10 Ways to Enjoy the Cold at the Quebec Winter Carnival
For nearly 70 years, the Quebec Winter Carnival has been giving Quebecois families a reason to get outside, celebrate winter, and have fun. Even though during cold winters you will typically find us hibernating in front of a fire, the Quebec Winter Carnival is hands down the most fun I’ve ever had in the cold and one of our favorite family trips. With so many things to do, the Quebec Winter Carnival will have you embracing the cold and reconsidering cold-weather winter vacations.
Quebec Winter Carnival Facts
The carnival (or carnaval) first made its debut in Quebec City, the world’s “Snow Capital”, in 1894 as a winter festival designed to fight off the winter doldrums. It wasn’t until 1955 that the Quebec Winter Carnival was reintroduced, along with Bonhomme, the mascot of the winter carnival, and it has since become a must-attend event for the people of Quebec and the driving force behind the winter tourism in the city. Pre-pandemic, the Carnival ran for 17 days from the end of January to mid-February. This year, the Carnival has a shorter run in early February (February 3-12, 2023), but many of the beloved events will make a comeback. What started off as a rowdy, pre-Lenten celebration has evolved into a true family event and the largest winter carnival in the world.
As the largest festival in Quebec City, it draws in some 500,000 visitors each year, 47 percent of which are tourists from outside of Quebec City. Many of t...
