New Years in Quebec City will definitely not disappoint this year. As the clock turns to midnight, the year long festivities will begin. January 1st 2008 marks the start of a 10-month-long celebration in Quebec to mark its 500th Year Anniversary: 1608 – 2008.
At Place D’Youville on New Years, the Kick-off celebration will begin at 9pm and the show will begin at 11pm. The show will celebrate 400 years of the history, culture, and people of Quebec. There’s a huge list of entertainment for the whole family, including comedy, dance, music, arts and a cast of 200 tapdancers, 100 singers, and 50 dancers. Midnight will mark the massive fireworks show that they have planned. After midnight musical entertainment and rhythm will continue until the early morning.
Special events, exhibitions, different types of media and arts, will be showcased throughout the city from January until October to continue celebrating Quebec’s 400th. Major events as well as Canadian, International, and First Nations programs have also been included – programs which promise exciting experiences and diversity that properly represents Quebec.
On January 5th and 6th in 2008, an interactive tour called “le parcours” will take participants through 13 different zones, each stop promising a unique interactive experience. From January to April, the “Urbanopolis” program will showcase talks, performances, round table discussions and cinema will challenge the future of urbanization in Quebec.
On July 6th at the Plains of Abraham, families, kids and people from all over Quebec can come together to take part of a giant city-wide picture that will be a commemorative souvenir for future generations.
Beginning June 3rd 2008, the “Espace 400” program will take the party to another level. The harbour front area of Louise Basin will be transformed into a space dedicated for the 400th anniversary activities and events. It will be 120 days of arts shows, workshops, music and performances, lectures and debates, community and sustainable development initiatives and tons of more unique and creative dealings.
On July 3rd, Official Commemorative ceremonies will take place at the Basilique de Quebec, the Plains of Abraham, and Bassin Louise. This will mark the exact 400th year of the founding of Quebec City. A military parade, songs and dances, and the opening summer festival show will take place.
On August 22nd at the Plains of Abraham, a free public concert will be held featuring Celine Dion and other artists. In mid-October, Cirque du Soleil has prepared an exclusive one-night show on the 19th for Quebec’s anniversary. The show will embrace the diversity of the rich Francophone heritage and culture that exists in many nations.
Be part of all these exciting events and visit Quebec this year to celebrate the city’s 400th year anniversary. For more information, please visit: www.monquebec2008.com.
