Christmas in Quebec City-The Only Planning Guide You Need

Christmas in Quebec City, Canada is a magical holiday experience. 

Founded four centuries ago by the French, Quebec City has an old world charm that becomes even more enchanting when it gets decked out for the holidays.  It looks like a Christmas village on a Hallmark card.  It’s no wonder that CNN ranked it as one of the best Christmas destinations in the world.

There are plenty of fun things to do in Quebec City in December.  And, yes, it will be cold but you’ll be fine as long as you come prepared.

This Quebec City Christmas guide will give you all of the details on how to have a fantastic holiday visit to Quebec City, including what to see, where to eat and stay and what to wear in Quebec City in the winter.

Christmas in Quebec City – Where to find the best decorations

Where can you find the best holiday decorations in Quebec City?  You can find them all with the help of this map prepared by Quebec City Tourism.

Start in Place Royale and the Petit Champlain District to enjoy Christmas in old Quebec City.  This is where the French first came to North America four centuries ago.

The cobblestone streets,  gabled rooftops and quaint cafes will make you feel as though you’re strolling back in time.  I love the the way the decorations enhance the ambiance and don’t go overboard with plastic Santas and the like.  This is one of the best Instagram moments in Quebec City.

One of the top spots to visit for festive lights is Quebec’s Parliament buildings.  From there, check out the Grande Allée, popular for its nightlife and beautiful decorations.  See the map for location.

Visit Quebec City Christmas markets

The German Christmas Market (2, rue des Jardins) is a highlight in Quebec City at Christmas time.  It is a classic European-style Christmas market complete with 90 wooden kiosks.  You’ll find original Christmas gifts, German sausage, mulled wine and gingerbread.  There are also Christmas choirs and you may even meet Santa.  The market  is located in the heart of old Quebec City at the City Hall gardens (Hôtel de Ville) and is open from Nov. 22 – Dec. 22.

You’ll find more gifts and treats at the Grand Marché Christmas Market (250-M, boulevard Wilfrid-Hamel, Borough of La Cité-Limoilou) and at the Marche du Vieux Port (57 Rue Saint-Paul), an indoor farmer’s market that runs year-round.

Christmas Shopping in Quebec City

If you’re still looking for special gifts after visiting Quebec City’s Christmas markets and the shops in Petit Champlain, check out Simons (20 Côte de la Fabrique) in old Quebec.  It’s a Quebec-based fashion retailer that originally opened in 1840.  It specializes in Canadian-made fashion at reasonable prices.

You may also want to visit the Christmas store, La Boutique de Noël de Québec  (47 Rue De Buade) and J.A. Moisan (699 Rue Saint-Jean).  Known as the oldest grocery store in North America, it will be filled with locally-made food items.

Take a Christmas-themed tour in Quebec City

If you have only a short time in Quebec City, you may want to take a Christmas-themed tour.  On this 2-hour “Christmas Magic” Tour, you’ll visit some of the city’s main sites, while learning about Christmas traditions in old Quebec and sampling a festive treat.  Foodies will enjoy this Christmas small group gourmet food tour.

See the Christmas Trees at the Château Frontenac

Don’t miss the trees of hope at the fairy-tale castle hotel, the Fairmont Chateau Frontenac (1 Rue des Carrières).  The trees are decorated and sponsored by companies to raise funds for the local hospital foundation. 

You may also enjoy a tour of the historic hotel to hear tales of famous events at the hotel and see the rest of the decorations.

Winter activities in Quebec City at Christmas

Starting in mid-November, you can enjoy skating at the festive rink in Place d’Youville (995, Place d’Youville).  Admission is free and you can rent skates on site.

You can still visit Montmorency Falls, just outside the city, in winter. The Falls are 1.5 times higher than Niagara Falls. In very cold weather, spray from the waterfall freezes and forms the famous “Sugarloaf” at the foot of the falls (which you’re not actually supposed to climb on).   There are trails at the top of the falls where you can walk or snowshoe (rentals available on site).  At the foot of the falls, you can get a great view of the falls from the park cove, however, the boardwalk and the panoramic staircase are not open during winter.  The cable car to the top runs from Dec 26 – Jan. 5th.  Book a ride on the cable car here.

Don’t miss the traditional toboggan slide on Dufferin Terrace, just outside the Château Frontenac (1, rue des Carrières).  It depends on the weather, but the slide is usually open from mid-December to mid-March (sometimes earlier).  It has three icy runs, with toboggan speeds reaching up to 70 kilometres per hour.  Check here for hours and fees.

Other winter activities in December include snow tubing in nearby Valcartier, a snowshoeing tour to Jacques-Cartier National Park or a Nordic backcountry skiing tour at the same park (suitable for beginners and experts).

Where to find the best hot chocolate in Quebec City

A steaming cup of hot chocolate is perfect after winter activities, and Quebec City is known for some of the best.

My favourite spots for hot chocolate (chocolate chaud) are:

• Érico Creative Chocolate Factory and Chocolate Museum (634 Rue Saint-Jean).  Try the decadent hot chocolate made from 7 kinds of chocolate;
• Le Chic Shack (15 Rue du Fort).  It’s also known for the best poutine (fries with gravy and melted cheese curds);
• La Maison Smith (23 Rue Notre Dame and 9 Rue des Jardins).  Delicious hot chocolate served with pastries.
• Café Paillard (1097, rue Saint-Jean).  Homemade hot chocolate, pastries and sandwiches, a great location after skating at Place d’Youville.

Enjoy Quebec Christmas traditions

Traditional Christmas celebrations in Quebec take place mainly on Christmas eve, with gift giving, Christmas mass and a big meal.  Tortière (meat pie) is typically served as part of the main course.

You can enjoy a delicious tortière at these favourite spots which specialize in traditional Quebecois fare:

• Restaurant La Bûche (49 Rue Saint Louis);
• Le Lapin Sauté (52 Rue du Petit Champlain);
• Aux Anciens Canadiens (34 Rue Saint Louis).

Get cozy by the fire for your Quebec City Christmas

There’s nothing better that cozying up by the fire after the festivities in Quebec City.  You’ll find lovely fireplaces at 1608 Bar in the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac (1 rue des Carrières) and Bar Artefact at Auberge Saint-Antoine (10 Rue Saint-Antoine).   As well, Auberge Saint-Antoine has several suites with fireplaces in the room!

Where to eat and stay in Quebec City

My favourite place to stay in Quebec City is Auberge Saint-Antoine ( 8 Rue Saint-Antoine) a boutique hotel just around the corner from Place Royale.  You can see my full list of recommendations for the best hotels in Quebec City by neighbourhood here.  Or you can review review all Quebec City hotels here.

With its French heritage, Quebec City is a foodie paradise, even more so at Christmas time.  Check out my list of the top ten Quebec foods you have to try, and some of the best restaurants in Quebec City to have them.

When to go to Quebec City for the holidays

The best time to go to Quebec City to celebrate the holidays is anytime in December.  While some of the Christmas decorations start going up in mid-November, things get into full swing in early December.

If you plan to visit Quebec City on Christmas, note that many shops and restaurants will be closed on December 24 and 25.  Hotel restaurants usually remain open, but you should make reservations well in advance.  December 26th, or “Boxing Day” is a big shopping day in Canada for sales in major stores.

How cold is it in Quebec City in December?  Will there be snow?

Temperatures in Quebec City in December average 3 degrees Celsius (37 F) for the high and -10 degrees (14 F) for the low.  However, it can often feel colder due to winds coming off the St. Lawrence River.

It’s quite likely that there will be snow in Quebec City in December.  On average, it snows on 16 days out of the month for a total of 72 centimetres (28 inches).  Of course, given increasingly erratic weather patterns, there are no guarantees.  As you may have noticed in this article, some of the photos were taken in December (with snow) and some in November (no snow).

What to wear in Quebec City in December

You should always dress in layers, so that you can adjust if the weather warms up, or when you go inside.  Make sure you have the winter essentials, such as a parka, mittens, long underwear and winter wool socks.  You’ll also need Insulated boots like these with a good grip that are also comfortable for walking.

Now that you’re all ready for a Quebec City Christmas, this video is sure to pump up your Christmas Spirit.

More Information:

Where to Stay:  Check pricing and availability at Auberge Saint Antoine here.  See my post on where to stay in Quebec City by neighbourhood or review all Quebec City hotels here.  Check out Airbnb options in Quebec City here

Get the facts: Take a two-hour walking tour of old Quebec City.

Tourism Information: Quebec City Tourism, Province of Quebec Tourism

Suggested Reading: Fodor’s Montreal & Quebec City (Full-color Travel Guide), Top 10 Montreal & Quebec City (Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guide)

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