Québec City's Top Summer Events
In summer, Québec City comes alive with a contagious energy. From world-renowned festivals like the Festival d'été and the New France Festival to street performances and outdoor celebrations, every corner of the city pulses with excitement. Get ready to dive into a season where music, culture, and fun fill the air. And when winter arrives, the magic continues—don’t miss the magic of Québec’s winter events, waiting for you.
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KWE! Meet with Indigenous Peoples
Mid-June
Seize an opportunity to discover Indigenous culture right in Québec City. At KWE! Meet with Indigenous Peoples, you’ll get to hear from the ten First Nations and Inuit living in the province and learn what it means to be Indigenous in modern‑day Québec. Drop by this free annual event to discuss current issues, attend workshops on various traditions, or see artisans sharing their craft. It’s a festival full of cooking, dancing, singing, talks, movies, and more.
Audet Photo
2Wendake International Pow-Wow
End of June
First Nations of here and beyond compete to the beat of drums during a palette of top-level dance competitions in their traditional regalia. Handicraft making workshops, various traditional know-how demonstrations and authentic First Nations food tastings are also part of the program.
Festival d'été de Québec, André-Olivier Lyra
3Festival d'été de Québec
Early July
Canada’s largest outdoor music event, Festival d'été de Québec, presents a string of international superstars along with top new talents. Enjoy 300 shows and 1 000 artists!
The 2025 lineup includes: Rod Stewart, Benson Boone, Avril Lavigne, Def Leppard, Slayer, and Shania Twain.
Festival d'opéra
4Québec Opera Festival
End of July
Two weeks of pure summer wonderment, accompanied by creators and exceptional lyric artists, in a profusion of events that showcase international and Québec artists of today and tomorrow.
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Juste pour rire Québec (Just for laughs)
August
The Juste pour rire festival is “the” comedy event in Québec City. The fresh and varied program features a number of major shows as well as exclusive television productions.
Jasmin Brochu
6Grands Feux Loto-Québec (Fireworks)
August (every Tuesday and Thursday)
From an excellent vantage point on the bank of the St. Lawrence River, you can watch the brilliant pyrotechnical display light up the night sky. The fireworks are launched from a firing platform in the middle of the river, in front of the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac.
Audet Photo
7Les Fêtes de la Nouvelle-France (New France Festival)
Early August
Experience life as it was in New France during the French Regime in the 17th and 18th centuries. For four exciting days, shows and performers will breathe new life into historical Old Québec as well as gourmet activities, storytelling and re-enactments.
André-Olivier Lyra
8Cigale
Mid-August
Baie de Beauport is THE spot to feel like you're on vacation as soon as you set foot there! By adding musical performances on two stages for three days, craft beers, cocktails and something to satisfy your hunger, you get a perfect moment with friends!
Étienne Dionne
9Festibière de Québec (Beer Festival)
Mid-August
The Festibière beer festival is the summer event for beer lovers that are eager to discover new variants of their favourite brew. Enjoy tastings of some fifty exhibitors from across the province of Québec displaying their wares: microbreweries, local food producers, cider makers and more.
Laetitia photographe
10Plein Art
End of August
Meet with over 120 professional artisans at this craft fair. Admire the creativity and talent that went into producing an interesting selection of unique decorative or everyday items.
Fierté de Québec
11Fierté de Québec (Québec Pride)
Early September
This social and arts festival celebrates the 2SLGBTQ+ community with a colourful and exciting program: community days, free music and drag queen shows, parties, street theatre, LGBT rights conference and more.
Bleufeu
12St-Roch XP
Early September
The Saint-Joseph Street area comes alive with a mix of ticketed indoor shows and dozens of free performances in unexpected places—all set in a festive and creative atmosphere.
Annie Arsenault
13Québec City Celtic Festival
Early September
Come celebrate the celtic roots and culture of the ancient Celts, especially those from Brittany, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Galicia and the Isle of Man.
Envol et Macadam
14Envol et Macadam
Early September
Envol et Macadam is an urban festival featuring concerts that showcase the best new and established alternative music bands from here and around the world.
James Startt
15Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec
Early September
The world’s best bike racing teams will gather in Québec City to compete in this major race. Part of the UCI WorldTour, the Grand Prix Cycliste is always exciting. This is one event sports fans will not want to miss!
Festival de cinema de la ville de Québec
16Québec City Film Festival
Mid-September
Classic films and new works of all kinds and for every style are presented in one of the 6 venues of the Québec City Film Festival.
Philippe Ruel photographie
17Festival Fono
Mid-September
This new music festival comes to life on the Université Laval campus. Three days of music, discovery, and fun in a vibrant, welcoming setting.
Philippe Roger
18Marathon de Québec
Early October
Thousands of participants from all over the world are expected to take part in this international sporting event.
Ville de Québec
19Réverbère
Early October
Réverbère is a free festival that transforms Old Québec into a vibrant stage, featuring nearly 200 eclectic performances of dance, music, circus, and theatre by local and international artists.
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