We go out as a family

May and spring bring their share of events. Festivals and theme days are among the suggestions for activities to include in the calendar.

20 years of Little Joys

20 years ago, the Petits bonheurs festival was born, a cultural event aimed at little ones. To celebrate this anniversary, the Alaclair Ensemble group will offer a festive concert at the Maison de la culture Maisonneuve on Sunday, May 12. The performance suitable for little ears will be preceded by a hat-making workshop with the artist Tania Baladi. This year, 16 shows, including several plays, 2 exhibitions and around ten arts awareness activities will be presented throughout the event, which will be held in the boroughs of Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Ville- Marie and Outremont, from May 2 to 12. The festival also takes place in other cities in the province during the month, including Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières and Longueuil.

Visit the festival website

Musical spring

Music lovers young and old are invited to Old Quebec on May 18 and 19 for the Spring of Music. Around twenty shows will be presented over the weekend, including some free outdoor concerts. Choral singing, traditional music, opera and military music will resound from the Ursulines gardens to Montmorency park via the Dufferin terrace and the Esplanade park. The indoor shows, some of which are offered in the form of tours, will be presented in historic places in Quebec, such as the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Entertainment for the whole family is also planned in the Hôtel-de-Ville gardens during this 9^e editing.

Visit the event website

Science in every way

Some 400 activities on the theme of science and technology are offered in Quebec on May 4 and 5 as part of the 24 hours of science and more event. In Montreal, for example, the McGill University team invites young budding botanists to discover how trees grow and amateur astronomers to learn more about the universe. These two workshops are free, as are many of the activities organized in the province. Please note that registration is sometimes required.

Visit the event website

Norman wears pink

It’s a very special day for Norman. To go outside the house, the 7-year-old boy wears his magnificent pink dress for the first time. So begins, to rhythmic music, Norman is like normal, except for one lettera play intended for ages 8 and over presented at the Maison Théâtre, in Montreal, from 1^er to May 12. In a show full of humor, the Belgian company kosmocompany invites young people (and their parents) to think about social norms and the acceptance of difference.

Visit the Maison Théâtre website

Passing musicians

Make way for music on the artists’ promenade in the Quartier des spectacles. Montrealers and visitors are invited to play amateur musicians thanks to the return of the fun and colorful installation City orchestra. Until May 26, four interactive stations, made up of rotating tables, chimes that look like pear balloons, multi-colored pipes and small podiums, allow passers-by to improvise symphonies or even a pretty din.

Visit the Quartier des spectacles website

Families in the spotlight

The 29^e Quebec Family Week will take place from May 13 to 19. For the occasion, many municipalities and organizations are offering activities. Special day with inflatable games, obstacle courses, crafts, story times, comedy shows are just a few examples. Visit the Réseau pour un Québec famille website to find an activity near you.

Consult the list of activities