Events schedule and history
Quebec’s National Day in Montreal promises to be colourful and full of excitement! On June 23 and 24, more than 60 neighbourhood parties will enliven the island of Montreal to celebrate Quebec. On June 24, the traditional Parade will take place in the afternoon, followed by the Grand Spectacle, hosted by Guylaine Tremblay, along with Robert Charlebois, Sara Dufour, Loud, Elisabeth St-Gelais, Matt Lang, Yama Laurent, Yann Perreau, Bon Enfant, and Antoine Bertrand.
FREE FAMILY-FRIENDLY FESTIVITIES!
With family, friends, or neighbours, all Quebecers of all backgrounds are invited to come together for two days of free celebrations. These festivities are made possible thanks to the financial support of the Government of Quebec in partnership with the City of Montreal, Canadian Heritage, Cogeco Media, Quebecor, Hydro-Québec, and the CSN, among others.
A TRIBUTE TO A SONG THAT UNITES US
This 191st edition will highlight a moment that has marked our history and our collective memory.
Indeed, we will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first public performance of the iconic song “Gens du pays,” written by Gilles Vigneault and composed in collaboration with Gaston Rochon. This love song for Quebecers spans generations, enlivens gatherings.
Dignitaries share their thoughts
“The National Holiday Committee is proud to bring together Quebecers to passionately celebrate our culture, our French language, and our history, and to express our pride in belonging to this magnificent Francophone society in North America, inclusive and open to the world.
“In a time of global challenges, the National Holiday becomes a special moment to affirm the pride and unity of Quebec’s strengths. It is also the long-awaited moment of the year when we pause, together, to say: People of the country, it’s your turn to let yourselves speak of love.”
Marie-Anne Alepin, President of the National Holiday Committee of Quebec in Montreal.
“The National Holiday is a special moment when we celebrate everything that makes Quebec rich and proud: our culture, our language, and our history.” The Government of Quebec is proud to support the celebrations of the 191st edition of the national holiday, which, each year, unites Quebecers around what is most precious to us: our identity. On June 23 and 24, the heart of Quebec beats to the rhythm of love, music and pride!”
Mathieu Lacombe, Minister of Culture and Communications, Minister responsible for Youth and Minister responsible for the Outaouais region.
“On the occasion of the national holiday, we proudly celebrate our history, our language and our culture: essential pillars of Quebec’s identity. In Montreal, these celebrations bring Montrealers together in a shared sense of pride, solidarity, and attachment to our nation. This great spectacle demonstrates our desire to preserve our common heritage while building a Francophone, inclusive, and prosperous future.”
Christine Fréchette, Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy, Minister responsible for Regional Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Metropolis and the Montreal Region
THE TRADITIONAL NATIONAL DAY PARADE PRESENTED IN COLLABORATION WITH QUÉBECOR AND HYDRO-QUÉBEC
“A TASTE OF CELEBRATION”
In 1975, during the Fête nationale on Mount Royal, the song “Gens du pays,” written by Gilles Vigneault and composed in collaboration with Gaston Rochon, became a huge hit, replacing “Bonne fête” and now inviting Quebecers to talk about love on their birthdays. Based on Richard Blackburn’s 2024 concept, the Parade also draws its inspiration from the song’s three verses, which evoke love, snow, spring, flowers, the heart, celebration, waterways, the garden, and harvests. It partly tells the story of the country’s people in a poetic way. Much more than a simple parade, the Parade is a true living fresco, an ode to tradition and the joy of living. It is a bas-relief in continuous movement, animated by human energy and evocative scenic elements, linking spectacular tableaux.
The soundtrack is composed of excerpts from popular songs. And what would our Parade be without these pauses, these suspended moments when time stands still? It’s a precious opportunity to exchange greetings and sing along, adding an intimate touch to this great celebration, strengthening the bonds that unite us. The organization of the traditional Parade is made possible thanks to the support of Quebecor and Hydro-Québec. The Comité de la Fête nationale du Québec à Montréal warmly thanks them for their contribution.
“The Fête nationale is a moment of pride, remembrance, and unity, highlighting our identity and the richness of our heritage. Quebecor is proud to contribute to Quebec’s cultural, social, and economic vitality every day through its activities and philanthropy, and to support these celebrations of our Fête nationale, which deeply unite us,” said Pierre Karl Péladeau, President and CEO of Quebecor.
PARADE DEPARTURE: TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 2 p.m.
Rachel Street East at the corner of Molson Street.
ROUTE:
The traditional Parade will proceed east on Rachel Street, arriving at the corner of d’Orléans Avenue, near Maisonneuve Park. The crowd is invited to follow the traditional Parade and then proceed to Maisonneuve Park, the site of the Grand Spectacle.
The Parade’s artistic committee is composed of NATHALIE GERVAIS, KRISS NAVETEUR,
DDY RIXHON and DILYANA TSANKOVA, production directors, MIKAËL FRASCADORE, sound designer LOÏC THÉRIAULT, and scenography consultant CARL VINCENT.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Starting at 12:00 p.m.: Background music and entertainment
From 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.: DRESS REHEARSAL FOR THE BIG SHOW
6:00 p.m.: THE COGECO MEDIA MOMENT HOSTED BY MARJORIE VALLÉE
Entertainment and Quebec music will keep the crowd moving until the start of the Big Show.
8:00 p.m.: THE BIG NATIONAL DAY SHOW “ET SI ON SE PARLAIT D’AMOUR…”
hosted by GUYLAINE TREMBLAY, the Big Show will feature on stage ROBERT CHARLEBOIS, SARA DUFOUR, LOUD, ELISABETH ST-GELAIS, MATT LANG, YAMA LAURENT, YANN PERREAU, BON ENFANT and ANTOINE BERTRAND, with the exceptional participation of the Grand Chœur de l’Alliance chorale du Québec with 150 choristers.
Under the direction of the artistic committee composed of NATHALIE GERVAIS, MICHEL SABOURIN, PIERRE SÉGUIN, and JOHANNE AMYOT, the Grand Spectacle is directed by PIERRE SÉGUIN, assisted by JOHANNE AMYOT. He also oversees the television production, assisted by ÉMILIE PRÉVOST. The set design and lighting are designed by LÜZ STUDIO, and the musical direction is entrusted to the TWENTY-NINES: JULIE LAMONTAGNE and TONY ALBINO, choreography by ALEX FRANCOEUR, choirmaster SYLVAIN COOKE, lyrics by MARIE-PIERRE DUVAL.
BROADCASTING
The Grand Spectacle of the Fête nationale du Québec in Montreal will be broadcast on ICI TÉLÉ and TVA on June 24 at 8:30 p.m., and simultaneously on COGECOMÉDIA’s music stations: 96.9 CKOI, the five RYTHME stations, and CIME.
Maisonneuve Park
FROM 10:30 p.m. to 11:15 p.m.: BON ENFANT will get Maisonneuve Park dancing to the rhythm of distinctive folk-rock and catchy, energizing melodies for a performance that promises to be electrifying.
AND TO FINISH THE EVENING: JUJU LE MOKO, the stage name of Montreal DJ Julio Mendy, will take over to get Maisonneuve Park rocking until midnight in a festive and unifying atmosphere.
THE SHIFT PARTIES!
On June 23 and 24, from Île-Bizard to Pointe-aux-Trembles and from Verdun to Ahuntsic, Quebecers will celebrate in the streets, alleys, parks, and public spaces. These local festivities will bring together thousands of families and friends, day and night. With shows, large gatherings, craft and face painting workshops, inflatable games, and historical workshops, there will be something for everyone. These events, much appreciated by the public, are made possible thanks to the participation of many volunteers.
Find all the information about the Fête nationale du Québec celebrations in Montreal at fetenationale-montreal.qc.ca
The Government of Quebec invites you to join the celebrations organized throughout Quebec. For more information, visit Québec.ca/FêteNationale
Source: Quebec National Day Committee in Montreal
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