Quebec’s National Day 2026 in Montreal takes place on June 23 and 24, 2026, under the theme “Celebrating What Connects Us.” On the program: an immersive musical experience at BAnQ’s Grande Bibliothèque, the traditional “Je t’aime Québec” parade, a free grand concert at Parc Maisonneuve, a picnic of local food, and a craft beer from a Montreal microbrewery. Here are the 5 must-do activities to experience Quebec culture from the inside.
Looking for what to do in Montreal for Saint-Jean-Baptiste (Quebec’s National Day) 2026? Here’s my top 5. As a French expat who has lived in Montreal since 2016, this is the guide I wish I’d had when I arrived, written from the perspective of someone still discovering why this celebration means so much here.
1. Dive into Quebec's musical memory at BAnQ (Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec)
If you want to understand why music sits at the heart of Quebec’s identity before throwing yourself into the festivities, start with these two free activities.
The interactive installation: le Multivers d’oreille
Le Multivers d’oreille is an interactive installation inspired by the cabinets of curiosities of the Renaissance. The idea: collecting rare and precious objects to better understand the world. Here, those objects are songs, vers d’oreille (earworms), the melodies that lodge in your head and that you hum without realizing it. The installation comes to life in the music space on the 4th floor of BAnQ.
Among the songs featured in le Multivers d’oreille:
- Gens du pays – Gilles Vigneault
- Les étoiles filantes – Les Cowboys finguants
- Thème de Passe-Partout
- Aujourd’hui, ma vie c’est d’la marde – Lisa LeBlanc
- Pitou – Les Louanges
- La bastringue – Mary Travers (La Bolduc)
- Le feu sauvage de l’amour – Rock et Belles Oreilles
- J’aime ta grand-mère – Les Trois Accords
- Le Rapide blanc – Oscar Thiffault
- Amadit – KNLO
- And many more…
Info: https://www.banq.qc.ca/calendrier/en-tout-temps/146632
This project is made possible thanks to the support of Quebec’s Ministère de la Culture et des Communications.
The stories behind Quebec’s greatest hits: La trame sonore du Québec (Céline Dion, Robert Charlebois, Leonard Cohen, Ginette Reno and many more…)
Alongside it, BAnQ is releasing exclusive videos about the great songs that make up Quebec’s musical DNA. Artists, creators or their loved ones share the anecdotes and behind-the-scenes secrets of these classics:
- L’amour existe encore – Céline Dion
- Hallelujah – Leonard Cohen
- Je ne suis qu’une chanson – Ginette Reno
- Entr’deux joints – Robert Charlebois
- Hélène – Roch Voisine
- Hymne à la beauté du monde – Diane Dufresne
- Hymn to Freedom – Oscar Peterson
- Mon ange – Éric Lapointe
- Hawaiienne – Les Trois Accords
- Un Canadien errant – la Bonne chanson
All the videos are available here: banq.qc.ca/tramesonore.
📍 Grande Bibliothèque de BAnQ, 475 boul. De Maisonneuve Est, Montreal
🚇 Berri-UQAM metro station (orange, green and yellow lines)
💲 Free admission
🗓 Open June 23 on regular hours. Closed June 24 (National Day)
2. Watch the traditional "Je t'aime Québec" parade
The Saint-Jean parade is one of the most meaningful moments of the day, where those who love Quebec come together through music and living tableaux representing every corner of the province.
🗓 June 24, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.
📍 Start: Rue Rachel Est, corner of Rue Molson
🏁 Finish: Parc Maisonneuve, corner of Avenue d’Orléans
💲 Free activity, open to all along the entire route
The 2026 edition is built around strong values: dignity, equality, solidarity, the French language and culture. Seven living tableaux blend dance, music and projections into a show you won’t want to miss.
Info: fetenationale-montreal.qc.ca
Practical tip: get to a spot along the route 30 to 45 minutes before the start. The best spots go fast. Choose an intersection for the best view of the tableaux.
3. Experience the grand concert "De génération en génération" at Parc Maisonneuve
🗓 June 24, 2026 · 8:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. DJ until midnight
📍 Parc Maisonneuve, Montreal
🚇 Viau or Pie-IX metro (green line) – 10 min walk
💲 Free activity – open entry, no ticket required
🎤 Host: Guylaine Tremblay
This is the highlight of Quebec’s National Day in Montreal. The 2026 grand concert brings around thirty artists to the main stage at Parc Maisonneuve, hosted for the second year by Guylaine Tremblay. The 2026 edition pays tribute to Guy Lafleur for the 75th anniversary of his birth.
Confirmed artists: Diane Dufresne, Bruno Pelletier, Harmonium, Pierre Lapointe, Souldia, Pier-Luc Funk (spokesperson), Les Héritières, Émile Bourgault, Rebecca Jean, Mathieu McKenzie, Éléonore Lagacé, and a video appearance by Clémence DesRochers.
At 10:30 p.m., francophone DJ Vincent-Guy Aubry turns the park into a dance floor until midnight.
Full program: fetenationale-montreal.qc.ca
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 p.m. | Site opens, food trucks, kids’ zone, SAQ bistro area | Parc Maisonneuve |
| 2:00 p.m. | “Je t’aime Québec” parade – departure | Rue Rachel Est, corner Molson |
| 6:00 p.m. | On-site entertainment | Parc Maisonneuve |
| 8:00 p.m. | Grand concert “De génération en génération” | Parc Maisonneuve |
| 10:30 p.m. | Francophone DJ – dancing until midnight | Parc Maisonneuve |
All events are free and open without a ticket.
Practical tip: arrive between 5 and 6 p.m. to get a good spot in front of the stage. The site is large, but the area in front of the stage fills up quickly after 7 p.m.
4. Eat like a Québécois
June in Quebec is the season of the first strawberries. It’s also when the markets overflow with local products you won’t find the rest of the year. Saint-Jean is the perfect occasion for a 100% local spread.
Products to hunt for at the market:
- Quebec strawberries (Île d’Orléans, Montérégie) and the delicious wild blueberries too
- Cheese curds, the famous “squeaky cheese” (skouik-skouik)
- Artisanal Quebec charcuterie
- Country bread from local bakers
- Spreads, honey and terroir jams
- Sparkling juice or Quebec cider and don’t forget the maple syrup products
Tip: head to a public market such as Atwater Market or Jean-Talon Market on the morning of June 23.
5. Taste a Quebec craft beer
📍 All across Montreal
💲 $6 to $12 a pint depending on the venue
Montreal’s microbrewery scene is one of the most dynamic in Canada.
A few spots near the festivities:
- La Terrasse St-Ambroise – 5080 Rue St-Ambroise, Saint-Henri (the best spot)
- 4 Origines – 1304 Rue St-Patrick, Pointe-Saint-Charles
- Le Cheval Blanc – 809 Rue Ontario Est
- Dieu du Ciel! – 29 Ave Laurier Ouest, Plateau-Mont-Royal
Try something seasonal: a wild blueberry ale, a Quebec-strawberry sour, or a locally brewed lager. It’s one of the best ways to support local producers while you celebrate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to do in Montreal for Saint-Jean-Baptiste 2026?
Here are the 5 must-do activities in Montreal for Quebec’s National Day (Saint-Jean) 2026: discover Quebec’s music at BAnQ’s Grande Bibliothèque (on June 23); watch the “Je t’aime Québec” parade on June 24 at 2 p.m.; experience the free grand concert at Parc Maisonneuve from 8 p.m.; enjoy a picnic of local Quebec products; and cool off with a craft beer from a local microbrewery. Most of these activities are free and accessible by metro.
How do I get to the Saint-Jean 2026 festivities in Montreal?
On June 24, traffic is heavily disrupted around Parc Maisonneuve and Rue Rachel, so avoid driving. The Viau and Pie-IX stations (green line) are about a 10-minute walk from Parc Maisonneuve. For the parade, use the Laurier or Mont-Royal stations (orange line). For BAnQ’s Grande Bibliothèque (June 23), the Berri-UQAM station connects directly. Cycling is a great option if you live in the Plateau or Rosemont, with BIXI stations around the site.
When is Quebec's National Day in Montreal in 2026?
Quebec’s National Day (Saint-Jean-Baptiste) 2026 in Montreal takes place mainly on June 24, 2026. Neighbourhood celebrations begin as early as June 23 across several Montreal boroughs.
Is the Saint-Jean 2026 grand concert free?
Yes, the grand concert at Parc Maisonneuve is entirely free and open without a ticket. The site opens at 12 p.m., the concert begins at 8 p.m. on June 24, 2026, and continues with a francophone DJ until midnight.
Which artists are performing at the Saint-Jean 2026 grand concert in Montreal?
The 2026 grand concert “De génération en génération” brings together Diane Dufresne, Bruno Pelletier, Harmonium, Pierre Lapointe, Souldia, Pier-Luc Funk (spokesperson), Les Héritières, Émile Bourgault, Rebecca Jean, Mathieu McKenzie and Éléonore Lagacé, hosted by Guylaine Tremblay.
What time does the Saint-Jean parade start in Montreal in 2026?
The “Je t’aime Québec” parade starts at 2 p.m. on June 24, 2026, on Rue Rachel Est at the corner of Rue Molson. It heads east to Parc Maisonneuve, corner of Avenue d’Orléans.
What is the theme of Quebec's National Day 2026?
The theme of the 192nd edition of Quebec’s National Day in Montreal is “Celebrating What Connects Us.” The 2026 edition pays tribute to hockey player Guy Lafleur for the 75th anniversary of his birth.
