Events, Festivals and Exhibitions

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Quebec Winter Carnival 2023

February 3 - February 12

Quebec Winter Carnival

Ever since 1955, the people of Quebec City have celebrated winter with the Quebec Winter Carnival. In 2006, over a million people attended the festival, making it the biggest winter festival in the world until the Harbin Ice Festival usurped its crown.

History of the Quebec Winter Carnival

The first Carnaval de Québec was held in 1894, but it was only an intermittent event until 1955, when Bonhomme (see below), the festival’s mascot reared his massive head.

Quebec Winter Carnival
Enjoy caribou at the bars

Drink caribou at the city’s bars, or dine at restaurants at the outdoor patios where you can enjoy shisha in Canada or dance the night away at the Ice Hotel.

Quebec Winter Carnival 2023 Dates

The next carnival is from 3 to 12 February, 2023.

Quebec Winter Carnival Activities

At the centre of the festivities is the Ice Palace, where Bonhomme resides. In addition to the opening and closing ceremonies by the palace, there will be a series of activities, including:

Quebec Winter Carnival
One of the many activities at the carnival © Frederic Lavoie
  • Night parades along the streets of Quebec, needless to say featuring Bonhomme;
  • A series of ice canoe races across the St Lawrence River;
  • A masquerade ball in Château Frontenac’s grand ballroom; and
  • Outdoor sporting events, including: ice canoeing, snowboarding, ice-hockey, sleigh racing and dog-sledding.

You can also participate in

Quebec Winter Carnival Packages

Various companies run tours to the carnival, including Bon Voyage.

Can’t make this carnival, then try our round-up of the best carnivals around the world.

Hotels for Quebec Winter Carnival 2023

However, if you are just looking for accommodation for the festival, then please use our Hotel Booking Portal. It will cost you nothing extra, but the small commission we make goes towards the running of this website.

Bonhomme, Mascot of the Quebec Winter Carnival

Bonhomme relaxing at the Quebec Winter Carnival,
Bonhomme relaxing at the Quebec Winter Carnival, © Frederic Lavoie

Okay, so who is this Bonhomme fellow anyway? A seven-foot high snowman donning a red cap and weighing some 400 pounds, Bonhomme has been at the heart of the festival since 1955, reflecting the Quebecois sense of joie de vivre. A childhood friend of Santa Claus, he wishes for nothing more than a reverse of climate change … and ice cream, according to the official website.

Photo Gallery

Things To Do in Quebec

For more ideas on what to do in Quebec in winter time, click here, find a local bookmaker in Canada, or or visit: www.quebecoriginal.com/en-gb/events.


Details

Start:
February 3
End:
February 12
Event Categories:
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Topics:
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Website:
https://www.quebecregion.com/en/what-to-do/activities-attractions/ideas/quebec-winter-carnival/

Venue

Quebec City
Quebec City,Canada+ Google Map

Mike East

Mike began his career in travel writing by going overseas during his holidays and writing his own guide. He then sent this manuscript off to a range of travel guide companies and got a range of rejection letters — all except one. Getting a contract to write for Roger Lascelles Publications on the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago and The Bahamas was how his career began. With this opportunity came other pieces for British magazines and The Sunday Telegraph.

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Let the adventure begin.