An Ultimate Guide to the German Christmas Market in Quebec
Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year. And what is more Christmassy, than an authentic German Christmas Market? And much as I would love to hop on a plane and head to Europe, we are lucky enough to have an amazing option right here in Canada! The German Christmas Market in Quebec should definitely be on your family holiday bucket list!
What is the German Christmas Market in Quebec?
The Quebec Christmas Market is an annual event that is held in Old Quebec City. This authentic German Christmas Market is a great opportunity for visitors to discover German and European Christmas traditions, without ever having to leave Canada!
The Christmas village is made up of 90 European-style wooden stalls, spread over 4 venues. The stalls feature a wide selection of products like mulled wine, gingerbread, food, handicrafts, imported German and European items, as well as local products.
The Market also features plenty of free shows and events on-site. With a Children’s Marktplatz, an outdoor bar, and a big heated alpine chalet, you will surely find something to delight every member of the family!
Each year, the German Christmas Market in Quebec offers the opportunity to rediscover the magic of the Holiday season through an absolutely unforgettable experience!
How to get to the German Christmas Market in Quebec
If you are coming from a distance, you can fly into either Jean Lesage International Airport in Québec City, or Montréal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport. From either airport, you would then need to rent a car to drive into Old Québec City.
If you are traveling from Toronto, it will be approximately an 8-hour drive. You would head across Highway 401E, until you hit the A 30, and then on to the Trans Canada Highway. This takes you into Old Quebec City.
10 Family-Friendly Things to Do at the German Christmas Market in Quebec
Before heading out to the German Christmas Market, make sure to print off a copy of the daily schedule. This is a great way to plan out your family’s daily itinerary.
With so many awesome things to do at the German Christmas Market in Quebec, you don’t want to miss out on something your family may really enjoy.
1. Explore the Marché de Noël Allemand de Québec
Of course, the whole reason you come to the German Christmas Market in Quebec is because you want to explore the Market! And I can guarantee that you won’t be disappointed!
The Market, with its wooden stalls, Christmas décor, and wonderful smells filling the air, is just what you would expect a true German Christmas Market to be like.
The Market sprawls over 4 distinct areas, with short walks to get from one area to the other. A quick search of the website will give you a schedule of events for each venue, making it easy to plan your weekend.
Not only will you find some wonderful handmade Christmas ornaments and crafts, but you can purchase unique clothing, housewares, and of course, a variety of foods.
Many of the items that you will find in the Market are either imported from Germany or handmade right in Quebec. We found some pretty gorgeous treasures!
2. Go Ice Skating at Place D’Youville
Place D’Youville is situated right next to the wall which surrounds Old Québec. This rink is well maintained, and best of all, it’s FREE to skate on.
Place D’Youville also has an indoor area where you will find the skate rentals, as well as room to sit while putting on your skates. We came prepared with our own ice skates, but it was nice to have a warm place to put them on.
The rink is open all day, so we were able to go for a morning skate, as well as take in the ambiance of all the Christmas lights, during an evening skate.
3. Look for Street Performers
One of the cool aspects of being at the German Christmas Market in Quebec is the street performers. The kids loved talking to the clowns racing through the streets on snowshoes. They were a lot of fun!
But what we really loved, were the Bavarian musicians! This musical group was brought in from Germany to play throughout the Market. The music was incredible!
You can actually look online for their scheduled performances, so you don’t miss the opportunity to hear them at least once.
Lastly, make sure you listen for the Christmas Carolers! They will make their way through the various venues, singing the classics in both English and French. Amazing!
4. Find Somewhere Cozy to Warm Up
The organizers of this event have thought of everything! There were warming stalls and fire pits scattered throughout the Market.
The warming stalls looked like the vendor kiosks but had comfy benches with pillows and heaters inside. These were definitely welcome with the frigid temperatures we experienced that weekend.
The fire pits were also nice for a quick warm-up. Located adjacent to the main venues, the fires were always nicely stoked and ready to go.
5. Shop in the Christmas Store
La Boutique de Noël de Québec is a must-visit when in Old Quebec City. This shop has everything you can think of when it comes to Christmas decorations.
From personalized ornaments to Christmas Villages, to giant gnomes, stockings, DVDs, and Advent Calendars, it’s hard to leave without picking up a lovely souvenir!
The Christmas Boutique is conveniently located across the street from the Christmas Market.
6. Visit with Santa
The German Christmas Market in Quebec was definitely a very family-friendly event. The addition of the Kindermarkt was definitely something we appreciated.
With so many kid-friendly things to do, we ended up spending a good portion of the day in the Kindermarkt. Of course, we were happy to find one stall that was set up for visits with Santa!
Not only could Santa speak both English and French, but he actually took the time to chat with the kids! We made sure to take plenty of Christmas Card worthy photos too!
7. Watch a Puppet Show
Another popular spot in the Kindermarkt is the Theatreplatz. The kids were absolutely captivated by the outdoor puppet theater!
Theatreplatz featured some wonderfully designed marionettes, set on an antique stage. And although the shows were entirely in French, my kiddos sat through the whole thing.
They had no trouble following the storyline and seemed to truly enjoy the experience.
8. Make a Christmas Card
If the kids love crafting, then make sure to stop into the kids’ chalet! Inside, you will find organized board games, Christmas storytime, and craft supplies.
During our visit, the chalet was set up for kids to make Christmas cards. It was a wonderful opportunity to get out of the cold for a little while, and the kids really enjoyed the crafting.
9. Enjoy a Hot Drink
The kids enjoyed having a steaming cup of hot chocolate as a way to stay warm while exploring the Market. You will find several stalls at the various venues that also sell hot tea and coffee.
Of course for the adults, the Winterbar also carried something a little stronger, but equally as nice! Throughout the day, Bavarian musicians (flown in from Germany!) played at the outdoor bar, while the most amazing Glühwein (hot spiced wine) was served. It was perfect for taking the chill away!
10. Learn a Few Words in German
We were surprised to discover just how many of the vendors were not only selling items made in Germany but who were actually native Germans! It was a great opportunity for all of us to practice our German language skills!
The vendors were more than happy to chatter away in German, giving us the backstory of our handmade purchases. The kids were able to learn a few new words as well!
11. Listen to a Christmas Concert
One of the events we made sure to schedule into our evening, was the Children’s Christmas Concert. The concert took place in the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, which is conveniently located right next to the Market.
We sat up on the balcony level and took advantage of having the entire section to ourselves. It was not only nice to take off all our winter coats and warm up for a bit, but listening to the truly angelic voices of the children’s choir was magical.
Mr. Bump even took the opportunity to squeeze in a power nap, and I’m sure I saw Hubby closing his eyes a few times as well!
12. Ride the Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec
The Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec, or funicular in English, is a cliffside cable car that connects the Dufferin Terrace at the top to the Louis Jolliet house in the Quartier Petit-Champlain below.
Originally built in 1879, the funicular has seen many transformations and updates, including a complete overhaul in 1998. The cable car is 64 meters (210 feet) long and travels at a 45-degree angle.
The cost is $3.75 per person, and it takes approximately 90 seconds to complete the trip. The view of the St. Lawrence river from inside the cable car is spectacular!
The Funiculaire is a perfect way to travel between the Upper and Lower Town for people with mobility issues, or for families with young kids and strollers.
13. Admire the Christmas Decorations
The Lower Town, or Quartier Petit Champlain, is a gorgeous neighbourhood of cute little boutiques, cobblestone roads, and quaint bistros. If you didn’t know better, you would think you were in a small European town.
Walking through the streets, there is a surprise around every corner! Whether you find a wonderful display of Christmas lights, or a gorgeous antique sleigh to compose the perfect Instagrammable shot, or maybe even just a pretty place to sit and rest, the Lower Town is definitely worth exploring!
👟 Get tickets for a guided walking tour of Old Quebec City
Of course, getting to the Lower Town may be a little tricky if you are walking from the Christmas Market. The “Breakneck Stairs” are a quick access point between the Upper and Lower Towns.
So named, as they are quite steep, and get very slippery in the winter, the Breakneck Stairs are not good for people with mobility issues. We would definitely recommend taking the Funiculaire, especially for the journey up!
14. Explore a ‘Castle’
The Fairmont Le Château Frontenac may not be a castle per se, but it definitely gives off some serious castle vibes! Built in 1893 by the Canadian Pacific Railway Company, the gorgeous Château was one of the first completed grand railway hotels.
The Château sits on the eastern edge of the Old City, overlooking the St. Lawrence River, and is said to be one of the most photographed hotels in the world. It was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1981.
Head inside and you will find some gorgeous architecture, as well as some of the best Christmas decor around! You don’t need to be a guest to wander the main hall and admire the beautiful display of Christmas trees!
👟 Book your guided walking tour of the Fairmont Le Château
Where to Stay While Visiting the Quebec Christmas Market
Our favourite hotel to stay at in Québec City is the Hotel Palace Royal. The hotel is conveniently located just minutes from the Old City and the Christmas Market venues.
We found the hotel to be clean, with plenty of amenities, and the majority of the staff spoke fluent English.
There is also plenty of paid parking in the underground lot. We actually parked our car for the weekend, and walked everywhere!
Rooms
During our first stay, we enjoyed an Interior Garden Balcony Suite, which had a bedroom with a queen bed, and a Murphy bed in the sitting area.
The good-sized suite had a nice bathroom, and a kitchenette with a fridge, microwave, coffee maker, and sink. The room is spacious, and perfect for a family to spread out in.
The suite also had an interior balcony with a table and chairs, which overlooked the swimming pool. The kids enjoyed having their breakfast on the balcony, which meant that Hubby and I could sip our morning coffee in peace!
For our second stay, we opted for a Double Room, which was also quite comfortable. The room had two double beds, a large bathroom, and a small space with a microwave and a fridge.
The pool is a definite must-have for our family, as it’s another outlet for the kids to burn off some energy at the end of the day.
🏨 Find the best rates for the Hôtel Palace Royal here.
And of course, having a wonderful restaurant right in the hotel was also a plus. Considered Casual fine dining, the Le Beffroi was amazing!
We have eaten in the restaurant several times, and the food has never disappointed! From delicious poutine dishes to steak, or mac and cheese, you are sure to find something that appeals to your tastebuds!
🏨 Find the best rates for all Quebec City hotels here.
Where to Eat at the Quebec Christmas Market
Vendors
No trip anywhere is complete, at least for us, without trying the local cuisine. One of the best places to grab a bite is from one of the many food vendors you can find in the market.
We sampled many of the Quebec Christmas Market’s offerings, including sausage on a bun, smothered in melted artisan cheese, wonderfully sweet and crisp churros, warm roasted candied pecans, fresh homemade local soups (easily the best I have ever tasted), and lots of Glühwein!
Alpine Chalet
At the end of the night, we went into the Alpine Chalet for an authentic German dinner. Served cafeteria-style, you head up to the counter, grab your food, and then find a seat inside the chalet.
We enjoyed bratwurst on a warm pretzel bun, with a side of sauerkraut. The sauerkraut is not a fave of the kids, but Hubby and I thought it was really good.
Restaurants
Of course, you also have a third option; and that is to eat in one of the many restaurants that are located in Old Quebec. With so many great options, you are sure to find something that appeals to your tastebuds and your budget!
Adult Drinks
Before leaving Québec City, Hubby and I always make a quick stop at the liquor store (SAQ), to stock up on some of our favourite alcoholic beverages which we can’t get in Ontario.
My favourite is the Sortilège Maple Whiskey. I’m not really into hard spirits, but if you like maple, and I do, this is a must-try!
Hubby, on the other hand, is a huge fan of Caribou. Caribou is like a mulled wine that can be enjoyed both hot and cold.
Tips for Visiting the Quebec Christmas Market
The Market is a wonderful place to see. But there are several things you can do to make your visit that much better:
- Make a list of all the things you want to see ahead of time.
- Check the times when special events will be happening, so you don’t miss out.
- Leave your car at your hotel and walk. Parking is hard to come by close to the venues.
- Dress warm! Quebec can get pretty cold in November and December. You want to make sure everyone is comfortable enough to enjoy the experience.
- Make sure you see the Market during the day, and at night. It looks amazing all lit up!
Quebec Christmas Market FAQs
Yes! The cobblestone streets, amazing Christmas Market, charming little shops, and snow make the capital city come alive during the holidays. Why head to Europe when you can experience the same ambiance in this incredible city!
There are so many incredible things to do in Quebec City for Christmas. From shopping in the Market to listening to beautiful carolers, trying delicious foods, and of course, staying warm with a cup of gluhwein, you really can’t go wrong.
Explore the city, or just enjoy the lights and ambiance in the market. Quebec City will definitely get you in the festive mood.
There is a ton of things to see and do in Québec City around Christmas time. We would definitely recommend spending at least three days to explore the city, the Christmas Market, and maybe even the surrounding areas.
Winters in Québec City are very cold. The average temperatures in December usually range from -10 C and -3 C. And this is before the windchill is factored in!
Yes. You will find that people speak English in most of the tourist areas. However, the further you get away from the main city, you will find fewer people who speak or understand a lot of English.
Final Thoughts on Visiting the German Christmas Market in Quebec
All in all, we found the German Christmas Market in Quebec to be both authentically German and totally charming. The kids enjoyed the family-friendly atmosphere and activities, while Hubby and I fell in love with Québec City all over again. We can’t wait to head back next year!
Have you been to an authentic German Christmas Market OUTSIDE of Germany? I’d love to hear all about it!
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