Laval’s summer festival calendar expanded in July when the Festival des Vins et Spiritueux de Laval and the new Festival Manger Santé de Laval drew a combined audience of more than 10,000 visitors to Centropolis for two consecutive weekends, organisers say.
Two events, one destination
Each festival hosted more than 50 exhibitors and attracted in excess of 5,000 visitors, according to organisers. The festivals paired commercial showcases with cultural and community outreach, presenting wine, spirits and gourmet experiences alongside nutritional and wellness-focused products and services.
- Festival des Vins et Spiritueux de Laval: wine, spirits and gourmet offerings
- Festival Manger Santé de Laval: nutrition, wellness and local entrepreneurship
- Venue: Centropolis Laval, two consecutive weekends in July
Organisers say the two events are positioning themselves as part of what they call a signature summer experience for the city — a mix of culture, commerce and community discovery that could become an annual draw.
“Our vision has always been to create festivals that celebrate people, culture and local entrepreneurship while giving residents another reason to be proud of their city,”
The comment came from festival co-organiser and Laval city councillor for Saint-Bruno, David De Cotis, who added that drawing more than 10,000 people confirmed local appetite for such events and the potential for them to become traditions.
Wellness meets entrepreneurship
The Festival Manger Santé made its debut this year with a focus on healthy living and local business, tapping into consumer interests in nutrition, wellness and preventative health. Organisers highlighted demographic and service trends — an ageing population paying closer attention to personal health paired with changing availability of public health services — as factors that could expand interest in this sector.
De Cotis described the event as filling a niche for Laval residents who might otherwise travel to Montreal for similar wellness expos. He said the festival aims to match those offerings closer to home and to stimulate local entrepreneurship in the health and wellness market.
Attendance and exhibitors
Organisers provided the following high-level figures for the two festivals:
| Festival | Exhibitors | Visitors (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Festival des Vins et Spiritueux de Laval | More than 50 | Over 5,000 |
| Festival Manger Santé de Laval (inaugural) | More than 50 | Over 5,000 |
Organisers have also emphasised the role of Centropolis as a central, accessible venue for events that blend retail, dining and entertainment. For an urban municipality like Laval, easily reached from several neighbourhoods and neighbouring municipalities, such venues are attractive for mid-size festivals seeking walk-in traffic and visibility.
Local implications
Beyond attendance figures, the festivals carry potential implications for local businesses and civic life. Exhibitors at both events included producers and entrepreneurs presenting gourmet products, beverages and health-related services — a profile that suggests direct opportunities for local vendors to test products, make contacts and capture retail sales.
City councillors and event organisers framed the programming as part of a broader strategy to offer residents more cultural and commercial experiences locally, reducing the need to travel to Montreal for specialised festivals. If the events return in future years, they may contribute to a more diverse summer programming lineup and help grow a local festival economy.
Organisers called this year’s results “an outstanding success” and said they plan to build on the momentum. Details on dates, programming changes or partnerships for next year have not been released.
For Laval residents, the twin festivals offered a chance to sample new products, learn about wellness trends and support local entrepreneurs — and organisers say the numbers show that the city is ready for more such experiences.
