When you think of Montreal and Quebec, you can think of many things: field hockey(go Habs go), artists (Riopelle, of course), the city’s modernist architecture and plateau brownstones, poutine, pontoons on lakes, lumberjacks in shirtsleeves, you name it…
But, and it seems obvious when you think about it, Quebec is also a region of farmers and cowboys, and western and country culture have a very large place in the Quebec zeitgeist .
And the best time of year for all those who participate and for all country music lovers is summer – the season of Quebec rodeos…
We’ve put together a calendar of rodeo festivals and major events for the 2025 season-we ‘ll be there, with denim mini-shorts, freshly resealed boots and ready to spend the best weekends of the summer!
May 17-18, 2025: Festival Western de St-Tite Summer Rodeo
It’s the temple of Quebec country culture, and one of the region’s oldest rodeos.
May 17 and 18 will see the finals of the IPRA (International Pro Rodeo Association), a professional rodeo association that has been active in Canada since 2009.
In addition to these two rodeos, there will be a conference by Sylvain Bourgeois on rodeo and animal welfare at the Festival Western de St-Tite’s Ganterie.
*Please notethat this is not the festival, which runs from September 5 to 14, but it is the first rodeo you’ll have to see to get in the mood for the summer of rodeos in Quebec.
How much? 1-day admission at $45
How far is it from Montreal? 2h15 by car
Website?festivalwestern.com
June 12-15, 2025:Ayer’s Cliff Rodeo
In addition to the rodeo events that draw the crowds, this is a big party for all cowboys (and cowboy lovers) in the region. Line dancing, musical stages and a local crafts fair are on the program. There’s also a strongman demonstration and, if you really like it, a photo opportunity with them afterwards…Yee-haw!
How much? adult weekend pass $122.50/children’s weekend pass $58.50/day pass for the rodeo between $40 and $50 per person, and between $2 and $23 for children.
How far from Montreal? 1h40 by car
Website? rodeoayerscliff.com
June 18-22, 2025: La Sarre Rodeo
“Let‘s storm La Sarre for the rodeo!” is the motto of this festival of professional rodeos and country atmosphere, with rock n’ roll performances, pyrotechnics, rescue races, wild bull rides, every color of stetson imaginable and a 2025 program soon to be unveiled. ..
How much will it cost? For rodeos (June 20 & 21): 2-day passport from $75, daily entry from $45
How far is it from Montreal? 7h35 by car
Website? rodeolasarre.com
June 19-22, 2025: Charlevoix Rodeo
The Charlevoix Rodeo is a family-friendly country festival featuring, in addition to rodeo events, line-dancing parties, a Lumberjack Competition, a country market and motocross shows… It’s a big, fun-filled celebration that’s uniquely Quebecois and cowboy!
How much does it cost? 3-day package from $105, $23 for children/1-day package from $35, $10 for children
For camping, it’s $115 for 3 nights in a tent and $170 for 3 nights in a trailer.
How far is it from Montreal? 4h15 by car
Website? rodeodecharlevoix.com
June 27-29, 2025: Saint-Antonin Country Festival
Every year, the Festival Country de Saint-Antonin hosts the first rodeo of the Canada Cup Circuit (IPRA circuit), which ends in September at the Festival Western de St-Tite.
There will be over 250 cowboys, dance lessons with Violette Caron of the Texas Dancers, country music, rodeos with two fireworks displays and a country mass on Sunday morning-because country culture is sacred!
How much? $41 for one night, $82 for both nights (with, at the moment, a $10 discount-$72 for both nights).
How far is it from Montreal? 4 hours by car.
Website? festivalcountryst-antonin.com
June 27-29, 2025: Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier Rodeo
This is the Quebec rodeo with the most free activities (musical performances, country dancing, access to restaurants and exhibitors) and tickets give access to the grandstands, where you can see the rodeo shows – including a mini rodeo (cute à mort), horse pulling and classic rodeo.
How much does it cost? Day package $45 for adults, $12 for children (tickets on sale online only).
How far is it from Montreal? 2 hours 50 minutes by car.
Website? rodeoscjc.com
August 21-24, 2025: Mont Saint-Anne Western Festival
This year’s festival expects 700 cowboys and cowgirls (and us, with grandma’s old cowboy boots on our feet and a stetson that we crushed between our hands during the 3-hour drive to make it look worn).
We’re waiting for the full 2025 program, but we do know that there will be rodeo events (obviously), musical performances with country dancing, a children’s area during the weekend and surprise tribute evenings.
How much does it cost? 4-day package from $127.92 for adults and $51.97 for children/ 1-day package from $21.11 for adults and $13.99 for children.
How far is it from Montreal? 3 hours by car
Website? rodeomsa.com
September 5-14, 2025: Festival Western de St-Tite
It’s the last rodeo of the season, and one of Quebec’s most beloved-it ‘s right between Montreal and Quebec City, right in the middle of the Mauricie region. It’s the bastion of lumberjacks and cowboys, between wood and leather…
It’s also one of the oldest, with the first festival held in 1967.
Today, the ten-day festival is a smorgasbord of professional rodeo events and musical shows on their stage, “the Champ”, plus dances, food trucks, special activities… The full program will be out on May 15!
How much does it cost? For “Le Champ” – 5-night package at $288, 1st weekend package at $119, 2nd weekend package at $169
How far from Montreal? 2h15 drive from Montreal.
Website? festivalwestern.com
Yee-haw!