Events

January

Carnaval de Quebec Mr. Christie

Held in late January – mid February

Location:

290, rue Joly

Québec QC G1L 1N8

418-626-3716    

The Quebec Winter Carnival is a great winter celebration for the entire family. It is a gathering of art, culture, sports and entertainment in an event that people from around the world are invited to share.

February

Antique Snowmobile Festival

Held in early February

Location:  Centre-ville de Saint-Raymond
418-337-4049

Call for additional information

Winter Carnival – Le Carnaval de Quebec

Held in late January – mid February

Location:

290, rue Joly

Québec QC G1L 1N8

418-626-3716    

The largest singular event on the city's social calendar is the Winter Carnival, reputedly the biggest annual event of its kind in the world and one of the reasons why Québec City gets as jammed with people in the middle of winter as it does in summer. The carnival features parades, ice sculptures, dances, a snow slide that sets up on Terrasse Dufferin, and the vigorous downing of locally brewed beers such as  St. Ambroise and Boréale. The master of ceremonies since the festival began in 1954 has been a    character called Bonhomme, who allegedly snowshoes in from a place called Knulandis  and appears around town dressed only in a red hat and a jolly grin.

March

Papillons en fete

Held mid February – mid April 
Location:

6029, boulevard Hamel, L'Ancienne-Lorette

418-872-9705

Exotic butterfly sanctuary

June

Air Nova Horse Show

Held over 4 days in late June

Location:  St-Jean-Baptiste

418-647-1300 (2248)

Admission free to most events

For four days in late June the Plains of Abraham are transformed into a giant equestrian circuit. This is a premiere stop on the World Cup, attracting well-known horses and riders from around the world; everything from pony rides for the kids to riding accessories and polo demonstrations are offered. Past events have also included an equestrian circus, dog show, miniature horse exhibitions and art exhibits. A moderately priced Show Button  offers complete access to all events.

July

Quebec International Summer Festival

Held in early – mid July

Location: Quebec City

514-284-2860

To meet their objective, event planners have turned not only to the stars of Québec's 70s musical scene but also to outstanding representatives of the younger generation of performing artists who, together, will renew the spirit of fraternity epitomizing this mega-gathering of cultures, a forerunner of today's Québec City Summer Festival.

Les Grands Feux Loto-Quebec

Held end of July – mid August

Location:  Montmorency Falls Park

418- 692-3736

There could hardly be a more spectacular venue for international competitive fireworks displays than Montmorency Falls Park, just outside of Quebec City. Illuminating the night sky and the falls themselves, teams from around the world compete over three weeks for the coveted Solstice Loto-Qubec award; traditional favourites include Italy, Spain and South Africa's Pyro Spectacular. Regular admission to the park is free (parking is CAD7), and spectators can set up camp anywhere on the grounds.

August

Expo Quebec

Held in mid – late August

Location:

Centre de Foires, Expocité.
250 boul. Wilfrid-Hamel.
418-691-7110

Relive childhood memories at Expo Québec, the biggest fairground in eastern Canada which offers a wide variety of exciting activities!

SAQ New France Festival

Held in early August

Location: Old Quebec

5, rue du Cul-de-Sac, C.P. 128, succ. B
Québec, Québec
Canada G1K 7A1
418-694-3311

Festivities feature the history and heritage of New France and encourage visitors to join in the fun. The 5-day event is held in the heart of Old Quebec.

October

The Quebec City Festival of Sacred Music

Held in late October – early November

Location:

Église Saint-Roch.
590, rue Saint-Joseph Est.

418-525-9777

From Gospel music to Gregorian chants, from Corsican polyphony to Celtic sounds, the Festival features music inspired by the world’s many spiritual traditions, both ancient and contemporary, performed by artists of international fame. Through their art, they give expression to sacred music’s power to create a sense of both peace and exaltation.

December

Nokia Snowboard FIS World Cup

Held in mid December

Location:

Station Touristique Stoneham
1420 avenue du Hibou
418-827-1122

Some of the best riders of the World compete in the Halfpipe, Big Air, Parallel Giant Slalom, and Parallel Slalom disciplines.

Arts and Entertainment

Quebec Opera

1220 avenue Taché
Québec, QC G1R 3B4

418-529-4142

Performances held at the Grand Theatre de Quebec

Call for performance schedule

Quebec Symphony Orchestra

Location: Montcalm/St-Sacrement

418-646-8486

Season runs September – May, call for schedule

Boasting a remarkable amount of musical talent for a city of Quebec's size, this top-notch orchestra delivers a full program of concerts and events.

Theatre de la Bordee

Located in Old Quebec

418-694-9721

Call for additional information and schedule

One of a surprising number of small independent theatre companies in Quebec City, this venerable organization mounts four productions annually.

Theatre Periscope

Located in Montcalm/St-Sacrement

418-648-9989

Call for additional information and schedule
Situated at the creative forefront of Quebec theatre, the Periscope also sponsors public discussion sessions with respect to their program and art in general.

Elvis Story

Located in Old Quebec

418-694-4444
Call for additional information and schedule

This rollicking chronicle of Elvis Presley's runs at Quebec City's Le Capitôle theatre, and audiences show no sign of tiring of the now infamous production. Hear all of the King's most famous numbers during the biographical drama, including a show-stopping medley of "Blue Suede Shoes," "Shake, Rattle and Roll" and "Heartbreak Hotel."

Theatre du Trident

Located in Montcalm/St-Sacrement

418-643-5873
Call for additional information and schedule
One of Quebec City's premier theatre companies, staging plays from Quebec and around the world.

Grand Theatre de Quebec

Located in Montcalm/St-Sacrement

418-643-8131
Call for additional information and schedule
Quebec City's modern theatre stands in stark contrast to the venerable beauty of the Palais Montcalm, which it effectively replaced. Built in the mid-1960s, the home of the Quebec Symphony Orchestra and l'Opera de Quebec does have its own charm, however. The Salle Louis-Frechette seats 1,875 in a classic four-tier arrangement, while the Salle Octave-Cremazie is a more intimate option at 506 seats. With a huge annual program befitting a first-class, multi-use facility, any visitor with an interest in the arts is likely to find himself, enjoyably, at the Grand.

Sports

Capitales Baseball Club of the Northern League

Games played at the Municipal Stadium

100 rue du Cardinal Maurice-Roy

418-521-2255

Call for additional information and schedule

Hippodrome de Quebec

Professional harness racing

250 bd. Wilfrid-Hamel ExpoCité

418-524-5283

Admission free

Races held year round