Your guide to Montreal's free, family-friendly summer activities

School is out for the summer and the kids have been set free.

The city's numerous festivals, ongoing 375th celebrations and museum discounts offerplenty of options when it comes to making the most of the long summer days.

For parents looking for ways to keep children entertained on a budget, Montreal's festivals and arts programming provide the answer.

March des Possibles

From now untilAugust 13, theMarch des Possibles put on by POP Montreal is offering free events for families every weekend atthe corner ofSt-Dominique andBernard streets.

Theprogramming, now in its fourth edition, offers workshops, music, food, vendors, activities for kids and a pop-up playground called the Lion and the Mouse.

Over the Canada Day weekend, theplayground will be open July 1 from noon to 3 p.m.,and a treasure huntwill take place from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Find a full line-up of events here.

Delve into history

The Pointe--Callire Museum has special offers for children and families looking to visit some of their many exhibits, including one on the history of Montreal in honour of its 375th anniversary.

Every Sunday, the museum provides an intergenerational discount, granting free entryto grandparents who are 65 and olderand grandchildren under the age of 17.

The museum notes that proper identification is required and that the free access will cover a maximum oftwoadults and three children.

In addition, Pointe--Callireis offering free admission to visitors who are 25, to celebrate the museum's 25th anniversary.

More information is availablehere.

Compltementcirque

The 8th annualMontralcompltement cirque festival is running from July 6 to 16.

The event features a slew of free circus events including neighbourhood park performances by international circus artists.

There are also more than a dozen free performances planned at the JardinsGamelins from July 6 to the 29.

Find a full schedule of free daytime and evening shows as well as interactive sessions here.

Museum roundup

Montreal'sMcCord Museumoffers free admission at all times for kids under 12.

Some of the current exhibitions include a retrospective on Expo 67 and a collection of original posters advertising famous magicians like Harry Houdini andHoward Thurstonduring the golden age of magic.

For adults, entry tovisit the permanent exhibit at the museum is free on Wednesday evenings.

At the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, it's always free for children 12 and under to visit the permanent collection and temporary exhibitions.

• All Power to the People: MMFA's Revolution exhibit celebrates the radical 1960s

Shakespeare-in-the-Park

Repercussion Theatre is presenting a production ofShakespeare's Much Ado About Nothingas part of their annual
Shakespeare-in-the-Park programming.

The performances take place in parks around the city and are pay-what-you-can donation.

The first show is July 13 and the final performance will be Aug. 15.

Check out the full schedule here.

Free Jazz Festival concerts

Along with numerousfree concerts in the Quartier des Spectacles, here are a few family-friendly picks to consider.

• Milk & Bone at the TD stage in Place des Festivals on June 28 at 7:30 p.m.
• Walk Off The Earth at the TD stage July 4, at 9:30 p.m.
• Plants and Animals at theRio Tinto stage at the corner of Ste-CatherineandJeanne-Mancestreets on June 28 at 5 p.m.
• The Franklin Electric at the Rio Tinto stage June 28 at 6:20 p.m.

Full programming for the Montreal Jazz Festival can be found on their website.

La GrandeTourne

As part of Montreal's 375thcelebrations, La GrandeTourneis going around from borough to borough, making appearances in local parks and providing free family activities including crafts, performances and music.

The series is presented byCirqueloizeand will work its way from one neighbourhood to the next all summer long.

The next GrandeTournewill be inCte-des-Neiges-Notre-Dame-de-Grceat Kent Park from June 30 to July 2.