Saint Jean Baptiste Day 2011 family events

A boy waves his Quebec flag at last year's Fête Nationale parade. Courtesy of Kevin Shortt.

We’ve got a long weekend coming up, thanks to La Fête Nationale / St. Jean Baptiste Day. Celebrations will be happening all over Montreal on both Thursday, June 23 and Friday, June 24.

Some of the Saint Jean Baptiste events are nighttime concerts, others are family-friendly gatherings at municipal parks with tons of kids’ activities.

I Spy Montreal has rounded up some of the more family-friendly Fête Nationale celebrations here, by municipality.

Where to find fireworks?

If you’re wondering which Saint Jean Baptiste events will have fireworks (weather permitting), you’ll find them in:

Boucherville: Thursday at 10 p.m. at Rivière aux Pins Park.
Dorval: Friday at 10 p.m. on Lake St. Louis.
Île Bizard: Thursday after 10 p.m. at Eugène Dostie Park.
Laval: Friday at 10:15 p.m. at Parc du Moulin.
Longueuil (St. Hubert): Friday at 10 p.m. at Parc de la Cité.
Montreal North: Friday at 10 p.m. at Aimé-Léonard Park.
Pointe Claire: Friday at 10 p.m. at Bourgeau Park.

Speaking of fireworks, the International Fireworks competition starts Saturday, June 25, with China staging a Kung Fu Panda-themed show!

What else is open on Saint Jean Baptiste Day?
If you prefer to avoid the crowds on Saint Jean Baptiste Day, many summer attractions are open on Friday, June 24, including the following:

Au Pays des Merveilles, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Ecomuseum, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Île Ste. Hélène Aquatic Complex, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
La Ronde, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Parc Jean Drapeau Beach, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Granby Zoo, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Parc Safari, 10 to 7 p.m.
Super Aqua Club, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Indoor activities
Montreal Biodôme, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Shed 16 Labyrinth, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Funtropolis play centre, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Jungle Adventure play centre, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Laval Children’s Museum, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Exporail train museum
Movie theatres: The movie Cars 2 opens June 24. See other family films playing in Montreal.

For more information on what city and commercial services are open on St. Jean Baptiste Day, the Montreal Gazette has a list.

Main photo courtesy of Kevin Shortt.