Every year I do a holiday winter trip somewhere in the world, Christmas in Québec City might be my favorite of all.
On my December 7-12 visit, I fell head over boots for twinkly streets that looked straight out of Europe, steaming cups of mulled wine, and the kind of cozy food that makes you roll back to your hotel happy and full.
If you are planning a holiday getaway, this is my first-person guide with the exact tips, routes, and small moments that made my Christmas trip feel like a Hallmark movie in real life.
Why Visit Quebec City At Christmas
Quebec City looks like a European snow globe without the long flight. I live in San Francisco and I loved my week in Berlin a few years ago, hitting up all the Berlin Christmas Markets but the flight there was rough, and the city was expensive.
Québec City, though, is just on the East Coast of North America. It was a much shorter flight for me, and if you live in the Midwest or the East Coast already, it’ll be a breeze popping up for a holiday weekend.
During Christmas Time, Old Québec (the cit’ys quaint “old town”) along Rue Saint-Jean and also Petit-Champlain glows with garlands and warm window light. There are public fire pits to warm your hands, a German Christmas Market for treats and gifts, and so many restaurants serving winter comfort food that you will happily need a walk after dinner.
The best part is how much locals embrace winter and the holidays. You can skate outdoors next to Christmas trees, sip Kir at historic bars, and even taste maple taffy rolled on fresh snow.
When To Go And How Long To Stay
The holiday season kicks off in late November and stays up through the New Year, though most of the Christmas acitvities will wrap by December 25th.
I recommend visiting Quebec in the first half of December to avoid the peak holiday crowds but still increase the chance you’ll get winter snow, a must for some iconic city activities.
Plan two to four nights. With two nights you can hit markets, Old Town, and a festive dinner. With four, you can add a spa afternoon, an ice activity, and a day trip to Montmorency Falls or Île d’Orléans.
We visited around December 7th on a year that was oddly dry, meaning there wasn’t much snow on the ground. The day after we left around the 12th, there was a huge blizzard so I was happy we didn’t get stuck in that.
Where I Stayed And Why I Loved It
Hôtel Le Germain Québec
I checked in, breathed in the pine-and-fireplace scent of the lobby of this boutique hotel, and knew I had chosen right with Hôtel Le Germain Québec. The location near the Old Port made it easy to walk to Old Town without being stuck in crowds.
Breakfast croissants were dangerously good. At night I would end the day with a maple Old Fashioned or a Kir at the lobby bar and thaw out by the fire with a good book to read. Dog-friendly, Chromecast on the TVs, and genuinely kind staff made it feel like a winter cocoon.
A Classic Alternative: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
We didn’t stay at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac but on my next trip to Quebec City, we’ll be booking a room here. I’m a big fan girl of Fairmont Hotels (hey, the San Francisco Fairmont is the first one ever, after all!) and I think the Canadian Fairmonts are secretly the best.
And this hotel is literally in an old Chateau that towers over the city with exterior lights in green and red. You can’t get more iconic than that!
Even if you do not stay here, plan to visit for a drink at 1608 Bar. After a chilly evening ice skating, we popped by the bar without reservations and were able to get a table before the evening rush. I loved arriving right at opening to grab a seat and watch bartenders torch and glaze cocktails table-side. Order Opération Neptune or So Fresh and So Clean cocktail, trust me.
What To Do At Québec City Christmas
Get ready for some major holiday cheer in this charming city!
1. Wander Petit-Champlain For Storybook Streets
I always ended up on Rue du Petit-Champlain, ducking into maple shops and hunting for views where Le Château Frontenac peeks over rooftops. The lower town feels extra festive with garlands and lights, especially after dusk.
Also Make time to stroll Place Royale at dusk when the tree lights pop against the stone facades.
- If you’re looking for that iconic photo of the Fairmont towering above a charming street, find it at 5 Rue du Cul-de-Sac! Pro tip, it’s even better at nighttime while it’s snowing (if you can brave the cold!)
2. Ride The Funicular Instead Of Climbing Stairs
Treat yourself to the quick glass funicular between upper and lower towns. It’s inexpensive and delivers pretty views of the St. Lawrence River so you can save your legs for exploring.
Note, it’s cash only (bring small bills) and it’s one of those things a lot of tourists don’t realize, so make sure you have some Canadian cash on hand to ride it up (my legs were so happy we did this!)
3. Shop And Sip At The German Christmas Market
I had just come from real German markets a month before and was impressed with how authentic the Quebec City Christmas Market felt.
It’s small, but it packs tons of stalls with crafts, gifts, food and local artisans to shop from. I love hot glühwein, but do not skip the stall with mulled tomato wine. It is sweet and tart and perfect for cold fingers, and ended up being one of my favorite Quebec City Christmas foods we had all trip.
Keep an eye out for local gin and small-batch maple goodies for gifts! I recommend arriving an hour before dusk to the Christmas market in Quebec City so you can see the market in the daylight (and while it’s still warmer) and then sip hot mulled wine as it gets dark and the lights twinkle. This is what we did and it fed my Christmas loving soul.
4. Make Maple Taffy On Snow
My perfect Quebec Christmas moment was rolling warm maple syrup into soft taffy on a trough of snow. In Old Town, La Petite Cabane à Sucre de Québec usually has taffy set up on the snow right on the street. This isn’t just a Christmas in Quebec City thing, it’s available all winter long!
If you have a car, drive to Le Relais des Pins on Île d’Orléans like we did for the full sugar shack experience in the trees. We ended up lucking out on a private tour and it was so special learning about the history of sugar shacks while standing feet from traditional maple lines.
5. Lace Up At Place D’Youville Ice Rink
I make it a point to go ice skating every Christmas season and couldn’t pass up the chance to skate around Christmas trees in Quebec City. I rented skates at the rink by the Place D’Youville old walls rink, went at golden hour, and watched the lights flick on as the sky turned blue. It is small, charming, and surrounded by snack stalls so you can grab something warm afterward.
6. Warm Up At Public Fire Pits
One thing I love about Quebec City is how many public warming stations pop up in winter. They are free, festive, and perfect between markets and dinner. The city is on the East Coast and trust me when I say it can get very cold (and that’s coming from a Wisconsinite!) Being able to take a quick pause on our sightseeing and warm up by a fire was a highlight of this trip.
7. Chase Cozy Cocktails And Onion Soup
My personal winter ritual became a Kir cocktail or a maple whiskey Old Fashioned before bed and a daily bowl of French onion soup for lunch. Bistro 1640 makes my favorite onion soup. La Bûche, Q-de-sac, Lapin Sauté, and La Souche Microbrasserie are all great stops when the wind picks up.
8. Ride The Historic Toboggan
The Au 1884 toboggan beside the Château is a blast… if it is running. It can only run on snow and we didn’t have any during our trip so I only got to look at it, instead of riding down it. But, if it’s open, head there early to get your turn of a wild thrill ride with epic views of the city and the Lawrence River.
9. Book A Spa-And-Dinner Night At Strøm Spa Nordique
After spending a lot of time in Copenhagen and Norway, I have an obsession with Nordic spas and saunas, and was thrilled to see Quebec has a luxury spa right on the river, complete with cold plunges, hot pools and a restaurant!
I booked late afternoon tickets at Strom Spa, soaked in outdoor hot pools as steam rose into the cold air, took a brave cold plunge, then ate dinner in my robe at Nord. Eating salmon and soup by the river after a soak is peak winter decadence.
10. Take A Guided Walk Or Tour The Citadelle
I like to start in a new city with a walking tour. In winter on Christmas trips, I pick a mild day, bundle up, and pepper my guide with restaurant questions. The Citadelle tour was a surprise favorite, with clear history and sweeping views. It is windy, so bring a scarf!
11. Visit La Boutique De Noël
I always bring home ornaments from trips, it’s my Christmas tradition. We made sure to swing by La Boutique De Noël, a year-round Christmas store in upper Old Town, which has everything from classic glass balls to whimsical pieces you can’t find elsewhere.
12. Ice Canoeing
Quebecers have a wild winter tradition: ice canoeing on the frozen Saint Lawrence River. We weren’t able to go because the weather didn’t cooperate, but I chatted with locals who swore it’s one of the most unforgettable Christmas-time activities if December happens to be really cold.
You bundle up, paddle through slush and ice with a guide, and end it at the ice bar and Nordic Spa.
The Best Christmas And Winter Foods To Try
Sugar Shack Plate
Think crepes, maple bacon, baked beans, sausage, omelets, potatoes, and cretons. I did the full sugar shack party on Île d’Orléans and also a lunch plate at La Bûche in town. Drench everything in maple. Thank me later.
Maple Taffy And BeaverTails
Taffy is a must. BeaverTails are like a superior funnel cake. I loved a late-night maple BeaverTail from Queues de Castor Vieux Québec after a drink at 1608.
Kir And Local Spirits
Kirs are blackcurrant-forward and so refreshing. Distillerie de Québec gins show up on lots of menus. If you spot Distillerie du Granit’s maple gin, order it, I loved it so much.
I found a bottle at the Christmas Market and still dream about it. Sortilège Canadian Maple Whisky makes a perfect Old Fashioned. Hotel Le Germain’s bar nailed it.
Onion Soup, Rabbit, Tourtière, And Poutine
I came hungry and left obsessed. Onion soup is nonnegotiable in winter. Lapin Sauté’s rabbit pie is savory and not too heavy, we had it one cold night and it hit the spot.
Poutine toppings get creative. Aux Anciens Canadiens is well known for tourtière. And if you see Wendat dishes in Wendake, order the cornbread at La Traite. It is denser than American cornbread and so good with butter.
Ice Wine And Crème De Cassis
As a WSET 2 wine expert, I love trying fun wines. I’ve only ever drank ice wine while wine tasting in Wisconsin, so getting to try ice wine at Lapin Sauté made me feel very fancy. Ice wine is very sweet, almost like a port but ligther. It’s unique to regions like Cananda that struggle to grow grapes due to the cold climates.
For more fun tastings, on Île d’Orléans, Cassis Monna & Filles does wonderful blackcurrant tastings and syrups that make great souvenirs.
Easy Day Trips That Add Holiday Magic
Montmorency Falls
Montmorency Falls is taller than Niagara and so easy to reach from the city, even if you don’t have a care. In winter, it can freeze into a dramatic white cascade and I was blown away by how majestic it is frozen.
Hit the upper bridge and lower platform for both angles.
Île d’Orléans
Fifteen minutes away, it is farm stands in summer and a quieter, cozy island in winter. We paired our visit with the falls in one day. My perfect route was Montmorency first, then cassis tasting, sugar shack lunch, and a scenic drive.
Île d’Orléans is a short drive from the city and perfect for wine tastings, maple sugar shacks, and cozy bakery lunches. Robin and I loved our stop at Cassis Monna & Filles for blackcurrant wine and syrups (so festive). Le Relais des Pins offered fresh maple taffy poured right onto snow. Even in winter, the island felt magical and delicious.
This was actually an accidental visit for us, we originally had ice canoeing on our schedule but that got cancelled so we picked a day on the Île d’Orléans instead and it ended up being so rewarding.
Skiing At Stoneham Mountain
I’m not a skier but I did make sure to swing by Stoneham to check it out. It’s a ski hill just 25 minutes from Quebec City. It has 41 runs and a lively après-ski scene. We happily sat in the lodge with a local beer while watching people hit the slopes.
If skiing is on your Christmas winter bucket list, Quebec City makes it so easy.
Spend The Night In Wendake At Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations
One of the most meaningful things I did was spend the night at Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations in Wendake, a short drive from the city. The lodge-style boutique hotel is run by the Huron-Wendat Nation and includes a museum and restaurant with Indigenous flavors.
At night we wandered through Onhwa’ Lumina, a forest light show that told Wendat stories with music and art. We visited on a night it was snowing hard and wandering through their experience under the falling snow was one of the most magical holiday experiences I’ve ever had.
Sample Quebec City Christmas Itineraries
Two Days In Quebec City At Christmas
- Day 1: Check in at Hôtel Le Germain. Walk Petit-Champlain. Make maple taffy. Ride the funicular up at dusk. Cocktails at 1608. Dinner at La Bûche.
- Day 2: Morning onion soup at Bistro 1640. Skate at Place D’Youville. Warm at a public fire pit. Shop the German Christmas Market. Nightcap at the hotel bar with maple whisky.
Four Days In Quebec City At Christmas
- Day 1: Petit-Champlain, funicular, 1608 Bar, late-night BeaverTail.
- Day 2: Citadelle tour. Market shopping. Cozy café break. Toboggan if open. Dinner at Lapin Sauté with ice wine.
- Day 3: Strøm Spa Nordique soak and robe dinner. Slow evening stroll to see lights.
- Day 4: Montmorency Falls and Île d’Orléans for cassis tasting and sugar shack lunch. Return to Old Town for a final Kir.
What To Wear And Pack For December
I grew up in Wisconsin and still layered up. Bring a proper puffer, a wool day coat, thermal base layers, warm socks, insulated boots with tread, gloves, hat, scarf, and hand warmers.
If you plan on tubing, dogsledding, or a snowy day trip, add snow pants. I lived in chunky sweaters and ankle boots with grippy soles. A tiny portable charger was clutch since cold temps drain batteries fast.
Practical Tips For A Smooth Holiday Trip
- Book Popular Spots Early. 1608 Bar, La Bûche, and spa slots fill quickly in December.
- Carry Cash For The Funicular. It is quick, scenic, and worth every dollar so you don’t have to walk up that giant hill.
- Expect Some Weather Flex. Ice canoeing, tobogganing, and other activities can depend on snow and temperature. Build backups like museum time, a spa session, or a slow lunch.
- Walk As Your Main Transport. Old Quebec is compact and best on foot. Streets are cobbled and hilly, so choose footwear wisely.
- Learn A Few French Basics. A friendly “bonjour” goes a long way. I found locals warm and patient with my imperfect French.
- Consider A Car For Day Trips. The airport’s rental center is efficient. I liked having wheels for Montmorency Falls and Île d’Orléans.
Responsible And Respectful Travel Notes
Quebec City sits on land stewarded by Indigenous peoples, including the Huron-Wendat Nation. A night in Wendake at Hôtel–Musée Premières Nations, dinner at La Traite, and the Onhwa’ Lumina light walk were highlights that connected me to local culture in a meaningful way. If you can add them to your itinerary, do it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Quebec City Good For Christmas Markets
Yes. The German Christmas Market feels authentic and festive with hot drinks, gifts, and local treats. Go at dusk for peak twinkle.
Is Quebec City Walkable In Winter
Absolutely. Sidewalks are cleared often, but wear traction-friendly boots. Use the funicular to skip the steepest climb.
What Are The Best Warm-You-Up Foods
Onion soup, tourtière, sugar shack plates, and anything maple. Add a Kir or a maple Old Fashioned for seasonal cheer.
What If It Is Too Cold For Outdoor Activities
Swap in Strøm Spa Nordique, museum time, boutique shopping, long lunches, and late-afternoon bar seats with a view.
Where Should I Stay For A Cozy Holiday Vibe
Hôtel Le Germain for boutique warmth and easy walking, or the Fairmont for the iconic setting and 1608 Bar.
If you are planning a Quebec City Christmas trip and want help fine tuning your itinerary, drop your dates and wish list in the comments or DM me on Instagram @thewhimsysoul.
I am happy to help you build a route that includes maple treats, market strolls, and at least one perfect Kir.
