Free activities to do in July in Quebec

Festivals, museums, Canada Day, there will be no shortage of free activities in July in the National Capital.

Canada Day

On July 1, Canada Day celebrations will begin at 11 a.m. on Dufferin Terrace with the flag-raising ceremony in the presence of the Royal 22e Régiment. Subsequently, at midday, young and old will be invited to share the traditional cake Happy Birthday Canadaprepared by the Fairmont-Le Château Frontenac.

A big family party will be held from noon to 5 p.m. on the Plains of Abraham. Entertainment and an inflatable games village, an arcade bus with a host of retro games, mini-golf and fairground games, a face painting station with the Kromatik team and a fun area with giant games will be available.

On the main stage, at noon, the public will be able to enjoy a show of traditional Huron-Wendat dances and songs. At 2:15 p.m., it will be Arthur L’aventurier’s turn to offer his show on the theme of the treasures of Morocco. At 3:15 p.m., still on the main stage, we will be able to admire traditional Mexican dances while Productions Katomix will offer their show from 4:15 p.m. Discovering dinosaurs.

In the evening, the big winner of the 2022 Canada’s Got Talent competition, Jeanick Fournier, will perform at the Edwin-Bélanger bandstand, starting at 8 p.m. Then, starting at 9:30 p.m., and new this year, we will see the immersive laser show Stellaris which combines visual and musical effects.

Helen McNicoll’s Impressionism at the MNBAQ and Gladiators at the Museum of Civilization

On the first Sunday of the month, July 7, access to several Quebec museums will be free for Quebec residents. The Museum of Civilization invites us to discover its new exhibitions in particular Gladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum et Quebec, in other words.

Meanwhile, the National Museum of Fine Arts of Quebec offers, among other things, two major temporary exhibitions: Rembrandt. Engravings from the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen allows us to admire the work of the great master Dutchman who revolutionized the art of engraving in the 17th century, while the exhibition Helen McNicoll. An impressionist journey takes us to the heart of the luminous work of a little-known Canadian painter from the turn of the 20th century.

Two free stages and FEQ Pop-Ups, from July 4 to 14

The Festival d’été de Québec doesn’t just offer shows that are accessible with a pass. Two of its major sites offer a full program that is completely free: at the Place de l’Assemblée-Nationale and at the Place d’Youville. You can see artists such as jazz bassist Carl Mayotte, Jérôme 50, American singer and composer Nicole Wray aka Lady Wray, Queen Omega with her irresistible reggae, as well as Mon Doux Saigneur.

In addition, on Saturdays and Sundays, a family program awaits festival-goers at the Place de l’Assemblee-Nationale, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Marc Trudel, Bill Bestiole, Kalimba and Le livre Magique will each offer their show.

Finally, the FEQ Pop-Ups will be back. These surprise shows will take place this year at the Cercle de la Garnison. The artists featured in these short performances will not be revealed before the Pop-Ups.

And, not far from Quebec

Near Quebec City, Le Festif! in Baie-Saint-Paul will offer a large number of free shows, of various styles, and on various stages. This will be an opportunity to see several international groups and artists, such as Soul Glo, Bombino, Maïa Barouh and Ibibio Sound Machine.

We will also have a meeting with a number of Quebec artists such as Yves Lambert and his entire gang, Érika Zarya, and Arielle Roberge.