Quebec City's big winter dates are the Carnaval de Québec, February 5 to 14, 2027 (official organiser), the German Christmas Market, November 19 to December 23, 2026, Thursday to Sunday (Visit Québec City), and the Ice Hotel at Valcartier, which is open to visitors from Saturday, December 26, 2026 to March 21, 2027, with the opening date subject to weather. Old Québec is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the city is about 250 km (roughly 3 hours' drive) from Montréal.
Photo: Yazmin Roman on Pexels (Pexels)
Key winter dates
| What | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Carnaval de Québec | ✅ Official (organiser) | Feb 5–14, 2027 |
| German Christmas Market | ✅ Official (Visit Québec City) | Nov 19–Dec 23, 2026, Thu–Sun |
| Ice Hotel (Hôtel de Glace) visits | ✅ Official (Valcartier), opening subject to weather | Sat Dec 26, 2026 to Mar 21, 2027 |
| Au 1884 ice slide | ✅ Official (Valcartier), weather permitting | Dec 4, 2026–Mar 21, 2027 |
| Village Nordik | ✅ Official (Visit Québec City) | Jan 29–Mar 7, 2027 |
| Canada Games events | ✅ Official (Visit Québec City) | Feb 27–Mar 14, 2027 |
What to do in Quebec City in winter
Carnaval de Québec
- Bonhomme's Ice Palace, two night parades, an ice canoe race, a snow bath and snow sculptures are part of the programme (Carnaval de Québec).
- Visitors aged 13 and over need an event pass to enter the activities; check the organiser's site for the current rate.
Old Québec on foot
- Old Québec was inscribed by UNESCO in 1985 and covers 135 hectares (UNESCO World Heritage Centre). It is compact, so you can see most of it on foot with warm boots.
- At Christmas, the German Christmas Market and the Kaléidoscopes show (December 27–31) add to the festive mood, and New Year's Eve is celebrated on Grande Allée on December 31 (Visit Québec City).
Ice Hotel and Au 1884 slide at Valcartier
- Valcartier lists Ice Hotel visits from Saturday, December 26, 2026 to March 21, 2027; the opening date is subject to weather (Valcartier).
- The Au 1884 slide runs December 4, 2026 to March 21, 2027, weather permitting, with sleds for up to four people at up to 70 km/h on three lanes. Regular hours are Sunday to Wednesday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Thursday to Saturday 10 a.m.–9 p.m. in most periods, with longer holiday hours from December 19 to January 3 (Valcartier). The quietest period is January 5–31, 2027.
Montmorency Falls
- The falls are 83 m high and about 15 minutes from Old Québec (Sépaq).
- In winter the cliffside walk and the suspension bridge are cleared, but the staircase, the falls boardwalk and the Sugarloaf are closed. The cable car runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. December 19, 2026–January 3, 2027 (closed December 25) and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. February 6–March 31, 2027 (Sépaq). The site's services are closed November 2–December 18 and January 4–February 5, though the site stays accessible.
3-day itinerary (example: Fri Feb 5 – Sun Feb 7, 2027)
Fri: Old Québec and the Carnaval opening
- Arrive and walk the historic centre; check the Carnaval programme for that evening's events.
Sat: Montmorency Falls and the slide
- Morning at Montmorency Falls (the cable car starts running again on February 6).
- Afternoon at the Au 1884 slide in Valcartier; during Carnaval the slide is open 10 a.m.–9 p.m. (Valcartier).
Sun: Ice Hotel and departure
- Visit the Ice Hotel at Valcartier (open for visits until March 21, 2027, per Valcartier) before heading to the airport or back to Montréal.
Getting there and getting around
- Airport: Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) is 15 km from downtown, about 25 minutes by car; RTC buses 76 and 80 serve it (YQB).
- Train: VIA Rail Montréal–Québec takes about 3 hours 26 minutes on average, with 34 departures a week (VIA Rail).
- Car: the drive from Montréal is about 250 km, around 3 hours without snow; leave extra time in storms.
- Winter tires: they are mandatory from December 1 to March 15 for vehicles registered in Québec; vehicles registered outside Québec are not required to have them (Gouvernement du Québec, updated Oct 5, 2026). Ask your rental agency which rule applies to your car.
Combine it with other winter trips
Québec City pairs well with Mont-Tremblant's ski season, the bigger picture in Canada in winter and our roundup of winter vacation ideas for 2026–27.
Plan it with Lets2Go
Tell Lets2Go's AI trip planner your dates and interests, and get a day-by-day Quebec City itinerary you can adjust. Also on the App Store and Google Play. Opening hours and dates can change, so confirm them on official sites before you go.
When is the Carnaval de Québec in 2027?
The Carnaval de Québec runs February 5 to 14, 2027, according to the official organiser. The programme includes Bonhomme's Ice Palace, two night parades, an ice canoe race and a snow bath, and visitors aged 13 and over need an event pass.
When does the Ice Hotel open in Quebec City?
Valcartier lists visits from Saturday, December 26, 2026 to March 21, 2027, and says the opening date is subject to weather conditions.
How do you get from Montréal to Quebec City?
VIA Rail takes about 3 hours 26 minutes on average over 270 km, with 34 departures a week, according to VIA Rail. By car it is about 250 km, roughly 3 hours without snow.
Do I need winter tires to drive in Quebec?
Winter tires are mandatory from December 1 to March 15 for vehicles registered in Québec. Vehicles registered outside Québec are not required to have them, according to the Gouvernement du Québec (updated October 5, 2026). Confirm the rule with your rental agency.
