From stargazing in a Dark Sky Reserve to wrangling brook trout (or bulls), Québec’s most unconventional festivals offer memorable ways to experience the province’s landscapes, culture, and sense of fun this summer. Here are four festivals of notes catering to diverse and unique interests.
- Speckled Trout Festival (June 21 to 29): A family friendly fishing event on the shores of Saint-Alexis-des-Monts celebrates its 40th anniversary this summer. Each year, the brook trout capital of the Mauricie region becomes a true fishing paradise where visitors can fish for free without a licence and soak up the festive ambiance.
- Mont-Mégantic Astronomy Festival (weekends in July): Amateur astronomers flock to Mont-Mégantic in July to enjoy a rare opportunity to visit the famed observatory after dark. Stargazers can enjoy nighttime hiking within the Dark Sky Reserve, participate in guided tours, and take in a bilingual exhibition on this year’s celestial theme: Auroras.
- Montgolfiers International (Aug. 8 to 17): The spectacle of hot air ballooning is on full display during this summertime festival in Montérégie, the largest event of its kind in Canada. Hundreds of hot air balloons paint the sky while spectators on the ground enjoy live concerts, culinary programming and carnival rides.
- Rodéo Mont-Sainte-Anne (Aug. 21 to 24): Cowboy-core is one of the hottest trends for 2025, and travellers looking for a taste of the Wild West can saddle up for rodeo shows and country music performances at this annual festival in Mont-Sainte-Anne. Located just 20 minutes outside of Québec City, the family friendly rodeo brings together more than 700 cowboys and cowgirls (plus 350 horses and bulls) for four days of Western-inspired fun.
If this article was shared with you by a friend or colleague, you may enjoy receiving your own copy of Travel Industry Today with the latest travel news and reviews each weekday morning. It’s absolutely free – just CLICK HERE.