Concerts, Storytelling & Ballet
This magical ballet is quite simply enchanting with its wonderful costumes and Québec City’s very own symphony orchestra to bring Tchaikovsky’s music to life.
December 3 to 6
Soak up some holiday cheer at the Wendat First Nation. Every year Tourisme Wendake organizes a Christmas dinner and benefit to raise money for local charities. It’s a great opportunity to contribute to a good cause while enjoying mouthwatering fare and performances by first-rate guest artists.
December 4 & 5
Palais Montcalm
As a prelude to their visit to Carnegie Hall in New York City, outstanding soloists join Les Violons du Roy and La Chapelle de Québec to perform Johann Sebastian Bach’s Baroque masterpiece, the Christmas Oratorio (BWV 28).
December 4 & 5, 8 p.m.
Théâtre du Petit-Champlain/Maison de la chanson
Ensemble Gospel de Québec sings Christmas. What better way to kick off the festive period than with a gospel show? Renowned for its vibrant performances, heavenly singing, and contagious energy for over a decade, Ensemble Gospel de Québec is set to shine again as it performs great Christmas classics.
December 4 & 5, 8 p.m. and December 6, 2 p.m.
Conducted by David Rompré, Québec City choral group Les Rhapsodes revisits sacred and secular Christmas favorites from the English and French repertoire with a jazz twist. The rhythms and sounds of jazz add a whole new dimension to Christmas music for one of the high points on the Christian calendar.
Saturday, December 12, 8 p.m.
Noël, c’est l’amour, a new show from Marie-Chantal Toupin, is directly inspired by the album of the same name. Accompanied by a host of talented musicians and a choir for the occasion, one of Québec’s favorite singers performs traditional holiday songs, while exploring new styles and colors.
Wednesday, December 16, 4 p.m.
The Orchestre symphonique de Québec choir performs excerpts from its regular program to celebrate the Christmas holiday in style. It’s a great way to discover new music and much more besides!
Friday, December 18, 6 p.m. Free admission.
The Petit-Champlain district will be decked out in its traditional holiday finery from late November. Carol singing daily from noon until store closing time.
December 18 to January 1
Professional musicians perform the loveliest songs in the holiday repertoire.
Sunday, December 20, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Annabelle’s Christmas (in French only)
Children’s story. It’s Christmas Eve and children all around the world are looking forward to their presents. But little Annabelle is crying. Why is she so sad? Louis and her faithful skunk Margaret come to the rescue!
Sunday, December 20, 2 p.m. Free admission.
Special Events
At over 15,000 sq. ft., Centre Jardin Hamel now has the biggest selection of Christmas decorations in the country. Discover over 6,000 items from all around the world in enchanting surroundings.
Mid-October to mid-January. Free admission.
Come discover two miniature villages from yesteryear. One is peopled by nativity scene figurines from Charlevoix, and the other is lit up with the lively colors of stained glass.
Saturdays and Sundays, November 7 to January 10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Closed December 24, 25, 30 & 31 and January 1)
Benjo has a very special guest this year—Santa Claus! The jovial man in red will be making a grand entrance on a mini train with all his friends, while a youth choir sings holiday favorites instore.
Saturday, November 14, 3 p.m. Free admission.
Then it will be the turn of Galeries de la Capitale to welcome the old man with the white beard. Before taking his place in his central court castle, Santa Claus will be the star of a 9 a.m. show featuring circus performances, special effects, theater, singing, games, bingo with participation prizes, and mascots. Come have your photo taken for free with Santa Claus in his castle.
Sunday, November 15, 9 a.m. Free admission
Every year as the holidays draw near, Québec City’s Old Port Market transforms into a traditional Christmas market and the best place in town to purchase local and regional specialty products. Set to the theme of “Christmas: A Feast for the Senses,” the Christmas market brings together over 70 producers, processors, and artisans from across the province, all in a cheery holiday atmosphere. Carol singing, Friday to Sunday.
November 26 to December 31 (closed December 25 & 26)
An Old-Fashioned Christmas at Cap-Santé
Come experience great food and beautiful arts & crafts in historic and festive atmosphere at Place de l’Église, Cap-Santé, as we turn the clock back to the days of a bustling outdoor and indoor market. There are plenty of handmade wares on display (leather, stained glass, furs, ceramics, wooden toys, furniture, and Christmas decorations), along with meals to enjoy onsite or take away and dozens more gift ideas.
November 27, 28 & 29
Take part in the eighth annual Santa Claus Parade along the streets of the Saint-Roch neighborhood?an entire day devoted to the magic of childhood, with floats, marching bands, street entertainers, and mascots galore to get you into the holiday spirit. Event organizers have really gone all out to make sure the children enjoy the parade as much as you do!
Sunday, November 29, 3 p.m.
Under the theme “Rediscovering Rue Saint-Joseph,” visitors, residents, tourists, and neighborhood office workers can join in an interactive activity organized by local merchants and the Gabrielle-Roy Library at the annual nativity scene exhibit at Institut Canadien de Québec. Participants can win gift certificates from participating merchants by finding St. Joseph’s statue hidden in posters for the event.
December 1 to January 4
Inspired by the Christmas star, the winter solstice, and Christmas tree lights, this exhibition of nativity scenes showcases light and the night sky in this International Year of Astronomy. Take a whirlwind trip around the world without ever leaving the Gabrielle-Roy Library.
December 1 to January 4. Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission.
Come ring in the holidays with Santa and the gnomes at Vallée secrète in Saint-Raymond. End the year on a high note and get in the holiday spirit with a treasure hunt and Christmas show.
December 1 to December 20
Du 1er décembre au 20 décembre.
Get a headstart on the Christmas festivities with Corporation du patrimoine et du tourisme religieux de Québec. Discover Québec City’s sacred treasures every Sunday in November and experience the nativity through the “Crèches en art” activity.
November & December
Explore a holiday trail of illuminated nativity scenes by the light of a lantern, starting at the old Jesuit Mill. Tours last 90 minutes. Call 418-624-7720 (by reservation only).
Thursdays (December 3, 10 & 17), Fridays (December 4, 11 & 18), and December 26, 27, 28 & 29, 7 p.m. Admission: $5 per person, free for children 4 and under.
Get into the holiday spirit at the “Magie de Noël” Christmas event at Domaine Maizerets. Craft workshops and a visit from Santa for young and old alike!
Saturday, December 12, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission.
Try your hand at stained-glass making at this Christmas-themed workshop.
November 28 & 29 and December 5, 6, 12 & 13, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
L’Aventure des Fêtes Proludik features 35 inflatable games, 8 bungee trampolines, and surprises for all the family—all in the warm and dry surroundings of the ExpoCité Exhibition Center.
December 26 to 30
Festi Lumière at Aquarium du Québec is the place to go for holiday activities in a magical fairyland of lights, including a gingerbread house where children can decorate cookies to their heart’s content. Check out the two illuminated slides, inflatable games, and enchanted tree, meet our mascot and an animal “ambassador,” and relax at the ice bar with outdoor fireplace as a musician and djembe drummer play up a storm!
December 26 to January 2, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.