What’s On in the Outaouais, June 22–28
This weekend, we’re celebrating St-Jean-Baptiste everywhere in the Outaouais! To help you make the most of the festivities, here’s a list of some “must-do” events and activities over the next few days.
Festivals and events!
Downtown Gatineau Culture Trail
The Culture Trail is back! Discover (or rediscover) downtown Gatineau by following the 3-km trail, marked by a red line on the ground. For summer 2018, the trail features new ephemeral artworks and new programming.
Don’t miss a thing: download the GO centre-ville app now!
You can start from Jacques-Cartier Park.
Free.
To get the most out of the Culture Trail, download the GO centre-ville app now!
Mosaïculture Gatineau 2018
Another highly anticipated return this summer is the horticultural sculpture exhibition Mosaïculture Gatineau 2018, which opens this Friday, June 22! This year, it features 45 gigantic works and more than 5.5 million hand-planted plants. Mother Earth will be back this summer, but the highlight of the show will no doubt be the Bird Tree. A definite must-see!
Jacques-Cartier Park.
June 22 to October 15, 2018.
General admission (age 12+): $20 | Senior (65+): $18 | Student: $18 | Youth (6–11): $5 | Child (5 and under): Free | Family package: $45 | Season pass: $40
Residents of Gatineau get a discount on season passes (free for children 11 and under, and $15 for people 12 and older). | The site is accessible for people with reduced mobility.
Festiloups – Truck pull and mud run
For an action-packed event that will delight the kid in you, head to Des Loups Park on June 23 and 24! Besides performances by Bernard Adamus and other artists, various styles of tractors and trucks will face off in epic competitions. Vibrate to the roar of the engines and cheer on the competitors in the truck pull and mud run!
Des Loups Park – 8 Lionel-Beausoleil Road, La Pêche.
Friday, June 22 to Sunday, June 24.
Adult – $5 to $20 | Child – $2.50 to $10.
Three-day passes are available for adults and children. | Website in French only.
L’Outaouais en fête festival
Once again this year, the L’Outaouais en fête festival invites you to Des Cèdres Park to celebrate the Saint-Jean-Baptiste weekend in style! On the shore of the Ottawa River, enjoy outdoor performances by Tire le Coyote, Les Cowboys Fringants, Manu Militari, the Alaclair Ensemble, a tribute to Richard Desjardins, and many more. The amusement park will be open throughout the weekend, and there will be a bonfire on Saturday, June 23, and fireworks on Sunday, June 24!
Des Cèdres Park
Friday, June 22 to Monday, June 25.
Admission to the performance area is free from noon to 5 p.m. daily; after 5 p.m., a day pass ($20) is required for visitors age 13 and older. | Admission to the amusement park (but not the rides) is free at all times.
Day passes are available only at the festival site entrances, Friday, June 22 to Monday, June 25 from 5 p.m. to midnight. | Website in French only.
La p’tite St-Jean in Gatineau
On June 24, the businesses of Old Hull invite you to the third edition of La p’tite St-Jean, which will take place on Laval Street in Old Hull. On Sunday night, two bands will take the stage to get the crowd dancing and singing! Also livening up the evening will be Transistor’s mobile studio truck, making its street debut, and a few wacky characters will add to the unique ambiance. An evening not to be missed in Old Hull, the heart of downtown Gatineau.
Pedestrian section of Laval Street in Old Hull, Gatineau.
Sunday, June 24 at 8 p.m.
Free.
The featured bands are Quebec Redneck Bluegrass Project and Irish Bastards.
Where to celebrate St-Jean-Baptiste Day around the Outaouais
For information about St-Jean-Baptiste celebrations throughout the Outaouais this weekend, click here! (Website in French only.)
If you want to go out for a drink (or two) over the St-Jean weekend, here are 6 bars in Old Hull that are well worth a visit!