Best Montreal beaches for Saint Jean Baptiste Day
The best beaches in Montreal for summer weather and where you need to be for sun, sand and a drink in your hand
La Fête nationale du Québec (the national holiday of Quebec)—also known Saint Jean Baptiste Day—is an annual national holiday that dates back hundreds of years. These days, it's a weekend-long celebration of Francophone identity that's full of festivals day and night, spilling over into the city's bars and a major part of the nightlife in Montreal.
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What is Saint Jean Baptiste Day 2019?
What started as a pagan celebration of the summer solstice full of bonfires eventually transformed into a commemorative day for Saint John the Baptist, a tradition rooted in Christianity that was eventually brought over to Quebec by European settlers. Over time it became what it is today: A weekend-long series of festivities that celebrates Québecois identity and traditions across the province, with Montreal sporting their own performances, parties and parades. There's an official website for the celebrations, but there are tons of additional things to do on every corner of the island.
When is Saint Jean Baptiste Day 2019?
This year, Saint Jean Baptiste Day will take place on June 23-24, 2019.
Where can I visit during Saint Jean Baptiste Day 2019?
The biggest events of the weekend will be the big show taking place on June 23 at Espace 67 in Parc Jean-Drapeau, followed by the major parade on June 24 along Saint-Denis Street, plus tons of neighbourhood celebrations in between. Stay tuned for more details!
