Whoever said the best things in life are free never spent a summer in Montreal. All of the best shows and events cost you some dollah bills, but thankfully, not all of them force you to bust your wallet. Summer, and July specifically, has plenty in the realm of free, so you can enjoy the season's many events without going broke.
To help you stay entertained with money staying in the bank, here are 30 free things to do in Montreal this July:
1. Rendez-Vouz of Italian Cinema: Every Wednesday at 8:30 PM' tilo August 6 at Dante Park (map)
2. Cirquefest Outdoor Shows: Find out more about Completement Cirque here, and all the program of free shows here.
3. SPA's Free Vegan BBQ: Saturday July 26, all details here.
4. Aires Libres in the Village
5. Get a Tan: here are all the best spots
6. Free Museum Nights: McCord is free on Wednesdays, the CCA is gratis on Thursdays, the Museum of Fine Arts is free for all ages the last Sunday of the month (other days depending on age) and the Redpath museum is always charge-less, to name a few.
7. Outdoor events at JFL: many to choose from, find out more here
8. Tam Tams: Every Sunday, the biggest chill sesh in the city
9. Week-ends du Monde: July 12-13 @ Parc Jean Drapeau, more info here
10. Yoga in the Park: Every Sunday, more info here
11. Montreal's Clocktower Beack: Always free for you to chill at, all details here
12. Saturday Piknic Electronik: July 12th @ Parc Jean-Drapeau
13. St. Catherine Sidewalk Sale: July 12th & 13th, learn about other street sales here
14. Saint-Michel Environmental Complex: Tours are free if you're a Montreal resident
15. Cirque du Soleil Tour: Right next to the above, unguided tours are free
16. Free Pancake Fundraiser w/Chuck Hughes: July 9th, learn where here
17. Atmosph’Air Outdoor Festival: July 9-13th, @ St. Hubert, from Bellechase and Jean-Talon
18. Take a walk! (we suggest one up the mountain)
19. Downtown Film Screening Under The Stars: July 12th & 13th, find out more
20. FIFA World Cup Final Viewing: Sunday July 13th, as part of the final day of Week-end du Monde
21. La Fête des enfants de Montréal: July 19th & 20th @ Parc Jean-Drapeau
22. Botanical Gardens: free after 6pm, 'til Labour Day
23. Urban Yoga: Every Wednesday of the summer (all the info)
24. Haïti en folie: July 22-27th, mainly in the Plateau, with certain free events (find 'em here)
25. Montreal’s Dragon Boat Challenge: July 26th & 27th @ Parc Jean-Draeau, find out more (free to watch)
26. International Firework Competition: every Saturday, all month long, with more details here
27. Divers/Cité: Starts July 28th, with free events + exhibitions (the deets)
28. Open-air OSM Concerts: July 30-August 1st
29. Village Éphémère: A boardwalk of epic proportions, all free, with all the info here
30. Festival International Nuits d’Afrique: July 8-20th @ Quartier des Spectacles
*Bonus* BAZart at Casa del Popolo: An art festival for up and coming artists that traverse many genres of art, from craft to tattooing, more details here
For more on all things Montreal, follow Michael on Twitter @MDAlimonte
