Copier le lien

Facebook

X (Twitter)

Discord

Things to Do

St-Tite Western Festival: ten days of rodeo, September 11 to 20

The biggest western attraction in eastern Canada draws over 700,000 visitors over ten days in Saint-Tite, Mauricie.

Vieauqc TeamAugust 13, 2026

Listen

Listen to the articleParagraph 1 / 6

Speed

A festival like no other. From September 11 to 20, 2026, Saint-Tite, in Mauricie, becomes North America's rodeo capital. The festival is known for the quality of its rodeos and won the title of best outdoor rodeo in North America for 20 years.

Impressive numbers. It is the biggest western attraction in eastern Canada: more than 700,000 visitors over ten days, according to the event's official page on Bonjour Québec. Rodeos are at the heart of the program, with competitions, races and equestrian demonstrations.

Something for everyone. Parades, shows and concerts, fireworks, amusement rides, a mini farm, children's entertainment: the festival also offers carriage rides, horseback riding and a food fair. A shuttle service is available to make the site easier to reach.

How to get there. Saint-Tite is about a two-hour drive from Montreal, north of Trois-Rivières. Tickets for rodeos and shows are sold on the festival's official website. Accommodation is in high demand during the festival: book early if you plan to stay overnight.

Good to know for newcomers: the St-Tite Western Festival is a unique cultural experience, far from the usual image of Quebec. The shows are in French, and the rodeos always surprise newcomers. If you go with children, the parades and the mini farm are a hit.

Go deeper

Our full guides on this topic

Cultural Festivals in Quebec: The Major Events CalendarQuebec's major festivals that Quebecers look forward to all year — music, comedy, winter, film, food — with dates, free access and tips to make the most of them.

More in Things to Do

Our other articles in this category

Vieauqc TeamToday

Things to Do

The Riopelle Space at the MNBAQ: four days of celebrations, October 22 to 25

The new pavilion dedicated to Jean Paul Riopelle opens in Quebec City from October 22 to 25, 2026, with 130 works and celebrations to discover.

An event announced on August 12. The Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec (MNBAQ) invites the public to celebrate the opening of the Espace Riopelle – Michael Audain Pavilion from October 22 to 25, 2026, as announced in the Museum's release. It is one of the most significant recent architectural and cultural projects in Quebec. Who it is for. Jean Paul Riopelle (1923-2002) is one of the most important Quebec and Canadian artists of the 20th century, associated with the Automatist movement. The new pavilion, built with a budget of $84 million, presents more than 130 Riopelle works from the Museum's collection: the largest public collection devoted to the artist. The three-storey, 5,000 m² building also houses a new presentation of the national collection of modern art. What is on during the celebrations. Four inaugural exhibitions are on display, including the Riopelle, l'expression du geste retrospective and Hommage à Rosa Luxemburg, a 40-metre fresco shown over nearly 360…

Read the full story →Go deeper: Festivals and Cultural Life in Quebec City

Vieauqc TeamTodaymontreal

Things to Do

Halloween at La Ronde: the Fright Fest, October 3 to 25

For the first time, La Ronde transforms entirely into a haunted house with 9 fear zones, from October 3 to 25, 2026.

A park transformed. From October 3 to 25, 2026, La Ronde becomes a massive open-air haunted house. For the first time, the entire park will be converted into 9 distinct fear zones, offering an immersive experience where thrills are guaranteed at every corner, the park announces on its official page. The park's website is available in French only. An experience with adjustable intensity. Fright Fest is designed for thrill-seekers: each zone has its own horror universe, with actors, sets and special effects. It is aimed at a teen and adult audience. The family option. During the same period, from October 3 to 25, La Ronde also offers the Pumpkin Festival (Fête des citrouilles), a family-friendly version with gentle activities and autumn décor for younger visitors. Both events are included in park entry depending on schedules. How to get there. La Ronde is located on Île Sainte-Hélène, minutes from downtown Montreal, accessible by metro (yellow line, Jean-Drapeau station) and via the…

Read the full story →Go deeper: Kids' Sports and Activities in Quebec: Costs and Financial Help

Vieauqc TeamToday

Things to Do

Culture Days: 30th edition, September 25, 26 and 27

Hundreds of free cultural activities across Quebec: workshops, guided tours, shows and circuits, from September 25 to 27, 2026.

An annual event. Culture Days returns for its 30th edition on September 25, 26 and 27, 2026, across Quebec. The event invites the public to dive into cultural and artistic practices, from toddlers to seniors. Free activities. Hands-on workshops, guided tours, shows, guided circuits and hikes, talks, demonstrations: the types of activities are varied and almost all are free. They take place in neighbourhoods, municipalities and regions, often close to home. How to participate. The full program is announced in September on the official Culture Days website, where you can search for an activity by date, region, city or type. Organizations and artists can also register their own activities until the end of the summer. A gateway for newcomers. It is one of the best opportunities to discover Quebec's cultural life for free: museums, libraries, historic sites and artists' studios open their doors, often for the first time. Activities take place in French, which also makes it a gentle…

Read the full story →Go deeper: Cultural Festivals in Quebec: The Major Events Calendar

Vieauqc TeamTodaymontreal

Things to Do

Montreal Book Fair: the 49th edition, November 25 to 29

The biggest French-language literary event in the Americas brings together nearly 2,000 authors and over 100,000 visitors at the Palais des congrès.

The literary event of November. The Montreal Book Fair will hold its 49th edition from November 25 to 29, 2026 at the Palais des congrès, presented by Radio-Canada. From November 13, the "Salon dans la ville" program will take over bookstores, cafés, museums and other venues across Greater Montreal. The official website is available in French only. Impressive numbers. The 2025 edition brought together some 106,000 visitors, nearly 2,000 authors and more than 450 activities, according to the official website. The Fair presents itself as the largest French-language literary event in the Americas. A theme every year. The theme of the 2026 edition is OSER (to dare). The program includes author meet-and-greets, book signings, panel discussions, youth activities and discoveries of Quebec and international publishers. The ticket office is open, with a Passport option giving unlimited access to the event. For families and French learners. The Fair is a perfect place to discover Quebec…

Read the full story →Go deeper: Libraries in Quebec: Much More Than Books

Vieauqc TeamJul 29

Things to Do

Free Cultural Feast in Brossard on August 7-8, 2026

A free cultural feast at Brossard's Poly-aréna Park on August 7 and 8, 2026.

A free cultural feast in Brossard. Brossard's Poly-aréna Park hosts a free cultural feast on August 7 and 8, 2026. The event brings together shows, world cuisines, family activities and fireworks. The lineup features Ariane Moffatt and Elisapie. Dates and hours. The event runs over two days. On Friday, August 7, 2026, it runs from 5 p.m. to 11:25 p.m., continuously. On Saturday, August 8, 2026, it runs from 3 p.m. to 11:25 p.m. You can come whenever suits you during these windows. The cost. Admission is free. You pay nothing to enjoy the shows, taste the world cuisines and take part in the family activities. The location. Everything takes place at Poly-aréna Park, in Brossard. It is a public space that hosts activities for families and residents. Good to know for newcomers. If you have just settled in Brossard, this free cultural feast is a great chance to discover local culture and global flavours at no cost. You can go with your family, meet people from your new community and…

Read the full story →Go deeper: Parks and Outdoor Activities in Brossard

Vieauqc TeamJul 22Montreal

Things to Do

Festival du nouveau cinéma returns to Montreal, October 7 to 18

The 55th edition of Canada's oldest film festival screens 200-plus films from around the world.

The Festival du nouveau cinéma (FNC) returns to Montreal from October 7 to 18, 2026, for its 55th edition. Founded in 1971, it's the oldest film festival still running in Canada, and an autumn fixture for fans of local and international cinema. The lineup. Each year the FNC screens more than 200 works from some 60 countries: feature films, shorts, auteur cinema and more experimental pieces. The festival puts new voices in world cinema front and centre, with strong representation for Quebec and Canadian filmmaking. The full schedule is revealed in the weeks leading up to the event. Where and when. Screenings take place in several downtown Montreal venues. Because the festival runs for nearly two weeks, it's easy to go at your own pace — one or two films at a time rather than trying to see everything at once. Tickets. Single tickets and multi-screening packages are available. Prices vary by ticket type; check the official box office for current rates and any student discounts before…

Read the full story →Go deeper: Cultural Festivals in Quebec: The Major Events Calendar

Vieauqc TeamJul 22

Things to Do

Quebec's Christmas markets open in mid-November 2026

From Quebec City to Montreal, the illuminated Christmas villages return November through December — many free to visit.

Starting in mid-November 2026, several Quebec cities turn into Christmas villages, with wooden stalls, lights and hot chocolate. It's a well-rooted winter tradition and, for a first winter in Quebec, an easy and often free outing. The Québec German Christmas Market. In Old Quebec, the German Christmas Market runs from November 19 to December 23, 2026. According to the official site, more than a hundred exhibitors set up across several illuminated sites near city hall, and admission is free. It's one of the best-known markets in the province, set among old snow-covered streets. Montreal's Grand Christmas Market. In Montreal, the Grand Christmas Market returns over a longer stretch, typically from mid-November into early January. Check the official program for the exact location and confirmed dates of the 2026 edition, which can vary from year to year. What you'll find. Local crafts, gifts, regional food products, mulled wine and seasonal bites. People go as much for the atmosphere…

Read the full story →Go deeper: Cultural Festivals in Quebec: The Major Events Calendar

Vieauqc TeamJul 22Montreal

Things to Do

POP Montreal turns 25, September 23 to 27

Five days of music across Mile End venues, with 400-plus artists for the 2026 anniversary edition.

POP Montreal returns from September 23 to 27, 2026, and this edition is a milestone: it marks the festival's 25th anniversary. Unlike the big outdoor festivals of summer, POP Montreal happens mostly indoors, across dozens of small venues in the Mile End neighbourhood. The lineup. Each year the festival brings together more than 400 artists spread across some 50 venues. The official 2026 programming announcement highlights names such as Uffie, Chad VanGaalen, Spencer Krug and Julie Doiron, and notes the return, for a few nights, of the legendary Divan Orange venue. That mix of established headliners and emerging acts is exactly what the festival is known for. More than concerts. POP Montreal is not only shows. The program also includes talks, workshops, family activities, an artisan craft fair and film screenings. Some of it is free or low-cost — a good way to take part without buying a pass. Tickets. Festival passes and tickets for individual shows are on sale through the official…

Read the full story →Go deeper: Cultural Festivals in Quebec: The Major Events Calendar

Vieauqc TeamJul 17montreal

Things to Do

Montreal Pride: free entry and 750,000 people expected

From July 31 to August 9, the festival takes over the Village and outdoor sites, with a parade drawing over 300,000 spectators.

It's one of the biggest gatherings of Montreal's summer, and one of the easiest to approach as a newcomer: Fierté Montréal (Montreal Pride) runs from July 31 to August 9, 2026. The festival spreads across outdoor sites and the Village, and entrance is free, according to Tourisme Montréal. More than 750,000 people — community members and allies — are expected across the festival. The parade, on August 9. The flagship event takes place on the final Sunday, August 9 at 1 p.m., according to the official programming. It brings together more than 15,000 participants and draws a crowd of over 300,000. It's the densest moment of the festival: arrive early if you want a spot along the route, and expect street closures in the area. Community Days. On August 7 and 8, from 11 a.m., Community Days bring together local organizations. Very concretely, this is the most useful corner of the festival for a newcomer: dozens of community groups run booths, and many offer welcome services, guidance, or…

Read the full story →Go deeper: Free Activities in Montreal: Outings and Culture

Vieauqc TeamJul 13Montreal

Things to Do

Just For Laughs, Montreal's July comedy fixture

Every mid-July, 250 shows across 25 downtown venues and hundreds of free outdoor activities. The 44th edition ran July 15 to 26, 2026.

Just For Laughs is the largest comedy festival in the world. Every year, in mid-July, it takes over the Quartier des Spectacles in the heart of downtown Montreal for eleven days. The 44th edition ran from July 15 to 26, 2026. The scale. According to the official site and Tourisme Montréal, the program includes roughly 250 shows across 25 downtown venues, plus hundreds of free outdoor activities at Place des Festivals. The 2026 headliners included "Weird Al" Yankovic (Bigger & Weirder Tour) at Place des Festivals on July 25, and An Evening with David Letterman and special guest Will Arnett on July 21. The OFF-JFL program features up-and-coming acts in more intimate venues such as Salle Claude-Léveillée, Café Cléopâtre, and Théâtre Sainte-Catherine. Paid or free. The festival mixes ticketed indoor shows with a large free outdoor offering. Several free shows need no reservation, but space fills up fast — arrive early for the big outdoor names. Getting there. The Quartier des…

Read the full story →

Vieauqc TeamJul 13Montreal

Things to Do

National Bank Open 2026: Tennis in Montreal, Free Grounds Passes

The ATP tennis tournament runs August 1 to 13, 2026 at IGA Stadium: 21 sessions over 12 days, free grounds passes and reserved seats from $15.

The National Bank Open, an ATP men's tennis tournament, runs August 1 to 13, 2026 at IGA Stadium in Montreal. The tournament alternates each year between Montreal and Toronto; in 2026, it's the men's event that lands in Montreal, drawing the large majority of the world's top players. Format. According to the official site, the 2026 edition features 21 sessions over 12 days. Matches are played at IGA Stadium, located at 285 Rue Gary-Carter (Jarry Park), mainly on Centre Court and Rogers Court. Tickets — and the free option. The tournament offers free grounds passes to access the site during the day (outer courts and qualifying matches), plus reserved seats on the main show courts starting at $15, per the official ticketing page. Tickets are also sold through Ticketmaster. The seeds and exact schedule firm up at the draw ceremony, typically held around July 31. Getting there. IGA Stadium sits in Jarry Park, a short walk from De Castelnau metro station (blue line). Transport and…

Read the full story →

Vieauqc TeamJul 13Montreal

Things to Do

Osheaga returns to Montreal July 31 to August 2

Three days of outdoor music at Parc Jean-Drapeau, headlined by Twenty One Pilots, Tate McRae and Lorde.

Osheaga takes over Parc Jean-Drapeau, on Île Sainte-Hélène in Montreal, from July 31 to August 2, 2026. It's one of the largest outdoor music festivals in Canada and a fixture of the Montreal summer. This year, the official lineup brings together 87 artists across several stages. The headliners are Twenty One Pilots on Friday July 31, Tate McRae on Saturday August 1, and Lorde on Sunday August 2, as confirmed by promoter evenko. The edition also marks the return of The xx, on stage for the first time since 2018. Local talent is well represented: 26 Canadian acts are on the bill, including 14 from Quebec. Tickets. Single-day passes (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday) and three-day passes are on sale through evenko and Ticketmaster. Prices vary by pass type (general or VIP) — check the official box office for current rates before you buy. Getting there. Parc Jean-Drapeau is on an island: the easiest option is the metro, Jean-Drapeau station (yellow line), a few minutes from the site. The…

Read the full story →