Every summer since 1968, the Festival d'été de Québec (FEQ) transforms the city into one vast open-air concert venue. The 58th edition of FEQ 2026 runs July 9–19 across six stages in the heart of the city: the Plains of Abraham, Place George-V, Place D'Youville, Place de l'Assemblée-Nationale and the Manège militaire. With more than 150 shows over 11 days, it is one of the largest music festivals in North America — and passes sell out within hours of going on sale.
See all FEQ 2026 shows stage by stage in our Quebec City events calendar, and plan your stay with our Quebec City neighbourhood guide.
The Six Stages of FEQ 2026
The festival unfolds across several complementary sites, each with its own character and atmosphere.
Scène Bell — Plains of Abraham (pass required)
The main stage. Set on the Plains of Abraham with the cliff and the St. Lawrence River as a backdrop, the Scène Bell hosts the international headliners every evening. This is where the festival's most electrifying moments happen: concerts running from 7 pm until well past midnight, with two or three artists per night. The capacity is enormous — up to 90,000 spectators — and the setting is unlike anywhere else in the world.
Scène Loto-Québec — Place George-V (pass required)
Right next to the Scène Bell, the Scène Loto-Québec offers a more intimate and often more adventurous lineup: hip-hop, alt-pop, electronic, metal. This is the stage for rising artists and French-language discoveries. Two or three acts per night in a format that lets you catch high-quality performers in a less overwhelming setting than the main stage.
Scène SiriusXM — Place George-V (pass required)
Also on Place George-V, the Scène SiriusXM presents a single artist per night at 8 pm. Its focused format makes it perfect for a targeted evening. The programming spans world music, folk, electronic and indie.
Scène Hydro-Québec — Place de l'Assemblée-Nationale (free admission)
The festival's premier free stage. The Scène Hydro-Québec hosts concerts throughout the afternoon and evening, with programming oriented firmly toward world music, reggae, jazz, blues and Quebec chanson. It is the popular heart of the festival, running from mid-afternoon until night with three to four artists per day.
Scène Crave — Place D'Youville (free admission)
The indie and emerging-artist stage. The Scène Crave, set on Place D'Youville inside the old city walls, is completely free and features two or three acts in the late afternoon and evening. It spotlights new names from the local and independent scene against the stunning backdrop of Quebec City's ramparts.
Scène Extras FEQ — Manège militaire (pass required, 18+)
The late-night stage. Extras FEQ at the Manège militaire kicks off around 10:30 pm and runs deep into the night with two acts per evening — club atmosphere, electronic sets, DJ performances and hypnotic live shows. This is the festival's hidden side, for those who want to keep going after midnight.
2026 Lineup: Artists Not to Miss
Here are the highlights from each stage for the 2026 edition.
Scène Bell: Muse, Jelly Roll, Michael Bublé and the Headliners
The Scène Bell 2026 lineup spans rock, pop, country and electronic music. Announced artists include:
- Limp Bizkit (July 9) — The nu-metal icons return to Quebec City.
- The Lumineers (July 10) — Atmospheric American folk-rock.
- Luis Fonsi (July 11) — International Latin pop, the man behind Despacito.
- Michael Bublé (July 12) — The beloved Canadian crooner in a classic, feel-good show.
- Koriass & FouKi (July 13) — Two pillars of Quebec rap on the biggest stage in the province.
- Patrick Watson (July 14) — Montreal art-folk, one of Canada's most singular voices.
- Kesha (July 15) — High-energy American pop.
- Gwen Stefani (July 16) — 2000s icon, former frontwoman of No Doubt.
- Muse (July 17) — British progressive rock, a visual and sonic spectacle.
- Martin Garrix (July 18) — The Dutch DJ among the most-streamed in the world.
- Jelly Roll (July 19) — The country-rap crossover sensation with the biggest momentum of the moment.
Scène Loto-Québec: Hip-Hop, Metal and French-Language Acts
The Scène Loto-Québec 2026 lineup mixes genres and puts a spotlight on local talent:
- Testament (July 11) — American thrash metal legends.
- Les Louanges (July 12) — Refined, poetic Quebec pop.
- Alok (July 13) — Brazilian DJ with international star power.
- Lord Huron (July 15) — Cinematic American folk-rock.
- Nate Smith (July 16) — Country music's fastest-rising star.
- Royel Otis (July 17) — Australian indie-pop, one of the most exciting acts around right now.
- Goldfinger (July 18) — 90s ska-punk American classics.
- Pierre Lapointe en symphonique avec l'OSQ (July 19) — The perfect Quebec closing act: iconic singer-songwriter Pierre Lapointe backed by the Orchestre Symphonique de Québec.
Scène Hydro-Québec: World Music and Quebec Talent (Free)
The free stage at Place de l'Assemblée-Nationale is rich with discoveries:
- Danakil (July 9) — Essential French reggae.
- Sonido Gallo Negro (July 10) — Festive Mexican cumbia.
- Tiken Jah Fakoly (July 17) — Engaged African reggae with an imposing stage presence.
- Billy Bragg (July 14) — British protest folk, a true poet of the stage.
- Dead Obies (July 16) — Multilingual Montreal rap, pioneers of French-English hip-hop.
- Ariane Roy (July 18) — Luminous Quebec pop, one of the most beloved voices of her generation.
- L'Éclair (July 19) — Psychedelic Quebec rock, an electrifying close for the free stage.
Scène Crave: Quebec's Indie Scene at No Cost
The free programming at Place D'Youville highlights independent and French-language acts:
- La Sécurité (July 14) — Quebec rock-pop, the act of the moment.
- Antoine Corriveau (July 17) — Deep, poetic Quebec chanson.
- Basia Bulat (July 18) — Canadian folk, an exceptional singer-songwriter.
- Le Ren (July 16) — Intimate Montreal folk, an essential discovery.
- corto.alto (July 11) — British jazz-soul with elegant grooves.
Scène Extras FEQ: The Electronic Night
The late nights at the Manège militaire deliver memorable after-midnight performances:
- BAMBII (July 11) — Toronto DJ and producer, queen of the alternative night scene.
- LP Giobbi (July 17) — American DJ, one of the leading names in house music.
- Hologramme (July 12) — Quebec electronic act, dark and mesmerising.
Practical Tips for FEQ 2026
Pass or Day Ticket?
The general festival pass gives access to all ticketed stages (Bell, Loto-Québec, SiriusXM, Extras FEQ) for all 11 days. Premium options (Gold Front Stage Zone, Silver Front Stage Zone, Bell Signature Zone) are also available at higher price points. The Scène Hydro-Québec and Scène Crave are completely free — no ticket or reservation required.
Arrive Early for the Scène Bell
Even with 90,000 spots, the areas closest to the stage fill up fast on popular headliner nights (Muse, Jelly Roll, Michael Bublé). Plan to arrive at least 45 minutes early for a good position. Three premium zones exist: the Gold Front Stage Zone (closest to the stage), the Silver Front Stage Zone, and the Bell Signature Zone (reserved seating in the grandstands), each requiring the corresponding pass.
Moving Between Stages
All stages are within a 15-minute walk of each other. The most natural flow: start at Scène Crave (Place D'Youville) or Scène Hydro-Québec in the late afternoon, then make your way up to the Plains for the evening headliners. The Manège militaire for Extras FEQ is a 10-minute walk from the Plains.
Getting There
The city centre gets busy during the festival. Best options:
- RTC city bus network, with reinforced service during festival dates.
- On foot from the Old City if you're staying in that area or Saint-Jean-Baptiste.
- The Quebec–Lévis ferry if coming from the South Shore — the Old Port entry is a short walk to the venues.
- Skip the car: parking is scarce and expensive during festival season.
Where to Stay During FEQ
To make the most of the festival, stay in the neighbourhoods closest to the stages:
- Old Quebec (Upper Town): 5 minutes on foot from the Plains of Abraham.
- Saint-Jean-Baptiste: a lively, festive neighbourhood, perfect for the FEQ atmosphere.
- Saint-Roch: good value options, 15 minutes from the Plains.
See our complete Quebec City neighbourhood guide to find the right fit for your budget and style.
Weather and What to Bring
July in Quebec City is generally warm and sunny, but evening thunderstorms are possible. Come prepared with:
- A light rain jacket or poncho.
- Comfortable shoes — you'll be on your feet for hours.
- A reusable water bottle (refill stations are available on site).
- Sunscreen for afternoon sets at the free stages.
Frequently Asked Questions about FEQ 2026
What are the dates of the Festival d'été de Québec 2026?
FEQ 2026 runs July 9–19, 2026 — 11 consecutive days of concerts.
Who are the headliners at FEQ 2026?
The Scène Bell 2026 lineup includes: Limp Bizkit (July 9), The Lumineers (July 10), Luis Fonsi (July 11), Michael Bublé (July 12), Koriass & FouKi (July 13), Patrick Watson (July 14), Kesha (July 15), Gwen Stefani (July 16), Muse (July 17), Martin Garrix (July 18) and Jelly Roll (July 19).
Are there free shows at FEQ 2026?
Yes. The Scène Hydro-Québec (Place de l'Assemblée-Nationale) and the Scène Crave (Place D'Youville) are completely free — no ticket or reservation required.
How much does a FEQ 2026 pass cost?
The FEQ offers several pass options: the 11-day general pass and premium zones (Gold Front Stage Zone, Silver Front Stage Zone, Bell Signature Zone). Current pricing and availability are at feq.ca.
Where does the Festival d'été de Québec take place?
The festival spans five sites: the Plains of Abraham (Scène Bell), Place George-V (Scènes Loto-Québec and SiriusXM), Place de l'Assemblée-Nationale (Scène Hydro-Québec), Place D'Youville (Scène Crave) and the Manège militaire (Extras FEQ). All sites are walkable from the Old City.
How do I get to FEQ without a car?
The RTC bus network runs extra service during the festival. From the South Shore, the Québec–Lévis ferry drops you at the Old Port, a 15-minute walk from the Plains of Abraham. Driving and parking downtown is strongly discouraged on concert nights.
The FEQ in Quebec Culture
The Festival d'été de Québec is far more than a concert series — it is the city's annual gathering. Quebecers plan their summer holidays around the FEQ; the streets of the city centre take on a different character; terraces overflow; and a particular energy settles over the entire neighbourhood. To learn more about Quebec's musical culture and the venues that make it possible, read our Quebec Culture: Arts, Music and Traditions article.
Whether you come for one night or all eleven, FEQ 2026 promises to be an unforgettable edition. Follow our Quebec City events calendar to stay on top of the full lineup as more shows are confirmed.
