Carnaval de Quebec (Quebec Winter Carnival)

The Quebec Winter Carnival is the largest winter carnival in the world! From night-time ice sculpture competitions to exciting canoe races on the St. Lawrence, this celebration of snow and ice typically kicks off on the last weekend of January and lasts for 17 thrilling, chilling days. The first official Carnaval took place in 1955, but the Quebecois tradition of celebrating the joys of winter rather than hiding from its hardships dates back to 1894.

Bonhomme's House

Opening and closing ceremonies are held at the spectacular Ice Palace situated across from Quebec’s Parliament at the Place Loto-Québec, just steps from the main festival site. The palace is recreated every year using thousands of tons of snow and is home to the festival’s cheery ambassador and a symbol of Quebec Winter Carnival - the snowman Bonhomme. French for “Good Fellow”, Bonhomme is the jolly mascot of the festivities and beloved by generations of children. Drop by to check out his house with its grand architecture and dazzling snow and ice sculptures. The incredible architecture of this unique structure is a highlight of the festival, especially at night when the multicoloured lights illuminate the icy walls.

A Winter Playground

The Quebec Winter Carnival’s activities take place at several sites. The main venue is the Place Desjardins, located on the historic Plains of Abraham which is a massive city park just outside the walls of Old Quebec’s Upper Town. The site becomes a winter wonderland during Carnaval! Families can participate in dozens of exciting activities including snow slides, ice-fishing, dog sledding, and sleigh races. A popular activity is gliding on the outdoor skating rink at thePlace Hydro-Quebec , which also features free concerts. Keep an eye out for an appearance by Bonhomme, who loves to keep fit by lacing up his skates! When it’s time for a break, head to the METRO Marquis, which offers restaurants, musical shows and street entertainers.

Tasty Treats

Part of the fun of the Quebec Winter Carnival is indulging in the delicious treats on offer. At the Place Desjardins site, sample northern specialities at the Maple Sugar Shack such as real maple syrup and maple toffee hardened right on the snow. A special treat to warm up the grown-ups is the popular “caribou,” a sweet mix of maple syrup, red wine and rum, often served in a plastic canes or trumpets. Also popular is the Calgary Stampede Flapjack breakfast. And a Canadian tradition not to be missed is the Beaver Tail pastry. This hot piece of fried dough shaped to resemble the tail of a beaver can be enjoyed with a variety of toppings such as cinnamon, sugar and chocolate.

Fun After Dark

The Quebec Winter Carnival is renowned for its lively nightlife. The Ice Palace hosts outdoor dance parties with live music where revellers can dance the night away. The famous Night Parades take place during the second and third weekends of the festival and offer carnival-goers a dazzling spectacle of costumes, music and dancing. And the Village Arctic Spas at the Place Desjardins feature three hot tubs and a sauna to keep warm while chilling out.

Visiting the Quebec Winter Carnival

The $10 pass (which is also a little souvenir replica of Bonhomme that ties onto your jacket) provides access to most of the activities and venues during the duration of the carnival. It can be purchased on-site during the festival or in advance at stores throughout the city. Family packages are available, and groups of 25 or more can buy the passes online at the Carnival’s official website.

 The Quebec Winter Carnival is an extremely popular destination and those planning to attend the festivities should reserve accommodations in Quebec City well in advance.

Quebec City is said to be the snow capital of the world, and temperatures can be very cold at times so be prepared for the chilly conditions and dress warmly in plenty of layers.

For more information on the Quebec Winter Carnival, call 1-866-422-7628

Click here to visit Carnaval de Quebec (Quebec Winter Carnival) official website