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The Main Media Inc. 2026

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    1. Articles
    2. Arts & Culture

    The best cheap things to do in Montreal for $20 or less

    How to eat, drink, and explore the city without breaking the bank.

    By The MainMarch 6, 2025 - Read time: 6 min
    The best cheap things to do in Montreal for $20 or lessPhotograph: Ville de Montréal - Mathieu Sparks

    Places featured in this article

    Montreal Museum of Fine ArtsRedpath MuseumMcCord Stewart MuseumThe Comedy NestImpro Montréal / Montreal ImprovBar Le Ritz PDBMariposa CaféTurbo HaüsGrumpy'sSociety for Arts and Technology [SAT]Théâtre de VerdureParc La FontaineCentaur TheatreDawson CollegeMAIArsenal art contemporain MontréalCentre PHIThe Belgo BuildingJean Talon MarketAtwater MarketLachine CanalParc Sir-Wilfrid-LaurierMount Royalensō yogaLe Club Caféciele athleticsBarBaraBeaver LakeEsplanade TranquilleAtrium Le 1000

    Having a good time in Montreal doesn’t have to drain your wallet, and the best cheap things to do in Montreal we've collected here show just how much this city is built for loitering and lounging without lightening your wallet too much.

    The best moments don’t come with a price tag, and even when they do, there are ways to work the system: Free museum days, amateur comedy nights, open mics, cutting-edge art, you name it—Montreal may not be the cheapest city, but that doesn’t mean you need to spend a fortune to enjoy it.

    The best parts of this place—its food, its culture, its street-level energy—are either free or come at a price that won’t have you checking your bank balance in regret. This guide is proof of how you can do Montreal for under $20.

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    The Bulletin: Dancing high above Mile End, rush hour cocktails, and new projects galore [Issue #119]

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    The Bulletin: Dancing high above Mile End, rush hour cocktails, and new projects galore [Issue #119]

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