The summer festival season is in full swing across the city with plenty of easy and free activities. That includes the city’s largest music festival, the Montreal International Jazz Fest, which offers plenty to do for the whole family.

The main attraction of the Jazz Fest is, of course, the music. There are free concerts spanning many genres along with many family-friendly performances in the afternoons. As well as professional acts, the festival features jazz bands from Montreal high schools, CEGEPs, and universities.

The Small School of Jazz will be presenting free concerts twice daily (11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.) at the Desjardins Complex to introduce children to jazz. The concert is an interactive, bilingual activity for children of all ages.

Every day at 5 p.m., the Urban Science Brass Band’s music will make you move with a parade that meanders through the festival site. Laurent Saulnier, Vice President of programming, said the band adds a jazz twist to hip-hop music.

The Rio Tinto Musical Park in the heart of Place des Arts is the place kids will want to go during the Jazz Fest. It features giant interactive play structures shaped like instruments. Jump around on the newly redesigned piano or climb up into the bell of a saxophone. The park also features all the amenities parents might need, like changing tables, and free stroller parking or rental.

The 2019 Jazz Fest runs from June 26 until July 6. Events will take place all around Place des Arts and across the city. Pricing and scheduling can be found online at montrealjazzfest.com.