Quebec City transforms into a winter wonderland during the colder months, offering a unique blend of festive charm, active adventures, and cultural experiences. Whether you’re seeking exhilarating outdoor activities, festive carnivals or cosy escapes, this historic city has something for everyone. Bundle up and get ready to embrace these 28 unforgettable things to do in Quebec City in winter.
28 unforgettable things to do in Quebec City in winter
In many ways, the Canadian province of Quebec in winter and the winter activities in Quebec City are like nowhere else. Few places in the world embrace the colder months of the year quite like our French-speaking neighbours! It’s easy to drive from eastern Canada or the United States to Quebec City. Or hop on a flight from Vancouver, New York City or Paris to arrive at Quebec City’s Jean Lesage International Airport.
Take a walking tour
One of the best ways to learn about the city’s rich history is to take a guided walking tour. Listen to captivating stories from knowledgeable guides and gain a deeper appreciation for Quebec City’s unique culture and architecture during the winter months.
Visit the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac
Step into the grandeur of the iconic Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, a luxurious hotel steeped in history. Rising up from a clifftop, the iconic Château Frontenac has been the crown jewel of the Old City for over 125 years now. Getting your picture taken in front of it is obviously a must – this is the world’s most photographed hotel, after all!
Head inside to get a better look at the Château’s remarkable architectural style. Explore its opulent lobby, admire the breathtaking views of the St. Lawrence River and valley, and indulge in a decadent afternoon tea.
Use the map below to search for hotel and short-term rental options
Go tobogganing at Au 1884
One of the oldest toboggan slides in North America is in Old Quebec City. For just $4 for four people, walk your red-cushioned sled up to the top of Au 1884 on Dufferin Terrace. Then prepare for a thrilling slide down the toboggan slide at up to 70 km/45 miles an hour. This is one of the most fun Quebec City winter activities you can do!
Immerse yourself in Festi Lumiere
Witness the dazzling spectacle of Festi Lumiere. This light festival, hosted by the Quebec Aquarium, uses more than 500,000 lights to create a magical display through trees and ice sculptures. Walk along an outdoor path through a beautifully lighted Enchanted Forest, and enjoy outdoor fire pits, music and more.
Sleep overnight at the Ice Hotel
If you’ve ever dreamed of sleeping in an ice hotel, Quebec City’s Hôtel de Glace is the place to try. This unique ice hotel attraction is built from scratch each winter, made entirely from ice and snow.
There are 33 rooms, including 20 fun, themed rooms with ice carvings from artisans from around the world. There’s also a large lobby, ice bar with DJ booth, ice slide and even a wedding chapel. This is really one of the most unique things to do in winter in Quebec City.
Every overnight booking at the ice hotel includes an indoor, heated room at the hotel next door. Just in case. And there’s an amazing snow tube area at the Villages of Val Cartier right next door.
Celebrate the Quebec Winter Carnival
Quebec City celebrates winter like nowhere else. The Quebec City Winter Carnival, which turned 70 in 2024, is the world’s largest annual winter festival. The week-long celebration in Quebec City in February includes festive night parades, family-friendly activities, free entertainment, snow sculpting competitions, culinary events and ice canoe racing.
Don’t miss saying Bonjour to the iconic Carnival mascot, Bonhomme Carnaval, and visiting his Ice Palace on the grounds of the Quebec National Assembly parliament building.
Discover Petit-Champlain
Wander one of Canada’s prettiest pedestrian streets in Old Quebec. Petit-Champlain is simply gorgeous, and winter adds a fairyland sparkle with the lights on the snow. Wander into one-of-a-kind boutiques and meet some of Québec City’s artists and artisans. Rue Saint-Jean is another lovely street for wandering and shopping.
Go ice skating
Lacing up a pair of ice skates and hitting the ice? It’s about as Perfect Winter as it gets.
In the heart of Quebec City, you can rent skates (or bring your own) for turns on the lovely, refrigerated Place D’Youville skating rink. Glide across the rink near Quebec City’s historic ramparts, part of its ancient fortification walls, the only ones north of Mexico.
Outside of town: Skate at Lac-Beauport, a 3-kilometre rink on a frozen lake located near Le Relais resort. Or try the 1 km ice skating trail at Village Vacances Valcartier, the largest winter playground in North America.
Try ice canoeing
Quebec is the only place in the world where you can easily try the sport of ice canoeing. Sign on to a half day of energetic rowing and ‘scootering’ your way across moving blocks of ice in the St. Lawrence River.
Canot à Glace offers exhilarating ice canoe experiences in the city’s Old Port. Navigating the canoe across ice floes as you move 6 km an hour down (or up) stream on the tidal river is truly incredible.
If you’re in town during the annual Carnaval de Quebec, try to catch the professional ice canoe races on the first Sunday of the Carnival. It’s a thrilling competition.
Relax at a spa
Rejuvenate your mind and body with a spa day at one of Quebec City’s renowned spas. Strøm Spa is just 10 minutes from downtown but a world away in terms of therapeutic Nordic hot tubs and baths, pampering treatments, and a serene atmosphere overlooking the ever-changing St. Lawrence River. Reserve lunch or pop in for an afternoon snack at the Spa’s excellent café restaurant.
Tip: Book the spa after your ice canoeing adventure. You can thank me later.
Ride the Funiculaire
Take a funicular ride up the cliffside from lower Old Quebec to the upper town at Chateau Frontenac. Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the city and the St. Lawrence River. This iconic experience offers a memorable perspective of Quebec City in winter.
Note: You’ll need $5 in cash to pay for the funicular. No credit cards are accepted.
Walk the Dufferin Terrace
Enjoy a scenic stroll along the Dufferin Terrace, a boardwalk overlooking the majestic river. During winter, this popular spot transforms into a winter wonderland, complete with ice sculptures and festive decorations.
Explore Old Quebec City
Immerse yourself in the European ambiance of Old Quebec City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll along cobblestone streets adorned with festive lighted decorations, marvel at the majestic Chateau Frontenac, and discover charming boutiques and cafes.
Try ice climbing
Test your strength ice climbing at Montmorency Falls Park, just outside of town. The frozen face of the waterfall can reach up to 83 metres high. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, you’ll love the view on the pain de sucre, or “sugar loaf,” that forms in winter at the bottom of the falls. Never ice climbed before? Sign up for lessons at the climbing school.
Savor local culinary delights
Indulge in Quebec’s rich culinary scene with warm and comforting winter dishes. Sample a traditional poutine, savor a hearty maple syrup pie or maple taffy on snow, or sip on a mug of hot caribou, a mix of red wine, brandy, maple syrup and spices. It’s a local favorite.
Explore Museums and Galleries
Escape the cold and delve into Quebec City’s cultural offerings.
Visit the Musée de la civilisation to learn about the province’s history and heritage, or explore the revolving art exhibitions of the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec (MNBAQ), located in a beautiful modern building.
Do plan a lunch at the MNBAQ’s excellent cafe restaurant, or just enjoy a coffee or glass of wine after exploring the museum.
Explore Place Royale
Place Royale is the spot where, in 1608, Samuel de Champlain built what became the first permanent French settlement in North America, founding Quebec City. The cobblestone streets and European charm of the historic buildings are set off by the lovely Notre-Dame-des Victoires Church, one of the the city’s oldest attractions and stone churches.
Take a Ferry Ride
Enjoy a scenic ferry ride across the St. Lawrence River for stunning views of the city skyline and surrounding landscape. The unique aquatic perspective offers a different way to appreciate Quebec City’s winter beauty.
Go skiing or snowboarding
Hit the slopes at nearby Mont Sainte-Anne or Le Massif de Charlevoix for exhilarating downhill and cross-country skiing and snowboarding adventures. These world-class ski resorts about an hour’s drive from Quebec City offer great mountain and river views, diverse terrain, and activities for all skill levels. Le Massif has the longest vertical in Eastern Canada and is home to North America’s only Club Med ski resort.
Discover the Christmas Markets
Immerse yourself in the festive holiday spirit! Explore the charming European-style German Christmas Market held in the magical setting of Old Quebec. The Market is one of the best things to do in Quebec City during December.
Browse the wooden kiosks in the lower town for unique handicrafts, indulge in delicious treats, and soak up the magical atmosphere of the holiday season.
Participate in the pentathlon des neiges (Snow Pentathlon)
Feeling up to the challenge? Assemble a group of friends or family members to participate in the world’s largest winter multi-sport event that takes place every February. Or if you’re really adventurous, attempt all the events yourself!
Visit the Citadelle de Québec
Military historians will enjoy touring the Citadelle, Britain’s biggest fortress in North America. It’s been home base for the Royal 22e Régiment since 1920. See and hear the cannon that’s fired each day at noon. Tour the fortress for a behind-the-scenes look at Québec City’s defenses.
Visit the Plains of Abraham
The Battle of 1759 between French and British forces determined the fate of Quebec and Canada. The former battlefield on the Plains of Abraham is home to several monuments, two Martello towers and the Plains of Abraham Museum. Learn about the circumstances and history of the famous battle of the Plains of Abraham.
Try ice fishing at Village Nordik at the Old Port
Experience a unique family experience, ice fishing in the Louise Basin in the heart of the downtown Quebec. The Village Nordik at the Port of Quebec is a great place to try ice fishing on the frozen pool of ice in an urban setting.
Go to Igloofest Québec
Fans of electronic music and visual art will want to be in the city for when Igloofest comes to town in late winter. The event takes place in March at Place Jean-Béliveau, featuring EDM acts from Canada and around the world.
Experience Onhwa’ Lumina
Onhwa’ Lumina is the only immersive multimedia experience of its kind to be open in winter in Québec. It’s produced in collaboration with the internationally renowned Québec firm Moment Factory. Follow the 1.2 km trail into a magical world combining nature, technology and the rich storytelling history of the Huron-Wendat First Nation.
Try snowshoeing at Jacques-Cartier National Park
Snowshoeing is a fantastic winter activity, keeping you active and warm walking throught a beautiful forest landscape. This vast river valley is an ideal place for a day of snowshoeing. You can stay overnight at at one of the park yurts, tents or huts. Or take advantage of the shuttle service that runs there every day from Old Québec.
Go fat biking
With over 100 km of machine-groomed fat bike trails, the Québec City area is a fat biking paradise.
Fat bikes are a subgenre of mountain bikes that come with bulbous tires, usually between 4 and 5 inches wide. This type of tire allows for a combination of a wider contact patch, massive air volume and low air pressure, which gives great traction on surfaces like snow and sand.
Quebec City Fat Biking Trails
Fat bike in Old Quebec – Bike in the heart of the Old City in the company of a guide, and on a flat course with Tuque & bicycle experiences. This company also offers to rent a fat bike by the hour, in order to experience it in complete freedom.
Domaine Maizerets – A large recreational park with a small network of accessible fat biking trails on an historic estate property.
Empire 47 – With about 40 km (25 miles) of undulating, machine groomed trails for all levels, Empire 47 is a fat biking paradise. The amenities and the comprehensive fleet of rental bikes can accommodate groups of almost any size.
Sentiers du Moulin – This trail network is a challenging one and offers a unique “Enduro” twist: a winter version of the popular SuperG mountain bike trail. Just shy of 30 km (20 miles), the trails are suited to intermediate and advanced riders.
Mont-Sainte-Anne – Set in a true winter wonderland, this world-class alpine and cross-country ski resort is also a great fat biking destination. Spanning almost 7 km (4 miles), the trail network is maintained all winter long. The trailhead is located next to the cross-country ski centre, about 7 km (4 miles) away from the chairlift.
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Photo credit: Claudia Laroye, Destination Quebec City, Bonjour Quebec
Disclosure: The writer thanks Destination Quebec City for hosting her stay in the city. As always, her love of maple syrup and historic places is honest and her own.
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