Quebec City Entertainment

Quebec City has a decent selection of cultural activities for its size, although it really can’t compare to its more cosmopolitan neighbour, Montreal. The arts scene changes along with the seasons, ensuring there’s something happening throughout the year. The nightlife is decidedly French, and English language is rarely heard outside of the tourist spots. However, this shouldn’t dampen your night out, since the city’s Frenchness is its singular defining quality, and if you can speak French, you’ll have a deeper experience when you venture out and about.

To find out what’s happening during your visit, check out the English-language Quebec Chronicle-Telegraph, which is published on Wednesdays. There’s also a culture and entertainment section in the Greater Quebec Area Tourist Guide, which can be found at any tourist office. If you can read French, pick up the weekly entertainment guide, Voir, which comes out every Thursday.

Nightlife

Quebec is arguably the least multi-cultural city in Canada, so if you don’t speak or read French, you’ll have to deal with the language barrier when you go out. Many locals refuse to speak in English, even if they can, out of a determined sense of French nationalism.

One of the most popular areas for bars and clubs is along the Grande Allee, near the St Louis Gate. There’s always plenty going on here, with the large student population keeping things lively. Other hotspots include the rue St Jean and Cartier Avenue. One nice thing about Quebec’s bars is that they rarely have a cover charge, even if they are showing live music. Most bars and clubs stay open until 02:00 or 03:00.

If a night out drinking isn’t on your agenda, then perhaps a memorable after-dinner stroll along the terrasse Dufferin may be the ticket. This boardwalk, located above the Lower Town, offers the most romantic ambiance in the city, as ferries glide along the moonlit river and the stars blaze overhead. 

Theatre and music

Quebec City has an excellent theatre and music scene, ranging from its renowned symphony orchestra to a number of small but innovative theatre companies.

From September to May, the city maintains a steady schedule of concerts, plays and performances at its lovely arts venues. During the summer, though, these indoor theatres close and the performances all move outdoors to take advantage of the brief but invigorating warmth. Almost every theatre performance is in French, but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the spectacle.

Canada’s oldest symphony, L’Orchestre Symphonique de Quebec, performs at the Grand Theatre de Quebec during the winter months. This central venue also hosts performances by the Quebec Opera and the Danse-Partout ballet company during the spring and autumn.

The city’s churches are another excellent place to hear both sacred and secular music concerts. The Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Eglise St Jean Baptiste, Chapelle Bon Pasteur and the Eglise Ste Petronille all host regular concerts. The Notre Dame Basilica also puts on a wonderful sound and light show eight times a day from May to October.

Festivals

Quebec City holds its own in the festival department, hosting an impressive number of cultural and artistic events throughout the year.

• The Carnival de Quebec is the winter highlight, featuring art, culture, entertainment and sporting events all over the city (January to February).
• Quebec City Gastronomy Festival celebrates this region’s amazing cuisine during three days of eating, drinking and learning about the origins of the food (April).
• The Quebec City Summer Festival transforms the entire city into a massive outdoor stage, with hundreds of performers showing off their talents over 11 days (July).
• The New France Festival is a unique event which recreates the atmosphere of 17th and 18th century Quebec City under the French regime. Music, dancing, parades and other events are held throughout the city (August).
• The Quebec City Festival of Sacred Music brings everything from Gregorian chants to Corsican polyphony to the magnificent Saint Roch Church (October).