Top 10 Festivals in Quebec

Home to the first permanent settlement, and the largest French-speaking population in Canada, the province of Quebec is rich with its own distinct history, religion and culture. Residents are able to maintain and celebrate this individuality year round, with a variety of festivals occurring throughout the region. Every year Quebec plays host to thousands of events, recognizing and showcasing everything from its European roots and musical influences to the diverse international communities within this fine Canadian province. In fact, the city of Montreal is widely known as the “city of festivals”.

With such an abundance of quality celebrations held each year, it is a difficult task to determine the very best. The number and variety of activities, relevance of the celebration, safety of the event and size of the festival must all be equally considered before naming a top ten. Each of the following Quebec festivals celebrate an important part of Quebec and Canadian culture, show commitment to the public's safety, and continually draw large numbers of visitors to partake in the festivities.

LES FRANCOFOLIES DE MONTREAL

Les Francofolies de Montreal is the festival to visit if interested in music both eclectic and obscure. With French-speaking bands from every genre, including rap, swing, Creole and much more, this 11-day festival offers concerts far from the mainstream of North American pop culture. Each summer almost one million people visit the city of Montreal to revel in the lively, upbeat atmosphere and celebrate French music. The 1,000 plus artists coming from all over the world collectively offer some 250 performances, varying from free outdoor shows to large indoor concerts.

Street Performers During Montreal Festival1

FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL DE JAZZ DE MONTREAL

For 11 days every summer, the city of Montreal plays host to the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal or “Jazzfest”, as it has come to be known. It is the largest jazz festival in the world; a reputation it has earned by consistently drawing large crowds and prominent musicians since it was first established in 1980. Past artists who have performed at this celebrated festival include Ray Charles, Chick Corea, Ella Fitzgerald and Miles Davis.

Today, over two million people are drawn to the heart of Montreal to lose themselves in the diverse and electric atmosphere this festival provides. Several city blocks, littered with cafes, bistros, galleries and street performers, are closed to traffic to create an environment both festive and safe. Some 500 concerts are offered at venues in the surrounding area, from free outdoor shows and small jazz club performances to grand concerts in the vast halls of Place des Arts.

	Parade During Carnaval De Quebec2

CARNAVAL DE QUEBEC

Every winter Quebec City, like the rest of Canada, is transformed into a beautiful winter wonderland. During this time, the city celebrates this seasonal transformation with a 17 day-long carnival, known as Carnaval De Quebec. Said to be the largest of its kind, this celebration allows participants to revel in all things winter, snow and sub zero temperatures.

Quite fittingly, the mascot for this winter-time extravaganza is Bonhomme Carnavale, a toque-wearing snowman that lives in a palace made completely of ice. This palace, which is built with a new design each year, is one of Carnaval de Quebec's biggest and most well-known attractions. Other allures involve the long list of carnival activities which include, but are certainly not limited to, dog sled races, a soap box derby, dance parties, and the annual snow bath.

FESTIVAL D'ETE DE QUEBEC

It isn't merely the coming of winter that Quebec City's residents know how to celebrate. During the first week of July, the city hosts a celebration equal to, if not greater than, its winter-time counterpart. Eleven days of street performances and indoor and outdoor concerts bring over one million visitors to Quebec's capital each summer for the Festival d'Ete de Quebec. This substantial music festival boasts an ability to overcome geographical and cultural barriers, offering musical acts of every genre. With rock, pop, reggae, electronic, blues, folk, classical and other performances, there is a little something for every music lover. The majority of concerts take place at three major venues throughout Quebec City, the Plains of Abraham, Parc de la Francophonie, and the Place d'Youville.

New France Festival3

FETES DE LA NOUVELLE-FRANCE

As a doorway to North American colonization, Quebec City is rich with Canadian history. What began as a settlement of six families, totalling 28 people, has blossomed into a city exceeding 500,000 over of the last 400 years. The lives of these early European settlers is celebrated over the course of five days each August, during the Fetes De La Nouvelle-France (New France Festival). Throughout the historic district of Old Quebec, the province's rich history is brought to life through displays, performances, parades, stories, dancing and a number of other cultural activities. The event is known for its outstanding crowd participation as a considerable portion of the yearly visitors dress up as peasants, nobles, and bourgeoisie while taking part in festival activities.

JUST FOR LAUGHS FESTIVAL

Consisting of over 600 international comedic performances, the Just For Laughs Festival is sure to tickle everybody's funny bone. This event is the largest in the world dedicated to the art of stand-up comedy, motivating people from all corners of the world to flock to Montreal each July to celebrate humour in every form. It is considered the optimal opportunity for emerging and established performers alike, showcasing such comedic giants as Jerry Seinfeld, Colin Mochrie, Tim Allen, John Stewart and Ray Ramano.

Due to the bilingual culture of Montreal, this month-long event is split evenly between the two languages, dedicating the first half to French-speaking performers and the second to English-speaking ones. Both international and non-verbal acts are dispersed through its entirety. Aside from nightly comedy shows, street performers accumulate in the Latin Quarter district of the city to perform each day.

FESTIVAL MONTREAL EN LUMIERE

There is no doubt that Canadian winters can be long and cold. But with Montreal's Festival Montreal En Lumiere (High Lights Festival), there is a light at the end of that tunnel. Over the course of 11 days near the end of February and beginning of March, when winter's hold over Quebec is beginning to relax, residents of Quebec celebrate with a festival of lights. Numerous displays of luminescence scatter the streets, from projections that cover entire buildings to fireworks that illuminate the night sky. Family activities are held throughout the event's entirety, including ice sliding, skating, concerts and performances. The annual underground foot-race, all-nighter and thriving night life scene have proven to be just a few of the High Lights Festival's most successful attractions.

FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL MONTREAL EN ARTS

Held during the month of July, the Festival International Montreal En Arts showcases over 150 Quebecois and Canadian artists. The three-day event creates an intense atmosphere of colour and creativity throughout downtown Montreal. Visitors can roam a section of Saint Catherine Street, known during the festival as the “boulavART”, viewing displays of paintings, sculptures, jewellery, and photographs while interacting with the artists directly. At the end of the festival, awards for achievement in the arts are presented, including an award that is voted on by the public. Exhibits of both established and emerging artists, live art performances, and the buzzing ambiance make this festival an outstanding summer event.

Les Grands Fuex Loto-Quebec4

LES GRANDS FUEX LOTO-QUEBEC

There is no doubt that the 76-m (250 ft) Montmorency Falls, located ten km east of Quebec City,is a stunning sight all on its own. Each summer however, the Falls' beauty only heightens during the nineteen days it plays host to Les Grands Fuex Loto-Quebec, an international fireworks competition. Each night, a different national team showcases their talents with an innovative display of fireworks set off to a unique musical piece. A large number of visitors attend the show each year, drawn by these stunning pyro-musical performances. On the final day, prizes are awarded to the teams, including the “Public's Choice” award.

FESTIVAL DES FILMS MONDE

With the hopes of encouraging cultural diversity and understanding between nations, stimulating the development of quality cinema and discovering new talent in the cinematic field, Montreal plays host to an annual World Film Festival, Festival Des Films Monde. Representatives from nations across the globe submit films and other cinematic pieces to be viewed on a grand scale. The 11 days that make up this internationally renowned event include premieres, competitions, screenings and tributes. A number of prizes are awarded at the completion of the festival recognizing excellence in acting, directing, writing, and innovation in the world of cinematography.

1. Street Performers During Montreal Festival; Montreal, QC, Canada
2. Parade During Carnaval De Quebec; Quebec City, QC, Canada
3. New France Festival; Quebec City, QC, Canada
4. Les Grands Fuex Loto-Quebec; Montreal, QC, Canada