Culture, Society, and Customs of Bas-Saint-Laurent and Chaudière-Appalaches

Historical Highlights

Arts and Architecture

Society

Population

Economy

Customs and Traditions

Local Culture and Traditions

Languages

Festivals and Events

February

• Festival Vues dans la tête de...: This festival in Rivière-du-Loup showcases documentaries as well as short and feature-length films from Quebec and abroad, along with training workshops, discussions, panel talks, and family activities.

• Pohénégamook Haut en Couleur: This event in Pohénégamook features a variety of winter activities: ice fishing, giant slides, dog sledding, and horse-drawn sleigh rides.

• Riki Fest: This event in Rimouski offers family-friendly and sports activities in the city’s parks over a three-week period.

March

• Snowmission: This snowboarding festival in Saint-Donat includes beginner sessions, competitions, live music, workshops, and demonstrations.

May

• Tremplin, Festival de la chanson et de l'humour de Dégelis: This festival in Dégelis features performances by up-and-coming artists in music and comedy.

June

• Bière Fest Rimouski: This event in Rimouski offers tastings of a wide range of craft beers and regional products.

• Cartonfolies: These family-friendly activities in Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac are inspired by cardboard: cardboard boat races, soapbox races, fireworks, and live performances.

• Festival Country Saint-Antonin: This festival in Saint-Antonin features professional rodeos, gymkhana, horse pulling, booths, family activities, a parade, and country music performances.

• Woodstock en Beauce: This festival in Saint-Éphrem-de-Beauce showcases Quebec and international artists. Camping areas are set up on-site for festival-goers to stay overnight.

July

• Beach Party de Pohénégamook: This celebration in Pohénégamook includes games for the whole family, entertainment, a swimsuit parade, wakeboarding, and live music under a big top.

• Expo BBQ Bellechasse: This event in Saint-Anselme features live performances, children’s activities, animal auctions, and a BBQ chicken dinner as part of its agricultural and commercial fair.

• Festi-Cèdre: This event in Saint-Eusèbe revolves around the theme of cedar and its uses. It includes live music, booths, grilled meals, and an amateur talent show.

• Festival de la fenaison: This festival in Saint-Narcisse-de-Rimouski features tractor and 4x4 truck pulling competitions, live music, family activities, line dancing, and exhibitions.

• Grandes Fêtes de TELUS: This popular music festival in Rimouski offers family activities and an international lineup with renowned artists.

• Village en Arts: This rural event in Lévis (Saint-Nicolas district) includes exhibitions by artists and artisans, live performances, and entertainment.

August

• Exposition agricole de Beauce inc.: This event in Saint-Honoré-de-Shenley offers a variety of entertainment, including agricultural and commercial booths, equestrian activities, comedy shows, music, and a petting zoo.

• Feste médiévale de Saint-Marcellin: This event in Saint-Marcellin spans three days of festivities, transforming the village into a medieval town with tournaments, a fair, performances, and a lord’s banquet.

• Festival des foins de St-Julien: This folk-country festival in Saint-Julien features an amateur talent show, local bands, and a parade.

• Festival Deux Nations, Une Fête: This historical festival in Cacouna highlights Indigenous traditions and the cultural heritage of the region in the 19th century.

• Festival Jazz Etcetera Lévis: This event in Lévis combines street performances, popular concerts, and educational activities for children.

• Festival Promutuel de la relève de Thetford Mines: This festival in Thetford Mines showcases young musical and artistic talent, along with family activities and entertainment.

• Festivent Ville de Lévis: This international hot air balloon festival in Lévis also features performances by Quebec and international artists, as well as family activities.

• Fleuve en fête: This event in Saint-Michel-de-Bellechasse offers family-friendly, cultural, and educational activities celebrating the St. Lawrence River and maritime life.

September

• Bière Fest Rivière-du-Loup: This event in Rivière-du-Loup lets visitors discover the best craft breweries in Quebec and regional products.

• Carrousel international du film de Rimouski: This festival in Rimouski was created to educate and raise awareness among young audiences about filmmaking.

October

• Festival du film de Saint-Séverin: This festival in Saint-Séverin presents documentaries and fiction films in the presence of directors, actors, and performers.

• Festival international du conte Jos Violon de Lévis: This event in Lévis promotes the tradition of storytelling through workshops and invited storytellers.

• Halloween à La Pocatière: This event in La Pocatière celebrates Halloween with haunted houses, a parade, a giant maze, live performances, fireworks, and entertainment.

November

• Noël chez nous à Rivière-du-Loup: This event in Rivière-du-Loup offers a variety of activities, including a Christmas market, a holiday parade, live performances, workshops, a brunch, and entertainment.

December

• Noël Magique de Saint-Flavien: This winter festival in Saint-Flavien includes family-friendly and sports activities, entertainment, and live performances.

Books, Films, and Music