Entertainment
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Nature and Outdoors
Laval is full of free activities to brighten up your summer. Whether you love art, live performances, culture, or the outdoors, this vibrant city has everything to win you over. We’ve put together a list of must-see events and the best ways to have fun without spending a dime. Go ahead—get outside!
Summer is an exciting time for kids. As a family, we have plenty of free time to have fun—without breaking the bank! With “Dehors cet été,” the City of Laval is offering lots of free activities in parks and nature settings. We can soak up the sun while our little ones have fun.
Plays, circus and dance performances for the whole family, storytelling in swimsuits, as well as open-air movies are on the program this year. Check outthe full lineup here.
As a bonus: we take the opportunity to take the little ones to play on the playground equipment or in the water play areas so they can burn off all their energy and sleep soundly at night.
This summer, Laval is buzzing with free outdoor music events. At Centropolis, the event “ A Summer Around the World ” takes you on a musical journey from Colombia to Africa, with a stop in France. The lineup features American swing and rock, funk, Latin music, and more.
The city's parks will also thrill you with their Music Zones— free concerts featuring local and up-and-coming artists. It’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy a picnic with live music or dance under the stars.
To make the most of the nice weather this summer, let’s work out outdoors! Laval offers outdoor classes in the city’s parks. Cardio, Zumba, belly dancing, Tabata HIIT, fitness, stretching, yoga, qigong, and more. There’s something for everyone!See the full list here.
Several parks in Laval also offer outdoor workout stations that are accessible at all times. These metal structures allow you to work out your entire body without dumbbells. To learn more about the facilities and suggested exercises, visit trekfit.ca or download the free mobile app.
For outdoor enthusiasts and cyclists, the Rallye des rivières—a 21-kilometer route created by the Water Interpretation Center (C.I.EAU)—lets you cycle all the way around the island while learning about the river’s water. A free mobile app guides you along the way. It features quests and quizzes and includes information and photos.
Laval Island is rich in natural areas. So come explore our forests! Hiking is a great way to unwind and recharge. You can challenge yourself and cultivate your sense of adventure, observe birds, plants, and wildlife, all while breathing in plenty of fresh air. If you’re lucky, you might even spot some hares or foxes!
After your walk in the forest, why not stop for a picnic ?
Laval's Largest Forests: the Parc de la Rivière-des-Milles-Îles, the Équerre Woods, and the Papineau Woods, and the Bernard-Landry Park. I’m particularly fond of the Nature Center with its mini-farm and tropical greenhouse.
The Foire du Vieux-Sainte-Rose is an annual celebration that showcases local creativity and features captivating street performances. As you stroll through the picturesque streets of this historic neighborhood, you’ll soak up the fair’s warm and colorful atmosphere. You’ll be impressed by the artisans’ unique creations and may even discover some artisanal treasures and local products to take home with you.
For its part, the Sainte-Rose Symposium is an exceptional artistic event that will allow you to see artists at work right before your eyes. The streets are transformed into a veritable open-air gallery as talented painters and sculptors create masterpieces right before your amazed eyes. You’ll be able to observe their techniques, chat with them, and witness the magic that happens when art comes to life.
Step inside a turbine shaft and walk across the 220-meter spillway at Quebec’s most colorful power plant—the Rivière-des-Prairies Power Plant. This is a wonderful opportunity to explore the history of the construction and electrification of the Montreal area. Definitely an activity to add to your itinerary!
Stop by the Délia-Tétreault Museum to delve into the history of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception and discover the life of its founder, Délia Tétreault. Through more than a hundred personal items and documents, trace the story of this woman who pursued her dreams to the very end and founded the “first women’s missionary community in the Americas.”
A must-see destination for contemporary art lovers, the Salle Alfred-Pellan at the Maison des arts de Laval is the only venue in town equipped to host major visual art exhibitions. Come admire—always free of charge—the various solo and group exhibitions featuring paintings, sculptures, photographs, installations, and performances.
Did you know that you can enjoy free admission to certain museums in Quebecon the first Sunday of the month? Among the participating museums in Laval are the Rivière-des-Mille-Îles ParkExploration Center, the Water Interpretation Center (C.I.EAU), and the Cosmodome , and the Armand-Frappier Health Museum. Reserve your tickets in advance—they go fast!
The only event of its kind in Quebec, the Rendez-Vous Canin is a free event where you can spend time with your faithful four-legged friend and meet other dog lovers. The program includes agility demonstrations, talent contests, dog photography sessions, and much more. It’s a fun-filled day where dogs are the real stars.
Did you know that the Laval Transit Authority (STL) offers a free shuttle 7 days a week, all summer long? There’s a departure every 20 minutes from the Montmorency metro station on the orange line. The shuttle tours downtown Laval and its major tourist attractions, including Centropolis, the Cosmodome, the Armand-Frappier Health Museum, and CF Carrefour Laval.
Laval, ever so generous, also offers a host of other free events that are added to the calendar over time. In the coming weeks, there will also be musical performances at EM en fête, outdoor theater with Conteurs à gages, and the exhibitions Eugenia Reznik – Insaisies and Eternity, If Possible.
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