Experience Winter a Whole New Way in Quebec, Canada’s Winter Carnival
Published on October 01, 2008 by Veronica Shine, [Null]
Country: Canada 
The Experience
For some nothing can be as dreary as a cold winter’s night, except in captivating Quebec where the city lives by three words, "Joie de Vivre!”, meaning "The joy of living!" The opportunity for a whole new way to experience winter in Quebec, Canada awaits you. Savvy travelers from around the world have noted that the winter wonderland reigns here!
The foremost event of the year is the annual Winter Carnival. The festivities commence in late January through to early February, and have been a tradition since 1894. The Quebec Winter Carnival has garnered attention as a premier global celebration, rivaling the best of any Winter Carnival from around the globe, set amid one of most quaint and picturesque cities.
The foremost event of the year is the annual Winter Carnival. The festivities commence in late January through to early February, and have been a tradition since 1894. The Quebec Winter Carnival has garnered attention as a premier global celebration, rivaling the best of any Winter Carnival from around the globe, set amid one of most quaint and picturesque cities.
Get Going!
The mascot of the fair is a snowman by the name of Bonhomme and symbolizes all things winter. Bonhomme seemingly appears everywhere including on a badge that everyone over 5 years of age is required to wear. It is all you need for the countless activities and entertainment venues during these 17 days with the one time fee of approximately $10. After visiting and partaking in all of the festivities, the badge will make a wonderful souvenir of remembrance.
What can you expect at this year’s fest? This festival has it all for those who either want to join in or just be a spectator. Winter sports competition, ski and skating instruction, dog sled racing, parades, snow sculptures and painting are just a few of the activities.
Bonhomme delights the children and they love the great fairyland atmosphere in his amazing home, the Ice Palace. The Ice Palace is wonderful during the day but becomes even more enchanting at night, when illuminated with multi-color lights, making the ice sparkle like a rainbow.
What can you expect at this year’s fest? This festival has it all for those who either want to join in or just be a spectator. Winter sports competition, ski and skating instruction, dog sled racing, parades, snow sculptures and painting are just a few of the activities.
Bonhomme delights the children and they love the great fairyland atmosphere in his amazing home, the Ice Palace. The Ice Palace is wonderful during the day but becomes even more enchanting at night, when illuminated with multi-color lights, making the ice sparkle like a rainbow.
Odds n' Ends
One popular exhibition is the snow sculpture event. Snow sculpting has been a long-time tradition in Quebec City and now has international competitors. The number of participants grows greater each year as does the quality and creativity of the pieces created.
No matter where you walk in the city, there is music playing and before you know it, you will find you are even beginning to hum and tap your feet to the tunes being played.
Many events that take place during the Carnival are spread throughout different locations across the city.
The temperature in Quebec varies between -30°C and -10°C during the Carnival season, so appropriate warm clothes and snow boots are recommended to thoroughly enjoy Winter Carnival in Quebec!
No matter where you walk in the city, there is music playing and before you know it, you will find you are even beginning to hum and tap your feet to the tunes being played.
Many events that take place during the Carnival are spread throughout different locations across the city.
The temperature in Quebec varies between -30°C and -10°C during the Carnival season, so appropriate warm clothes and snow boots are recommended to thoroughly enjoy Winter Carnival in Quebec!
Want a Guide?
- Quebec Winter Carnival - GAPAdventures.com
- Have fun French-style at the Biggest Winter Carnival in the world! Quebecers celebrate winter like nobody else. Fall under the spell of their warm welcome, and join countless athletic and cultural activities for all ages. Winter has never been so much fun.
Recommended Places to Stay
- Hotel de Glace
- An unique concept with just the right touch for the festival. Imagine staying in a hotel made of ice.
Additional Places to Stay Nearby
Search over 900,000 global hotel deals from over 30 merchants. Book via Expedia, Travelocity, Hotels.com, Booking.com, Priceline and the websites of popular hotel chains.
The Palace Royal is situated in the heart of Old Quebec, across from the Quebec Conference Centre and a short stroll from the site of ... 0 miles away
L'Hotel du Capitole has 40 tastefully decorated rooms with pampering comfort and a unique flair. This small luxury (four star) hotel will charm you with ... 0 miles away
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More Experiences Nearby
- Spend the Night in a Hotel Made of Ice
- The first thing they tell you at the Ice Hotel is not to put your head inside your sleeping bag. You’ll want to. It’s cold in the Ice Hotel and your nose will want to tuck itself under the covers to keep warm. But if you do, your warm breath will mix with the hotel’s cold air and you’ll end up with a sleeping bag with an opening coated in ice. The Hotel de Glace in Quebec, Canada, is a boutique hotel made entirely of snow and ice – 20,000 tonnes of it. Redesigned and rebuilt every winter, it takes ...7 miles away.
While You're There - Tours and Trips Nearby
After check-in, you'll be transported to the take-off site where the balloon will be inflated (those that wish can participate). You will receive the required ... via Quebec City.
$230+
Your countryside half-day trip follows Avenue Royale through the traditional villages and farms of the Beaupré Coast. On your tour, the entertaining commentary provided by ... via Quebec City.
$38+
+ 3 others. Show all.
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Books and DVDs
- Canada Travel Guide - LonelyPlanet.com
- Your first polar bear...whales out the window of your Newfoundland B&B...the Northern Lights...Canada delivers on the outdoor spectaculars, then follows it up with cities full of jazz, art and round-the-world cuisine.
Elsewhere on the Web
- Official Carnival Site
- This is the place to narrow down your search of the events you want to scedule.
- Tourism of Quebec
- Quebec Airport
- Follow the wealth of information offered prior to your arrival by plane to Quebec.
- Québec Winter Carnival, Québec City - Visitors Guide - About.com
- Every year, beginning on the last weekend of January and continuing for the the next two weeks (17 days in total), Quebec City is alive with sub-zero merri-making.
- Quebec Winter Carnival - Wikipedia.org
- The Quebec Winter Carnival (or Carnaval de Québec), held yearly in Quebec City, Canada, is the biggest winter carnival in the world. The festival typically starts on the last Friday of January or the first Friday of February and it continues for 17 days, usually with close to one million participants every year.
Media References
- Winter Fests: Embracing the Cold - NYTimes.com (newspaper)
- WHEN winter comes, many people -- understandably -- flee the sleet and the snow for a warm place where they can lie on the beach, frozen drink in hand, and chortle contentedly as they hear about below-zero conditions back home.
Language Guides
French 
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Japanese
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Portugese
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Russian
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Spanish
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