St-Jean-Baptiste, Montreal

June 24th is St-Jean-Baptiste day; a provincial holiday in Quebec!

Everyone from all over the province enjoys this holiday as revellers of all ages and background take advantage of this provincial holiday for merry-making and revelry.
Banks, schools, post offices, and government offices are all closed to celebrate this national holiday.

The June 24 holiday dates back to 1615 when settlers in New France used it to celebrate the summer solstice and the birth of St-Jean-Baptiste. After the conquest of New France by the British, the holiday waned until the founding of the Societe St-Jean-Baptiste in 1834.

In recent years past, this day was used by various political and government bodies to promote nationalist pride and fervor, but I am happy to see that this year's celebrations are taking on a more multi-cultural flavor!

So, come on down and join in the celebrations...!! There is much dancing, cheering, singing, partying and merry-making as spectators celebrate the increasing diversity of the event.!!

Bonne Fete Nationale everyone!!

La St-Jean on the 24th of July is Quebec's national day and a day to party! Especially the people who support an indepent Quebec celebrate on this day. Head to the Maisonneuve park near the Olympic Stadium to take part in a big open-air concert - about 250 000 people and Quebec-flags and fleur-d'elyse all over! It's a lot of fun!

St-Jean Baptiste is the national holiday of Québec
There is a big parade each year (back 4-5 years ago after an absence of 10-15 years). Floats, fanfarre, etc...
For the second year, the parade is at night.

And I am unsure why but, now we refer to the St-Jean Baptiste as the Fête National.

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Every june 24th, quebecers in all the province celebrate "La fete st-jean", many celebrations are organized everywhere for this event but the bigges event is the free show in 'parc maisonneuve' where many famous singers and artists come to celebrate with all quebecers.