Inside the Festival d’été de Québec, 2018

No amount of photography can truly capture what it means to attend the Festival d’été de Québec (FEQ). Stretching across sprawling riverside parks and, at times, tucked within the intimate stages of Québec City, the multi-venue indoor/outdoor happening features a vast, diverse line-up. But more than just a musical festival, FEQ activates an entire city. In its 51st year, the event claims the title of biggest outdoor music festival in Canada (by attendance) and includes one of the largest stages in North America. But it’s experiencing the charmed city as a whole—wandering its streets, dining on the fly or with elegance, finding another performance venue or pausing at public art—that sets Festival d’été de Québec apart. And this is a reason we continue to be return.

This year, the festival ran for 11 days, and the roster of artists once again comprised various genres. From Cyndi Lauper to Lil Yachty, Lorde to Chromeo, various pop acts were represented. Plus, the likes of Beck, Foo Fighters and Phoenix performed along with icons like Neil Young. Of course, a series of smaller stages featured groups, artists and acts—drawn from around the world, as well as Canadian, with an emphasis on Québécois talent. More than 250 performances left their impact on the city, its residents and the attendees. And once again, FEQ has demonstrated that it’s a valuable addition to the ever-crowded festival season. See highlights in the slideshow above.

In 2019, the Festival d’été de Québec will run from 4-14 July.

Images courtesy of Festival d’été de Québec