Quebec City Christmas Market: A Magical Experience

The Quebec City Christmas Market, Le Marché de Noel Allemand, celebrates the tradition of German Christmas markets in the heart of Old Quebec. It’s one reason why you need to visit Quebec City in the winter.

The Quebec City German Christmas Market features a collection of 90 wooden vendor stands, twinkling Christmas lights, crackling fireplaces, and the spicy aromas of cinnamon and cloves. It’s such a charming and enchanting holiday environment, and one of the best Christmas markets in Canada.

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Even though the evenings can be chilly, the warm environment (and of course, the Glühwein) makes braving the cold worthwhile. It’s a great way to be filled with joy and the spirit of Christmas. Here are all of the reasons to check out the Quebec City Christmas Market.

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Quebec City Christmas Market: The Shopping

Christmas markets have existed since the Middle Ages in Europe. They’ve grown in popularity over the years, especially with the more modern practice of Christmas gift giving. One reason why I love to visit German Christmas Markets is for the shopping.

There are very unique handmade gifts created by talented artisans, making it easy to get some Christmas shopping completed. The organizers of the Quebec City Christmas Market take great care in selecting local small businesses and talented artists. They want to ensure that only the best of the best appear at the market.

The wooden vendor booths are divided into four categories: for your tastebuds, typically German, arts and crafts, and discovery (unique gifts). You’ll find gifts and treasures like winter accessories, jewelry and clothing made from recycled materials. There are also Christmas ornaments, wooden trinkets, ceramics, and so much more.

There are also some local delicacies, such as flavoured vinegars and fruit jams from neighbouring Ile d’Orleans. And of course, there’s lots of maple syrup and maple products.

Food and Drink at the Quebec City German Christmas Market

Quebec City German Christmas Market Food and Drink

There’s no shortage of comforting food and beverages available at the Quebec City Christmas Market. There are typical German foods available, such as bratwurst, gingerbread, and huge pretzels. Justin and I also discovered handmade candy (labeled as vegan right on the packaging!), roasted chestnuts, and maple tea.

Some other food items that you can buy at the Quebec City Christmas Market include maple syrup, olive oil, Belgian dark chocolate, nuts and candies, tomato wine, interesting liqueurs, jams and jellies, mustards, apple cider, and more.

Live music performance at the Quebec City German Christmas Market

For those seeking a meal and a pint, head to the Restaurant BMW Alpine Chalet for authentic German specialties. You aren’t able to make reservations for the restaurant, but they serve food pretty quickly there. When I visited, there was a two-piece band performing in the chalet during cocktail hour.

Winterbar at the Quebec Christmas Market

At the Winterbar, you can enjoy mulled wine or eau-de-vie (brandy) imported directly from Germany for a truly festive experience. One of the most unique and tastiest drinks at German Christmas Markets is the mulled wine, so I had to indulge.

Quebec City Christmas Market Decorations and Festivities

The entire Christmas Market is decorated from top to bottom – even the garbage cans are covered in green or red wrapping. There are sparkling Christmas lights, snowflakes projected onto buildings, and Christmas trees all over the market.

Festive boards with face cutouts are propped up so guests can pose for photos. The red and green flood lights and Christmas decor add to the holiday atmosphere. When you get a little bit cold, gather by one of the outdoor fire pits for warmth.

Fire heating station at the Christmas Market

There are opportunities to meet Santa and attend musical performances. For the children, there’s the Kindermarkt, a special area for kids. There are shows, arts and crafts, storytelling, performances, and a play area. This year, there are also puppet shows for the kids to enjoy, too. You’ll need to book your tickets ahead of time for any shows as space is limited.

Expansion of the Quebec City Christmas Market

While there are typically two main areas with wooden booths and festivities, the Quebec City German Christmas Market has expanded this year. The new area is called The Bergdorf – The Alpine village of Desjardins Caisse de Québec. You’ll find it down the street at Place D’Youville.

Place D’Youville has an outdoor ice skating rink to enjoy, too. It’s open from early December until mid-March and you can skate there for free. There are also skate rentals and skate sharpening facilities on site. As of 2021, you need to make online reservations to go ice skating here.

Plan Your Visit

The Quebec City Christmas Market is free for all to attend. It runs from the end of November right through until December 23rd. The market closes between December 24th and New Year’s Eve because that’s the German tradition.

It operates from Thursday to Sunday until the final week before Christmas where it runs daily. The hours of operation are 11:00-8:00pm on Thursdays, 11:00-9:00pm on Friday and Saturdays, and 11:00-6:00pm on Sundays.

More Things to Do in Quebec City in December

There’s no shortage of amazing things to do in Quebec City in December and the winter. Here are some more blog posts where you’ll find information to plan your trip.