The Festival d’été de Québec spanned 11 nights (July 3–13) at the historic Plains of Abraham in Québec City, drawing over a million attendees across six stages. The programming was wide-ranging—from rock heavyweights like Def Leppard, Slayer, and Rod Stewart to pop icons such as Shania Twain (who headlined on July 12, singing in French to win over the crowd), Benson Boone and Hozier.
Rain soaked much of the festival—most days featured steady showers, but it did not stop fans to show up amassing a crowd of 100K people every night. Despite the weather, the atmosphere remained electric and communal. The open-air setting of the Plains, the cobblestone charm from Old Québec, and citywide vibe including POPUP FEQ guerrilla performances, created an urban festival within a living city. Attendees, clad in rain gear, embraced mud splatters like badges of honor. Fans exhibited unwavering enthusiasm—whether decked out in cowboy hats for Twain, rock tees for Slayer, or waving posters for Benson Boone.
Alessia Cara delivered an unforgettable return to Québec, playing a sold-out set at the Place Georges‑V. With 23 songs spanning deep album cuts and fan favorites like “Scars to Your Beautiful” and “Here,” her performance balanced high energy and heartfelt vulnerability. Pop-punk royalty united for a nostalgic evening. Avril Lavigne and Simple Plan drew massive, enthusiastic crowds, with fans joyfully belting along to 2000s anthems like “Complicated,” “I’m Just a Kid,” and “Summer Paradise.” Their stagework was tight and energetic, offering mosh-pit–worthy dynamics.
Remi Wolf brought playful eccentricity to the Bell stage, her bold style and funky rhythms brightening a damp evening. Meanwhile, Benson Boone, one of the festival’s headliners, mesmerized audiences on Stage. His soaring vocals and emotive stage presence solidified his rising-star status, especially delivering heartfelt ballads that cut through the rain-soaked ambience.
Irish singer-songwriter Hozier captivated Bell Stage crowds with his thunderous, gospel-soaked performance of “Take Me to Church” and more nuanced recent tracks. Against the rain, his deep, resonant voice and minimalist staging created touching intimacy among the sprawling audience. Lauren Spencer‑Smith’s heartfelt set on a smaller stage similarly stood out: her raw vocal delivery and emotional openness prompted hushed attention and strong connections with fans.
Metal veterans Slayer and Mastodon delivered one of the festival’s most powerful sonic onslaughts. Slayer’s thrash set pummeling and relentless had the Bell Stage swaying, fans moshing and band tees fiercely headbanging. Mastodon complemented them with progressive metal precision and dense, atmospheric textures on the Plains stage.
Shania Twain, festival headliner, topped previous praise with a bilingual performance addressing the crowd solely in French earning adoration. Backed by large-scale production and an engaged crowd, she elevated classics like “Man! I Feel Like a Woman” with joy, strength, and localized charm. Twain mentioned she performed in front of her biggest Canadian crowd to this day. Young rapper Armani White filled up the Place Georges-V., charging through energetic early-evening sets with confident bars and cadences. His fresher style animated a demographic that embraced modern hip-hop, helping bridge genre gaps across the festival’s programming.
The festival showcased top-tier production and resilience, turning adverse weather into part of the experience. The festival balanced legacy acts and genre-diverse programming, revealing strengths in both international headliners and emerging talent. Local ambiance, historic streets and free pop-up stages tied the city’s cultural identity to the event.
The Quebec Summer Festival proved that a festival is more than a stage, it’s a communal gathering in all elements. Given the rainy backdrop, the atmosphere, production, and performances rose to the challenge, delivering a compelling and polished experience. Perfect weather would be nice but the FEQ is known to be held in a rainy season of the year.
See all the photos of the Festival below by Drew Halle: Website // Instagram
July 3rd – Alessia Cara & Two Feet
July 4th – Avril Lavigne & Simple Plan
July 5th – Remi Wolf
July 6th Extreme & April Wine
July 10th – Lauren Spencer-Smith
July 11th – Slayer & Mastodon
July 12th – Shania Twain & Armani White
