13 Jul 2026
On July 3, 4, and 5, more than 4,000 festivalgoers attended the 22nd edition of the Chants de Vielles festival in the heart of the village of Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu. Always a unifying force for its community, this year’s event welcomed more than 4,000 festivalgoers, including a record number of workshop participants as well as a record number of campers at its pop-up campground.
Coming from all over Quebec and across North America, participants had the chance to discover more than 80 artists from the folk, traditional, and world music scenes—a one-of-a-kind experience in an atmosphere unlike any other in Quebec.
“This 22nd edition will remain etched in our hearts. It bears the mark of everyone who makes it possible: our 150 volunteers who set up the site and whose commitment never wavers, our suppliers and partners who believe in our team year after year, and of course, all the artists who came to share their art with authenticity and generosity. It is this human chemistry, more than anything else, that makes Chants de Vielles what it is. To everyone, we say THANK YOU”—Nicolas Boulerice, co-founder and spokesperson.
A Welcoming Stage and Exceptional Major Concerts
During the major evening concerts, the magnificent Jean-Paul Guimond Stage, set up along the banks of the Richelieu River, hosted the festival’s headliners in a program that explored the traditional repertoires of Quebec, Acadia, the Appalachians, Mexico, and France. Alternating between moments of emotion and overflowing joy, the interaction between the crowd and the musicians was palpable.
On Friday evening, the lineup featured Laura Cortese & Bert Ruymbeek (California and Belgium), Édith Butler (Acadia), and Le Vent du Nord (Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu); on Saturday, Nadine & Sammy (Appalachians), Otone (Central France, Gascony), and Vishtèn (Prince Edward Island, Magdalen Islands); and on Sunday, during the closing concert, La Belle Petite Équipe (Quebec, Brittany), Galant, tu perds ton temps (Quebec), and Los Vega (Mexico) took the stage.
A Look Back at the Festival’s Highlights
Chants de Vielles’ unique program offered a wide range of high-quality experiences that have made the festival famous: 45 workshops and sessions, intimate concerts, a film screening and discussion (with André Gladu), a lecture (with Normand Baillargeon), a singers’ gathering, a singing happy hour, singing hikes, a storytelling hike, river singing trips on dragon boats, and a large participatory parade…
For young and old alike, dancing is now considered a must-do at Chants de Vielles. Indeed, the popular traditional dance evenings once again brought together a large number of dancers—both beginners and experienced—this year. Otone, Roland Brou, and La Fausse (Bal Fest-noz on Friday night—in collaboration with Bal Folk Montréal), as well as Le Grand Char Allégorique (Quebec traditional dance evening), all set the dance floor ablaze!
A First for Chevreuille
Liette Remon, a highly talented fiddler and singer, made numerous impromptu appearances throughout the event and added her own unique flair to the festival with finesse. Each of her performances brought a playful spirit and enhanced the beauty of every concert!
An Even More Inclusive Festival: A New Signature Area in the Heart of the Jardin du Chevreuil
The Jardin du Chevreuil, open to everyone, continues to evolve with a focus on enhanced accessibility. In addition to the artisan and luthier booths and the Espace Trad Famille, a brand-new signature activity created in partnership with Télé-Québec / FAB and thanks to the support of the MRC de la Vallée-du-Richelieu debuted this year: the ESPACE FAB. Visitors could see and enjoy mini street jig performances (Mackinaw Dance Company) by Volages, Joc, Paruline, and Ariane Labonté, as well as introductory workshops, roaming puppet shows by BirdBone Theatre, and FAB’s 360° immersive experiences, which were offered continuously. This participatory and welcoming space quickly won over the hearts of festivalgoers.
A festival the whole family can enjoy
Once again this year, toddlers and their families had their own special area, themed around wolves and forest animals. In the Espace Trad Famille, set up in the Jardin du Chevreuil, free play, crafts, musical exploration, and storytelling punctuated the weekend, in addition to the popular P’tit Bal Folk, where young and old danced together to the sound of the violin. Four shows and workshops designed specifically for children were also presented.
Chants de Vielles thanks its partners.
Chants de Vielles would like to extend its warmest thanks to its partners, thanks to whom its activities come to life year after year: the Government of Quebec—through the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec and the Ministry of Tourism, the Municipality of Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu, Tourisme Montérégie, the Vallée-du-Richelieu RCM, Canadian Heritage, Simon Jolin-Barrette, Member of the National Assembly for Borduas, Xavier Barsalou-Duval, Member of the National Assembly for Pierre-Boucher–Les Patriotes–Verchères, Caisse Desjardins – Beloeil-Mont-Saint-Hilaire, FAB – Télé-Québec, Hydro-Québec, the Dieu du Ciel microbrewery, Les Subversifs, CFNJ 99.1, CJSO 107.1, Groupe R-M, Mathias Marine Sports, L’Œil régional, Le Courrier de St-Hyacinthe, Journal Les Deux Rives, Bivouac Underground, Nortera, La Compagnie du Nord, Relief Création, Décibel Audio, Les Fonds de Tonnes, Productions Radio, S.D.S Médical, and many others >>>>
Dates for the 2027 edition: July 2, 3, 4
TIL THEN:
READ: A look back at the 2026 edition in L’OEil Régional
WATCH : The 2026 photo album by @LeFolktographe >>>
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HAVE A NICE SUMMER!