The Québec City area is the ideal place to spend the holidays. After all, it's got everything: abundant snow, carolers, sleigh rides, Christmas trees, Nativity scenes, and Midnight mass. Just like in our childhood storybooks, when our parents read to us in front of a warm fire.

Throughout the city, trees, homes, storefronts, and office buildings are decorated and lit for the Christmas season. Smiles are bigger, arms open wider, and the snow gives everyone the luxury of a beautiful white carpet on Christmas Eve. But there’s more to enjoy in Québec City at this time of the year. With its enchanting boutiques (and in particular its 1,000 boutiques in five large shopping centers), its special events, and the Christmas exhibitions set up by many museums, kids as well as adults will be delighted. Here are some ideas for holiday fun.

- Concerts/Stories/Theater
- Attractions
- Christmas of Yesteryear
- Special Events

- CONCERTS/STORIES/THEATER

Salle Dina-Bélanger
Since the play first debuted in New York in 1977, Annie has won over people of all generations around the world. Stirring music, funny and endearing characters, dynamic choreography, and unforgettable songs explain the appeal of this work that will touch the hearts of all who see it. From December 4 to January 4, 2009. Admission charge.

Théâtre du Petit-Champlain/Maison de la chanson
Ensemble Gospel de Québec sings Christmas. December 6 and 7, 2008.

Moulin des Jésuites
Come and sing the most beautiful Christmas carols in the company of professional musicians. Sunday, December 14 at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Admission: $4 per person, maximum of $16 per family.

Grand Théâtre de Québec - Concert with the OSQ
Let’s celebrate Christmas in song! La Maîtrise des Petits Chanteurs de Québec sings the songs we love to hear year after year. December 16 and 17, 2008.
Centre d’art La Chapelle
A number of shows and Christmas stories for the whole family, including
- The Stolen Gifts, by Les Violoncelles enchanteurs. Sunday, December 14 at 10:00 a.m. $10 per person, $5 for kids age 12 or younger.
- Raconte-moi encore…, by Rythmoson. December 19 and 20. $18.
- Super Nicolas, by Animagination. Saturday, December 27 and Sunday, December 28 at 2:00 p.m. Free admission, no pass required.

For more details, please view the program found on their website.

Palais Montcalm
Discover traditionnal Christmas stories from all over the world during Kadou, Noëls d’ici et d’ailleurs. The Strada orchestra offers a real musical odyssey through songs, dance and stories - a mix of Nativity tales and Winter solstice celebrations. December 21, 2 p.m. Entrance: $12.50. Free for kids under 15 years old.

Salut 400e! - Cheers to Québec City!
The closing festivities for the 400th anniversary of Québec City will extend to the main uptown commercial streets - Grande Allée, Avenue Cartier and Rue St-Jean / Place D’Youville. A wide variety of free activities for families and for a public of all ages is scheduled before, during and after the closing show, Salut 400e! Guaranteed fun for everyone! On December 31, 2008.


- ATTRACTIONS

Noël Hamel
Some 25 years ago, Centre Jardin Hamel pioneered the launch of an area exclusively devoted to Christmas decorations—Noël Hamel—with the largest collection of Christmas decorations in Canada, and it has been the leader ever since! Come discover the thousands of decorations from around the world in an enchanting décor created by Centre Jardin Hamel designers. Early October to early January. Free admission.

Christmas in the St-Roch Area
November 6, 2008, to February 6, 2009: Rue St-Joseph in lights: a splendid Christmas Sun will illuminate Rue St-Joseph. Eighteen feet in diameter with 30,000 lights, it will shine down near Église St-Roch. What’s more, storefronts will exhibit nativity displays, each one as magical as the next.

Quartier Petit Champlain
Starting December 1, 2008, hundreds of fir trees lit up for the holidays create a matchless ethereal atmosphere. From December 15 to December 28, listen as a strolling choir sings your favorite holiday tunes. December 15 to December 19 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; December 20–21, 24–25, and 27–28 from 12 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. and December 22–23 and 26 from 12 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. and from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

L’Aventure de Noël
All ages are welcome to come and have some fun in Québec’s largest inflatable games park. Educational zones, slides, obstacle courses, climbing walls, giant trampolines, shows, and continuous activities. December 20 and 21, 2008, at the ExpoCité exhibition center. Admission: $10.

Christmas at Musée de la civilisation and Place-Royale
Join in the tradition and take part in the many holiday events. Workshops, shows, activities, georally… everything you need for a memorable family experience! Open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except December 25) and exceptionally open on Monday, December 29.


- CHRISTMAS OF YESTERYEAR

Celebrating Christmas the Wendat Way
Old Wendake welcomes its visitors with sound and lights: illumination of the Huron Nation Fresco, festive shops with decorations and illuminated trees, bright mosaicultures of the eight clans of the Huron-Wendat Nation and wooden sculptures of Huron-Wendat symbols. From December 12 till the end of February, special day on December 12.

Moulin des Jésuites
Exhibit of two miniature villages of yesteryear, one inhabited by the Santons of Charlevoix, the other illuminated through colorful stained glass. Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from November 8, 2008, to January 11, 2009. Also Fridays, December 5, 12, and 19, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Christmas Sleigh Bells in Days of Yore (The Story of Christmas in Québec City During Queen Victoria’s Reign)
Relive the charm of winter in the mid-19th century. Go back in time to a Victorian Christmas with traditional gift exchanges and the first Christmas trees. Steep yourself in the stories and music that sparked the magic of the holidays. Then, listen to the romantic sleigh ride or snowshoe adventures of our ancestors. Starting December 27 and 28, 2008, at 2 p.m., by reservation only with Six-Associates Historic Guided Tours.

An Old Fashioned Christmas at Cap-Santé
Come experience a culinary, artistic, historic, and festive adventure. An Old Fashioned Christmas at Cap-Santé is an outdoor and indoor market of yesteryear—just like in the good old days! November 28, 29, and 30, 2008, at Place de l’Église in Cap-Santé.

Lantern-Lit Guided Tours of Outdoor Nativity Scenes
Take a lantern-lit stroll along a path of illuminated nativity scenes. The stroll starts at the Moulin des Jésuites every Thursday and Friday from December 4 to 19 as well as December 26, 27, 28, and 29 at 7:00 p.m. Lasts 1 hour 30 minutes. Admission: $5.00 per person, free for children age 4 or younger. Reservations are required. Call 418-624-7720.

Crèches d’ici et d’ailleurs (Nativity Scenes from Near and Far)
Come discover some one hundred nativity displays from numerous countries—works of art from around the world. Guided tours are available free of charge. The exhibit is held at Bibliothèque Gabrielle-Roy and is produced by Institut canadien de Québec. December 1, 2008, to January 4, 2009.


- SPECIAL EVENTS

Parade of Toys
The Parade of Toys is a weekend chock full of activities (November 8 and 9, 2008) when Santa Claus makes his spectacular arrival in downtown Québec City in the Enchanted Village of Geoffroy. Activities, games, and shows delight the young at heart. The weekend events culminate in a majestic parade featuring 55 tableaus.

Salon des artisans
Over 225 craftspeople showcase their work at the Craftsmen Show of Québec City; it is the ideal place to find your Christmas gifts. The art lovers have an appointment with quality; the visitors will find leather, wood, glass, lingerie, jewels, ceramics, fur, furniture and agro-alimentary products. The 2008 edition is from Thursday, December 4, to Sunday, December 14, at the Centre de foires de Québec.

Old Port Marketplace Christmas Market
Some 100 Québec producers, processors, and artisans feature products and specialty items from across Québec, with over 1,000 original products to enjoy. Choir Friday to Sunday. December 4 to December 31, 2008.

Domaine Maizerets
Drop by for a host of activities between one and three o’clock on Sunday, December 14! For the entire family. Free admission.

Holiday Circus
The unbeatable family show Cirque des Fêtes du 400e will be presented at the Colisée Pepsi from December 26 to 29, 2008. For the occasion, the famous Dora the Explorer will be present. Come and see fantastic animals including elephants, camels, panthers, zebras, bears, and dogs guaranteed to leave you flabbergasted. There will also be clowns whose antics will leave you in stitches, as well as acrobats performing mind-boggling feats.

Festive Season Day
Show, entertainment, and mini parade on Rue St-Jean at Place d’Youville. Santa Claus’s visit is expected for 1:30 p.m. Assisted by his elves, he will give presents to children of families chosen in a drawing. Registration for the drawing will take place between noon and 1:15 p.m. Free admission. December 7, 2008


Many halls and clubs present traditional music shows or special programs for the holiday season. Consult the calendar of events for more outing ideas.


When Québec City celebrates, everyone partakes. The restaurants offer festive menus, the hotels alluring holiday packages, the shops and boutiques overflow with gifts for that special someone, and Mother Nature participates with bountiful snow for endless hours of winter activities for young and old.

Take a walk along Rue Petit Champlain on a beautiful December evening when the snow is gently falling. Or take a carriage ride, snuggled in a fur blanket through the streets of Old Québec. You'll fall under the spell, we guarantee it.

A visit to the Québec City area during the holiday season shows you what a White Christmas really is.

The magic cannot be explained... only experienced.

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About two and a half hours from Montréal and easy to reach by plane, train, and the road network, Québec City and area is a must for travelers who wish to discover a challenging destination. You are welcome to have a look at the different winter holiday packages offered by the members of Québec City Tourism.