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Quebec’s National Holiday 2026 falls on 23 and 24 June — the Grand Spectacle on the Plains of Abraham is free on the evening of 23 June. Quebec City welcomes between 100,000 and 150,000 visitors on the plains: Viator tours of Old Quebec City sell out several weeks in advance. Prices range from £4 to £162, all with instant confirmation. Book at least 3 to 4 weeks ahead for the most popular experiences.
Quebec’s National Holiday — known locally as the Fête nationale du Québec or Saint-Jean-Baptiste — is one of North America’s most passionate celebrations of cultural identity. Think of it as Quebec’s answer to Burns Night or St Patrick’s Day, but played out across an entire UNESCO World Heritage city. For British, Irish, American or Australian travellers visiting Canada in late June, being in Quebec City on 23–24 June means witnessing something that few outsiders ever experience: a French-speaking province celebrating its language, history and identity with extraordinary fervour.
I’ve selected 8 bookable experiences to structure a stay around the National Holiday: guided walking tours of Old Quebec (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), a 10-tasting gastronomic food tour, an e-bike ride to Montmorency Falls, and a private half-day excursion to Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré Basilica. My top pick is the certified local guide walking tour with Urban Horizons Tours — rated 4.99/5 from 116 reviews, currently the highest-rated product in the entire city.
Budgets can remain very accessible: some tours start at around £4 on a pay-what-you-wish basis, while others offer a full gastronomic evening with dinner and drinks included for under £165. Quebec Jean-Lesage International Airport (YQB) has direct flights from London Heathrow with Air Transat (via a seasonal connection), and Old Quebec is entirely walkable — the entire historic district is less than a 20-minute walk from end to end.
24 June in Quebec City: far more than an outdoor concert
The Quebec National Holiday — officially renamed as such in 1977 by René Lévesque — shed its religious character in 1984. It is now the celebration of Quebec identity in all its diversity. In 2026, the visual identity was designed by Montreal illustrator Isadora-Ayesha Lima, whose Brazilian-Canadian roots reflect contemporary Quebec. The Grand Spectacle on the evening of 23 June on the Plains of Abraham — 50+ artists, 100% free admission, broadcast on Télé-Québec — opens at 6:30pm and runs until late into the night.
But the real richness unfolds in the lanes of Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985 (reference no. 300). Samuel de Champlain founded the city on 3 July 1608 at Place Royale in the Lower Town. More than four centuries later, the ramparts, Dufferin Terrace and the Chateau Frontenac make Quebec City a destination unlike anywhere else in North America. The funicular connecting the Upper Town to the Lower Town (CAD 5 per ride, cash only, open until midnight) is itself a symbol: the continuity between the stone city and the shores of the St Lawrence River.
8 experiences to celebrate Quebec’s National Holiday in Quebec City
1. Old Quebec City Walking Tour with Certified Urban Horizons Guide
The highest-rated product in Quebec City right now — 4.99 from 116 reviews, without a single negative comment. This 2h15 tour with Urban Horizons Tours starts at the Tourny Fountain in front of the National Assembly, passes through the fortifications and climbs into the Upper Town via nine stops that bring four centuries of French presence in America vividly to life. For a first day in Quebec City, before attending the Plains of Abraham concert, this tour lays the perfect foundations for understanding the city.
- Certified local guide, 9 historic stops
- UNESCO fortifications + Upper Town, fully outdoors
- Free cancellation, suitable in all weathers
2. Old Quebec City Walking Tour — Pay What You Wish
With 697 reviews and a pay-what-you-wish model starting at around £4, this tour is the most accessible entry point to Old Quebec. The group covers the main highlights — the fortifications, Dufferin Terrace, Chateau Frontenac, Place Royale and the funicular — in a lively two-hour format. With 697 reviews at 4.93/5, it’s one of the most consistently praised free-format tours in Canada. Ideal for travellers who want to get their bearings before the National Holiday festivities begin.
- Pay what you wish — ideal for budget travellers
- All highlights: Chateau Frontenac, Place Royale, fortifications
- 697 reviews at 4.93/5 — consistently top-rated
3. Classic Old Quebec City Walking Tour with Funicular Included
The most reviewed Quebec City tour on Viator — 1,375 reviews — and the benchmark experience. The ‘Quebec City 101’ circuit starts from HQ Services Touristiques (112 rue Saint-Paul, the yellow building) and covers the Lower Town, Dufferin Terrace and Upper Town, with the funicular ticket already included. This physical link between both towns is a metaphor for Quebec City itself: a city that looks simultaneously to its colonial past and to the St Lawrence River. This product regularly sells out during the National Holiday week — advance booking is strongly recommended.
- Funicular ticket included (CAD 5 value)
- Lower Town + Dufferin Terrace, 1,375 reviews
- Likely to Sell Out — early booking strongly advised
4. Private Old Quebec City Walking Tour with Funicular — Hotel Pick-Up
For those who want to experience the National Holiday at their own pace — no sharing a guide with strangers — this fully private tour covers twelve stops in Old Quebec with hotel pick-up in the historic district. The funicular is included and the licensed guide tailors the experience to your interests: architecture, gastronomy, military history, or Quebecois culture. Particularly well-suited to families with children or couples seeking a genuinely memorable National Holiday experience.
- Fully private tour, no group sharing
- Hotel pick-up in Old Quebec district
- 2-3h + funicular included, 12 customisable stops
5. E-Bike Ride to Montmorency Falls — 4h from the Old Port
Montmorency Falls stand 83 metres tall — that’s 30 metres higher than Niagara — and this e-bike excursion departing from Gare du Palais is one of the most exhilarating ways to reach them. Over four hours, the group follows the St Lawrence shoreline, crosses the Domaine de Maizerets and climbs to the base of the falls with the on-site funicular included and a snack provided. With the summer solstice falling on 21 June, the days around 22–23 June still offer nearly 17 hours of daylight: perfect conditions for this active excursion.
- Falls at 83m — 30m taller than Niagara
- On-site funicular + snack included
- Departs near Gare du Palais (Old Port)
6. Old Quebec City Food Tour — 10 Authentic Local Tastings
Voted the best food tour in Quebec City on TripAdvisor and backed by 1,387 reviews, this three-hour gastronomic walk is the best introduction to Quebecois cuisine you’ll find. Ten tastings cover the pillars of Quebec food identity: cream fondant and croissant at Comptoir Boreal, beef brisket at BEClub Bistro, duck carpaccio and lion’s mane mushroom at La Buchette, and of course maple taffy. During the National Holiday, this tour becomes a way of understanding why Quebecois gastronomy is as much an act of cultural resistance as it is a pleasure.
- 10 local tastings across 4 partner venues
- Maple syrup, local mushrooms, farm-raised duck
- #1 food tour Quebec City on TripAdvisor, 1,387 reviews
7. Evening Combo: History + Gastronomy + Dinner in Old Quebec City
If I were choosing just one experience for the evening of 23 June — after an afternoon in the Old Town and before the Grand Spectacle on the Plains at 6:30pm — it would be this private combo that starts early afternoon. Three hours with a certified HQ Services Touristiques guide: eleven historic stops, funicular included, followed by a full three-course dinner with alcoholic drinks at a partner restaurant in Old Quebec. A premium, intimate take on the National Holiday, without the crush of a group tour.
- Unique combo: history + gastronomy + funicular
- 3-course dinner + alcoholic drinks included
- Certified HQ Services Touristiques guide, private
8. Private Half-Day — Montmorency Falls + Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre Basilica
For a day around 24 June away from the packed city centre, this private half-day in an air-conditioned vehicle covers the two flagship sites east of Quebec City: Montmorency Falls (suspension bridge, funicular) and Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre Basilica, a major pilgrimage destination that welcomes 1.5 million visitors per year. The context is particularly striking during the National Holiday: the basilica recalls the religious origins of Saint-Jean-Baptiste that Lévesque officially secularised in 1977. Parking and water included, private vehicle, no shared transport.
- Private air-conditioned vehicle, parking and water included
- Montmorency Falls + Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre Basilica
- Flexible half-day, ideal for day before or after the Holiday
Planning your trip to Quebec City
Stay connected the moment you land at Jean-Lesage Airport (YQB). Canada plans available from a few pounds for 7 days — no roaming charges, no physical SIM needed.
Get my Canada eSIMCanada has no public healthcare for visitors. A single A&E visit can exceed CAD 2,000 without cover. Nomad Insurance: global coverage from $56/4 weeks. 10% off via our link.
Air Transat operates seasonal direct routes to Quebec Jean-Lesage from several European airports. Check current fares for late June 2026 departures.
Search flights to QuebecThe best food tour in Quebec City, rated #1 on TripAdvisor. Book several weeks ahead of the National Holiday to secure your spot.
Book my tasting experiencePractical tips for the week of 24 June
Accommodation: book your hotel at least 3 months in advance for the week of 23 June. The Saint-Jean-Baptiste neighbourhood (rue Saint-Jean is pedestrianised in summer) offers a good balance of local atmosphere and reasonable prices. The Montcalm district, a 5-minute walk from the Plains of Abraham, is ideal for the evening concert on 23 June.
Getting around: the entire Old Quebec district is walkable — less than 20 minutes from end to end. The funicular (CAD 5, cash only) runs until midnight in high season. To reach Montmorency Falls or Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre, opt for tours with transport included rather than the RTC bus network (infrequent on National Holiday evening).
The Grand Spectacle: access to the Plains of Abraham is through the Croix du Sacrifice entrance only (corner of Grande Allee Est / Avenue George-VI). The plains open at 6:30pm. Arrive early to get a good spot — attendance regularly exceeds 100,000 people.
Currency: GBP 1 ≈ CAD 1.70 / EUR 1 ≈ CAD 1.50 (May 2026). Most restaurants and shops in Old Quebec accept credit cards. Tips in Quebec are calculated on the pre-tax amount — 15% is the accepted minimum, 18–20% is customary for good service.
Frequently asked questions — Quebec National Holiday 2026
What is the best Viator experience in Quebec City in 2026?
The walking tour with Urban Horizons Tours is the highest-rated product in Quebec City (4.99/5 from 116 reviews). For a culinary experience, the food tour with 10 tastings is ranked #1 on TripAdvisor with 1,387 reviews.
Is the Grand Spectacle on the Plains of Abraham free in 2026?
Yes, admission to the Grand Spectacle of the National Holiday is entirely free with no booking required. It takes place on the evening of 23 June 2026 on the Plains of Abraham in Quebec City. The plains open at 6:30pm, with the first act (Alaclair Ensemble) starting at 7:30pm, followed by the Grand Spectacle featuring 50+ artists including Ariane Moffatt, Marie-Mai, Garou and Bleu Jeans Bleu. Access is via the Croix du Sacrifice entrance only.
How far in advance should I book Viator tours for the National Holiday?
For the week of 23 June: products flagged as « Likely to Sell Out » — such as the classic walking tour with funicular and the pay-what-you-wish walking tour — regularly sell out from mid-May onwards. It is recommended to book at least 3 to 4 weeks before your travel date.
What is the difference between the Quebec National Holiday and Saint-Jean-Baptiste?
They are two names for the same event on 24 June. « Saint-Jean-Baptiste » is the historic, Catholic-origin popular name. Since 1977 under Rene Levesque, the official name has been « Fete nationale du Quebec » — a secularisation marking the shift from a religious feast to a celebration of Quebec identity in all its diversity. The legal public holiday has been 24 June since 1925.
How do I get from the UK to Quebec City for the National Holiday?
Air Transat operates seasonal transatlantic routes to Quebec Jean-Lesage Airport (YQB). Alternatively, fly into Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau (YUL) with numerous direct services from London Heathrow, Gatwick or Manchester, then take the Via Rail train to Quebec City (approx. 3h). For the National Holiday, the ideal arrival is Sunday 21 or Monday 22 June to allow two full nights before the Plains of Abraham concert.
Sources
- fetenationale.gouv.qc.ca — Official programme Grand Spectacle Quebec 2026 — accessed 2026-05-18
- La Presse — Artists performing at the National Holiday spectacle 2026 — accessed 2026-05-18
- UNESCO — Historic District of Old Quebec, World Heritage Site no. 300 — accessed 2026-05-18
- Funiculaire du Vieux-Quebec — fares and hours 2026 — accessed 2026-05-18
- Pax Nouvelles — Air Transat Quebec–Marseille summer 2026 — accessed 2026-05-18
- Plains of Abraham — Park history (National Battlefields Commission) — accessed 2026-05-18
- Sepaq — Parc de la Chute-Montmorency — accessed 2026-05-18
- Quebec.ca — Official launch of Quebec National Holiday 2026 — accessed 2026-05-18
Ready to experience Quebec’s National Holiday?
Slots fill fast for the week of 23 June. Book your experiences now to secure the best time slots.
See the #1 guided tour — Urban Horizons