What to Do in Québec City in July

Québec City is a great place to stroll around, snap shots, and have some good eats. But it’s also full of history and secrets that come to life with a local guide. A guided tour will leave you seeing the city in a whole new light. If history isn’t your thing, a food tour should manage to do the trick.

Short on time? Hop on and off the fabulous Red Bus as you move from one Old Québec attraction to the next.

Once again this year, Passages Insolites is taking over the city. Follow the 2.5 km walk from the Petit-Champlain to the Old Port to see 17 works that will spark your imagination and tickle your funny bone, dreamed up by contemporary artists from here and abroad.

Note: Image from the previous edition

Festival d'été is back in its original format and promises to be electrifying! The three main stages (Plains of Abraham, Parc de la Francophonie and Place de l'Assemblée-Nationale) will once again welcome international, local and emerging artists, and the restaurant terraces in the surrounding streets will be crowded with happy festival-goers. 

The 2022 line-up includes Maroon 5, Luke Combs, Halsey, Rage Against the Machine, Charlotte Cardin, Jack Johnson and many more!

Taking a boat tour on the St. Lawrence River is a summer vacation classic. Hoist your anchors for stunning views of the city, the river, and both shores.

To explore the gorgeous Île d’Orléans, you can go kayaking during the day or at the sunset, or discover the island’s coves, currents, and maritime history aboard a zodiac with Croisières Orléans.

New this summer, the Croisières AML river shuttle takes you to the Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré dock from the Old Port. An original way to visit the many attractions of Côte-de-Beaupré, such as the Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré Shrine, Mont-Sainte-Anne and Canyon Sainte-Anne.

The immersive exhibition Imagine Monet is on display in the Old Port while Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec hosts America. Between Dreams and Realities, a vast artistic and social panorama of American art.

Over at Musée de la civilisation, the fascinating Pompeii exhibition continues all summer.

The exhibitions are sure to be a big draw, so book your tickets in advance online!

Produced in collaboration with the internationally renowned Québec firm Moment Factory, Onhwa’ Lumina  transports visitors to a magical world combining nature and technology with, as a backdrop, the rich history of the Huron-Wendat Nation. With a length of 1.2 km, Onhwa' Lumina is open to the public at nightfall.

The natural landscapes in the Québec City area are as rich and varied as the culture. It’s like a giant playground made by Mother Nature. The trails lead up dramatic cliffs with sweeping views of the St. Lawrence, through glacial valleys, and into the heart of the boreal forest. From Jacques-Cartier National Park to Sentier des caps de Charlevoix to Vallée Bras-du-Nord, here are the best spots for a short or long hike.

If you want to stay cool this summer, there are plenty of options: waterslides, beaches, pools, and splashpads. With 30+ waterslides and attractions of all kinds, Village Vacances Valcartier is an aquatic paradise. For a day at the beach, try Baie de Beauport : it's only a few minutes from downtown!

As the biggest magic festival in North America, Québec, MAGIC city! will make the city even more magical by offering more than 500 hours of free entertainment in 7 days for the whole family.

At the same time, Québec City will also host the World Championship of Magic. Over 2,500 magicians from across the globe will gather to perform tricks and illusions during this one-of-a-kind competition. Will you be lucky enough to attend one of the galas featuring world-class artists?

Pope Francis will be visiting Canada July 24-29, 2022 and will be in Québec City July 27-29. It will provide a unique opportunity for him to listen and interact with Indigenous Peoples, to address the impact of colonization and the participation of the Catholic Church in the operation of residential schools throughout Canada, all with the aim of pursuing the path to reconciliation.

The public is invited to gather on the Plains of Abraham, where there will be Indigenous cultural events as well as the chance to view papal events on large screens.

It is better to plan your stay during this period as soon as possible.