Carnaval de Quebec

Name: Carnaval de Quebec
Start: 2025-02-06
End: 2025-02-15
Location: Quebec

A Winter Wonderland of Ice, Color, and Joy

2026/02/05 - 2026/02/14

Every February, Québec City is transformed into a sparkling snow and light spectacle for the Carnaval de Québec, the largest winter carnival in North America. For ten days, locals and visitors bundle up and join Bonhomme Carnaval, the festival’s beloved snowman mascot, to fully experience ice, snow, music, and the Québécois “joie de vivre.” Whether you crave thrills, art, or the magic of winter, this festival promises memories that make you forget the cold.

The main venues are centered in Old Québec, where cobblestone streets and historic buildings glow with illuminations, ice sculptures, and the laughter of families. From sports to sugar shacks, Carnaval de Québec brings warmth and community to the heart of winter.

Main Attractions

Bonhomme’s Ice Palace & Night Parades

The symbol of the carnival is Bonhomme’s Ice Palace-a fantastic castle built each year from over 3,000 crystal-clear ice blocks, with the design changing annually. Towers, interactive displays, and photo ops with Bonhomme are always popular. At night, the palace is illuminated and becomes the stage for concerts, dance parties, and the opening and closing ceremonies.

The night parades are also a must-see. Floats lit up in the snow, costumed dancers, marching bands, and Bonhomme himself wind through the streets, filling the city with music, cheers, and pure winter carnival magic.

Ice Canoe Race, Snow Sculptures & Outdoor Fun

For thrill-seekers, the ice canoe race on the frozen St. Lawrence River is unforgettable-teams battle ice, floes, and freezing water in a uniquely Québecois spectacle. Across the city, artists carve massive blocks of snow and ice into whimsical sculptures, turning the city into an open-air art gallery.

Other highlights include the “snow bath” (where brave souls in swimsuits dive into the snow), giant ice slides, zip lines, family games, ball pits, and hands-on activities. The crunch of boots on snow and laughter echo through the city.

Traditional Food and Drink

Québécois comfort food warms the body and soul: maple taffy rolled on snow, poutine, tourtière (meat pie), and pea soup are favorites. Sugar shacks offer sweet treats and hot drinks, and festival stalls serve “Caribou”-a hot cocktail of red wine, brandy, and spices. The scent of maple, roasting meat, and woodsmoke drifts through the winter air.

Cultural and Historical Background

The origins of Carnaval de Québec go back to the early 18th century, when French settlers gathered with family and friends for “winter feasts” filled with music, dance, and hearty food to lift spirits during the long, harsh season. This tradition grew into a celebration of community and the beauty of winter, leading to the first official carnival in 1894. Iconic events like the ice palace, costume parades, and ice canoe races began in these early years.

Interrupted by two world wars and the Great Depression, the carnival was revived in 1954 by local businessmen seeking to boost the economy. In 1955, the snowman mascot Bonhomme Carnaval was introduced, and the event became an annual tradition. Dressed in a red hat and sash, Bonhomme embodies Québec’s “joie de vivre” and community spirit.

Over time, the carnival has evolved, adding parades, ice sculpture competitions, canoe races, snow baths, and more. Since the 1990s, family-friendly events and downtown venues have grown, blending tradition and modernity into a “winter celebration” that now draws up to a million visitors each year.

For locals, Carnaval de Québec is a source of pride and the ultimate way to beat the winter blues. For visitors, it’s a unique chance to experience Québec’s history, culture, resilience, and warmth.

Participant Voices

The thrill of the ice canoe race and the beauty of the snow sculptures amazed me. I even tried the snow bath with locals-freezing, but absolutely unforgettable!

Fun Facts

Bonhomme’s Ice Palace is built from over 3,000 ice blocks, each weighing about 135 kg (300 lbs).
The ceinture fléchée (handwoven sash) is a traditional craft that blends Indigenous and French-Canadian culture.

Festival Dates

The Carnaval de Québec is held every February, centered around Old Québec and Bonhomme’s Ice Palace. Don’t forget your red hat and a smile-jump into the world’s happiest winter festival!