# Festival d'été de Québec: what to do between sessions in Quebec City

Source: https://eventweekends.com/festival/festival-d-ete-quebec/
Last checked: 2026-11-02

## In short

- **When:** 8 to 18 July 2027 (expected, not yet confirmed by the organiser)
- **Where:** Plains of Abraham, Quebec City, Canada
- **Free time:** Music runs from the afternoon, so mornings and the day after are free.
- **Best base:** Old Quebec: Inside the walls.
- **Getting there:** Jean Lesage airport (YQB) is 20 minutes from the old city.
- **Weather:** In July, Quebec City averages highs of about 23°C and lows of 14°C, with roughly 123 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 15 h 41 min of daylight.
- **Top things to do:** Old Quebec walking tour; Montmorency Falls and Île d'Orléans; Sugar shack visit

## Weather and what to pack

In July, Quebec City averages highs of about 23°C and lows of 14°C, with roughly 123 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 15 h 41 min of daylight.
- A rain jacket or umbrella: it rains often in this month.
- Earplugs, a power bank and a small backpack; campers add a head torch.

## Airport to venue

Jean Lesage airport (YQB) is 20 minutes from the old city.

Walk from the old city.

## Where to stay

- **budget:** Saint-Roch. Cheaper hotels below the walls.
- **mid:** Old Quebec. Inside the walls.
- **luxury:** Château Frontenac. The landmark.
- Hotels we would book: Auberge Internationale de Québec (budget), Hotel Le Germain Quebec (mid), Fairmont Le Château Frontenac (luxury)

## Day plans for the free hours

### Before the gates open (Thursday 8 July)

Music runs from the afternoon. Mornings are free: get out on the water or into town.
- Easy outing: Sugar shack visit. Maple taffy on snow.
- Free: Plains of Abraham.

### A day off-site (Friday 9 July)

Skip the early acts and take a day trip. Be back for the headliners.
- Half-day: Ice Hotel visit. In winter only.
- Eat: Paillard, Bakery

### Campers: shower, food and a break

Day passes for pools and spas, and a real meal in town.
- Rain or heat backup: Musée de la civilisation.
- Eat: Chez Ashton, Poutine

### Recovery day (Monday 19 July)

Slow outings only.
- Easy outing: Dog sledding. Winter.
- Eat: Aux Anciens Canadiens, Québécois classics

## Tours worth booking

- [Old Quebec walking tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Quebec%20City%20walking%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-festival-d-ete-quebec): Upper and lower town.
- [Montmorency Falls and Île d'Orléans](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Montmorency%20Falls%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-festival-d-ete-quebec): Falls higher than Niagara.
- [Sugar shack visit](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Quebec%20sugar%20shack&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-festival-d-ete-quebec): Maple taffy on snow.
- [Ice Hotel visit](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Hotel%20de%20Glace&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-festival-d-ete-quebec): In winter only.
- [Dog sledding](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Quebec%20dog%20sledding&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-festival-d-ete-quebec): Winter.

## Where to eat

- Chez Ashton: Poutine
- Aux Anciens Canadiens: Québécois classics
- Paillard: Bakery

## With kids

- Aquarium du Québec.
- Valcartier winter park.

## Rainy-day backups

- Musée de la civilisation.

## Getting around

- Walkable; RTC buses. Videotron Centre hosts the pee-wee tournament.

## Questions people ask

### When is Festival d'été de Québec 2027?

The next edition is 8 to 18 July 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

### What is the weather like during Festival d'été de Québec?

In July, Quebec City averages highs of about 23°C and lows of 14°C, with roughly 123 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 15 h 41 min of daylight.

### How do I get from the airport to Plains of Abraham?

Jean Lesage airport (YQB) is 20 minutes from the old city. Walk from the old city.

### Where should I stay for Festival d'été de Québec?

For most visitors the best base is Old Quebec: Inside the walls.

### What else can we do around Festival d'été de Québec?

Good short outings in Quebec City include Old Quebec walking tour, Montmorency Falls and Île d'Orléans, Sugar shack visit. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

### What is there for kids and families near Festival d'été de Québec?

Family-friendly picks: Old Quebec walking tour, Montmorency Falls and Île d'Orléans, Sugar shack visit. Aquarium du Québec.

### How far is Plains of Abraham from Quebec City centre?

About 1 km in a straight line. Walk from the old city.

More in Quebec City: https://eventweekends.com/city/quebec-city/