When does summer begin? The longest day of the year is the official answer: 21st of June. But in our hearts, summer begins when classes end. Remember that feeling of the last day of school? The light heartedness, the awe in front of all that forthcoming liberty. In a word: opportunity. That is a feeling that can’t be forgotten.
In Quebec, there is an unwritten rule that school has to finish before the national holiday of Saint-Jean Baptiste on the 24th of July. It’s name dates back to the use of the Catholic calendar. That day was the traditional feast day. Conveniently aligned with the summer solstice and older pagan fire festivals, making it easier to blend religious and cultural rituals. Over time, Saint-Jean-Baptiste evolved from a religious celebration into a cultural and political expression of Quebecois identity. Since 1977, the day has been officially recognized by the Quebec government as La Fête nationale du Québec, distancing it from its strictly religious roots.
There’s an interesting calendar phenomena that the Quebec provincial holiday on the 24th lines up a exactly a week before the Canadian national holiday of the 1st of July. Many choose to take vacation time in between. Others combine days. The point being that this holiday pairing encourages Quebecers to take a moment to enjoy the beginning of summer.
Another cultural happening that marks the beginning of summer is the opening of the public outdoor pools. The swimming season is so short as it lasts barely to September. The opening at the end of June is much anticipated.
The Saint-Jean-Baptiste holiday in Quebec is for many the biggest celebration of the year. There’s a parade that for some reason always finds controversy in the media. For the youth it means testing limits of alcohol intake. For others, it’s the summer family party. For everyone, it’s not just a holiday; it’s a time to embrace what makes us uniquely Quebecers. That means gathering with friends and family, singing at the top of your lungs to traditional songs, dancing under the stars by the warmth of a bonfire, and soaking in the energy of vibrant parades and live music.