It wasn't a music "festival", but if I told you that the first big concert I ever attended was a…read moredouble bill of The Beach Boys and Fleetwood Mac you could reasonably assume that Quebec City's 11-day FEQ Festival might not be my jam but surprise: I loved it. One ticket gets you admission to all of the paid stages featuring 11 nights of music. No ticket is needed for admission to the free stage also featuring very good music. During FEQ the streets come alive in the early evening, with sponsor, vendor, food, and drink booths. Participating in any part of the FEQ experience pretty much makes it unnecessary to plan anything else for your evenings; it's literally where everyone is. When a couple evenings of music are canceled due to impending thunderstorms attendees leave in an orderly fashion understanding that their ticket will get them into all of the shows on another night and, well, what are you going to do about inclement weather? There are many different prices of admission to FEQ and what you pay dictates where you'll sit or stand during the shows. The artists - at least in 2023 - don't seem to be the biggest names in the business but many were well known (e.g. Foo Fighters, Green Day). In addition to the free stage a VIP pass got me into the Plains of Abraham stage one evening: 3 bands, huge screens, great sound, lots of fun. Festival tickets sell out but whether or not you have them, planning a trip to coincide with this festival is the right way to see Quebec City.

This is a world class festival. The biggest and longest one in canada!…read more The first time I saw FEQ, I had no idea what it was but just notices the huge crowds near the citadel and parliament. The place is on fire. People are kind and it's just a great festival with great music. There are 3 stages and each one has either 3-6 performers at each one. The quebec loto stage is more personable and only allows about 2000 people each night. The bell stage allows up to 90000 people! They frequently close the gates around 8pm for big shows bc it reaches capacity. For me the best part is the run to the stage. They open the gates at 6pm and people run to their preffered spots on the gate. Along the middle most musicians come up close for you to get amazing photos and even high five you! It's magical and I am so addicted to front row. It is outside and weather dependant but I've only had 2 shows cancelled by weather in two years (imagine dragons and Luis fonsi). They do close if there is lightening or thunder.

This was our second visit to Quebec's Winter Carnival but it probably won't be our last. It's such…read morea fun, upbeat festival. There's so much to do, depending on the date and location. Our favorites this time around were the ice sculpting workshop and watching the ice canoe race from the ferry. We were disappointed that the professional ice sculptures were not throughout the city like they were two years ago, now you have to pay to see them. It was so fun seeing them as we explored the city last time.

Loved this! The parade is awesome. Try the beaver tails if you go! The ambiance from the nein…read morelights and the amazing ice sculptures are awesome. If you are in the area this is definitely a must do. Bundle up and use hot hands in gloves and boots!!!

If you plan to come to Quebec City, try to make it around when this festival is going on - this…read moreyear it will be from August 6 to 9. We came across the festival while exploring the area and we were glad to have been there. Definitely recommended if you want to have some fun and explore some of the local cultures. Great food, music and many people dressed in traditional attire give a very unique vibe to the festival. Do try the Chic Choc Spiced Rum along with some fantastic live music. Kids can have a great time at the corner where there is a large sketch, open to fill colors into. We visited just one evening and had a great time.

BEST FIREWORKS SHOW EVER!! ========================…read more I booked two rooms at the Quebec City Hilton for the evening on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 and the view of the fireworks from those rooms was perfect. I'll let you know which rooms so you can request them because the view was incredible. My husband and I booked room #2210 and my son had room #2213. I heard the hotel may be renovated soon, but we loved it. Per this article it will closed for most of 2020. https://newsroom.hilton.com/hilton/news/hilton-qubec-to-undergo-complete-renovation-in-2020 Here is the website that details that fireworks happen on multiple days. https://www.quebec-cite.com/en/what-to-do/events/grands-feux-loto-quebec/ Look at my videos to see how amazing the fireworks are.

One of the many free festivals that takes advantage of the perfect Quebec summer weather…read more The mini parade and fireworks show on Wednesday, Aug 17, was a partnership with the Festival Celtique de Quebec. Before the fireworks show, there was a Celtic/Irish dance performance, and a group in kilts parading down the port playing the bagpipes. Lighted fairies took pictures with kids, and a BMX rider did tricks over a volunteer festival-goer. The fireworks show was a full 20 minutes and choreographed to Celtic music, sparkling right above the St. Lawrence River. Overall a fantastic evening. What's not to love?

SPOT was borne from a student project at the Laval University School of Architecture, and was…read moredesigned as a communal gathering place for free events. If you're just passing through (the SPOT was my stopping point, walking down Rue St. Joseph), it's a great place to catch your breath, put up your feet, and use the free WiFi to catch up on your daily dose of social media. There's plenty of seating: swings, ball-chairs, and a long deck bench surrounding the trees. The immediate vicinity has a sketchier feel but I never felt unsafe, especially since it was early Friday afternoon, and I mostly saw parents chatting with each other as their kids read library books under the trees, or played in the sand. A DJ was already up on his perch in the booth, churning out tunes. As this is not in a touristy area of Quebec, you can get a good sense of the local community. Unfortunately I had to leave the SPOT for dinner, but I wish I could have stayed to celebrate the start of the weekend with the locals!