A Local’s Guide to Christmas in Quebec City

Christmas in Quebec City is like being in a holiday movie, set in an obscure European village with fluffy snow clinging to historic buildings and tall evergreen trees. Snow carpets cobblestone streets, colourful holiday lights sparkle in the moonlight, and outdoor firepits are perfect for warming up.

In cafés, hands are wrapped around warm mugs of rich coffee or chocolat chaud (hot chocolate), and flying down the Dufferin Slide in a long wood sled is always fun. You don’t have to celebrate Christmas to enjoy the beauty and festive nature of the city. Everyone is welcome, and as someone who generally does not like winter, I can honestly say that Christmas in Quebec City is spectacular.

Looking for Santa in Quebec City?

Celebrating Christmas is not complete until Santa has been spotted. There is something about his jolly charm and rich red attire that makes one feel warm and fuzzy. During the Christmas season, Santa makes a few appearances throughout Quebec City, including a small castle outside Château Frontenac.

Read the article below for the places to find Santa in Quebec City!

10 Things To Do During Christmas in Quebec City

Let’s get to it, shall we?! I should note that while many of the things below can be found within the Historic District of Old Quebec, I have also added things from a few other neighbourhoods. If you truly want to experience all the magic that Christmas in Quebec City has to offer, you need to leave the old city walls!

Note: Hôtel de Glace (Ice Hotel) does not open until January, therefore you will not find it below.

Marché de noël allemand de Québec kicks off the holiday season in the city. Beginning November 21, 2024, and running until December 23rd, the heart of the market is in the public square behind Hôtel de Ville (City Hall). Live music, gourmet foods, puppets, handicrafts… it’s all delightful. This year is the 17th anniversary of the German Christmas Market in Quebec City. There is a walking tour available of the market, book here.

Holiday/Christmas walking tours are a good way to learn about the city and see some of the popular holiday sites. The Christmas Magic tour in Old Quebec and the Christmas Food tour is the most popular options. You can also hire a private guide.

Toboggan Slide on Dufferin Terrace (beside Château Frontenac) is one of the oldest tourist attractions in the city. Race down the slide in a wooden toboggan and see if you can reach 70km/hr! It’s one of the most popular attractions, so be preapred to wait in line, and warm up afterward with some rich chocolat chaud at au 1884.

Observatoire de la Capitale is open from Tuesday to Friday, and on a clear day, the views of the city are breathtaking, especially in winter. Reservations required. They are closed from December 24th to 28th.

Montmorency Falls in winter is a snowy icy delight. The cable car at the falls is generally closed in winter, but during the holiday season, it’s open from December 26th to January 3rd, yay! Reservations are recommended – you can make them online here.

Terrasse Pierre Dugua-de-mons has one of the best views in Quebec City. From here, you can snap postcard-like photos of Château Frontenac, Old Quebec, and the Saint-Lawrence River.

Guided Tours of Fairmont Le Château Frontenac are offered throughout the year, but during Christmas in Quebec City, this historic holiday is filled with gorgeous decorations. Plus, the winter views from the hotel are spectacular. Available on Christmas day.

Evening Gourmet Tour (5 Course Dinner) is possibly the most luxurious food tour in Quebec City. I’ve enjoyed this tour through Old Quebec in summer, but Christmastime adds a bit of holiday magic. Plus you can do this on Christmas day!

Private photo sessions are a fun way to capture your Christmas in Quebec City. There are a few photographers who offer this service in the city, however, Sunny is one of the best. Be sure to contact her early as her schedule fills up quickly!

Nordic spa treatments and thermal experiences can be found in Old Quebec, as well as just outside the city limits. Strøm spa is the closest and the biggest. Halte O Spa is further out, and worth the drive.

Quebec Artisans + Producers: Christmas Shopping in Quebec City

There are plenty of stores and boutiques to go shopping in Quebec City. The best ones, in my opinion, support Quebec artisans and producers. There are so many incredibly talented artisans, designers, and producers in this city (and province). Shop for wines, craft beers, and spirits; clothing, accessories, beauty products, home décor, terroir, and more.

Le Boutique de noël is a year-round Christmas store near Notre-Dame de Quebec Basilica-Cathedral. Pop in for glittery trinkets, ornaments, and decorations to commemorate your holiday trip to Quebec City.

Petit-Champlain is the oldest shopping street in Quebec City, and absolutely gorgeous in winter when snow covers the 18th and 19th-century buildings. It’s filled with artisanal shops and restaurants. Here are some of my favourites:

• Boutique Amimoc – Known for their high-quality Quebec-made boots and mocassins.
• Flamand Sculpteur – A talented wood sculptor.
• Charlevoix Pure Lane – Sweaters, hats, mittens, and other goods made with sheep’s wool from the Charlevoix region.
• Fromagerie Ferme Audet – Producer of goat cheese, and goat’s milk toiletries.
• Boutique Oclan – Clothing boutique, famous for its Fucklamode apparel.
• Les Ptits Mosüs – Children’s clothing boutique

Article 721 in Limoilou is one of my favourite places for Quebec-made products, from prints and clothing to jewellery, skincare, and art prints. They also have a small collection of vintage home goods and second-hand clothing.

50 Restaurants & Pubs Open on Christmas Day

Quebec City is a delicious culinary destination, with many restaurants offering seasonal menus utilizing locally grown ingredients. While it is possible to walk into some restaurants and get a table, reservations are highly encouraged, especially if you’re dining during Christmas in Quebec City. 

• Alphones Cuisine & Cocktails – 19, rue des Jardins • 418-694-0707
• Bleu Marine – 50, rue Saint-Louis • 418-524-7832
• La Bûche – 49, rue Saint-Louis • 418-694-7272
• Le Continental – 26, rue Saint-Louis • 418-694-9995
• Bistro St-Malo – 75, rue Saint-Paul • 418-692-2004
• Matto – 71, rue Saint-Pierre • 418-266-9444
• Faite à l’os – 637, Grande Allée Est • 418-977-9888
• Le 101 Restaurant de Quartier –101, rue Saint-Joseph Est • 418-694-1168
• l’Affaire est Ketchup – 46, rue Saint-Joseph Est • 418-529-9020
• Bati Bassac – 125, rue Saint-Joseph Est • 418-522-4567
• Nina Pizza Napolitaine – 410, rue Saint-Anselme • 581-742-2012
• Noctem Artisans Brasseurs – 438, rue du Parvis • 581-742-7979
• Miyagi – 523, 3e Avenue • 418-614-4040

Here is a full list of the Quebec City restaurants open on Christmas Day, as well as information on their menus.

*note: the above restaurants may change their minds about opening on Christmas day, it is best to make bookings online as soon as you can.

Best Hotels in Quebec City for Christmas Travellers

It’s Christmas, indulging comes with the territory, right?! Whether you spend your cold hard cash on experiences and yummy eats or luxurious digs, is up to you. Thankfully, there are plenty of hotels and guesthouses in Québec City to meet every budget.

That being said, if you are looking for a sparkly Christmas vibe, then the following hotels are an excellent choice!

• Château Frontenac – from the decorations to the overall luxurious vibe of the hotel, this is truly a magical place to sleep. The views of Old Québec and the Saint-Lawrence River help too.
• Auberge Saint-Antoine – Located in Vieux-Port this luxury boutique hotel is close to the old city and offers rooms with insanely comfy beds and pretty views.
• Hôtel Nomad – Located near Château Frontenac, this small boutique hotel has themed rooms, each one beautiful and luxurious in its own way.
• Hôtel Manoir Victoria – Close to the action on rue Saint-Jean, this boutique hotel has a modern-contemporary vibe, as well as a pool and spa. A lovely base for a Christmas holiday.
• Hôtel PUR – Located in the heart of Saint-Roch, this hotel has comfortable rooms and a decent restaurant. It’s close to many restaurants, bars, and boutiques. You can walk to Old Québec City in about 20 minutes.
• Hôtel 71 – Across the street from Musée de la Civilization, Hôtel 71 is a beautiful boutique hotel with views of the Saint-Lawrence River and Old Québec. The rooms are spacious and the beds are quite cozy!
• Monsieur Jean – A new hotel in Old Québec City, Monsieur Jean is located across the street from Pub Saint-Patrick. The hotel has a modern decor with a surrealist twist, the rooms are spacious and the location is fabulous.

Looking for something different? Check out hotel deals in Québec City.

Planning Resources & Tips

The key to having a fabulous Christmas in Quebec City is to relax, have fun, and do some planning ahead. As I mentioned at the top of this post, booking hotels and restaurants early is highly recommended. If you’re driving to Quebec City, I recommend parking in a parking garage or using a hotel valet, rather than trying to park on the street – which can be quite challenging in winter.

Here are a few quick tips for your holidays in Quebec City

• Order an Uber or taxi from a warm place. There are times when they can take a while to arrive, especially during the holidays.
• If your hotel has a concierge, utilize them! They can sometimes get you into restaurants, spas, and theatre performances.
• Tipping is customary in Quebec. The base is generally 15%, good service is 20% and excellent is above that. Please, please, please remember to tip your servers, they need that to survive.
• Bring plenty of warm clothing and dress in layers. A warm jacket, snow pants, and good boots are mandatory for surviving winter in Quebec City.
• Wear ice cleats when walking around, the streets can be very slippery here. I bought boots with them built-in, but you can buy slip-on versions as well.