L’Outaouais en fête expands to five days for 2025

Tashi Farmilo

The summer festival season in Quebec is set to begin with a significant expansion as L’Outaouais en fête gears up for its 49th edition in June 2025. Held annually at Parc des Cèdres, the francophone celebration will stretch over five days for the first time in its history, running from June 20 to 24, with organizers promising a richer experience in both scale and spirit.

The decision to extend the festival reflects a broader ambition to expand its cultural impact and provide more opportunities for attendees to engage with music, the arts, and community life. Organisers hope the five-day format will encourage greater connection, highlight diverse francophone talent, and celebrate the language through shared experiences and artistic discovery.

Kicking off the event on June 20 will be Loud, the Montréal-based rapper whose meteoric rise in francophone hip-hop has been marked by lyrical precision and a distinctly bold sound. Known for bridging local and international audiences, Loud’s opening night performance is expected to set the tone with his signature intensity.

Joining the bill is Alexandre Poulin, the folk singer-songwriter lauded for his poetic and introspective compositions. Fresh off receiving the Francophone Songwriter of the Year award at the 2025 Canadian Folk Music Awards, Poulin will take the stage on June 22 with his latest work, La Somme des êtres aimés, continuing a career marked by quiet resonance and thoughtful storytelling.

Also featured is Rau_Ze, a rising duo consisting of Rose Perron and Félix Paul. Their genre-blending sound will accompany Loud on opening night, bringing a mix of intuitive creativity and structured lyricism that has quickly earned them a place among Quebec’s emerging acts.

Ticket sales have reflected strong interest, especially following the introduction of a youth rate for festivalgoers aged 12 to 17, part of a broader effort to make the event more inclusive and accessible. Children under 12 may enter free of charge, and five-day passports remain available at regular prices. For more information and tickets, visit the official website: outaouaisenfete.com.