Events & Festivals in Quebec City

A mid-winter festival that brings blues and roots music to warm up the cold nights. Concerts are held in cozy clubs and bars, primarily in the Saint-Roch district. It features both local talent and touring acts, creating an intimate listening environment for music fans.

One of the world's largest winter festivals transforms Quebec City. Ice sculptures, night parades, and outdoor snow slides fill multiple sites, including the Plains of Abraham. Public ice canoe races on the St. Lawrence River draw crowds. Families love it. Dress warmly for extended outdoor fun.

Local restaurants and chefs serve creative soup samples in a festive indoor venue. Attendees vote for favorites. The event supports local community organizations. It's social. It's culinary. Food lovers appreciate it on chilly early spring days in Quebec City.

A festival celebrating hunting, fishing, and outdoor life, featuring exhibitions of equipment, seminars on wildlife, and demonstrations of traditional skills like fly-tying. It connects with the rural and regional culture surrounding Quebec City. It suits outdoor enthusiasts and families.

Spring thaw brings sugar shack season to the Quebec City region. Many open to the public for traditional maple syrup meals and demonstrations. These are often all-you-can-eat feasts featuring maple-glazed ham, baked beans, and tire sur la neige (maple taffy on snow). Go hungry.

Authors, publishers, and readers gather for days of book signings, discussions, and literary workshops. French-language literature from Quebec and beyond takes center stage. The atmosphere welcomes intellectuals and aspiring writers. Many sessions are interactive.

Throughout the summer, the Saint-Joseph Street area in Saint-Roch hosts periodic weekend street closures with free live music stages, outdoor terrasses, and food trucks. The vibe is casual and local, focusing on Quebec indie bands and electronic DJs. It appeals to a younger crowd.

Quebec's national day is celebrated passionately across the city with free public concerts, community picnics, and street parties. The largest official concert is held on the Plains of Abraham. The day is marked by the display of fleur-de-lys flags and a strong sense of cultural pride.

On the eve and day of the Fête nationale, special masses and religious ceremonies fill historic churches like Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral. They honor Saint John the Baptist, the patron saint of French Canadians. These services are solemn and traditional. They offer a different perspective on the holiday.

Hundreds of performances fill outdoor stages across downtown Quebec City. Rock, pop, world music, and electronic acts play. The Plains of Abraham site draws massive crowds for headliners. Music lovers comfortable with big festival atmospheres thrive here.

The city's historic port market operates year-round but is most lively in summer, with additional outdoor stalls for local farmers, flower sellers, and artisans. It's a place to buy fresh produce, local cheeses, and picnic supplies. The atmosphere is lively and authentically local.

Military bands from Canada and around the world perform formal concerts and free outdoor marches through historic streets. A massed bands performance and solemn remembrance ceremony anchor the event. The atmosphere stirs and celebrates. Marching music fans love it.

This event recreates early 18th-century New France in Old Quebec. Participants in period costume demonstrate traditional crafts, music, and dance. Historical reenactments, tavern nights, and artisan markets fill the streets. History enthusiasts and families find it immersive.

Livestock competitions, carnival rides, food pavilions, and grandstand shows fill this traditional agricultural fair. Local and regional produce and crafts take center stage. Nightly concerts and a demolition derby round out the event. Families and rural tradition enthusiasts enjoy it.

This festival sits just outside Quebec City. Yet draws crowds from across the region. Hundreds of hot air balloons fill the sky at dawn and dusk. The event also includes amusement rides, concerts, and night glows where tethered balloons are lit. It creates a memorable atmosphere for all ages.

A smaller, more focused historical event within the New France Festival period, featuring detailed military encampments, dueling demonstrations, and period music. Reenactors are dedicated to authenticity. It has a deeper dive into 18th-century life for history buffs.

A marathon and half-marathon that courses through the scenic streets of Quebec City, including routes along the St. Lawrence River and through historic areas. The event attracts competitive runners and recreational participants. The atmosphere is supportive, with cheering stations throughout the city.

Top international women players compete in this professional tennis tournament, part of the WTA tour. Indoor hard courts host matches. Qualifying rounds and main draw matches span several days. A knowledgeable sports crowd attends. Tennis enthusiasts enjoy it.

This festival shows new cinema from Quebec, Canada, and around the world, with a focus on independent and auteur films. Screenings are held in modern theaters, often followed by Q&A sessions with directors. The event attracts a film-savvy local crowd and visiting cinephiles.

A neighborhood street festival in the working-class Limoilou district, celebrating local culture with free outdoor concerts, children's activities, and food stands featuring area restaurants. It has a strong community feel and is less tourist-focused than downtown events.

Jazz, blues, and world music fill intimate concert halls and smaller clubs. Established international artists and emerging Canadian talent share the stage. The focus is listening and discovery, not spectacle. Dedicated music fans appreciate it.

A major fine craft and design fair held in Quebec City, featuring the work of master artisans from across the province. Items include ceramics, glass, jewelry, and textiles. The event is a serious marketplace for high-quality, handmade objects, attracting collectors and design enthusiasts.

Wooden chalets fill the historic district with European-style Christmas decorations, crafts, and food. Mulled wine, sausages, and gingerbread warm visitors. Old Quebec's architecture frames a classic holiday atmosphere. Couples and families love it.

A traditional holiday parade with marching bands, floats, and performers that winds through the lower town of Old Quebec. It marks the official start of the Christmas season in the city. The event is family-oriented and culminates with the arrival of Santa Claus.

Local artisans, food producers, and bakers fill this seasonal indoor market. Cheeses, preserves, crafts, and holiday gifts line the stalls. The cozy, community-focused atmosphere offers refuge from larger commercial holiday crowds. Find local products here.

A smaller, curated Christmas market experience focusing on high-quality European and Quebecois artisan goods, often held in an elegant indoor venue. The selection leans towards fine foods, decorations, and gifts. The atmosphere is more refined and less crowded than the large outdoor market.