Festival D’Été De Québec Forced To Cancel For The First Time In 53 Years

The Coronavirus crisis has claimed its next festival victim, the Festival d’été de Québec, originally scheduled for July 9-19.

It would have been the festival’s 53rd edition. Never before in its history was it forced to cancel.

Halsey, Imagine Dragons, Marshmello, Alesso, The National, G-Eazy, Alanis Morissette, Jack Johnson and many more had already been confirmed for FEQ 2020, but “the exceptional global situation caused by the ongoing pandemic,”  has forced the cancellation.

FEQ is a non-profit organization that also runs the Imperial Bell venue in Québec. Several temporary layoffs became necessary to allow the not-for-profit to navigate the crisis. “In addition to the employees, many suppliers, collaborators and partners are unfortunately just as affected by the turn of events. The FEQ, an important socio-economic driver in Québec, will now take advantage of this break to try to come back stronger in 2021,” a promoter statement reads.

The statement continues: “Given the evolving situation of the Covid-19 pandemic and all of its impacts, it would be neither prudent nor realistic for the organization to continue its efforts. 

“The consideration for the safety of its festival goers, its employees and its collaborators, the impossibility for the FEQ teams to catch up on the preparatory work necessary for the holding of the event, as well as the growing uncertainty about border restrictions have led the organization to make this decision.”

Said Anne Hudon, director general of FEQ: “This situation saddens us very much, but the health of all is our priority. We support the government in its management of this unprecedented crisis. We can only salute the measures deployed, which will allow us to reunite with our festival goers, in good health, in 2021. 

“We are dealing with unfortunate circumstances that no one could have  predicted and whose repercussions are felt at every level of our organization. With its major economic impacts and its power of mobilization for the region, we are convinced that the FEQ will be part of the solution for reviving the economy in Québec in the aftermath of the crisis.”

Festival goers will be reimbursed for General Admission passes, Zone Front Stage cards, as well as Bell Signature Zone cards, as stipulated in the FEQ’s purchasing policies. Festival goers will not need to contact the ticket office or their credit card issuer: refunds will be made to the credit card used for the transaction within the next 30 days.