Ottawa 
The holidays are fast-approaching. And for those wanting to travel or make travel plans, there is not better time to start than now. Luckily, it is simple to plan a great holiday getaway in Quebec no matter your interests or vacation goals.
From the deep snow and quiet forests of Quebec’s north to the eastern townships, or the bright lights of Montreal and Quebec City, there are many ways to create memories around the province this Christmas.
Montreal for the Holidays
This large urban centre is known as one of the top places to visit in the world. And the Christmas season might be one of the best times of the year to see why Montreal is a tourist destination known to tourists around the world. Find family-friendly fun for the holidays all around the city no matter your budget with free activities, shopping, upscale or casual dining, and some of the city’s top attractions.
- Don’t miss your chance to experience the Great Montreal Christmas Market! The festival features culinary and dining experiences, local shopping, entertainment and theatre, and much more, all on Saint Catherine’s Street (November 22-December 30 except the 25).
- The Les Grands Ballets box office are now selling tickets for their December productions of The Nutcracker. Enjoy the holiday favourite up to December 23, or after Christmas from the 26-30. Take in more entertainment after Christmas with Cirque du Soleil’s CRYSTAL (December 26-29) showing at the Bell Centre.
- Old Montreal is scenic any time of year, but especially on winter evenings with the glow and illumination of the outdoor light displays against the snow. Find excellent local dining throughout the neighborhood, too!
- Old Port Montreal provide a classic winter experience via the outdoor rink. The spot also offers a unique experience: Bateau Mouche winter boat rides!
- Plan for a place to stay around an accommodation package or offer for your holiday stay in Montreal. The Four Seasons Montreal offer a Winter Escape package for use with the onsite spa; Hotel Nelligan offer holiday meal packages with stays for Christmas or New Year’s; the Winter Escape Package from Auberge du Vieux-Port includes tickets to the Montreal Ferris Wheel; or, the Omni Mont-Royal help families save 15% off room rates with the Magical Memories package.
Quebec City for the Holidays
Many consider a winter or Christmas trip to Quebec City one of the most Canadian things you can do for the holidays. This is a city that fully embraces Christmas, festive spirit, and the winter weather. Old Quebec does so through the opening of outdoor recreational facilities like rinks or groomed trails, holiday parties and events, and by transforming into a scene from a Dickens book!
- The Quebec City German Christmas is an annual event which features a full month of festive, free, and family-friendly fun. The festival runs until December 23, 2024 with Santa Claus on site until 4pm. The evening of the 23rd concludes with choir performances and a closing ceremony. Additionally, the Chateau Laurier provide a special hotel package for the Market.
- There are more hotels around Quebec City with holiday and festive packages. Quebec City’s most iconic hotel, the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, have a full schedule of holiday events for both guests and the general public. This includes holiday high tea events, buffet and plated dinners or brunches, and parties for New Year’s.
- Count down to 2025 in the heart of Quebec City. A free party is hosted at the Place de l’Assemblée-Nationale as part of the three-day Toboggan Festival. Exclusive experiences are also available at an extra cost.
- When the snow hits and the holiday lights and decorations go up around Quebec City, the entire place is transformed into a winter wonderland. Embrace the season with outdoor activities like skating or snowshoeing at the Plains of Abraham, or the ultimate winter experience: the toboggan slide at the Historic Dufferin Terrace.
- Théâtre Capitole presents a live musical holiday performance to get you and your family in the spirit. Enjoy the Que les Fêtes commencent! from December 18-21, and 27-31.
Spas for the Holidays
Both Montreal and Quebec City are home to local spas that provide visitors with a handful of options for places to soak, get a massage, or both! Plus, there are several more spas and Nordic spas in the rural parts of the province, some of which offer accommodations or stay and spa packages.
- The regional Nordic spa company Strøm offer experiences across the province with locations for relaxation in Old Quebec, Sherbrooke, Nun’s Island, Holy Saviour, and Mont-Saint-Hilaire.
- The Natur’Eau Spa & Chalets, located on the south edge of the Mastigouche Wildlife Reserve, have offers and packages for their spa resort with availability over the holiday break. Soak in the pools for thermal and hydrotherapy, relax on the massage table, in your secluded chalet, or enjoy all of the above this Christmas!
- Soak up the riverside views and scenery with the help of KiNipi Norcis Spa in Trois-Rivieres with a variety of spa and accommodation package options. Plan an escape around the spa, around dining, or around staying for a longer term!
- Travel a bit further north for an escape to Nordique Spa Stoneham, also on the south edge of Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier. The spa is open to day visitors and offers 2-person guest chalets on site.
Ski Resorts and Vacations
Hitting the slopes for the holidays is a classic tradition for many families, and many around Quebec. Take advantage of the Quebec mountains and big hills this winter with Christmas skiing, snowboarding, or après ski sessions.
- The Mont Orford Ski Hill is part of the National Park of the same name a short drive southwest of Sherbrooke! The park offers both downhill skiing and winter hiking trails with places to stay nearby in Cherry River or Magog. Explore more of Parc national du Mont-Orford this holiday season on the cross-country ski or snowshoe trails. Or, spend your Christmas break here in the park’s winter chalets.
- The Mont Tremblant Ski Resort within the National Park is one of the most scenic places near Montreal in which you could spend a holiday vacation. The ski hill is surrounded by lodging, as well as a pedestrian village filled with shops and dining.
- North of Quebec City is the Centre de ski Mont-Bélu with scenic runs overlooking the Saguenay River. There are many accommodations surrounding the ski area, as well as many more to the west in the town of Saguenay.
- Les Sommets are a group of ski hills with different locations around Quebec. These include Saint-Sauveur, Avila Slope, Gabriel, Olympia, Morin Heights (on-site cabins), and Edelweiss.
Cozy Christmas Cabins and Cottages
Choose between a number of ways to book a holiday cabin for you and loved one, you and your family, or for multiple groups this Christmas break in Quebec. These could include National and Regional park cabin rentals, resort cabins, or private cabin and cottage rentals.
- The chalets of Daaquam Resort in eastern Quebec offer gorgeous winter scenery of the Appalachian Mountains for your holiday getaway; and, these cozy chalet cottages are available over the holidays! Bookings over Christmas or New Year’s need to be a minimum of three nights.
- Get your rest, relaxation, and escape to nature, with the Ést Glamping and Spa resort. As the name suggests, this glampsite is in the far east of Quebec and on the shores of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. And, each guest has access to the Nordic soak station alongside their cabin rentals. Similarly, the Auberge Griffon Aventure in the same area offer private chalet rentals along with access to a public sauna, and onsite dining.
- Several of Quebec’s park cabins are still reservable for Christmas or New Year’s! No matter what side or corner of the province you wish to visit, there is likely a national park cabin available nearby.
- A handful of private Airbnb cabin rentals in Quebec have open availability for the Christmas break! These cabins, mostly in southern Quebec, include several stays that include hot tub access or private hot tubs.
Holiday Glamping in Quebec
Camping and glamping are not simply for spring to fall. Take advantage of these heated and cozy glamping opportunities to make for a memorable Christmas vacation. Each glamp or campground has its own list of amenities and perks for enhancing your stay.
- Escape to the quiet and calm of nature this holiday season with the glamping options at Bel Air Tremblant Resort. These glamping suites include domes, pods, mini cabins, and family cabins. Many of their accommodations include hot tub or hot tub and sauna access. The resort also offers dining, and services at the Ono Spa.
- Quebec’s national parks offer several ways to glamp and camp year-round, including over the winter. For the holiday break or Christmas week, the Parc national du Bic still have several yurt glamping rentals available! Visiting the park will bring your trip to northeastern Quebec and the widest part of the St. Lawrence River before it becomes the Gulf.
- These riverside domes to the east of Quebec city provide all the comforts of home, access to winter trails, and hot tubs!
- Get out of the city for the holidays while staying relatively close to Montreal with these glamping dome getaways.
Holiday Getaways with Quebec’s Great Outdoors
Over the holidays, some may be after a bit of relaxation, and others may be after more adventures and thrills. Take time off this season to embark on a winter or Christmas adventure with the many recreational activities you can enjoy in Quebec under a blanket of snow.
- Stay with Chibougamau Adventure in north-central Quebec to get access to cozy winter glamping sites for the nighttime, as well as snowmobile rentals or adventure packages for the days. Outdoor Logistik provides snowmobile tours closer to the major cities, as well as sled dog tours, while Arctic Aventure provides multiple types of snowmobile tours also close to Montreal and Quebec City.
- Some of the best Quebec parks for cross-country skiers include Parc National du Mont-Saint-Bruno, Mont-Tremblant, Mont-Orford, and Oka. All of these parks also offer cross-country ski rentals from the Discovery Centres.
- Snowshoeing is a great way to explore new areas, explore as a family, and get through the deeper snow or ice. Quebec’s best parks and snowshoe areas include Parc du national Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Riviere-Malbaie, Monts-Valin, Mont-Mégantic, Grands-Jardins, and Yamaska. Each park also offers snowshoe rentals!
Visit the Mountain Towns of Quebec
Between the Laurentians to the west and the Appalachians (or Notre Dame Mountains) to the east, there are many opportunities for a holiday trip to the mountains this winter. These may be obvious destinations for any skiers or snowboarders, but the Quebec mountains provide a wide range of other activities from visiting the main streets of the towns for shopping and dining, to plenty more recreation.
- The Notre Dame Mountains in Quebec’s far east are most easily explored by a visit to Parc national du Gaspésie where visitors can explore by snowshoe or foot, and book a campsite. Notable towns and villages around the hilly and forested area include Rimouski, New Richmond, or Amqui.
- The Laurentians (or Laurentides) are still considerably east within the province, and for the most part, follow the St. Lawrence River from north to south. Saguenay is one of the larger towns to explore in the area, with several smaller villages and towns along the riverbanks. Explore the great outdoors of the mountains with a visit to the Laurentians Wildlife Reserve where cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, and winter camping are available.
