10 Things to do in Quebec City at Christmas

Visiting Quebec at Christmas is an experience that offers something for everyone. As in many other places, Christmas in this city is lived as a family and social celebration rather than as a religious holiday, but there is still room for beliefs.

Here is a list of the best things to see and do in Quebec at Christmas time, such as visiting the Christmas markets, ice skating or tasting the delicious traditional delicacies. You are sure to find your ideal way to experience this time of year in Quebec.

The Christmas market season is really busy in Quebec. Whether small or large, these markets are full of local products and crafts presented in a friendly, diverse and magical environment. Among the markets you can't miss are the German Christmas Market and the Grand Quebec Christmas Market. I'll tell you a little more about them below.

Marché de Noël Allemand de Québec

Located in the heart of Old Quebec, the Quebec German Christmas Market offers a wide variety of crafts, decorations and gastronomic products. It is inspired by German Christmas culture and is usually held from November 23 to December 23. It's a great place to sample gluwein, a spiced mulled wine that will keep you warm as you explore the market. Santa Claus usually makes an appearance too, ideal if you're going to Quebec with children.

You can find this flea market in five locations in the city, very close to each other:

• Place D'Youville
• Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville
• Gardens of the Hôtel-de-Ville
• Rue Sainte-Anne
• Place d'Armes

The Grand Christmas Market

The Grand Marché No ël brings together more than 200 businesses, artists and artisans to bring the Christmas season to life. It also offers various activities such as food and drink tastings and sewing workshops. It is held at the Grand Marché du Québec, usually from November 24 to December 24.

• Location: Grand Marché du Québec, 250-M, boulevard Wilfrid-Hamel, Québec.
• Hours: Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6 pm and Sundays and holidays from 9 am to 5 pm.

Christmas shopping in Petit-Champlain, one of Quebec's most charming neighborhoods, becomes a must during the holiday season. European style and outdoor decorations stir up the festive atmosphere in the neighborhood, which is enhanced by the artistic performances and choirs that often perform on weekends in December.

The neighborhood is filled with unique treasures that offer a wide variety of options, such as Atelier La Pomme and Métiers d'art du Québec, which showcase products from Québec artisans, or the boutique Les Ptits Mosüs, ideal for finding gifts for young children.

Exploring Petit-Champlain with children is always special. In addition to looking for original handcrafted toys, it's a good idea to try the delicious beaver tail, a traditional dessert, while strolling through the streets decorated with Christmas lights. Another interesting option is the Museum of Civilization store in Puerto Viejo, where you can find books, handicrafts, souvenirs, objects related to the exhibits and all kinds of local products.

A very good idea for the Christmas season is to taste Canadian cuisine on a gastronomic tour of the Orleans Island in Quebec. The island's culinary heritage is rooted in the fusion of French Canadian traditions and local agriculture. Its rustic dishes, made with fresh ingredients and traditional techniques, reflect the authenticity of the region and its link to the land.

During the tour, you can indulge in delicacies such as Tourtière, a savory meat pie, Charlevoix cheese made from raw cow's milk, and Fiddleheads, a springtime delicacy. In addition, you will have the opportunity to taste the local cider in a cider house, enjoy panoramic views in a vineyard and visit a chocolate factory, to add a sweet touch to your gastronomic experience.

Undoubtedly, the Christmas season adds a special charm to this tour, with the festive atmosphere and seasonal flavors further highlighting the island's culinary richness. Add to this the snowy scenery and the tour becomes a highly recommended experience.

If you're looking for a thrill-filled experience, you can't miss the Slide Au 1884 toboggans, where you can toboggan at speeds of up to 70 km per hour. At Christmas time, the slides are often covered with snow, guaranteeing you a high-speed experience in the middle of Quebec's winter landscape. After sliding down the slide, you can relax with a hot drink at the Au 1884 kiosk, located next to the Château de Frontenac, on the historic Dufferin Terrace. From there you can admire the beautiful surroundings and recharge your batteries after the intense adventure on the slides.

Christmas vacations, Carnival and weekend evenings, in general, are very busy, and there are often surprises, such as the appearance of Santa Claus. That is why I recommend that before planning your visit, check Au 1884's social pages, since, due to the winter weather, some days it may be closed. You can also take the opportunity to visit the Château Frontenac, one of the most beautiful historic hotels in Quebec.

Interesting details

• Location: Princesse Louise, Place Terrasse Dufferin, Québec, QC G1R 4P5, Canada.
• Hours: daily from 10 am to 5 pm.
• Prices: from €2.5 per person per slide.

The ice rink at Place D'Youville is an excellent choice for your Christmas stay in Quebec. With the enchanting décor of the fortifications and the Porte Saint-Jean, you'll have the perfect backdrop to enjoy the activity. The square is located about 700 meters from Old Quebec, the historic district of the city.

On site you can rent skates and the necessary equipment to enjoy the experience. After skating, you can recharge your batteries with a delicious hot chocolate that will be offered by several stalls around the rink. You will be close to the stalls of the German Christmas Market, so you can also attend the special events and concerts that are organized there.

Later, you can venture into the nearby streets to discover the Christmas decorations and festive atmosphere that permeates the city. If you are only going to be in Quebec for 2 days don't forget to book your tickets in advance, as this is a time when many people attend the skating rink. You should also take clothing suitable for the cold temperatures.

Details of interest

• Location: 995, Place D'Youville Québec, QC, G1K 3P1.
• Hours: from November to March from Monday to Thursday from 12 am to 10 pm, and from Friday to Sunday from 10 am to 10 pm.
• Price: admission to the skating rink is free. Skate rental costs about €6 per person.

The Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré is considered the second oldest pilgrimage center in North America and usually receives about one million visitors every year. The Christmas season is ideal for recreating a pilgrimage, when the snowy landscape and caroling make it a very special destination to visit.

On the other hand, the twin-towered basilica is an architectural gem that houses priceless works of art, such as the cedar-carved statue of St. Anne by sculptor Louis Jobin. Inside you will see many images that recreate the life of St. Anne, to whom this church is dedicated. Also noteworthy are its copper doors, which were made by the famous artist Albert Gilles.

To complement your visit to the basilica and the city of Beaupré, you can go to the Albert Gilles Copper Museum and see more of the work of this outstanding artist. You can't miss his Christorama exhibit, made up of 50 copper panels that tell the story of Jesus. At the museum you can also learn how to make your own piece using the embossing technique and take away that original souvenir of the experience.

Quebec is one of the best cities in the world to celebrate Christmas, so taking a stroll to discover the Christmas decorations is an activity you can't miss. In addition to the Christmas markets, there are many places to explore in this city and with a three-day stay in Quebec you will have more than enough time.

A good option to get to these places are the Quebec Hop-on Hop-off buses, as they make stops at the most important points of the city and you can get off and get back on whenever you want. Below, I'll tell you about the places you can't miss on your tour of the best Christmas decorations in Quebec.

Grande Allée

In December, Grande Allée, known as Quebec's Champs Elysées, attracts pedestrians with its decorated and illuminated stores, bars and restaurants that are very popular with locals and visitors alike. It is here that the New Year is welcomed with illuminated displays, outdoor fireplaces and heated terraces.

Also, next to the Grande Allée, you can enjoy the Plains of Abraham Park, where you can practice winter sports such as skating or snowshoeing, as well as rent snow carpets to glide through the snow. In addition, the Plains of Abraham Museum, which is the gateway to the park, offers exhibits and activities at Christmas time, such as a scavenger hunt.

Avenue Cartier

This avenue is located near the National Museum of Fine Arts, one of Quebec's best museums, and the Plains of Abraham. The street offers a different shopping experience from the old town, with boutiques and luxury stores instead of traditional souvenir stores.

It is also known for its varied gastronomic and nightlife offerings, with its wide selection of restaurants, bars and pubs that invite you to relax after a day of shopping. All this, plus the charming festive decorations, make it a must-see Christmas destination.

The Christmas season is one of the best times to tour Old Quebec on foot, when it comes to life at the end of the year. At this time, the old buildings and snow-covered cobblestone streets will recreate the perfect Christmas scene to discover on foot. Old Quebec is the historic district of the city, considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is surrounded by ramparts and four gates that were built between the 17th and 19th centuries.

At Christmas time, you won't want to miss Notre-Dame de Québec Cathedral and Place Royale, which are uniquely decorated and offer holiday activities such as carol concerts, nativity scenes and Christmas trees. You can also visit the 17th century ramparts surrounding Old Quebec, which can be covered with snow at this time of year.

If you choose to take one of the best tours of Quebec to get to know this historic district, the guide will be able to provide you with a lot of information about the history and culture of Quebec. He will also be able to recommend the best places to eat and celebrate Christmas, or where to buy gifts, which will certainly enrich your stay in the city.

A very interesting activity to do at Christmas time is to visit the Montmorency Falls, which is one of the best excursions to do from Quebec. It is about 83 meters high, higher than Niagara Falls, where the waterfalls are surrounded by trails with panoramic views that, with the blanket of snow in this winter season, acquire a special attraction.

To get there you must go to the Chute-Montmorency Park and take the cable car to the base of the waterfall. In addition to visiting the waterfall, you can stop at the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré. Both the historic building and the village of Beaupré where it is located are very good examples of history and culture of this region of Canada.

And to feel the local color of Christmas, on your visit to Beaupre you can also go to visit the Albert Gilles Copper Museum, where you can admire and buy pieces of copper art made by the Gilles family, or the Ile d'Orleans Chocolaterie, where you can buy typical products of the region to give as gifts.

Details of interest

• Location: 5300, boulevard Sainte-Anne Quebec, QC, G1C 0M3.
• Hours: daily from 10 am to 4 pm.
• Price: from 17 € per person.

An experience that will certainly be special at Christmas time is to visit or stay in a real ice hotel: the Hôtel de Glace. At this time of year, the hotel, which is built with 2,400 blocks of ice and 35,000 tons of snow, is filled with festive decorations and activities.

The Hotel de Glace is located about twenty minutes from the city center and is decorated with a general theme that changes every year. It has about 42 rooms, many of them themed, showrooms, bar, lobby, cinema, a large event hall, log cabins and even a chapel where weddings are held.

Some of the things you can experience at the Hotel is to try their sauna, join an ice sculpture workshop or sip a cocktail in a glass of ice. I recommend that you bring three layers of clothing for your visit, so you can enjoy the experience without getting cold.

Details of interest

• Location: 2280 Bd Valcartier, Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier, QC G0A 4S0, Canada.
• Hours: open daily during the winter season only.
• Price: from 326 € per person per night.