St-Roch XP is the urban festival of the Saint-Roch district, located in the heart of downtown Québec City. For three days, from August 27 to 29, 2026, rue Saint-Joseph transforms into a large open-air stage. The lineup includes emerging music, street food, and arts, in both unusual venues and renowned halls. Most performances are free, making it one of the most accessible end-of-summer outings in Québec City. Each year, the return of St-Roch XP is a true neighborhood celebration in the open air.

St-Roch XP 2026: Festival Dates and Locations

The 2026 edition of St-Roch XP takes place from Thursday, August 27 to Saturday, August 29, 2026. Organized by Bleufeu, the festival (also known as SRXP) takes over about fifteen locations in the Saint-Roch district. You'll find pop-up stages, bars, cafes, and even shop windows:

  • Bar Le Vox, Bati Bassac, and L'Ampli de Québec;
  • Marché Tradition Courtemanche Baril and La Korrigane;
  • the hall of the Gabrielle-Roy library;
  • place Jacques-Cartier;
  • Grizzly Fuzz, for late-night events;
  • Impérial Bell, for major indoor shows.

First of all, know that it's precisely this journey between such varied places that makes St-Roch XP so charming. You stroll from one end of rue Saint-Joseph to the other and stumble upon a concert in a shop, on a store's doorstep, or around a street corner.

Emerging Music: Dozens of Shows, Most of Them Free

St-Roch XP is primarily a springboard for up-and-coming talent. The 2026 lineup features over 60 artists from Québec, the rest of Québec, Acadia, Canada, and abroad (including Toronto, New York, France, Belgium, and Nova Scotia). For the audience, it's a chance to discover emerging artists before anyone else, and perhaps the opportunity to see a band for the first time that will fill venues in a few years.

The program is divided into several sections:

  • SiriusXM Showcases: free performances by emerging artists, presented throughout the district;
  • Ubisoft Series: ticketed shows at Impérial Bell. In 2026, it features Le Gong Show on Friday, August 28, and Coeur de Pirate on Saturday, August 29;
  • Extras XP: three 100% free electro late-night events at Grizzly Fuzz, starting at 9:30 PM, with DJs like Fistule, Tartine, and Alex Murphy;
  • Audience Award, presented by Ubisoft: festival-goers vote for their favorite discovery.

In short, there are dozens of free shows to see without tickets. Only the Ubisoft Series evenings require advance ticket purchases.

Street Food: Chefs and Restaurateurs of Saint-Roch Take to the Streets

The other major star of St-Roch XP is gastronomy. Restaurateurs from rue Saint-Joseph set up directly in the street to offer their specialties at affordable prices. These are bites and menus designed for the event, to be enjoyed while walking between concerts. Gourmet shops, cafes, and local merchants also join the festivities: it's the perfect time to discover the expertise of the chefs who make the Saint-Roch district famous.

The festival also offers culinary workshops and tasting conferences at the Gabrielle-Roy library:

  • August 27 with La Buvette Mila;
  • August 28 with chef Olivier Graton;
  • August 29 with Samuel Boisvert.

During these three days, you can taste a portion of what makes the Saint-Roch district renowned. For food lovers, it's a great way to challenge your taste buds while meeting the people behind the menus.

Mini XP: A Family Section at the Gabrielle-Roy Library

St-Roch XP isn't just about evening events. On Saturday, August 29, 2026, the Mini XP section offers youth activities at the Gabrielle-Roy library: acrobatics and scientific demonstrations for the little ones. Like the rest of the daytime programming, it's a free outing, ideal to combine with a stroll on rue Saint-Joseph.

La Petite Galerie Bell complements the offer with a space dedicated to visual arts. You'll also find live painting and roaming animation throughout the district.

Practical Information for Enjoying St-Roch XP

  • Dates: August 27 to 29, 2026.
  • Location: Saint-Roch district, mainly on rue Saint-Joseph, downtown Québec City.
  • Price: Most shows are free. Ubisoft Series shows at Impérial Bell are ticketed.
  • Detailed Schedule and Programming: available on the official St-Roch XP website or in the FEST app.
  • Getting Around: the district is compact and best explored on foot. Consider public transit or biking, as parking is limited downtown during the festival.

Our advice: check the show schedule details and the edition's new features before heading out and leave room for surprises. At St-Roch XP, the greatest pleasure often comes from discovering an unknown group by chance.

Frequently Asked Questions About St-Roch XP

When is St-Roch XP in 2026?

The St-Roch XP festival takes place from August 27 to 29, 2026, in the Saint-Roch district of Québec City.

Is St-Roch XP free?

Yes, for the most part. SiriusXM Showcases, electro late-night events at Grizzly Fuzz, and Mini XP activities are free. Only Ubisoft Series shows at Impérial Bell (like Coeur de Pirate) require tickets.

Where does the festival take place?

In about fifteen locations in the Saint-Roch district, mainly on rue Saint-Joseph: bars, cafes, Gabrielle-Roy library, place Jacques-Cartier, Impérial Bell, and pop-up stages.

Is it a family-friendly outing?

Yes. The Mini XP section on August 29 is aimed at children, and street food as well as daytime shows are suitable for all ages.

Also Discover in Québec

Do you love festivals? Check out the Festival d'été de Québec, the Festival de cinéma de la ville de Québec, or the Festival celtique de Québec.

👉 See the full St-Roch XP profile on Évasion Québec.