List of events in Quebec City

The following is a list of events that take place in Quebec City.

Festivals and events

Downtown festivals

* Grand Rire (Le) [http://www.grandrire.com Web site in French only] is a comedy festival, which takes place for 10 days in June. Outdoor shows as well as indoor events are performed by local comedians as well as international professionals coming from around the world.
* Fête nationale des Québécois et des Québécoises is celebrated by various activities including one large outside show during the evening on June 23 on the Plains of Abraham. A crowd of over 200,000 fill up the streets of downtown in a festive and violence-free manner.
* Fête du Canada (La) [http://quebec.celafete.ca/index_en.php Web site] is celebrated on June 30 and July 1 at various locations in Old Québec, with shows, special activities and free admission to the national historic sites of the city.
* Festival d'été de Québec (Le) [http://www.infofestival.com Web site] is a major event which is presented annually during two weeks in July. A great number of musical performances (popular, French-speaking and English-speaking, music of the world, classical music) are presented outside. They are usually followed by various artistic performances scattered all around downtown.
* Fête du Faubourg (La) is a street fair which takes place in the Saint-Jean-Baptist district in the first borough (La Cité) during a full weekend at the beginning of July every year.
* Fêtes de la Nouvelle-France (Les) [http://www.nouvellefrance.qc.ca/ Web site] is a week-long major event in August during which various activities allowing visitors to relive the 17th Century, a time at which the Nouvelle France was at its peak. Old Québec and Place Royale are vividly animated during the festival (processions, shows, animation, presentation of the day-to-day life of the period, Nouvelle-France outdoor market, dressed-up observers and citizens, costumed actors, etc.).

Festivals by time of year

Autumn (September & October)

* Envol et macadam [http://www.envoletmacadam.com Web site in French only] is both a contest and a festival of alternative music held annually in September. It is devoted to the latest musical trends (Punk, Hip-hop, Techno, Rock'n'Roll) and features indoor and outdoor shows.
* Fête du quartier Saint-Sauveur is celebrated annually in September in the First District.
* Festival des journées d'Afrique, Danses et Rythmes du monde [http://www.festivaljourneedafrique.com/accueil.htm Web site in French only] is held September, featuring African and Latin American shows.
* Fête Arc-en-ciel [http://alternartquebec.org/ Web site in French only] is a gay and lesbian festival held in September.
* Quebec City Celtic Festival [http://www.festivalceltique.morrin.org/ Web site ] is a celebration of Scottish, Irish and Breton roots including shows, workshops and conferences. It is held in early September.
* Journées de la Culture (Les) [http://www.journeesdelaculture.qc.ca/en/index.htm Web site] offers free cultural events in September
* Québec Ateliers Ouverts [http://www.ateliersouverts.com/ Web site in French only] , held every two years in September. Professional artists and craftsmen open their workshops to the general public to showcase their works and techniques.

Winter (November to March)

* Carnaval de Québec (Le) [http://www.carnaval.qc.ca/en/ Web site] is the biggest winter carnival in the world, held over two weeks in February.
* Coup de cœur Francophone (Le) [http://www.coupdecoeur.qc.ca/2004/index.php?quebec Web site in French only] is a festival of Francophone music held in November each year in 8 Canadian cities. In Quebec City, the event is held over 10 days in small venues.
* Festival des musiques sacrées de Québec (Le) [http://www.festivalmusiquesacree.ca/accueil.html Web site in French only] is held in November and features sacred music from various nations and time periods.
* Parade des jouets (La) [http://www.pompiersdequebec.com/ Web site in French only] is an interactive parade of mascots and floats held in November by city firefighters to collect toys and gifts for local underprivileged children.
* Mois Multi (Le) [http://www.moismulti.org Web site in French only] features electronic, new media and multidisciplinary art exhibits, held annually in February.
* Quebec Celebrates Christmas [http://quebecfetenoel.com/anglais/index.htm Web site] is held in December and January, features activities and exhibits throughout Quebec City.

pring (April & May)

* Festival de cinéma des 3 Amériques (Le) [http://www.festival-inm.com/ Web site in French only] is held over 5 days in March/April featuring independent films from the Americas.
* Carrefour international de théâtre de Québec (even years) and the Théâtres d'ailleurs Festival (odd years) [http://www.carrefourtheatre.qc.ca/ Web site] are held in May or June.
* Festival de la gastronomie du Québec - Coupe des Nations (Le) [http://www.crq.ca/fr/festival/index.asp Web site in French only] , held in April, features competitions in culinary arts and wine making.
* Salon International du Livre de Québec (Le) [http://www.silq.org Web site in French only] takes place in April and features French literature and comic strips from Québec.

ummer (June to August)

* Birthday Of Quebec City [http://www.quebec400.qc.ca/ Web site] give place to family festivals of district in the districts of the city on July 3 of each year. Major demonstrations will take place all summer in 2008 to mark the 400th anniversary of the founding of the city.
* Fetes de la Nouvelle France is a celebration in early August held in remembrance of the early French colonial times.
* Plein art is an arts/crafts exhibition.
* Québec City International Festival Of Military Bands [http://www.fimmq.com/ Web site] is a celebration of military music which is held in August.

Contests

* Concours de musique du Canada (Le) [http://www.prospection.qc.ca/musique/ Web site in French only] was established in Quebec and caters to young Canadian musicians under 25 (under 30 for singers) aspiring to compete at the international level in various disciplines.