Quebec Winter Carnival

A popular tradition in Quebec City for over 100 years, the Quebec City Winter Carnival takes place from February 1-17 2013. 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

Many hotels in Quebec City are offering attractive room only deals throughout the 2013 winter festival.
To view rates and availability for several accommodations at one time, click here and enter your dates of travel.

Several Quebec City hotels are offering special packages throughout the 2013 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 $295 per night, and the winter carnival hotel package is valid from February 1-17 2013.
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, valet parking, and a Winter Carnival ‘kit’, starting at $229 per night.

Best Western Plus City Centre will have a 1 night deal for the Quebec Winter Carnival which includes accommodation, breakfast, and one Carnival effigie with rates from $134.99 per person.

Quebec City Winter Carnival Events

Throughout the 2013 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 Loto-Québec Zone on the Plains of Abraham you will find Bonhomme’s Ice Palace as well as live outdoor entertainment. 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 sliding on inner tubes, just make your way to Espace Hydro-Québec.
Some of the main activities take place at the weekends, and on Friday February 1 you won’t want to miss the spectacular show for the official opening of the Carnaval, and following that on Saturday February 2 there will be different stages of the snow pentathlon throughout the day followed by an outdoor dance party that evening and a midnight snow sculpture event!
On the evening of Friday February 8 you can take part in the launch of the Lumocite project, a multimedia competition combining the talents of 4 of the world’s “light cities”, plus there will be an outdoor dance party. On the morning of Saturday February 9 there will be a pancake breakfast Calgary Stampede style, or you and the family can participate in a winter geo-cache event, with a special Night Parade in the Arrondissement de Charlesbourg and outdoor party that evening, followed by the midnight snow sculpture event. The afternoon of Sunday February 10 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 15, and once again there will also be an outdoor dance party the same evening. During the morning and afternoon of February 16 will be the St-Hubert Derby followed by the Qualinet 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 17 will be the last day of the Quebec City Winter Carnival 2013, and the day starts with Brunch at the Parliament 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.