Trois-Rivières, one of Quebec's oldest cities, boasts a colorful and diverse annual events calendar that reflects its rich cultural heritage, artistic spirit, and community pride. From massive international music festivals that transform the riverfront into a giant party to intimate winter celebrations and historic reenactments, the city offers year-round entertainment. The calendar is anchored by world-renowned events like FestiVoix and the Grand Prix, but equally cherished are local markets, food festivals, and cultural gatherings that showcase the creativity and warmth of the Trifluvien community. Whether you're seeking high-energy crowds or family-friendly cultural experiences, Trois-Rivières delivers memorable moments in every season.
January
🎉Festi-Glace
A winter festival celebrating the cold with ice sculpture competitions, sliding zones, outdoor games, and family activities. Artists create stunning frozen artworks, and visitors can enjoy maple taffy on snow and warm beverages.
February
🎭Bal de la Saint-Valentin du Carnaval
A elegant Valentine's Day ball often held in conjunction with Quebec Winter Carnival spirit. Features live orchestra music, dancing, a formal dinner, and the crowning of a festival king and queen.
🎉Le Festif! de l'Hiver
A cheerful winter festival designed to beat the cold blues. Features outdoor concerts (often with heaters), winter sports initiations, communal bonfires, and creative activities that embrace the season.
March
🎭Salon du Livre de Trois-Rivières
The region's premier book fair, attracting authors, publishers, and bibliophiles. Features book signings, literary talks, workshops for aspiring writers, and a vast exhibition hall with thousands of titles.
⚽Tournoi International de Hockey Pee-Wee
A major youth hockey tournament drawing elite Pee-Wee (11-12 year old) teams from across Canada, the United States, and Europe. Future NHL stars often compete in this intense and exciting event.
April
🛒Marché de Pâques (Easter Market)
A special spring market featuring local artisans, chocolatiers, and producers. Find handmade Easter decorations, gourmet chocolate treats, spring flowers, and artisanal foods to celebrate the season.
May
🎵Festival de la Relève Musicale (FRM)
A dynamic festival dedicated to emerging musical artists from Quebec and beyond. Showcases indie rock, pop, folk, and electronic acts in intimate venues across the city over several days.
June
🛒Grand Marché de la Fête Nationale
A large outdoor market and street celebration in the lead-up to Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day. Features local food, crafts, live traditional music, and a festive, patriotic atmosphere.
🎊Fête Nationale du Québec (Saint-Jean-Baptiste)
Quebec's national holiday celebrated with massive public gatherings, concerts featuring top Québécois artists, family activities, and spectacular fireworks over the Saint Lawrence River.
🎵FestiVoix de Trois-Rivières
One of Canada's largest French-language music festivals. For 10 days, the city center becomes a giant open-air venue with multiple free outdoor stages featuring pop, rock, hip-hop, and world music stars.
July
🎊Canada Day Celebrations
A family-friendly celebration of Canada's birthday featuring outdoor concerts, multicultural performances, children's activities, community picnics, and evening fireworks.
🛒Marché Public de Trois-Rivières (Summer Season)
The city's active public market operates weekly, brimming with fresh local produce, flowers, artisanal bread, cheeses, meats, and prepared foods. A staple for locals and a sensory overload.
August
⚽Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières
North America's oldest street racing circuit event. A thrilling weekend of motorsports featuring NASCAR Pinty's Series, Formula 1600, and other racing classes on a challenging downtown track.
🎵Trois-Rivières en Blues
A major blues festival held concurrently with the Grand Prix weekend. Features international and local blues legends on outdoor and indoor stages, creating a lively, soulful atmosphere.
🍽️Fêtes Gourmandes
A culinary festival celebrating regional gastronomy. Local restaurants set up kiosks, chefs give demonstrations, and producers offer tastings of cheese, wine, beer, and other Mauricie specialties.
September
🎭Festival du Monde des Traditions
A multicultural festival celebrating the city's diverse communities through traditional music, dance, crafts, and cuisine from around the world. Promotes intercultural exchange and understanding.
🎭Nuit des Musées (Museum Night)
An annual evening where the city's museums, galleries, and cultural institutions open their doors for free, offering special exhibitions, guided tours, workshops, and artistic performances after dark.
October
🎭Festival International de la Poésie
A world-renowned celebration of poetry that transforms the city into a literary hub. Features readings, slams, performances, and installations by poets from around the globe, in French and other languages.
🎭Halloween in the Old Prison
A uniquely spooky experience at the Old Prison of Trois-Rivières. Features haunted tours, ghost stories, and themed events that leverage the historic site's eerie atmosphere for Halloween thrills.
November
🎊Remembrance Day Ceremony
A solemn and respectful civic ceremony held at the war memorial to honor veterans and those who died in service. Includes laying of wreaths, moments of silence, and participation from military cadets.
December
🛒Marché de Noël de Trois-Rivières
A magical Christmas market inspired by European traditions. Wooden chalets sell handmade gifts, decorations, and seasonal treats like mulled wine and gingerbread. Features carolers, lights, and a festive atmosphere.
🙏Réveillon de Noël (Midnight Mass & Celebrations)
Traditional Christmas Eve celebrations, including solemn and joyous "Messe de Minuit" (Midnight Mass) held in the city's historic churches, notably the beautiful Cathédrale de l'Assomption.
Tips for Attending Events
For major summer festivals (FestiVoix, Grand Prix), book accommodation months in advance, as hotels fill up quickly.
Quebec weather is extreme. For winter events, wear insulated, waterproof boots and layers. For summer festivals, bring sunscreen, a hat, and a reusable water bottle.
Downtown Trois-Rivières is very walkable, but for events at Parc de l'Île Saint-Quentin, consider the public shuttle buses often provided during big festivals.
While many large-scale events are free, paid tickets or passes usually offer premium viewing areas, seating, or access to intimate secondary shows.
Learn a few basic French phrases. While many service people are bilingual, especially downtown, locals appreciate the effort.
Check individual event websites or the city's tourism social media for last-minute schedule changes, especially for weather-dependent outdoor events.
Event Categories
Major multi-day community celebrations, often with a broad theme, parades, and widespread public participation.
Events focused on arts, theater, literature, history, and intellectual pursuits, including museum events and film festivals.
Athletic competitions, tournaments, and races that draw participants and spectators.
Observances of national, provincial, and civic holidays, often with official ceremonies or public gatherings.
Seasonal or thematic markets where local producers, farmers, and artisans sell goods directly to the public.
Observances, ceremonies, and festivals tied to religious traditions and calendars.
Festivals and concert series dedicated primarily to musical performances across various genres.
Events celebrating culinary arts, local produce, and gastronomy, often with tastings and chef demonstrations.