Top Things to Do in Montreal in Summer

By Teresa Plowright, About.com Guide

Families can also have fun at some great Montreal Festivals which are big draws for adults but also kid-friendly.

• Montreal Jazz Festival: this major music bash is a very kid-friendly event, with gigantic play areas, arts and crafts, roaming clowns, jugglers, and acrobats... Kids can also take part in an interactive "Little School of Jazz", and teens can apply to join a week-long musical day camp. The Montreal Jazz Festival runs from late June to early July.

• Just for Laughs: Montreal's giant comedy festival happens throughout most of July, and is also very family-friendly, with free street events, clowns, and more, in addition to appearances by household-names comedians just as Martin Short, Bill Cosby, Whoopi Goldberg, and John Cleese (-- all just part of the lineup in 2011.) Just for Laughs also has a Twins Parade: some 3000 twins, triplets, etc., parade in matched costumes. See photos and more info about these and other outdoor events at the Just For Laughs site, www.hahaha.com.

Cirque du Soleil and More: Montreal is the birthplace of Cirque du Soleil, which has a huge campus here and which debuts its new shows in Montreal. Cirque du Soleil, however, is only part of Montreal's circus scene, which also includes a National Circus School, and La TOHU, the City of Circus Arts. All are located in a Montreal neighborhood that can be easily reached by metro. Our About.com explains more about Montreal's circus scene -- with good timing, visitors may be able to watch a free show by one of the circus schools.

- continue to Montreal for Family Vacations: Where to Eat and Stay