Canada’s Largest Boat and Outdoor Festival to Drop Anchor in Valleyfield This September
A major new on-water boating event
Nautisme Québec announced 12th February 2026, during a press conference held at the Palais des congrès de Montréal, alongside the official opening of the Montréal Boat Show, the launch of Canada’s largest in-water boat show, set to take place this coming September in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield. This new boating showcase, poised to become a leading reference in North America, reflects a broader commitment to renewing and expanding Québec’s boating and outdoor events offering.
“This new Canada Boat and Outdoor Festival marks a pivotal milestone for Nautisme Québec and for the industry as a whole. We are taking a bold, ambitious and unifying step that repositions Québec as a leader in boating in North America. This project stems from a long-term vision: to create a large-scale event that brings together innovation, economic development and a passion for boating, all in an exceptional setting,” said Marc-André Loyer, Chair of the Board of Directors of Nautisme Québec.
“As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, we are launching a structuring event for the industry, an innovative festival on land and on the water that brings together boating and outdoor living, offering an immersive, dynamic and accessible experience that reflects the vitality of the sector in Québec and across Canada,” added Pierre Dumas, Interim Executive Director of Nautisme Québec.
An ambitious event: a festival… and much more
More than an in-water boat show, this new event was designed as a complete experience, bringing together in one location the broader boating community, outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers, to offer a unique gathering for both passionate boaters and visitors alike.
Conceived as a national-scale event, the Canada Boat and Outdoor Festival aims to attract several thousand visitors as early as its first edition. Its target audience extends well beyond Québec, with a clear ambition to attract visitors and exhibitors from Ontario and the Northeastern United States, as well as from across Canada, further strengthening the position of the Valleyfield Marina as a major boating hub.
Why Salaberry-de-Valleyfield? A strategic and natural choice
Following a rigorous selection process, the Valleyfield Marina emerged as the ideal location to host this new event. Recognized for its strong boating identity and expertise, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield benefits from an exceptional strategic location at the crossroads of Québec and Ontario, and in close proximity to the United States. Its marina offers the infrastructure needed to host an event of this scale, while providing a natural setting conducive to an immersive experience.
“Hosting Canada’s largest in-water boating festival is a tremendous source of pride for the city of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield and the entire region. Thanks to our infrastructure, our expertise and our welcoming spirit, we have everything needed to deliver an exceptional on-water experience for both visitors and exhibitors,” said Miguël Lemieux, Mayor of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield.
From left to right: Johanne Girouard, Treasurer, Secretary and Marina Representative on the Board of Directors of Nautisme Québec; Louis P. Bélanger, Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of Nautisme Québec; Marc-André Loyer, Chair of the Board of Directors of Nautisme Québec; Miguël Lemieux, Mayor of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield; Sylvain Deschamps, Manager of the Valleyfield Marina; Pierre Dumas, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Nautisme Québec; Andrea Cutugno, Director of Communications, Marketing and Events at Nautisme Québec; and Béatrice Launay, Director of Responsible Boating and Community Relations at Nautisme Québec. Photo credit: Nautisme Québec.
A fresh wind of renewal for Nautisme Québec and the industry
With this announcement, Nautisme Québec reaffirms its leadership role in the development and promotion of sustainable and responsible boating, as well as its commitment to evolving its events through a renewed model that responds to emerging visitor trends and the expectations of an industry in constant transformation.
The Canada Boat and Outdoor Festival will offer an enhanced program featuring more services, entertainment and experiences, in an inclusive and accessible spirit. This launch is part of a long-term vision: positioning Québec as a must-visit destination for boating and outdoor enthusiasts at the provincial, national and North American levels.
“With this new format, we are offering much more than an event: we are creating a true open-air playground designed for the whole family. Visitors will be able to test boats directly on the water, enjoy an evening celebration, take part in introductory boating experiences, attend training sessions and conferences, and of course discover the industry’s latest innovations, just like a traditional boat show, but on a larger scale.
Our ambition is clear: to offer an all-in-one, vibrant, immersive and accessible event where enthusiasts, curious visitors, children and experts can come together in a shared spirit of discovery and enjoyment. We want to light up the eyes of young and old alike and position Québec as a must-see destination for boating and outdoor living, an annual event people will return to year after year,” said Andrea Cutugno, Director of Communications, Marketing and Events at Nautisme Québec.
Additional details regarding programming, exhibitors, partners and featured experiences will be unveiled in the coming months.
25th edition of the Montréal Boat Show
The Montréal Boat Show, taking place February 12 to 15, 2026 at the Palais des congrès de Montréal, celebrates its 25th edition, marking its final presentation at this venue before entering a new chapter driven by a renewed vision aimed at growing the event even further. Bringing together more than 100 exhibitors and nearly 300 boats, this edition also stands out with the return of long-standing brands and a clear commitment to bringing sailing back to the heart of the show.
About Nautisme Québec
Nautisme Québec is a non-profit organization representing the boating and recreational marine industry throughout Québec and Canada. It supports and advocates for its members across key areas including boating safety, marinas, sustainable development, economic development, nautical tourism, and access to waterways. Nautisme Québec also serves as the organizer of several events.
By Nautisme Québec
