Carnaval de Québec (2025): FAQs and planning tips

Last updated: October 10th, 2024

Picture this – it’s the middle of winter, and you’re standing in the snow, holding frozen maple syrup on a popsicle stick. You’re watching a line of men and women wearing red and black plaid tap dance with brooms to a Québecois folk song being played on the fiddle. This was my first experience walking into the Carnaval de Québec.

If you’re Canadian, chances are you recognize Bonhomme, the smiling snowman mascot of the carnival, whose face is iconic across the country! From school days, Canadian children are introduced to this traditional Québecois festival—a rare celebration that embraces winter, something that doesn’t happen often!

If you’re planning on experiencing this iconic Canadian event this year, I’ll break down everything you need to know. Below you’ll find some FAQs, tips for preparing your visit, and what to expect.  I must say that the Carnaval de Québec lived up to its expectations and I really hope you have a magical time!

*Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking one of these links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

 

Carnaval de Québec FAQs:

What is the Carnaval de Québec and what are the 2025 dates?

The Carnaval de Québec, also known as the Québec Winter Carnival, is an annual celebration held in Québec City, typically from late January to mid-February. In 2025, the festival will celebrate its 71st anniversary, running from February 7th to 16th

The festival originally began in 1894 as a way to lift people’s spirits during the harsh Canadian winters, and the tradition has continued ever since. It wasn’t until the 1950s that the carnival became a major winter tourism event, and the beloved mascot Bonhomme was introduced. Today, it’s a family-friendly winter celebration that has grown into the largest—and oldest—winter carnival in the world!

It’s truly special to see how people come together to embrace the beauty and fun of winter—a season that often gets overlooked. The Carnaval is also a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in Québecois culture and history.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Seeing the fall colours in Algonquin: Everything you need to know

 

Where do the activities take place?

Most Carnaval de Québec activities are centered around Old Town in Québec City. According to the Québec Cité website, the three main event areas are:

🗺️ Place de l’Assemblée-Nationale
🗺️ Place George-V
🗺️ Parc de la Francophonie

Starting your visit at any one of these locations is a great way to dive right into the carnival! For a full list of events, activities, and any new attractions in this year’s Carnaval, check out their calendar here.

 

How much does it cost?

At the Carnaval de Québec, instead of a purchasing a ticket, you purchase an effigy—a small trinket you can attach to your jacket that acts as your pass to the festival for the entire 10 days. You can order your effigy online and pick it up at the ticket office with your electronic ticket. They can also be purchased in person at the ticket booths.

Effigies are cheaper if purchase them during the presale period, which typically runs from late November until mid-January. For example, in 2024, the presale ended on January 14th, and prices were $20 + tax. If you miss the presale, regular pricing is $30 + tax.

There’s also a “Full Carnival Pass,” which includes the effigy along with coupons for merch and drinks. The presale price is $55 + tax, while the regular price is $60 + tax.

 

What foods to try at the Carnaval de Québec?

Maple Taffy

A must-try treat! Commonly called Syrup on a Stick, this iconic Québecois snack is made by pouring warm maple syrup directly onto snow, then rolling it up on a popsicle stick as it hardens. Voila, your handmade maple lollipop is ready!

Beaver Tails

To be clear, these aren’t real beaver tails! They’re flat, deep-fried pastries shaped like a beaver’s tail, topped with various options. You can choose toppings including sugar, cinnamon, Nutella with banana, or even candy. These classic tasty Québecois snacks are filling, so pace yourself!

 

What to do at the Carnaval de Québec

Take a photo with Bonhomme

As I mentioned earlier, Bonhomme is a big deal at the Carnaval de Québec. He often makes a grand entrance during the opening parade, but if you miss that, don’t worry! You’ll find plenty of statues of him throughout the festival, perfect for grabbing a quick selfie!

 

Attend a Night Parade

Night Parades are one of the most exciting features of the Carnaval. The streets come alive with floats, dancers, music, and vibrant lights! Be sure to check the schedule since they don’t happen every night. In 2025, there will be parades on February 8th and February 15th.

✨ Level up your winter in Quebec by staying at the Ice Hotel! This has been on my Quebec bucketlist for years and is the perfect experience to upgrade your experience at the Carnaval de Quebec.

 

Enjoy the ice sculptures (and palace!)

Since you’re celebrating the winter season, ice sculptures are the obvious choice for decor. And man are they impressive! And if you’re lucky, you might even catch talented carvers working on them in action! The centerpiece of these sculptures is the Ice Palace, Bonhomme’s home, built entirely of ice blocks. It’s seriously an impressive piece of architectural!

 

Take a snow bath

Yup, you read that right! There is a tradition where you can get into your bathing suit, brave the cold and roll around in the snow! Also known as the Polar Bear dip, this is a challenge you can try with your family or friends! For the Carnaval de Québec 2024, this will take place on February 11th at 2 pm behind the ice palace! (2025 dates coming soon!)

 

Admire the canoe race

An annual highlight is the canoe race across the icy waters of the St. Lawrence River. It doesn’t take place every day so you’d have to check the yearly calendar to know which day to attend if this is something you’re interested in watching. In 2025, the race will take place on February 9th from 1 – 3 pm!

✨ Want to explore more of the St. Lawrence River? Don’t forget to visit the Montmorency Falls on your trip to Quebec city – I’ve done it two times now and its not to be missed! Here are some fun river tours to check out!

 

HIGHLIGHT: Ride the Toboggan

Just behind the iconic Chateau Frontenac, you’ll notice a huge traditional toboggan slide. For just $4 you can race an old wooden toboggan down an icy slide against your friends or other competitors. It was definitely a highlight for me! Want to see what the ride is like? Check out my Reel on Instagram for a sneak peek!

 

Stop by the Ice Bar

No visit to the Carnaval is complete without stopping at the Ice Bar. As the name suggests, it’s a bar made entirely out of ice, where you can order both classic drinks and local specialties like the Caribou, a carnaval classic drink that’s a must-try!

 

Try some traditional activities

You’ll quickly notice that there is a lot of traditional Québecois activities going on during the festival. There are live performances, parades, games and so much more. During my visit, we tried ax throwing, played some interactive games and saw live performances! Go for it – try some of the activities, the more traditional the better!

 

Stroll through the Old Town

Lastly, Old town Québec City is one of the most beautiful cities in Canada. It is an iconic European-style walled city with a beautiful castle and adorable, small winding streets and small shops. Take a break from the festivities and spend some time actually enjoying the city – don’t miss it!

✨ Make the most of your visit by taking a guided tour! There is SO much history in Quebec city and a local expert will help you appreciate it best! I personally loved our tour of the Chateau Frontenac!

 

Tips for visiting the Carnaval de Québec:

🏨 Try and book accommodations as soon as you can. This is one of the biggest festivals in Québec—and Canada—so accommodations fill up fast! To avoid issues or last minute expensive rooms, try to book your hotel or Airbnb as soon as possible. It’s also worth looking for accommodations close to the festival grounds so you can easily access the activities. Here are some hotel ideas to get you started!

🧣 Dress warmly! This cannot be stressed enough—winter in Québec is cold, and the festival takes place outside! Layer up, and make sure your outerwear is winter-proof. You don’t want to miss out on the fun because you’re too cold. Think thermal layers, a good winter coat, waterproof boots, gloves, a hat, and a scarf.

🚾 Keep an eye out for bathrooms. Public bathrooms can be scarce during big events like this, so be sure to use the facilities whenever you see one.  For example, we always made sure that if we were inside grabbing food or taking a break, we’d use the washrooms as well – just to be safe.

🤧 Bring tissues, lip balm and wet wipes! Celebrating winter is great, but you have to come prepared. Cold weather inevitably means runny noses, so pack tissues! The winter air and wind can also be quite drying, so bring some lip balm to keep your lips comfortable. Wet wipes will also come in handy when you’re grabbing food on the go (like sticky maple taffy!).

☕️ Remember to warm up throughout the day. You might notice that most of these tips are to do with the weather because its really important to stay comfortable when you’re outside most of the day. But no matter what, taking breaks inside to warm up every now and then is strongly encouraged.

 

Have you fallen in love with winter yet?

I hope this guide helps you in planning your visit to Québec City for the iconic Carnaval de Québec! This cultural celebration is a truly unique experience that brings the magic of winter to life, showcasing the vibrant traditions of Québec. Whether you’re attending with family or friends, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Just remember—preparation is key! Book your accommodations early, bundle up in warm layers, and plan breaks to keep comfortable in the winter chill. Spending the day outside can be a bit challenging, but with the right planning, you’ll have an unforgettable time soaking in the festive atmosphere.

I wish you an amazing time at the Carnaval—get ready to embrace winter like never before!