Quebec City during the holiday season is spectacular and one of the best ways to pass the time is with Quebec Christmas market tours. It’s a great way to experience the city in winter, discover small Quebec businesses, and buy unique souvenirs and gifts.
Here are some guided Quebec Christmas market tours worth booking, as well as my self-guided festive market tour. If you haven’t already, check out my guide on the market first: Quebec Christmas Market Galore: A Complete Holidays Guide.
The Best Guided Quebec City Christmas Market Tours
Guided walking tours of Quebec City are offered year-round, and during the holiday season many of these tours will include a stop at the German Christmas Market in Old Quebec. Discover my recommendations below!
It’s also possible to book a custom Quebec Christmas market tour with a local guide, like Marie-Pierre from Nomad Tours or Sam who is known for his free walking tours of Quebec City. I spoke about in detail in this article.
Christmas Magic Tour in Quebec City
This 2-hour walking tour takes in many of the holiday-centric sites in Old Quebec, including the German Christmas Market which runs 21st November to 23rd December 2024.
Guides wear historical costumes and expertly unlock the secrets and magic of Quebec City, its history, culture, and holiday traditions.
Easily one of the best Quebec Christmas market tours!
German Christmas Market Tasting Tour
The German Christmas Market is a holiday favourite in Quebec City and seems to grow in size every year.
It’s filled with wooden huts selling Quebec-made products, local terroir, and German treats.
This walking tour guides you through many of the market’s sites and includes a tasting of 3 German holiday snacks along the way.
Christmas Markets of Montreal and Quebec City
Double the pleasure, double the fun! On this guided 6-day tour you can experience Christmas markets in both Montreal and Quebec City, stay at Fairmont Queen Elizabeth and Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, and an expert guide.
It’s a luxury tour that seems filled with holiday magic. I have never used this company, but it definitely seems like an interesting program.
Self-Guided Itinerary for the Quebec City Christmas Market
Guided tours are a great way to learn about local history and hidden gems, but during the holiday season in Quebec City, taking a self-guided Quebec Christmas market tour is the best. Especially if you like to slowly explore, taste, shop, and snap Instagram-worthy photos.
Here is the itinerary
Morning
Start on rue du Petit-Champlain – there is no Christmas market here, but the street is like a living holiday card during the Christmas season, making it a must-see on all itineraries!
Head here after breakfast, as most of the shops are open by 10 am.
Visit Le Grande Marché – after wandering around the cobblestone streets of Petit-Champlain, head over to the Christmas market at Le Grande Marché in Limoilou.
Located next to the Vidéotron Centre, this beautiful farmer’s market is transformed during the Christmas season and is one of the best places to buy local terroir to take home as gifts (or to horde for yourself).
Take your time wandering around, have lunch, and enjoy the warmth!
Afternoon
Kick off the afternoon at the German Christmas market, shopping for souvenirs and gifts at the Marktplatz, Jardins de l’Hôtel-de-Ville, and rue Sainte-Anne locations.
There are food huts for snacking, and lots of small Quebec businesses.
Santa’s throne is in Place d’Armes and popping over to Au 1884 for a decadent cup of chocolat chaud is always a good idea.
Evening in the Christmas Spirit
For dinner, enjoy traditional Québécois foods at La Buche, try gourmet poutine at Le Chic Shack or Pub Saint-Patrick for cold craft beers and tasty pub food. Here are a ton of foodie suggestions in the city if your taste buds have specific desires:
- Where to Eat the Best Poutine in Quebec City?
- Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Quebec City
- Best Vegan Restaurants in Quebec City
- Guide to Finding the Best Cafe in Quebec City
- 5 Best Indian Restaurants in Quebec City
You might also want to explore these Christmas dinners depending on the date of your visit: Where to Enjoy a Christmas Dinner in Quebec City.
After dinner, when your body has warmed up, head back out to the German Christmas Market.
After sunset, the holiday lights around Old Quebec sparkle and the outdoor bar at Jardins de l’Hôtel-de-Ville has live music.
Place D’Youville (Bergdorf location) also has an outdoor bar, as well as an outdoor ice-skating rink complete with ice skate rentals. It’s a great way to spend the evening.
Quebec Christmas market tours are a fabulous way to kick off your holidays in Quebec City, and combining a guided tour with a self-guided one allows you to maximize the fun.
For the best results, alternate between inside and outside fun – it can be chilly in December!
Complete your festive trip to Quebec City with these information-filled guides:
- Quebec Maple Syrup Farms: Tours, Tastings, and Traditions
- Christmas Traditions in Quebec: What It’s All About
- Photography Lover’s Self-Guided Walking Tour of Quebec City
- Free Walking Tour in Quebec City: A Must-Do in the Capital
- Quebec Christmas Market Galore: A Complete Holidays Guide
- Where to Enjoy a Christmas Dinner in Quebec City
- Fun Guide to Celebrate Halloween in Quebec
What to Do in Quebec City region and How to Organize Your Trip
Curious about how to spend your day in the Quebec City region? Here’s a list of the top activities to consider adding to your plans:
- Admire Quebec City’s largest waterfall and take a cable car to the top of the Montmorency Falls.
- Experience a unique walking adventure in the heart of Old Quebec and learn about its history.
- Discover the food, beverages, and vineyards of Île d’Orléans.
- Explore the wilderness near Quebec City with a hike in the Jacques-Cartier National Park.
- Introduce yourself to speed skating in Quebec City with top athletes on an inside ice ring.
- Ziplining above the Sainte-Anne canyon near Quebec City.
- Sleep comfortably at the Fairmont Château Frontenac and enjoy an incredible view of the St. Lawrence River.
- Enjoy a peaceful room at the Hilton Quebec and take a dip in the only year-round heated outdoor pool in Quebec City.
Preparing For Your Trip
When I look for things to do in my destination, I always have a look at Viator, GetYourGuide, Manawa, Civitatis and sometimes even Expedia.
It’s first off a great way to find out what there is to do, but always a quick and easy method to book cheaply and efficiently with these renowned platforms.
Need a place to sleep? I find most of my accommodations on Booking.com but I also use Hotels.com for their rewards program (11th free night) as well as Expedia. When booking smaller places in Quebec, you might not find them here and need to contact them directly.
Looking for a cheap flight to the Outaouais through Montreal? Have a look on Cheapoair or Skyscanner I use regularly.
Once you’re there, rent a car to roam free with DiscoverCars, AutoEurope or RentalCars or hop on a bus around Gatineau, Montreal, Quebec, and surrounding cities with Busbud.
Wanna save this article for later? Pin it to your Pinterest board!
No Comments