25 Ways to Make November Bright

With over 70 participating restaurants, Québec Table Gourmande is a food festival not to be missed. Explore new restaurants in different neighbourhoods for an outstanding culinary experience.

Most hotels have lower rates and great deals at this time of year.

Who said you have to wait until December to get into the holiday spirit? The festivities start on November 21 at Québec City’s German Christmas Market, filling Old Québec with light.

A show is a sure bet for a night in good company. We love getting out to see a show at one of the many venues in the area.

November is the perfect month to relax before the hustle and bustle of the holidays and indulge in a little self care at a wellness centre or a Nordic spa.

Québec’s craft breweries are calling! Pull up a chair for some comfort food and a fine craft beer. We like the award-winning brews and down-to-earth vibes at La Souche and La Korrigane, but with some thirty microbreweries in the region, there’s plenty more to explore!

Discovering a new restaurant is so satisfying. Our recent faves include Bijou, a cocktail lounge located in the Hôtel Particulier Monsieur Jean, and lueur, a tiny restaurant inspired by Japanese omakase.

In November, the streets of Québec come alive for the city’s traditional toy parade.

We let ourselves be charmed by the life and unique characteristics of each neighbourhood. With the cooler weather, there’s nothing better than a good locally roasted coffee to accompany our explorations. We stop at one of the Maison Smith branches in Old Québec, at Cantook in Saint-Jean-Baptiste, at Nektar or one of the Brûleries if we’re in Saint-Roch or Limoilou. 

Take a quick trip to Switzerland with the cheese fondue at La Grolla or indulge in comfort food at one of the many local restaurants in the region.

Brunch is the very best reason to get out of bed in the morning. Head to Lapin Sauté for brunch and shopping in the Petit-Champlain District, or make it a grand affair with the brunch at Ciel! Bistro-Bar.

Chase away the November grey with the magic of Christmas. Starting in November, the Petit-Champlain and other central districts are decked out in lights, which makes for an enchanting evening stroll.

With the days growing shorter, it’s important to fill up on fresh air and sunshine. It’s surprising how healthy a simple walk can be!

Weekend afternoons are high teatime at Château Frontenac and Auberge Saint-Antoine, where a delicious platter of fresh tea sandwiches, scones, and pastries awaits.

At Bō Cuisine d’Asie, tea time is given a new twist with a variety of Asian teas and herbal infusions, served alongside a mix of sweet and savoury bites.

Hone those kitchen skills and try new recipes with a cooking class at Ateliers & Saveurs Québec.

Get those thighs and calves ready for skating season at an indoor skating rink. It’s the perfect time to try the Olympic ring at Centre de glaces Intact Assurance or go skating with the kids at the Méga Parc’s patinarium. Just be sure to check the skating schedules and book ahead!

Nothing says cozy times like a new board game. For endless options and expert advice on which game to pick, swing by La Revanche, Le Randolph, or Benjo.

Hockey fever has taken hold! We’re reared up and ready to cheer on the local team with family and friends. Lucky for us, Québec City’s Remparts have seven home games in November. Game on!

The museum is a classic all-weather outing. At the Musée de la civilisation, we discover the significant events that shaped Quebec in the new permanent exhibition Québec, in Other Words. At the Musée national des beaux-arts, we explore the rich diversity and vibrancy of Indigenous art in Canada through the exhibition Early Days.

The Château Frontenac’s juicy secrets and fascinating history are revealed on a guided tour into the darkest corners of this famous hotel. Follow it up with a drink and a bite at Sam and a leisurely stroll to admire the Christmas trees in the grand entrance hall.

Go on a spree at the Méga Parc in Galeries de la Capitale or see the “Ludovica” exhibition at Laurier Québec. There’s also the wave pool at the Bora Parc, the climbing at Récréofun and the bouncy-bouncy fun-fun-fun at Carie Factory.

Test those puzzle-solving skills and break free at one of the city’s many escape rooms. There’s À Double Tour, Défi Évasion, Eliviascape, and Sauve qui peut.

Get that holiday shopping done at Signé Local, as well as the local shops downtown or at the Grand Christmas Market.
 

This largest fair dedicated to Indigenous literature in Canada is a unique opportunity to explore literary works and deepen our understanding of the First Nations.

What if we made November the month for reconnecting with nature? The many unique accommodation options in the region provide plenty of ways to spend quality time in the great outdoors.