Quebec City in December

December weather, activities, events & insider tips

December Weather in Quebec City

-3°C (26°F) High Temp

-12°C (11°F) Low Temp

97 mm (3.8 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is December Right for You?

Advantages

Christmas magic at its absolute peak - Old Quebec transforms into a European winter wonderland with Marché de Noël Allemand drawing 750,000+ visitors from December 1-23, featuring 90+ artisan stalls and authentic German Christmas market atmosphere
Hotel prices drop 30-40% after December 23rd compared to summer peak, with luxury properties like Château Frontenac offering winter packages at CAD $280-350 vs summer rates of CAD $500-700
Winter activities reach prime season - ice skating on Place D'Youville, snow tubing at Valcartier (20 slides operational), and cross-country skiing in Plains of Abraham with 12 km (7.5 miles) of groomed trails
Smaller crowds at indoor attractions - Musée de la Civilisation and Citadelle tours have 50% fewer visitors than summer, allowing genuine interaction with guides and no wait times

Considerations

Extreme cold requires serious winter gear investment - temperatures below -10°C (14°F) for 18+ days make casual winter clothing inadequate, windchill can reach -20°C (-4°F)
Many outdoor attractions close or reduce hours - Montmorency Falls cable car operates limited schedule, ferry to Île d'Orléans runs reduced service, walking tours often cancelled due to icy conditions
Daylight severely limited with sunset at 4:15 PM by December 21st, giving only 8.5 hours of daylight for outdoor exploration and photography

Best Activities in December

Historic Old Quebec Winter Walking Tours

December showcases Old Quebec's 400-year-old architecture under fresh snow, creating postcard-perfect scenes. Streets are properly cleared and salted, making cobblestone navigation safer than shoulder seasons. Early morning tours (9-11 AM) avoid afternoon crowds and capture best natural lighting before 4:15 PM sunset. Temperature stays manageable with proper gear.

Booking Tip: Book 7-10 days ahead as groups limited to 12-15 people in winter for safety. Tours typically CAD $25-35 per person. Look for operators providing hand warmers and offering indoor warm-up stops. Many tours include hot chocolate breaks at local cafés.

Plains of Abraham Winter Sports

Abraham Park transforms into winter sports great destination with 12 km (7.5 miles) of cross-country ski trails, snowshoeing paths, and skating rinks. December provides consistent snow base without January's brutal cold snaps. Equipment rental on-site makes this accessible for beginners. Perfect activity for 10 AM-3 PM window when temperatures peak.

Booking Tip: Equipment rental typically CAD $20-30 per day. No advance booking required for trails, but lessons should be reserved 3-5 days ahead (CAD $40-60 per session). Bring layers - you'll warm up quickly once moving.

Ice Hotel and Winter Village Experiences

Hotel de Glace opens December 28th with fresh ice sculptures and unique frozen architecture. December visits catch opening excitement with fewer crowds than January-February peak. Combined with nearby winter activities like dog sledding and ice fishing. Best visited midday (11 AM-2 PM) when natural lighting illuminates ice structures.

Booking Tip: Day passes typically CAD $20-25, guided tours CAD $35-45. Book 10-14 days ahead for December dates as limited slots available. Package deals with transportation from Quebec City center range CAD $80-120. See current options in booking section below.

Montmorency Falls Winter Hiking

Falls partially freeze creating dramatic ice formations unique to winter months. December offers stable ice conditions without January's dangerous accumulation. Cable car operates weather permitting, but hiking trails (1.2 km/0.7 miles) provide better photo opportunities. Via ferrata winter route adds adventure element.

Booking Tip: Park entry CAD $12-15, cable car additional CAD $15-18. Winter hiking requires micro-spikes or ice cleats (rental available CAD $10/day). Best visited 11 AM-3 PM for optimal lighting and cable car operation. Check weather conditions day-of as high winds close cable car.

Winter Food Tours and Sugar Shack Visits

December launches maple syrup season with authentic cabanes à sucre (sugar shacks) opening for winter operation. Traditional Québécois winter foods like tourtière, pea soup, and tire d'érable (maple taffy on snow) reach peak availability. Indoor food tours perfect for extreme cold days.

Booking Tip: Food tours typically CAD $65-85 per person including 5-7 tastings. Sugar shack visits CAD $25-40 including meal and demonstrations. Book 5-7 days ahead as December weekend spots fill quickly. Look for tours including transportation as driving on icy rural roads challenging for visitors.

Christmas Market and Winter Festival Activities

German Christmas Market (December 1-23) features authentic European atmosphere with imported decorations, traditional crafts, and seasonal foods. Place Royale holiday lighting ceremony (early December) transforms historic square. Multiple winter festivals overlap creating concentrated cultural experience.

Booking Tip: Market entry free, but budget CAD $15-25 for seasonal treats and CAD $50-200 for handcrafted gifts. Festival events typically CAD $10-30 per activity. Arrive weekday afternoons (1-4 PM) for smaller crowds. Weekend evenings busiest but most atmospheric.

December Events & Festivals

December 1-23

Marché de Noël Allemand (German Christmas Market)

Authentic German Christmas market with 90+ artisan vendors, traditional crafts, seasonal foods like bratwurst and glühwein, and European holiday atmosphere. Located in Old Port area with heated pavilions for comfort.

Early December through February

Féerie d'hiver du Château Frontenac

Château Frontenac's signature winter celebration featuring elaborate light displays, ice sculptures, and special winter-themed afternoon teas. Hotel grounds transformed into winter wonderland with photo opportunities.

December 31

New Year's Eve Celebration on Grande Allée

Street festival with live music, food vendors, and midnight fireworks. Grande Allée closes to traffic creating pedestrian celebration zone. Free outdoor event with multiple warming stations.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Insulated winter boots rated to -20°C (-4°F) with good tread - cobblestones become ice rinks, and you'll walk 5-8 km (3-5 miles) daily on uneven surfaces

Layering system: merino wool base layer, fleece mid-layer, waterproof shell - temperature swings 8-10°C (15-18°F) between indoor heated spaces and outdoor exploration

Waterproof winter gloves plus liner gloves - you'll need dexterity for phone photos but protection from -12°C (11°F) temperatures with wind chill

Wool or synthetic winter hat covering ears - 40% of body heat lost through head, essential for 6+ hour outdoor days

Hand and foot warmers (24+ pairs) - pharmacy purchases expensive, bring from home for walking tours and outdoor activities

High SPF lip balm with cold protection - UV reflects off snow (UV index 2 plus reflection) and cold wind causes severe chapping

Waterproof phone case or zippered pocket - snow and condensation from temperature changes damage electronics quickly

Cash in small bills (CAD $200-300) - many market vendors, street performers, and small shops prefer cash, ATM fees add up

Portable phone charger - batteries drain 30-50% faster in extreme cold, essential for maps and photos during 8+ hour exploration days

Sunglasses - snow glare intense even on cloudy days, necessary for outdoor activities and ice installations viewing

Insider Knowledge

Most locals avoid Old Quebec December weekends (too crowded) and visit Tuesday-Thursday 10 AM-2 PM when tour groups minimal and natural lighting optimal for photos

Taxi apps (Uber limited) often surge 2-3x during December, but city bus system runs heated shelters every 2-3 blocks and costs CAD $3.50 vs CAD $15-25 taxi rides

Restaurant reservations essential December 15-31 - even casual spots book solid, but many offer 5-6 PM early bird specials with 20-30% discounts

Underground city connections (Place Québec, Complexe Capitole) provide warm walking routes between major hotels and shopping, avoiding 10-15 minute outdoor walks in -10°C weather

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating cold severity - tourists arrive with casual winter gear adequate for -5°C weather, then struggle in -12°C daily highs and -20°C wind chill conditions

Planning too many outdoor activities - December daylight ends 4:15 PM, and temperatures below -8°C make extended outdoor time uncomfortable, plan 2-3 hour outdoor blocks maximum

Booking accommodations outside Old Quebec to save money - savings of CAD $50-80/night offset by CAD $25+ daily taxi costs and missing early morning/late evening Bratislava atmosphere