Les Feux sur Glace to illuminate Aylmer marina after three-year pause

Tashi Farmilo

The Les Feux sur Glace festival will return to the Aylmer Marina in February, bringing fireworks, live music, and family entertainment back to the community after a three-year hiatus. The much-anticipated event, a winter highlight for the region, promises an even more dynamic program than in past years.

“The festival is back!” said Marie-Pier Lacroix, a member of the board responsible for organizing the event. “It was on pause because of COVID, but now we’re ready to return in February at the Aylmer Marina.” This year’s festival will feature two music performances each night, with fireworks as a dazzling centerpiece.

On Friday night, the spotlight will be on nostalgia and Quebec hip-hop. “On the 21st, it’s going to be a mix of 90s nostalgia, with music from MusiquePlus days, and Dubmatique performing after the fireworks,” said Lacroix. Saturday will shift to a country music focus, with headliners such as Phil G. Smith and Cindy Bédard, along with emerging local artists. “Saturday is all about country, with a lineup of artists and rising stars,” she added.

The event will also cater to families with a dedicated zone offering activities for children, ice carving, and live mural painting. Food trucks and booths from local non-profits will round out the festival experience, providing visitors with a taste of the region’s offerings.

The festival will run on February 21 and 22, from 4:00  to 10:30 pm each evening, featuring nightly fireworks displays at 8:30 pm as the highlight of the program. Tickets are available online, with discounted presale prices until December 31. Daily passes cost $10 for children, $20 for teens, and $35 for adults, while weekend passes are $15, $35, and $60, respectively. Tickets can be purchased at www.lumivalli.ca/les-feux-sur-glace or on the festival’s Facebook page at facebook.com/lesfeuxsurglace.

With an estimated budget of $250,000 and the support of the City of Gatineau, the festival is expected to draw a large crowd. “We’d love to see around 5,000 people join us,” Lacroix said. “It’s going to be a big celebration, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone.”