Piknic Electronik, a family-friendly dance party held every Sunday at Parc Jean Drapeau, has started its 2011 season. Here’s a guided tour based on our 2010 visit.
It’s not often that family outings take us to places that have kids’ activities and a Jägermeister tent operating at 2:30 in the afternoon. (“Honey, if you watch the kids on the bouncy castle, I’ll go get us some shots.”) But good clean family fun coexists with a slice of Montreal’s club scene at Piknic Electronik. It’s a weekly gathering at Parc Jean Drapeau, where various DJs play music starting at 2 p.m. on Sundays.
So you think you can dance?
This in-broad-daylight dance party was started by local electronica fans who wanted to bring the music out of the underground, and offer it in a safe, outdoor environment. So, all ages are welcome to listen and shake their booties.
Because of the growing family presence at the event, Piknic Electronik has a Family Zone with an inflatable structure and mini-golf setup. It’s great that organizers make parents feel welcome. Yes, we still enjoy music other than Backyardigans songs, and we still have “dance” somewhere on our to-do lists.
On our early afternoon visit, the music was pumping but the fire was not exactly burning on the dance floor yet. We had the family area all to ourselves, which was great for the kids. They’re new to mini golf and spent about half an hour trying to bend their golf balls through the obstacles. The inflatable structure was wet from a previous rain, so they weren’t into it.
After mini-golf, we headed back to the dance floor, which is under a very cool metal sculpture and has a beautiful view of Old Montreal. It’s surrounded by big lounge chairs and beanbags, which were a novelty for the kids. Just as more people were showing up and the kids were starting to bust out some of their moves, one of those flash rainstorms blew in.
It would be fun to go back in better weather and with another family(ies). We still have until October!
Piknic Electronik
Schedule: Sundays from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., May 22 until October, 2011
Location: Place de l’Homme, Parc Jean Drapeau (view map). On Park Jean Drapeau, follow the signs to the La Ronde parking lot. The Piknic Electronik site is a short walk from the parking lot, follow the music – there are no signs for it. If you’re going by metro, bring a stroller for kids age 4 and under. The Piknic site is 500 metres from the metro station.
Cost: $10 per adult, free for children 12 and under.
Parking: $15
Piknic Electronik website
Have you been to Piknic Electronik? How was it?
1 Comment
Yes, I did try to go last year with my sister from Vancouver and my husband and daughter who was 3 at the time.
We had nearly the same experience as you. We were the first ones there and the weather was iffy. We did not stay for long but I hoped to go back again. I used to love dancing in the club. I would love to do this on a sunny day in the summer with my family.
I was hoping that when the people do arrive and it gets busy that it is still clean fun for the kids. I certainly hope I can check it out again. And what a great price! This is a treasure of Montreal for sure.
There are so many activities to do with the kids that is hard to choose this one over things I know they will love, like Yo Gabba Gabba live in concert or the children’s festival or a walk to the playground. But, nonetheless, it is good to know there might be an option for us parents that want to once in awhile feel like there was a life before kids. We have been to the tam tams a few times and that has been a success.
Thanks for writing about this.