What to Do in Quebec in December and During the Holiday Season?

Exploring the Christmas Markets of the province is the perfect activity to shop locally and get into the holiday spirit. Here are some of them:

Montreal

• The Montreal Christmas Village, from November 28 to December 22, 2024. Atwater Market Place is a must-visit with more than 90 free events;
• The Grand Christmas Market, from November 22 to December 30, 2024. Place des Festivals, in the Quartier des spectacles, offers the public more than 150 free events. Take the opportunity to warm up at the Aeroplan Orangerie, an indoor space where you can drink, eat and maybe even receive a surprise!

Lanaudière

• The L’Assomption Christmas Market, from November 28 to December 23, 2024. Over 60 exhibitors and a new 35-foot giant igloo;
• The Terrebonne Christmas Market, from November 29 to December 15, 2024 on Île-des-Moulins. Activities include nutcracker decoration and mini-wreath making.

Capitale-Nationale

• The Baie-Saint-Paul Christmas Market, from November 29 to December 1, 2024 and from December 6 to 8, 2024. Over 70 vendors, music shows, and craft workshops;
• The German Christmas Market of Quebec, from November 21 to December 23, 2024. Festive atmosphere of the great European Christmas markets in the heart of Old Quebec.

Eastern Townships

• The Sutton Christmas Market, from November 23 to 24 and from November 30 to December 1, 2024. 50 vendors and activities for children, like a visit from Elsa the Snow Queen.

Outaouais

• The Gatineau Christmas Market, from November 29 to December 1^st, and from December 6 to 8, 2024. Nearly 70 artisans and creators, and several creative workshops, including making fir wreaths.

Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean

• The European Christmas Market of Saguenay, from November 28 to December 1, and from December 5 to 8, 2024. In Chicoutimi, about thirty typical wooden cabins, inspired by European markets.

From snowshoeing to cross-country skiing, to sliding, here are some suggestions for places to enjoy winter.

Montreal

• The winter trails of Jean-Drapeau Park offer a lot of activities, including cross-country skiing and snowshoeing;
• Immerse yourself in nature with an electric bike ride on Mount Royal;
• Christmas in the Park offers more than a hundred shows for the whole family in some Montreal parks.

Capitale-Nationale

• Try ice canoeing on the Saint Lawrence River during a guided tour and also enjoy a moment of relaxation in a Nordic sauna;
• In Saint-Jean-de-l’Île-d’Orléans, you could book a guided snowmobile adventure;
• Try fat biking in the Domaine Maizerets, cross-country skiing on the Plains of Abraham or free sliding at the Pointe-aux-Lièvres Park;
• The Jacques-Cartier National Park will enchant you with its snowshoeing trails on some of the most beautiful paths;
• Looking for a thrill? Visit the Winter Play Centre at Village Vacances Valcartier, day or night, 20 minutes from Quebec;
• Visit the various installations of the Illumine Baie-Saint-Paul event.

Saguenay

• Want to try ice fishing? Head to the Glaces du Fjord in Saguenay for a unique experience;
• Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean is nicknamed the snowmobile paradise with its 3,800 km of maintained trails. Go enjoy them!

Abitibi-Témiscamingue

• The Agnico Eagle trail in the Val-d’Or Recreational Forest is ideal for getting some fresh air: grab your skates and explore the ice trail.

The holiday season is synonymous with kindness. Here are some suggestions for volunteering:

• Guignolée des médias: food aid ;
• Opération Nez Rouge; volunteer shuttle service ;
• PAS de la rue: inclusive support for people aged 55 and over in very precarious situations or who are homeless;
• For all types of volunteering: jebenevole.ca.