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.