When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Québec City?
Photo by Tim Geenens
Canada’s largest province, Québec offers a vast mix of landscapes, culture, and seasonal experiences. There’s far too much to cover in one sitting, so we’re focusing on Québec City and how its appeal shifts from winter to summer — giving you a sense of when it might suit you best.
Québec City has the rare distinction of having multiple high seasons, so timing comes down entirely to your travel style. If you find yourself inspired, take a look at our curated Québec Experiences.
Visiting Québec City During Winter
Photo by Emmanuel Coveney (Destination Québec Cité)
Best for: Christmas ambience, major festivals, winter culture, outdoors
Typical temps: Cold (below freezing)
Crowds: High during festivals
Why visit in winter: Unique festive atmosphere + iconic Carnaval
One of the things that makes Québec City so special is that it comes to life in winter. When the temperatures plunge, Québecers wrap up warm and head out to enjoy the outdoors.
The average winter day in Québec City is full of the bustle of people, the smell of coffee in the air, and the sounds and pageantry of some kind of festival underway.
Seasonal highlight (December):
Christmas markets, snow-dusted streets, decorations, twinkling lights
In December, Christmas is in the air, with snow-dusted streets, beautiful decorations hanging overhead, and the twinkling of lights on every street for miles around. The aesthetics alone make Québec City perhaps the best Christmas getaway in Canada, but it doesn’t stop there.
Seasonal highlight (January–February):
Carnaval du Québec
What it is: The biggest winter festival in the world
Expect: Red sashes, music, food/drinks, performances, high energy
In January and February, you have the Carnaval du Québec. This is the biggest winter festival in the world, and the exuberant joy and sense of occasion are more than enough warmth to combat the chilly temperatures. It is customary to wear red sashes during the festival, and there is red everywhere you look in the city. The music can brighten even the darkest days, and the warm drinks, food, and mixology booths will warm your heart as well as your stomach. There are live concerts, various performances, and a vibrant atmosphere most cities can’t even muster in the middle of summer.
Check out some of our top winter trips:
Quebec City Festive Escape: Christmas Markets and Old Quebec Charm
Quebec Winter Getaway with Hotel de Glace (Read more about the hotel here)
Urban Chic: Quebec Winter Wonderland
Visiting Québec City During Summer
Photo by Andy Vathis (Destination Québec Cité)
Best for: Museums, outdoor dining, festivals, culture
Typical temps: ~25°C / 77°F
Crowds: Peak season
Why visit in summer: Warm weather + major cultural events
Like many cities around Canada, summer is the busiest month. With average temperatures of around 25 °C (77 °F), people come from all over the world to experience the capital city of French Canada.
If you’ve only ever visited Québec in winter, you’ll be delightfully surprised by its summer charm. In fact, it’s difficult to conceive of a big city that changes quite as much seasonally as does Québec.
Summer activities in Québec City:
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Museums and galleries
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Parks and historic districts
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Outdoor cafés, bars, restaurants
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Architecture and French cultural influence
In summer, you can tour the museums, lounge in the parks, and enjoy the historic architecture that makes Québec City so unique. You’ll notice the undeniable influence of French art, architecture, and cultural heritage, but it all comes with a distinctly Canadian flavour. Sample some of the best coffee (and coffee culture) in the world, and sit in the outdoor bars and restaurants watching the city walk, cycle, and drive by.
Summer festivals (month by month):
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June: Saint-Jean Baptiste Day
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July: Transat Québec Saint-Malo + Festival d’été de Québec
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August: Plein Art Québec + Fêtes de La Nouvelle-France + smaller events
Summertime in Québec City also comes with its own calendar of festivals. In June, the province celebrates Saint-Jean Baptiste Day. In July, there is the Transat Québec Saint-Malo — a boat race with a lot of pageantry around it, guaranteed to entertain even the nautically uninitiated. Also in July, there is the Festival d’été de Québec, one of Canada’s largest outdoor music events, welcoming musical acts from all around the world. In August, there is the Plein Art Québec (arts and craft festival), Fêtes de La Nouvelle-France (celebrating the unique history and culture of the city), and numerous other smaller events.
Need a break from crowds?
If all these festivals and people get a little overwhelming for you, the countryside outside of the city is full of epic beauty, with countless places to give you a healthy dose of nature.
Explore our Quebec summer trips:
Quebec Road Trip: Wilderness & Whales
Rivers, Forests & Flavours of Quebec: A Journey into Culture, Wellness & Wilderness
Visiting Québec City in Spring and Fall
Photo by Rich Martello
Best for: Lower prices, fewer tourists, museums, scenic walks
Crowds: Low–moderate
Why visit in spring/fall: Shoulder season savings + calmer travel
We’ve grouped spring and autumn together here not because they are exactly the same, but because they aren’t quite as popular as summer and winter.
There are far fewer festivals and events to draw big crowds, so the city calms down a little, its rushing rivers of people dropping to gentler, more manageable currents.
Key advantages of spring & fall:
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Lower accommodation prices
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Smaller crowds
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Comfortable city touring
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Seasonal scenery
If you’re interested in visiting Québec City but you dislike large crowds, then both spring and fall are ideal. It’s also a little cheaper to visit Québec at this time as the tourism low season drops accommodation prices and some of the other expenses that come with the bigger crowds.
Spring notes:
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Snow may still be present in early spring
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Late March–early April = winter experience without festival crowds
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May–June = parks and greenery in full swing
Depending on when you visit in spring, there still may be snow on the ground. If you’re looking for the winter experience without the festival crowds, then try to visit in late March (after the spring break crowds have gone) and early April. In May and June, spring has usually well and truly sprung and you can enjoy the beautiful parks and greenery as it hits its full stride.
Fall notes:
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Cooler temperatures for city walking
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Excellent for museums & cultural tours
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Beautiful foliage + calmer pace
Fall in Québec is stunning. Once again, the smaller crowds are appealing to certain kinds of travellers, but many also find that the cooler temperatures make exploring the city even easier (and less sweaty). If you’re all about museums, galleries, and cultural walking tours, then fall is absolutely the best time to visit.
If you’re planning a trip to Québec City and want help choosing the right season, itinerary, or accommodation, reach out. Our team can recommend experiences based on how you like to travel — and help you book when you’re ready.
Learn more about Tailor-Made Travel Experience and chat with our team. **This article was originally published October 21, 2021. It has been updated to ensure accuracy and up-to-date information.***
