Top Events and Festivals in Québec City

We love the white stuff here and have plenty of ways to enjoy it. In February, we warm up at the Québec Winter Carnival, a tradition that’s been going strong for 65 years. As the carnival symbol, Bonhomme has the keys to the city for a full ten days, sharing his joie de vivre with locals and visitors from the four corners of the globe. Carnival activities include two fabulous night parades, an unbelievable ice canoe race, Bonhomme’s majestic palace, fun challenges at Jos’ Camp, and—for the exceptionally brave—a snow bath! The Winter Carnival delivers family activities, unforgettable memories, and tons of fun.

At Québec City’s German Christmas Market, you’ll get to take in the traditional arts, crafts, and flavours of Germany and Québec. It’s part and parcel of the holiday spirit that envelops Old Québec in November and December, when the Old City looks like a Christmas fairy tale come to life! Although temporary, the market village has all the authentic charm of a European Christmas market. It’s a great place to enjoy gourmet treats while shopping for that perfect Christmas gift. There’s something special for everyone on your list!

To see the old year out with a bang and ring in the New Year in style, people get all bundled up and gather near the outdoor stages, and on heated patios to celebrate. Toboggan, New Year’s Eve in Québec City is a multi-day party you won’t want to miss, culminating with performances by folk bands, and sets by well‑known DJs.

To taste the talent and know‑how of Québec’s craft brewers and discover bold beers, you’ll want to hit up Festibière de Québec in August in the city’s Old Port. If you’re keen to discover the microbreweries in the area but can’t make it in August, there are a number of other craft beer tasting events throughout the year.

For passionate foodies, Québec Table gourmande serves up fine cuisine at friendly prices, with set menus at a number of restaurants along the city’s main streets in November.

Just in time for the Holidays, the Christmas Market at Le Grand Marché is the perfect place to pick up local goodies for your holiday table from late November through to the end of December. It’s also a great place to spend quality time with family and friends! Sign up for a cooking workshop and learn how to prepare traditional dishes or delicious bites. Meet local producers to get their advice and discover their gift ideas. Pull up a seat for Christmas stories, watch the folk dancers, or hear carols sung by a local choir. And keep your eye open for a special visitor—Le Grand Marché is one of Santa Claus’s favourite stops!

Quebecers love to party! Join them for an 11‑day love affair with top musical acts from Québec and around the world at the Festival d'été de Québec (FEQ). Every summer in July, Old Québec turns into a multi‑venue for this major musical event. A parade of top artists in every genre grace the city’s indoor and outdoor stages, wowing the crowds with incredible performances and making this one of the country’s biggest music festivals.

Join the fun in late July through September for the Grands Feux Loto-Québec fireworks festival. Use the theme of the evening as inspiration for your outfit and dance until the pyro‑musical performance lights up the sky above the St. Lawrence River between Québec City and Lévis. All evenings have a different theme and start early on the wharf, which is all done up for the festival. Once the sky darkens, the real show begins, with music and fireworks choreographed by talented artists who manage to outdo themselves every year. You’ll love it!

You’ll be blown away by the incredible creativity on display in Où tu vas quand tu dors en marchant..?, a set of living tableaux by Carrefour international de théâtre de Québec that takes over a section of the city. This free walk-through theatre event runs from late May to early June, transporting you to an off‑kilter world you won’t soon forget. You’ll be fascinated by the talented artists and installations all along the route. A one‑of‑a‑kind experience.

Need a good laugh? In August, ComediHa! Fest Québec serves up a skewer of homegrown and international comedy talent on a mission to make you laugh. For anyone looking to hear the best Québec and French comedians, this festival is a must. Attend a gala performance, yuck it up at a sketch show, watch a comedy competition, and give it up for the best gags by the festival’s special guests. From lowbrow to highbrow, it’s all highly entertaining.

Seize an opportunity to discover Indigenous culture right in Québec City. At KWE! Meet with Indigenous Peoples, you’ll get to hear from the ten First Nations and Inuit living in the province and learn what it means to be Indigenous in modern‑day Québec. Drop by this free annual event to discuss current issues, attend workshops on various traditions, or see artisans sharing their craft. It’s a festival full of cooking, dancing, singing, talks, movies, and more. If you’ve ever wanted to know more about Québec’s First Peoples, this is the event you’ve been waiting for!

Every year in early August, the New France Festival takes visitors back to the 17th and 18th centuries, to Québec’s early days and its French origins. If you like food, history, and period dress, this one’s for you!

Wendake’s International Pow Wow is a thrilling festival featuring First Nations artists from across North America that takes place in June. The singing, dancing, and traditional food will bring you closer to the culture, traditions, and customs of the continent’s first peoples.

If you’re a runner, why not make the most of your stay by signing up for the Marathon de Québec? The course takes you through the city’s neighbourhoods made all the more gorgeous by the fall colours in early October.

The heat is on in Québec City! Every February for the past 60+ years, the International Pee-wee Hockey Tournament has welcomed the world’s best young hockey players to town. It’s a rousing celebration of our national sport and great family fun.

If you like mountain biking, you can watch top riders go barrelling down the mountain at Mont-Sainte-Anne as they compete in the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup. It’s a thrilling competition that puts the athletes’ skills to the test. Just watching them tackle the trails is enough to give you an adrenaline rush!

In September you can cheer on the world’s elite road cyclists as they go speeding through Old Québec and along the Plains of Abraham in the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec.