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
