The Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival unveils the first names for its 2026 lineup.

The Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival unveils the first names for its 2026 lineup.

The Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival (FMG) has unveiled the first names in its 2026 lineup. Earlier today, organizers began rolling out details for the festival’s 39th edition by announcing the initial artists set to take the stage.

The event will run from September 2nd to 6th, 2026, at Parc de la Baie, once again promising a diverse series of performances spread across five evenings.

Among the first announcements, American band Smash Mouth has already been confirmed as a headliner. Known for its early-2000s hits, the group is scheduled to perform as part of its 2026 tour. Several other notable artists are also expected to appear, including Simple Plan, Matt Lang, Fredz, Émile Bilodeau, Sara Dufour, and Zachary Richard, among others.

Organizers have indicated that a more extensive lineup will be revealed in the coming days.

Considered the largest summer event in the Outaouais region, the FMG draws tens of thousands of festivalgoers each year with its mix of concerts, family activities, and hot air balloon launches.

Further announcements are expected to complete the musical and comedy programming for the 2026 edition.