The Seasons of Quebec City: A Winter Wonderland or a Summer Fairytale

Amy Leggett
Aug 6
8 min read

Umbrella Alley Quebec City Canada — Umbrella Alley with Château Frontenac in the Background

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Fall In Love With Quebec City Any Time of Year!

Charming Street in Quebec City Canada — Quebec City Makes You Feel Like You Are in Europe

I first visited Quebec City in February 2020, right before the world shut down because of Covid. I went to check out the Quebec Winter Carnaval, an outdoor festival that celebrates winter and Nordic culture from late January to mid February. For a period of 10 days, Quebec City is transformed into a winter wonderland filled with ice sculptures, parades, live music, and more. I strolled around Quebec City taking in the European-like charm and was completely enchanted. I promised myself I would return to experience Quebec City in warmer weather.

I finally got the chance to return this summer and see Quebec City when the sun was shining and flowers were in full bloom. I can honestly say that I loved Quebec City just as much and realized that visiting this beautiful city at different times of the year is a great idea! The city completely transforms depending on the time of year you are visiting and each season is enchanting in its own right. Whether you are looking for a magical winter wonderland or a charming summer getaway, Quebec City is the perfect destination for you!

Ice, Lights, and Magic: A Winter Escape to Quebec City

Quebec City Canada Winter snow sculpture — The City is Filled With Snow and Ice Sculptures in the Winter

The first thing to know about visiting Quebec City in the winter is that it is COLD! So be prepared with clothes and layers to keep you warm in the arctic temperatures. Once you have your attire situated and you are warm and cozy, you will be treated to a magical experience as you wander around the snow-covered city. If you can tolerate the chill, there are a lot of incredible things to see and do in Quebec City in the winter. Read on for a few ideas:

Come for Winter Carnaval! As mentioned above, Winter Carnaval is a huge 10-day festival that runs some time between late-January to mid-February. The Carnaval celebrates winter and nordic culture by turning the city into a winter masterpiece filled with elaborate snow sculptures, ice statues and festive decorations. The Carnaval provides activities for both kids and adults, two night-time parades, live music, and lots of other special events. Food trucks provide the opportunity to purchase hot cocoa (or a hot toddy) and a variety of food including the famous (and delicious) Beaver Tail with your options of toppings. Check out all of the Carnaval attractions here! You can also meet Bonhomme, the official mascot and ambassador of the festivities! The next Carnaval runs from February 6-15, 2026.

Me Enjoying Myself at the Carnaval Festivities

Winter Carnaval Quebec City Canada — Bonhamme, the Winter Carnaval Mascot Welcoming Revelers to the Party!

Visit the Ice Hotel. Hôtel de Glace is the only ice hotel in North America. The Ice Hotel is completely reconstructed every year and is open every January through mid-March. The whole structure is made completely of snow and ice and each year has a different theme. You can purchase tickets just to tour the Ice Hotel or if you are really adventurous you can book one of the themed rooms for an overnight stay! Rest assured, a reservation to the Ice Hotel also includes a room in the Valcartier Hotel (which is right next to Ice Hotel) so you have somewhere warm to go if sleeping in an ice hotel gets uncomfortable. I just toured the Ice Hotel when I visited in 2020 and was completely awestruck by the whole structure. The ice-carved themed rooms are incredible and I grabbed a drink in the Ice Bar (with my drink served in an ice made glass!). Maybe next time I will be more adventurous and book a room in the Ice Hotel (especially since I now know I can make a quick exit to warmth if it gets to be too much!).
In front of the Ice Hotel in February 2020
Ice Hotel Entry
Ice Bar
Jurassic Park Room
Circus Themed Room in the Ice Hotel
Enjoy the Winter Vibe Around Quebec City. The City stays decorated all winter long and that provides an enchanting vibe for a winter stroll around town. As you wander around the City you can find ice sculptures, open fire pits, people making fresh maple pops (by pouring maple syrup on snow and letting it freeze), and charming decorations adorning all the buildings and streets. Make sure to visit Petit-Champlain Street to visit all the local stores to buy unique holiday gifts.

Making Frozen Maple Pops on the Plaza Quebec City Canada — Making Maple Ice Pops in the Plaza

Petit Champlain Quebec City Canada — Petit Champlain Street Decked Out For Winter

Le Petit Champlain Quebec City Canada — Holiday Decor and Ice Sculptures Around Lower Town Quebec City (Peep the Funicular in the Background)

Le Petit Champlain Ice Sculpture Quebec City — Le Petit Prince Ice Sculpture

Grab Some Delicious Fondue at Le Petit Château (Right Next to Chateau Frontenac). I escaped from the cold temperatures into the charming (and close) Le Petit Château for some chill-fighting fondue. A perfect cold weather meal! There are various fondue options, but we chose the Fondue for 2 options which gave us a cheese fondue, chicken and beef fondue and a chocolate fondue for dessert. It was delicious and just what was needed to warm up! Check out the fondue options (and other menu choices) here.

Sign For Le Petit Château (In the Summertime)
Visit One of the Nearby Ski Resorts for Skiing, Boarding or other Wintertime Activities. There are numerous resorts near Quebec City offering a variety of terrains and experiences for winter adventure seekers. The top resorts are Mont Tremblant, Mont-Sainte-Anne, Le Massif de Charlevoix and Mont Sutton. I hope to visit Mont Tremblant for the first time this winter and I will be sure to share my experience!

Sunshine, Culture and Cobblestones: Summer in Quebec City

Quebec City Canada Summer — Summertime Vibes on a Charming Street in Old Quebec City

Quebec City in winter feels like a magical winter wonder land, but a visit in the summer feels like you've stepped inside of the pages of a storybook. Winding cobblestone streets lined with blooming flower boxes and European styled buildings are around every corner. The warmer weather allows for more outdoor exploring (and fewer layers!). Here are some ideas of how to spend your time in this charming city on warmer days:

Take a Tour of Old Town Quebec. There are several different options for taking a tour around Quebec City. You can take a walking tour, a bike tour, or you can be taken around in style in a horse-drawn carriage. Review all your choices and book your tour here. I did a walking tour led by a very knowledgeable guide dressed in period costume (the tour company is Cicerone). It was very interesting and great to learn more about the history of Quebec City. As we were walking around, we saw the horse-drawn carriage private tour and it looked like a great thing to do as well!

Our Tour Group in Front of the Parliament Building

Walk the Boardwalk in Front of Chateau Frontenac. There may be no better way to enjoy the warmth and sunshine than a stroll down the boardwalk alongside the St. Lawrence River. The views are spectacular, the people-watching is plentiful, and you will probably catch some street performers in the plaza. Stop in the Chateau Frontenac and check out the luxurious hotel for your next stay (if you aren't already checked in for this visit!). Read my blog about the iconic Chateau Frontenac here. After you finish your stroll, catch the Funicular down to La Petit Champlain.

Chateau Frontenac Boardwalk Quebec City Canada — Boardwalk in Front of the Chateau Frontenac

Street Performers in the Plaza

Browse the Local Shops in Old Town and On Le Petit Champlain. There are amazing shops all around Old Quebec and of course in the famous shopping quarter, Le Petit Champlain. Make sure to set aside some time to browse to find that perfect souvenir to take back home. One of the stores that I LOVE to stop in (both in winter and in summer!) is 3 Poules-a home decor store with items right up my decorating alley! It is located in Upper Town right by the Notre Dame de Québec Basilica (which you can see in the background of the picture below).

Shopping Quebec City Canada — My Favorite Home Decor Store in Quebec City!

Another Quebec specific shopping experience is the store Fuck la Mode (which translates into "Fuck Fashion"). It may be a bit too gritty for some, but you have to admit it has its' own charm. It is a Quebec based company and you can't find it anywhere else (except online). The history of the company is just as interesting as its' concept. Read more about it here and browse their offerings.

Fuck la mode Quebed City Canada — Storefront for the Iconic Quebec Store

In addition to the interesting shops in the Petit Champlain Quarter, you can see the Fresque du Petit-Champlain, a wall mural depicting life in the history of this small, working-class neighborhood of Quebec City. You will see it looming as you walk to the end of Rue Petit Champlain.

The Nitty Gritty of Staying in Quebec City

Gate Walled City Quebec City Canada — One of the Gate to the Walled City of Old Quebec

Now that you have (I'm sure) decided you want to visit Quebec City, you just need to pick which season appeals to you (or got in both seasons like I did!). Then you will need to figure out where to stay! I can help with this too!

There are a lot of lodging options in Quebec City. You can check out all your options here. My recommendations are as follows:

Most recently I stayed at the Hilton Quebec City which is located right outside of the walled portion of Old Quebec. I chose this location because it was right next to the Convention Center where my conference was. It was also a convenient and an easy walk to the Parliament Building (right across the street) and to Old Quebec.
When I visited for the Winter Carnaval, I stayed at Hôtel dù Vieux-Québec, a smaller, more quaint boutique inn. It was located in the walled part of the city and conveniently located to many of the attractions. I really enjoyed my stay here and highly recommend this place.

Hôtel Dù Vieux-Québec Quebec City Canada

Finally, if you are looking to make your Quebec City visit really special, you can't go wrong staying at the iconic Chateau Frontenac. Check out my blog about this amazing hotel. The accommodations are luxurious, the location is perfect and it is quintessential Quebec City. I hope to stay at this magical place on my next visit!

The Iconic Chateau Frontenac

Conclusion

Quebec Ciity has become one of my favorite destinations, regardless of the season. There is so much to see in this amazing city I have only scratched the surface. I definitely plan to return again and again to this special place. I hope to see you there!