Festival Le Grand Dégel

2nd edition - June 6 & 7 2025 - Métis-sur-Mer QC

Le Grand Dégel? The Great Thaw? What's that?

Inspired by pagan celebrations welcoming the return of summer light, Le Grand Dégel was created by a bunch of friends from Metis and around. Their goal was to highlight the beauty of this place, the commitment and humanity of its entrepreneurs and craftspeople, and the creativity of its artists. This is a festival rooted in human and solar warmth, and nourished by a sense of belonging.

PROGRAMME

Friday June 6, 2025

17h00 to 19h00 - 5 à 7 launch event

Everyone is invited to this festive happy hour to kick off the Grand Dégel. Opening speech, BBQ sur la route, live music, and bar service. A perfect prelude to the 8 PM parade!

At the Métis-sur-Mer Community Centre (10 rue de l’Église). Free admission. Food and bar ($)

18h00 to 19h30 Costume Workshop

You’d like to join the parade but feel a bit last minute? No worries! The parade committee invites you to a guided workshop in the community center basement. All materials will be provided to create a natural crown (to wear at the event) or a stick puppet matching the Festival's colors and theme. No artistic experience needed.

At the Métis-sur-Mer Community Centre (10, rue de l’Église). Free and open to all.

20h00 The Great Solar Parade

Everyone from Métis-Sur-Mer and the surrounding area is invited to come and take part in our Great Solar Parade! Make yourself a costume, an illuminated puppet, a lantern or a float and join us for this colourful, motor-free event! Accompanied by the Kalafuba percussion group, we'll be taking the streets of Métis-sur-Mer by storm. Festive atmosphere guaranteed!

Participants are welcomed from 19h30. Departure will take place at the rink and multisport area of the Community Centre (10 rue de l'Église). Free and open to all.

Saturday June 7th, 2025

7h30 to 8h30 Nordic bathing at sunrise

To welcome the first light of spring, we invite you to a cold-water swim in the early hours of the morning. Before you take the plunge, Stéphanie Pelletier will give a presentation on cold water swimming and its basic principles. A bonfire will be lit on the beach and participants will be served a hot drink.

Activity is held on the beach, at the municipal rest area (in front of the church located at 140, Principale), rain or shine! It is free but reservations are required (limited spaces, see link at the bottom of this page).

8h30 to 9h30 Music show with Matantes à bouche

Set against a scenic seaside decor and dressed in their finest, these four singers will perform a cappella traditional polyphonic songs and compositions. Wherever the Matantes go, crowds flock!

On the beach, at the municipal rest area (in front of the church located at 140 Principale). In case of rain, location to be determined. Free and open to all.

8h00 to 10h30 Community breakfast

The newly renovated Café sur mer is opening its doors to the community! Heritage Lower Saint-Lawrence sponsors part of each meal, that means you have no excuse to enjoy a cheap and tasty breakfast among friends!

At Café sur mer (160 rue Principale). $10 (tx included) per plate. No reservation required. 2 choices of plates.

10h00 to 12h00 Introduction to Land Art

Join us as we create ephemeral works on the beach using elements found in nature. You will be accompanied by visual artist Nadine Rouleau, who will guide you through every stage of creation.

On the beach, at the Metis Beach rest area (in front of the church located at 140 Principale). The event will be cancelled in case of strong rain or wind. Free and open to all.

11h30 to 13h00 Hot-dog lunch

The sun is at its zenith and you’re running on empty? A good hot-dog (or 2) will keep your day going!

At the Métis-sur-Mer Community Centre (10 rue de L’Église). Low prices; per item.

13h00 to 16h00 Graffiti workshop

Come and learn the art of graffiti and create a giant mural in the colours of the Grand Dégel. For Ugo Pelletier, graffiti is much more than a visual art: it's a language, a means of expression that belongs to the community.

Outside the Community Centre (10 rue de l’Église). In the event of rain, the mural workshop will be replaced by a cap painting workshop to be held in the Community Centre.

Free activity, but reserved for people aged 17 and under. Children aged 8 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Reservations required (maximum 20 participants), please see link at the bottom of this page.

13h00 to 14h00 Body Percussion Workshop

Join us for a body percussion session with Abigaïl Rezelman, and let yourself be carried away by the energy of rhythm! Come and discover how your body can become a true orchestra.

At the ice rink & multi-sports area of the Community Centre (10 rue de l'Église). In case of rain, venue to be determined. Free admission. Reserved for ages 8 and over. Reservations required (30 participants maximum), please see link at the bottom of this page.

14h30 to 16h00 Artistic-scientific workshop

This artistic and scientific activity is open to participants of all ages. We'll be experimenting with mixing inks of different colours on bubbles to create abstract pieces reminiscent of scenes from nature.

At the Métis-sur-Mer Community Centre (10 rue de l’Église). Free and open to all.

16h30 to 18h00 Community Dinner

Our reknown local Chef Pierre-Olivier Ferry will be serving up a mouth-watering festival menu featuring the flavours of our region, using products from Silva Herbo, Distillerie Mitis and other local producers!

At the Métis-sur-Mer Community Centre (10, rue de l’Église). $ (reservations required). Link coming soon.

19h30 to 23h30 The Great Solar Party

To bring the festival to a close and celebrate the return of fair weather, we're inviting you to wear your best clothes, costumes and luminous accessories (glitter shirts, light tinsels, disco ball earrings, be crazy and imaginative!). With Isabelle Charlot's show followed by DJ HOYA from Collectif Jardin, it promises to be a poetic & soaring evening of festive dancing. Bar service on site.

Location to be announced soon.

Evening tickets: Adults: $20 / 12 years old or less: $10. Reservations strongly recommended using link below.