Quebec Winter Carnival

A popular tradition in Quebec City for over 100 years, the Quebec City Winter Carnival takes place from January 27 to February 12 2012. Despite freezing temperatures, visitors flock in their thousands to view the ice palace, canoe race, night parade, snow sculptures, and to take part in dog sled rides, sleigh rides, ice skating and basically all things that encompass winter in Quebec. It’s the largest winter carnival in the world and well worth attending!

Quebec Winter Carnival Hotel Packages

Several Quebec City hotels are offering special packages throughout the 2012 Winter Carnival, some of which we have featured below.

Quebec City’s most iconic luxury hotel, the Fairmont Chateau Frontenac is featuring a Winter Carnival Package which includes one night’s hotel accommodations in a Fairmont Room, buffet breakfast, plus a Winter Carnival ‘Passport’ for access to the special carnival events. Rates start at $279 per night, and the winter carnival hotel package is valid from January 27 to February 12 2012.
Click here for further details and for reservations.

The Hilton Quebec is offering a Quebec Winter Carnival package which includes a room with a view, buffet breakfast, and a Winter Carnival ‘kit’, starting at $215 per night.

Best Western Plus City Centre will have a 2 night deal for the Quebec Winter Carnival which includes accommodation, breakfast, and one Carnival effigie with rates from $239.99 per person.

Quebec City Winter Carnival Events

Throughout the 2012 Winter Carnival there will be a whole host of exciting events and activities taking place, with guaranteed fun for all ages. Bonhomme Carnaval is the famous mascot of the Quebec City winter festival, and at the Place Loto-Québec you will find Bonhomme’s Ice Palace as well as snow sculptures. The Plains of Abraham is one of the main Carnival venues where you can see dog sledding, snow slides, snow rafting, sugar shack, sleigh rides, plus a special children’s village featuring activities and games just for the kids. And if you want to go ice skating with Bonhomme himself, just make your way to the Place d’Youville.
Some of the main activities take place at the weekends, and on Friday January 27 you won’t want to miss the spectacular show for the official opening of the Carnaval, and following that on Saturday January 28 there will be a dog sled race in the afternoon followed by an outdoor dance party that evening and a midnight snow sculpture event!
On the evening of Friday February 3 there will be a canoe race and an outdoor dance party, and on the morning of Saturday February 4 there will be a pancake breakfast Calgary Stampede style, with a special Carnival parade in the Lower Town and outdoor party that evening, followed by the midnight snow sculpture event. The afternoon of Sunday February 5 sees the canoe race finals, rounding out the second weekend of the festival.
Launching the last weekend of the Carnaval will be the SAQ Bonhomme’s Ball on the evening of Friday February 10, and once again there will also be an outdoor dance party the same evening. During the afternoon of February 11 will be the St-Hubert Derby followed by the COLD-FX Snow Bath, with a second Carnival parade that evening in the Upper Town, followed by the last outdoor dance party of this year’s Winter Carnival. Sunday February 12 will be the last day of the Quebec City Winter Carnival 2012, and the day starts with Bonhomme’s Brunch in the morning, with the finals of the St-Hubert Derby at noon, followed by the closing ceremony at 4pm.

For more information visit the official Carnaval de Quebec website at www.carnaval.qc.ca.

New Years in Quebec City

It’s difficult to imagine a more spectacular setting than Quebec City to celebrate New Year’s Eve (Nouvel An) and see in 2012 in style. The warm atmosphere of the historic hotels and quaint inns combined with the superb French influenced cuisine, charming hospitality, and festive events and activities provide all the ingredients you need for a New Year party to remember!

Find a Hotel Room

If you still need to reserve your hotel in Quebec City for the New Year period, you should do so as soon as possible while there are still vacancies, as hotels are likely to fill up at this busy time of year.
To check rates and availability for a range of Quebec City hotels for New Years Eve, click here and enter your dates.

If you are looking for a special New Year hotel package, you may be interested in one of the the New Year’s Eve deals below:

New Years at Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac

Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac provides a luxurious and magical location for any occasion, and any New Years celebration here is sure to be a memorable one. They are offering two different New Year packages to help 2012 get off to the perfect start.

The New Year’s Eve Celebration Package includes 2 nights accommodation in a Fairmont Room, a New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner-Dance, an exquisite New Year’s Day brunch at Le Champlain restaurant, plus a buffet breakfast on either December 31 or January 2. The offer is valid for December 30 or 31 2011 arrivals, with rates starting at $689 per night for two people, including gratuities on meals.
Click here for details and to check availability.

The Frontenac Hip New Year’s Eve Package is a unique opportunity to see in the New Year with 80′s band Karma Kameleon. Included in the package is one night’s accommodation, New Year’s Eve Cocktail and Dessert Buffet with live music from Karma Kameleon, and New Year’s Day brunch. The package is valid for the night of December 31st 2011, with rates starting at $669 per night for two adults, including gratuities on meals.
Click here for details and to check availability.

Hilton Quebec

The Hilton Quebec has a New Year’s Eve Package which includes a room with a panoramic view, table d’hôte dinner at the Allegro Restaurant, a live band, sparkling wine at midnight, plus New Year’s Day brunch on January 1 2012. Rates start at $359 for two adults for one night.

Hotel Plaza Quebec

Finally, the Hotel Plaza Quebec is offering a New Year’s Eve Party Package which includes a one night stay, entrance to the Ballroom Party with a dinner buffet, entertainment, DJ, and live music, a glass of sparkling wine at midnight, plus New Year’s Day brunch. Rates start at $159.99 per person based on double occupancy.

**Below you will see some new year hotel packages from last year – this information will be updated for December 31 2011 once this year’s deals have been finalized**

Le 71 Hotel Cafe

Le 71 Hotel Cafe is offering a 31 Package which includes hotel accommodations for 2 nights, valet parking, cocktail and hors d’oeuvres on New Year’s Eve, a five course dinner at Il Matto restaurant, live music, champagne at midnight, breakfast, plus a late checkout at no extra charge. This New Year package is valid for arrivals on either December 30th or December 31st 2010, with rates starting at $679 for two people for two nights.

Auberge Saint Pierre

Auberge Saint Pierre has a Forfait St-Sylvestre (St Sylvestre Package), which includes your room for two nights, cocktail and hors d’oeuvres on New Year’s Eve, a la carte breakfast, valet parking, and late checkout. Rates start at $409 for two people for two nights and the package is valid for arrivals on Dec 30 or 31 2010.

In addition to the packages mentioned above, there is accommodation available at many other hotels in Quebec City for the New Year period. To check rates and availability for Quebec City hotels, click here.

*The above rates are subject to applicable taxes, subject to availability, subject to change, and are generally based on double occupancy. To confirm details of the packages, contact the Quebec hotels directly using the links provided.