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 experienced as a family and social celebration rather than 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're 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 not to be missed 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 handicrafts, decorations and gastronomic products. It's inspired by German Christmas culture and is usually held from 23 November to 23 December. It's a great place to sample gluwein, a spiced mulled wine that will keep you warm as you explore the market. Father Christmas also makes an appearance, ideal if you're in Quebec with children.

You can find this market in five locations around the city, all within walking distance of each other:

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

The Grand Christmas Market

The Grand Marché Noël brings together more than 200 businesses, artists and craftsmen to bring the Christmas season to life. It also offers various activities such as food and drink tastings and sewing workshops. It takes place at the Grand Marché du Québec, usually from November 24th to December 24th.

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

Christmas shopping in Petit-Champlain, one of Quebec's most charming neighbourhoods, is a must during the holiday season. European styling and outdoor decorations set the festive mood in the neighbourhood, which is enhanced by the artistic performances and choirs that often take place on weekends in December.

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

Exploring Petit-Champlain with the kids is always special. As well as looking for original handmade 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 shop in Puerto Viejo, where you can find books, handicrafts, souvenirs, objects related to the exhibits and all kinds of local products.

A great idea for the Christmas season is to sample Canadian cuisine on a culinary tour of the Ile d'Orléans 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 savoury meat pie, Charlevoix cheese made from raw cow's milk, and Fiddleheads, a spring delicacy. You'll also have the opportunity to sample local cider at a cider house, enjoy panoramic views at a vineyard and visit a chocolate factory to add a sweet touch to your dining experience.

The Christmas season certainly adds a special charm to this tour, with the festive atmosphere and seasonal flavours 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 thrilling experience, don't miss the Slide Au 1884 toboggan run, where you can toboggan at speeds of up to 70 km per hour. At Christmas time, the slides are often covered in snow, guaranteeing you a high-speed experience in the middle of Quebec's wintry landscape. After sliding down the slide, you can relax with a hot drink at the Au 1884 kiosk, which is 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 an intense adventure on the slides.

Christmas holidays, Carnival and weekend evenings are generally very busy, and there are often surprises, such as the appearance of Father Christmas. Before planning your visit, I recommend that you check Au 1884's social media pages, as it may be closed on some days due to the winter weather. 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 10am to 5pm.
• 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 backdrop of the fortifications and the Porte Saint-Jean, you'll have the perfect backdrop to enjoy the activity. The square is located about 700 metres from Old Quebec, the city's historic district.

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 organised there.

Later, you can venture into the nearby streets to discover the Christmas decorations and festive atmosphere that permeates the city. If you're only 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 bring clothes suitable for the cold weather.

Interesting details

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

The Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré is considered to be the second oldest pilgrimage centre in North America and usually receives close to one million visitors each year. The Christmas season is an ideal time to recreate a pilgrimage, when the snowy landscape and carols make it a very special destination to visit.

The twin-towered basilica is an architectural gem that houses valuable works of art, such as the cedar carved statue of St Anne by sculptor Louis Jobin. Inside you will see many images recreating the life of Saint 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. Don't miss his Christorama exhibition of 50 copper panels telling the story of Jesus. At the museum you can also learn how to make your own embossed piece and take away a unique souvenir of the experience.

Quebec is one of the best cities in the world to celebrate Christmas, so a stroll to discover the Christmas decorations is an activity not to be missed. Besides the Christmas markets, there are many places to explore in this city and a three-day stay in Quebec will give you 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. Here are the places you can't miss on your tour of Quebec's best Christmas decorations.

Grande Allée

In December, Grande Allée, known as Quebec's Champs Elysées, attracts pedestrians with its decorated and illuminated shops, bars and restaurants that are 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 and 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 exhibitions and activities at Christmas time, such as a treasure 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 to the old town, with boutiques and luxury shops rather than traditional souvenir shops.

It is also known for its varied gastronomic and nightlife offer, with its wide selection of restaurants, bars and pubs inviting 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 explore Old Quebec on foot, when it comes to life at the end of the year. At this time of year, the old buildings and snow-covered cobblestone streets will recreate the perfect Christmas scene to discover on foot. Old Quebec is the city's historic district, 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 Christmas activities such as carol concerts, nativity scenes and Christmas trees. You can also check out the 17th century ramparts surrounding Old Quebec, which can be covered in snow at this time of year.

If you choose to take one of the best Quebec tours to explore this historic neighbourhood, your guide will be able to give you plenty of information about Quebec's history and culture. They 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. The falls are 83 metres high, higher than Niagara Falls, where the waterfalls are surrounded by trails with panoramic views that, with the blanket of snow during the winter season, take on 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 great examples of the history and culture of this region of Canada.

And for a taste of local Christmas colour, on your visit to Beaupre you can also 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.

Interesting details

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

An experience that is sure to be special at Christmas time is to visit or stay in a real ice hotel: the Hôtel de Glace. 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 Hôtel de Glace is located about twenty minutes from the city centre and is decorated with a general theme that changes every year. It has about 42 rooms, many of them themed, exhibition halls, a bar, lobby, cinema, a large function room, log cabins and even a wedding chapel.

Some of the things you can experience at the Hotel are trying out their sauna, joining an ice sculpture workshop or sipping a cocktail in a glass of ice. I recommend that you bring three layers of clothing for your visit, so that you can enjoy the experience without getting cold.

Interesting details

• 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.