Quebec's Fte nationale marked with mix of in-person and virtual celebrations

Festivities are planned incommunities across the province to mark Fte nationale, the province's annual holiday, in keeping withpublic health restrictions.

Celebrations will be in held in many Montreal neighbourhoodsandsmaller municipalities on the island and beyond both today and throughout the weekend.

Some events, however, have been cancelled or will take place virtually.

There won't be a parade through Montreal for the second straight year but, as an alternative,artistic installations are on display at the Quartier des Spectacles downtown.

The main concertscheduled for this evening, as well,will not have not an audience for the second year in a row.

The show will be broadcast on all major French TV networks starting at 8 p.m. and feature a wide array of artists, includingCur de pirate, Marie-Mai andSarahme.

The city of Longueuil on Montreal's South Shore will also be hosting a virtual concert.

The event, which will be streamed on Facebook, TVRS and MATV, will feature performances byBleu Jeans Bleu,mile BilodeauandSarah Dufour.

It will air starting at 8:30 p.m. and fireworks will go off in five different parks at 10 p.m.

The city hasn't announced which parks in an attempt to limit gatherings, but it has confirmed that two will be located in Vieux-Longueuil, two inSaint-Hubert and one inGreenfield Park.

A full list of events is availablehere, and a list of what Montreal services areclosed for the holiday is available here.