — Verger Labonté on Saturday Oct 10: Organic apple picking about 30 minutes from downtown on a dry Saturday (high 14°C / 57°F) — U-pick apples via fixed-size bags, corn mazes and a petting zoo ahead of the Thanksgiving weekend.
Coming Next Week (Oct 12–18, a first look)
- Canadian Thanksgiving long weekend arrives Monday Oct 12 — La Ronde’s Pumpkin Festival and Fright Fest are open that Monday, and apple picking stays busy.
- Festival du nouveau cinéma (Oct 8–18) continues through the week.
- MTL connect (Oct 13–16) brings Montréal’s digital week to downtown.
Explore More
- Things to do in Montréal with kids — master family-activities pillar
- Montréal family events by season
- Montréal with a baby or toddler — stroller-friendly guide
- Montreal family vacation guide — start here for your first trip
Updated and last checked on October 4, 2026. The numerical weather table uses Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Montréal forecast as its primary source, cross-checked against The Weather Network’s 14-day Montréal forecast. Event details were checked against official Espace pour la vie, La Ronde, Ville de Montréal (Musée de Lachine), Expo World Press Photo, Verger Labonté, Parks Canada and Festival du nouveau cinéma information. Schedules, pricing and weather can change, so confirm event details before visiting.
Happy travels!
Warm regards,
Sara & Adam
