Determining the best time of the year to visit the majestic city depends thoroughly on what kind of experience is sought.
Winter in Quebec City
Often dubbed “The Great White North” Canada has a reputation of being a frozen wasteland filled with igloo-dwelling citizens with a quirky sense of humour.
Harsh winters do characterize the country, inspiring famed Quebecois folk singer, Gilles Vigneault, to write “Mon pays n’est pas un pays, c’est l’hiver” – my country is not a country, its winter.
While not exactly accurate – just visit Quebec during the humid summer months, winter temperatures in Quebec hover near cold for nearly half the year.
From December to March, temperatures can dip as low at -30C or -22F. The best time to visit is during Christmas when the city glows in sparkling lights dancing off the frozen snow, or in late January, early February when the city holds its famed Carnival.
Bring skates, skis and a sense of adventure. Enjoy a few turns around the rink at Carre D’Youville in downtown Old Quebec. The Plaines of Abraham turn into the ideal cross-country experience in Quebec City. Bring your own or rent them on site.
For downhill skiing, Mont Ste. Anne and Stoneham lay within driving distance from Quebec City while Mont Tremblant – one of Canada’s Premier ski destinations in the east of the country, lays a mere two hours north of Montreal.
Summer in Quebec City
In summer temperature rise to an average of 30C or 86F. With such a dramatic hike in temperatures between winter and summer each season offers its own reality.
Quebec City already boasts many famous attractions, but summer brings in a multitude of festivals, including Quebec City's Summer Festival, one of the largest outdoor arts festivals in Canada. Each year the show grows with performances from over 200 local, national and international groups playing over 11 days throughout the city.
Water parks such as Valcartier Village Vacances, overflow with activity and the grassy hills of the Plaines of Abraham in Quebec City spring to life with sunbathers and Frisbee throwers.
Spring and Fall in Quebec City
Fall visitors marvel in the palette of scrumptious colours peppering the province. Forests of reds and oranges welcome hikers and nature lovers. Take a Ghost Tour of Quebec City during Halloween and stroll the less crowded Rue St. Jean shopping street in the Old City.
Spring brings the sweet taste of maple. Never pass up the chance to visit Quebec in spring when sugar shack owners welcome the world into their kitchens for a taste of a lumberjack breakfast smothered in the sweet sap of the maple trees.
Canadians’ love affair with maple goes back generations; its no wonder the maple leaf became the dominating symbol of the entire country.
Winter, summer, spring or fall, the best time to visit the city is anytime.
