9 Best Ways to Enjoy Quebec City at Christmas
- Maria DiCicco
- 22 hours ago
- 5 min read
If I could sum up the holidays in Quebec City in a word, it's magical. I recently sat with my family at an Italian restaurant on my last day visiting Quebec, watching the snow fall gently but unrelentingly on passerbys as Michael Buble's Christmas favorites were filling the room with cheer. I got choked up. The scene was perfect. That's why we went to Quebec - to feel the magic of Christmas - the snow, the lights, the European influence.
It may be cold. It can be dreary. But in Quebec City at Christmas the storefronts dazzle with twinkling lights and holly boughs, the street corners offer gas firelamps for a touch of warmth, and families yank their children off of snow piles, all the while tossing some in the air for their own enjoyment.
The Petit-Champlain oozes in European and Francophile charm, and the Chateau Frontenac stands proudly as the landmark for Christmas with their colorful indoor displays.
If you are looking for a touch of Christmas magic this season - look to the North in Quebec City, for a truly European inspired Christmas of yesteryear. Here's the best ways to enjoy it:
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Plan for Some Festive Meals
My top picks include La Grolla for their Swiss-inspired fondue feasts, Portofino for their decadent Italian fare, and kitschy treats like Cafe de Paris, for tableside chateaubriand a flambe!
Don't miss out on a classic Canadian sugar shack breakfast at La Buche - book a table in advance!
With all the red and black checkered vibes, you'll be feeling very Christmasy in no time.
Visit the German Christmas Markets
Quebec City in November is when the holidays really start ramping up, including the rollout of their German Christmas markets, which crop up around town in the Old Quarter.
The best of the markets, in my opinion, is tucked back off the main drag at the City Hall. This market offers up mulled wine ("Vin chaud"), fun photo props, fireplaces to warm up, and Alpine dining huts. The City Hall market is a good one to go to for a cocktail and it has the largest vendor selection.
In front of the Chateau Frontenac, find the Place d'Armes market - a smaller market selling things like soaps, hats and gloves, vinegars and liqueurs, along with other local products.
At Place D'Youville, located in front of the St. Jean gate leading into the touristy sections, find a popular ice skating rink and a compact market full of similar goods as the rest. The vibe here is especially magical at night, so bring your own skates or rent them there!
Take a walking tour with a guide and they will show you all the most charming Christmas Market spots to sample local market produce, along with a sightseeing tour around town.
Head to the Malls
Galerie de la Capitale is a large mall with an indoor amusement park and lots of great shopping options for outerwear and Christmas deals. They even have their own Marche du Noel (Christmas market) in the central atrium.
Stock up on Christmas decor, hats and scarves, and other stocking stuffers at the mall's Dollarama, a favorite of my family for winter essentials in Quebec.
Don't Miss Le Grand Marche for Christmas Staples
The Grand Marche is a sprawling indoor marketplace perfect for picking up goodies from local vendors like Creme de Cassis, which I discovered make the best Kir Royales on my trip to Normandy.
Or, pick up maple products from maple nuts to maple syrup, and literally about every maple product you could think of in between!
Sample all sorts of local goods, including fresh oysters, meats and cheeses, honeys and so much more.
You can even buy Christmas trees there for as little as $30 CAD. What a steal - the trees they sell where I live in Florida cost upwards of $100 US these days.
Plan to spend an hour or two browsing and be sure to grab a cart at the - you're going to need it!
Browse Shop Windows in Petit-Champlain and Rue Saint-Jean
Rue Saint-Jean is the main drag leading into Old Town from the Saint-Jean section of town. Find numerous pubs, souvenir shops and bistros here.
As you follow the lane, meander on towards Chateau Frontenac and down the Funicular or many stairwells (there are about 30, so consider the funicular for just $6 CAD!) and browse the French inspired lower section of Quebec City at Petit-Champlain.
You may see musicians (we saw a harp player) and plenty of photo worthy spots tucked around each corner.
Cold Weather Activities
There are also of course countless cold weather activities to enjoy in Quebec City at Christmas, and my best advice is to pick up one of the free magazines when you arrive in Quebec at the airport or in your hotel lobby.
The magazine includes an exhaustive list of things to do in Quebec in the winter like:
Snowshoeing at the Plains of Abraham (Or this Snowshoeing Tour in Jacques-Cartier National Park)
Visiting the Ice Hotel (Hotel de Glace) for a drink or a meal
Dog sledding
Toboggan rides
Ice skating - even along non-traditional tracks like the Levis riverside skating path located steps from the ferry terminal (below)
There are no limits to the outdoor sports you could enjoy from skiing to snowball fights. Whatever hits your fancy, Quebec City surely offers it.
Take the Ferry to Levis
Just to escape the cold - take the ferry from lower Quebec City over to Levis and see the magical wonderland from the river. It's a fun round-trip that gets you out of the cold for awhile. Kids will love it, and parents will too.
Bonus: you'll get fantastic views of the city, including the iconic Chateau Frontenac!
Meet the Grinch!
We happened quite by accident along a Walmart attached to a cozy little mall called Fleur de Lys offering meet and greets with the Grinch. The photo op was free, and it was a nice change from always seeing mall Santas.
Visit the Cap Sante Christmas Market
Happening just one weekend in late November, the charming town of Cap-Santé turns into a winter wonderland with the Marché du Noël d'Antan de Cap-Santé. Find blacksmiths and old timey presentations for a 'Christmas of Yesteryear" celebration. Cap-Sante is about 40 minutes from Quebec City, so you will need a car.
Christmas in Quebec City
Overall, the holiday magic can be found everywhere in Quebec City at Christmas time, you just have to open your heart to it. It can be downright cold, but don't let it get you down. Holiday cheer is just a corner away!
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