If you’re looking for the perfect winter destination to get in the Christmas spirit, there’s no better place than Quebec City! Between the German Christmas Markets, to the festive lights, to the Christmas Carolers filling the street, it really does create a magical atmosphere perfect for a visit around Christmas.
Quebec City is such a beautiful city with so much European influence. It’s narrow streets lined with shops and restaurants and cobblestone walkways become even more charming in December with it’s festive Christmas lights and Christmas trees.
Here are our top 10 things you need to do in Quebec City around Christmas!
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Best Place To Stay In Quebec City
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
One of Qubec City’s most famous and historical hotels is Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. This 5-star hotel was once renovated from an old castle. The beautiful decor is even better around Christmastime when they adorn the place in festive Christmas lights with many Christmas trees.
The location could not be better right in the center of Old Quebec City with plenty of bars and restaurants surrounding it. While this is a 5-star hotel, prices are very reasonable and typically cost less then $200 hundred dollars.
Auberge J.A Moison
If you’re looking for something a little cozier and more intimate, this bed and breakfast is perfect. There are only a few rooms available so make sure you book in advance! One of the charming aspects to this bed and breakfast is all the shared living spaces such as kitchen, dining room, and tv room.
The owner is super friendly and helpful, and the location is perfect with only a 10-minute walk to Old Qubec.
11 Best Things To Do In Quebec City Around Christmas
1) Shop Around The German Christmas Markets
One of the main attractions that draws so many people to Quebec City at Christmastime are the German Christmas Markets. It takes place in Old Quebec, filling the area with festive Christmas decorations, live music, and over 90 wooden kiosks featuring a huge variety of vendors. Whether you’re looking for the perfect holiday gift or looking to indulge in delicious food and drinks, there’s something for everyone!
The markets feature a range of products sold at the markets many of which are hand-made like Christmas ornaments, wool apparel, jewellery, hand-painted Christmas cards, and candles. It’s the perfect place to get your holiday shopping done.
There’s also of a variety of food vendors selling everything from mulled wine, hot chocolate, and fondue. The perfect way to warm up as you shop!
The exact dates vary by year, but it generally takes place from the end of November until a few days before Christmas. The 2023 dates for the markets are November 23rd- December 22nd.
Tip: many of the vendors will take credit card, but not all of them will so bring cash!
2) Stroll Down Rue du Petit Champlain
Rue Du Petit Champlain is a famous street in Quebec city which makes you feel like you were transported straight into a Christmas movie.
In December, this narrow, cobblestone street is beautifully decorated with Christmas trees and festive lights, and filled with Christmas carollers.
Strolling along this quaint street, you’ll find plenty of shops and boutiques, the majority of which are locally owed. If you haven’t finished your shopping in the markets, this is another great area for shopping.
Just make sure you brush up on your French or have google translate downloaded on your phone because many of the shop owners that we met spoke primarily French.
3) Warm Up With French Onion Soup
Being a city steeped in French influence, you do not have to look far if you want to find some great tasting French onion soup in Quebec!
French onion soup is made of carmelized onions, savory beef broth, toasted baguette or croutons, and melted cheese on top. The perfect dish to warm up from the cold.
There are plenty of great retaurants in Quebec City which serve this dish, but our favorite was Q De Sac Resto-Pub. They are known to have one of the best French onion soups in the city and also have amazing cocktails. Located right around the corner from Ru De Petit Champlain, we highly recommend that you add this spot to your Quebec City itinerary!
4) See The Christmas Tree at Place Royale
Another scene straight out of a post-card, this famous plaza is sure to get you in the Christmas spirit! The area is illuminated by the stunning Christmas tree in the center of the square (which typically stays up until the end of February).
This picturesque square is the perfect spot to get into the Christmas spirit. There’s frequently Christmas carollers singing traditional Christmas songs adding to the festive atmosphere.
There’s also a handful of restaurants and shops in this plaza (although many of the shops were very pricey).
Interesting Information: There is also a lot of history to this square as it was well preserved from the 17th century. It’s also the site of the first permnament French settlement in North America.
5) Try Poutine
While in Quebec City, you have to try one of Canada’s most well-known dishes: poutine. Poutine consists of french fries covered in gravy and cheese curds. It actually originates in Quebec.
There are plenty of good restaurants in the city to try out poutine, but we visited Poutineville. Although the name sounds a little gimmicky, it’s a highly rated restaurant popular their many styles of poutine.
I ordered the classic poutine, but there were so many variations to try like philly cheese steak poutine, shepherd’s pie poutine, and farmer’s delight poutine (with chicken, bacon, and tomatoes).
6) Visit A Nordic Spa
After your busy day of touring, there’s no better way to unwind and relax than a visit to the Nordic Spa located right in Quebec City with views overlooking the St Lawrence River.
There are so many amazing some of which includes outdoor hot tubs, ice baths, Finnish saunas, relaxation areas with saunas, and eucalyptus steam baths.
Your rental will include a bathrobe, towel, and locker, but it does not include sandals so make sure to pack those. While no food is allowed in the facilities, there is an on-site restaurant you can dine at before or after your spa experience.
Highlights
- Great location in the heart of Quebec City
- Includes whirlpool hot tubs, eucalyptus sauna, ice baths, indoor and outdoor relaxation areas
7) Sip On Mulled Wine
There’s nothing quite like sipping on mulled wine to warm up from the cold winter of Quebec City. Mulled wine is made by heating red wines and infusing it with spices such as cinnamon and cloves and citrus fruits like oranges and lemons.
Whether you’re strolling around the Christmas markets or getting away from the cold in a cozy restaurant, mulled wine (known locally as “vin chaud”) is a must try.
It’s the perfect winter drink in the perfect winter destination!
8) Listen To Christmas Carollers
Listening to Christmas carolers in Quecbec city around the holiday season is sure to get you in the Christmas spirit. Strolling down the charming streets of Old Quebec, you’re sure to hear the joyous songs being sang from talented singers.
Between the festive decorations and nostalgiac Christmas songs, it creates to perfect atmosphere for Christmas.
9) Go On A Walking Tour Of The City
Quebec City has such a fascinating history and it would be a shame to leave without learning about it! A walking tour around the city is the introduction to Quebec City and is a great way to get recommendations about restaurants and other things to do in the area.
10) Ice skate at D’Youville
Located right next to the parliament building, ice skating at the rink in D’Youville square is the perfect way to spend the day or evening!
The ice skating rink is open daily from 10am-8pm in the winter months (you can double check the exact dates and times here).
Skate rentals are available, so you don’t need to worry about bringing your own gear.
For more information about this activity, check out their website here!
11) See A 360 Degree View Of The City At Observatoire De La Capitole
Oberservatoire De La Capitole is the tallest building in Quebec City with amazing 360-degree views of the city.
This was a recommendation given to us by our tour guide on our walking tour and we were very happy we took the time to go see it. You can see miles in each direction and the views are fantastic.
They also have interactive information boards giving a timeline of the history of Quebec City and interesting information about the buildings.
Tickets cost $14.75 per adult and about 30 minutes to an hour is a good amount of time to allot to this activity. They are open daily from 10am-5pm.
You can purchase tickets for Observatoire De La Capitale on their website here.
We’d Like To Hear From You!
While Quebec City is an amazing city any time of year, it’s extra special in winter time. We hope this blog post helps you plan an amazing trip to Quebec City around Christmastime.
Have you been to Quebec City in the winter?
Do you have any other recommendations that didn’t make this list?
