Known for hosting more than 500 lively and diverse festivals and events year-round, Quebec’s summer offerings draw visitors from around the world. Whether your tastes run towards opera, comedy, country music, beer or crafts, there’s a party waiting just for you. We’ve rounded up some not-to-be missed festivals for the whole family taking place across the province this season.

Montréal

Known as the ultimate festival city, Montréal hosts several major summer extravaganzas including the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal and Just For Laughs. But there are loads of others to enjoy. Check out the world’s top circus performers at TOHU – Montréal complétement cirque, dance the night away to Caribbean, Latin American and African beats at the Festival International Nuits d’Afrique or meet your favourite sci-fi and fantasy superstars at Comiccon or Festival Fantasia. Celebrate Scottish sport, music and culture with the family at The Montréal Highland Games, or eat your way through Little Italy at ItalfestMTL.

Eastern Townships

The perfect long weekend getaway includes plenty of entertainment. Don’t miss ShazamFest, a four-day family-friendly event in Ayer’s Cliff showcasing everything from theatre, music and burlesque to wrestling, skateboarding and a beard-and-mustache contest. Soak up one of 60 classical and jazz concerts at the Orford Music Festival or one of 50 electrifying blues and folk shows at Sherblues & Folk in downtown Sherbrooke. Love art? Visit the studios of 40 professional visual artists at the Circuit des Arts Memphrémagog in Magog.

Lanaudière and Laurentides

Head north to experience the artistry of some of the top ballet dancers in the world at the Festival des Arts de Saint-Sauveur, or marvel at the exquisite sound of live music in the region’s beautiful churches and amphitheatres at the Festival de Lanaudière. Lovers of traditional folk music, storytelling and dance will enjoy the Mémoire et Racines Festival in Saint-Charles-Borromée near Joliette.

Québec City

Take in an open-air pop and rock concert at Canada’s largest outdoor concert series, the Festival d’été de Québec. If opera’s more your speed, you’ll love the Festival d’Opéra de Québec, and country music fans will be tapping their toes throughout July at the Festival country de Québec, which also features a family day complete with bouncy castles and mascots. Chuckle your way through 100 shows at ComediHa! Fest-Québec which offers lot of free street entertainment plus multi-lingual and non-verbal programming. Meet 140 artisans at Plein Art Québec and quench your thirst at the Festibière de Québec, where you can choose samples from 500 beers.

Happy festival season!