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Experience one of the world’s biggest winter festivals celebrating the best things about the Canadian winter. Carnaval De Quebec has activities for all ages, attracting over 400,000 visitors each year. This family friendly celebration has night parades, snow sculptures and ice skating. It’s like Mardi Gras in a winter wonderland.
This year, the Carnaval will run from January 25, 2024, to February 11, 2024, in Quebec City, the capital of Quebec. Most of the activities will happen at the fairgrounds in Old Quebec in the Plains of Abraham, but there are smaller festival events throughout the city. Quebec City will be decorated with ice sculptures and fairy lights.
Activities
Some of the popular daytime activities you can try at Carnaval are
- Ice Skating
- Dog Sledding
- Ice Skating
- Human Foosball
- Sleigh Rides
- Tubing
- Axe Throwing
- Goon’s League Hockey
- Ice Fishing
- Toboggan Rides
- Live Entertainment
The highlight of the Carnaval would have to be the two night parades, one in lower town and the other in upper town. More than 300 artists, dancers and musicians will perform in these two events.
Other activities include
- Soiree Traditionnelle! Gourmet dining with international cuisine
- Sliding City – Slide down inclines and there will be relaxation areas and free entertainment at the bottom of each incline.
- Dragon Ice Ball – Attend a show by drag queens.
- Epreuve du Nord – Teams from different universities will compete in an endurance race.
- Karaoke – Come sing and dance on the Videotron Stage
- La Classique Mardi Gras – Cocktail competition by local mixologists – Taste their creations and enjoy appetizers and live entertainment.
- Preskin – An Indoor Ski Center
- Evening Concerts
- Culinary Demonstrations by Chefs
- Snowman Competition
- Photo with Bonhomme, the Carnaval mascot
- Air Canada Hip Hop Stage
- Ice Canoe Race
- Dogsled Racing
Carnaval Children’s Activities include
- Theme Park Rides – Petting Zoo
- Giant Puppets
- Tiny Ice Slide
- Floor Hockey
- Large Playground
- Wall Climbing
- Entertaining Shows
- Puzzle Games
What to Wear
Quebec winter can be unforgiving and the Carnaval directors recommend that you dress in layers. They also advise
Other recommendations are for
- Scarves
- Hats
- Water resistant coats for women
- Water resistant coats for men
- Gloves
- Water resistant boots for women
- Water resistant boots for men
Quebec City Hotels
If you’d like to visit Quebec during Carnaval de Quebec, you should consider these hotels. They are all offering discounted rates up to 40% which can save you money on your stay.
- La Bonne Entente 40% Discount
- Le 31 McMahon 31% Discount
- Hotel Port Royal 20% Discount
- Hotel Le Clos Saint-Louis 20% Discount
- Auberge Place d’Armes 20% Discount
- Hotel Boutique Ophelia 20% Discount
- Hotel Universel 20% Discount
- Auberge Chateau des Tourelles 20% Discount
- Hotel Chateau Laurier Quebec 15% Discount
- Manoir Sur le Cap 15% Discount
- Auberge Aix deux Lions 15% Discount
- Appart-Hotel L’UNI 15% Discount
- Four Points by Sheraton Levis Convention Center 15% Discount
- Station Touristique Duchesnay 15% Discount
- La Princesse des Champs 11% Discount
- Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac 10% Discount
- Auberge du Trésor 10% Discount
- Hotel Manoir Morgan 10% Discount
- Hotel Chateau Bellevue 10% Discount
- Petit Hotel Cafe Krieghoff 10% Discount
- Hotel Motel Le Gite 10% Discount