Looking for a Christmas activity to dive into the holiday spirit? In Québec, December is filled with events: illuminated Christmas markets, classic ballet, downtown skating rinks, light villages, and visits to Santa Claus. Here are our activity ideas for the 2026 holiday season in Montreal, Quebec City, and other regions, as well as some suggestions for things to do at home with the whole family. The dates listed are those announced by the organizers; when they are not yet known, we indicate it.
Christmas Activities in Montreal
1. Le Grand Marché de Noël de Montréal, at Quartier des spectacles
A must-attend holiday event downtown, the Grand Marché de Noël de Montréal is set up at Place des Festivals, in the Quartier des spectacles, from November 13, 2026, to January 3, 2027. Admission is free. Stroll among the chalets of artisans and local producers, with a cup of hot chocolate in hand, to find original gifts and decorating ideas for the tree. Shows, including those from the Kingdom of Elves, enliven the site. The schedule varies by week: before December 16, the market is open from Wednesday to Sunday, then every day during the holidays. Details on the Montreal Christmas Markets website.
2. Le Village de Noël de Montréal, at Atwater Market
Same organization, different atmosphere: the Village de Noël de Montréal takes place near Atwater Market, along the Lachine Canal, from November 26 to December 24, 2026. Here too, admission is free. Before December 18, it is open from Friday to Sunday; it then opens every day until Christmas Eve. It's a great weekend outing to do your holiday shopping and support local artisans. In total, the two markets bring together over 120 artisans and creators.
3. Casse-Noisette (The Nutcracker) by Les Grands Ballets
A holiday tradition in Montreal for decades, Casse-Noisette returns to Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier at Place des Arts from December 5 to 30, 2026, with performances at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Les Grands Ballets presents Fernand Nault's choreography to Tchaikovsky's music, with nearly 165 performers on stage and the Grands Ballets Orchestra. Follow Clara on Christmas Eve, when her nutcracker comes to life and takes her to the kingdom of sweets. For many families, it's the children's first ballet. Tickets on the Les Grands Ballets website.
4. Ogilvy's Christmas Windows at the Musée McCord Stewart
Since 1947, the mechanical windows of Ogilvy's store have been part of many Montrealers' Christmas memories. Designed by German toy manufacturer Steiff, they feature dozens of handmade animals. They are now preserved by the Musée McCord Stewart, which presents them each winter: the Enchanted Village inside the museum and the Mill in the Forest outside, on pedestrian Victoria Street. During the last edition (late November 2025 to January 2026), the Enchanted Village was free for those under 18. The 2026 dates are yet to be confirmed on the museum's website.
5. Skating at Esplanade Tranquille
For an outdoor activity downtown, the refrigerated rink at Esplanade Tranquille, in the Quartier des spectacles, is one of the largest outdoor rinks in Montreal. Access is free, and skates can be rented on-site. It usually opens in November; check the season opening date with the Quartier des spectacles. In the evening, an interactive projection transforms the ice into a luminous work of art. A great plan to combine with the Grand Christmas Market, right next door.
6. A Victorian Christmas at Sir-George-Étienne-Cartier National Historic Site
In Old Montreal, the house of the Sir-George-Étienne-Cartier National Historic Site is decorated for the holidays from mid-November until Christmas: garlands, flowers, and ribbons. Discover the Christmas traditions of a 19th-century bourgeois family. In 2025, the Christmas period was reserved for groups; check the Parks Canada website for the 2026 format.
Holiday Activities in Quebec City and Surroundings
7. The Marché de Noël allemand de Québec
Old Quebec takes on the appearance of a European village with the Marché de Noël allemand de Québec, from November 19 to December 23, 2026. The market is open from Thursday to Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (until 6 p.m. on Sunday), then from December 21 to 23. German specialties, crafts, songs, and a magical atmosphere in the illuminated streets: it's one of the favorite Christmas activities for Quebec City residents. Full schedule on the market's website.
8. Onhwa' Lumina, in Wendake
For a different Christmas, Onhwa' Lumina offers a 1.2 km nighttime walk in the forest, with lights, sounds, and projections that tell the Wendat culture. During the holidays, departures are scheduled every day from December 18, 2026, to January 1, 2027 (only in the late afternoon on December 24, 25, and 31 and January 1), then on Fridays and Saturdays from January 8, 2027. Schedule and rates on the Tourisme Wendake website.
9. Cut Your Own Christmas Tree in Lévis
At Sapins Goupil, in Lévis, choose and cut your own tree, then tour the Christmas market and festive stalls. A tradition to create with the family. The 2026 dates are to be confirmed on the company's website.
Christmas Outings Elsewhere in Quebec
10. The Village illuminé at Village Québécois d'Antan
In Drummondville, the Village Québécois d'Antan transforms into an illuminated Christmas tale. In 2025, the Village illuminé Desjardins opened on certain Saturdays in December, then from December 20 to 31 (except the 25th), from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.: meet Santa Claus, quests for the whole family, carriage rides, snowball fights, and Christmas carols. The 2026 dates are to be confirmed.
11. The Village du Père Noël, in Val-David
In the Laurentians, the Village du Père Noël is mainly for children aged 2 to 8, with fairy tale characters, a tree maze, and, of course, a meeting with Santa Claus. Known mainly for its summer season, the site also offers winter activities; the holiday schedule should be checked directly with the village.
12. Noël au Sanctuaire, in Trois-Rivières
The Notre-Dame-du-Cap Sanctuary celebrates the holidays with concerts, celebrations, and traditional crèches. In 2025, Noël au Sanctuaire took place from December 1 to January 5, with a Christmas market of artisans at the beginning of December. The 2026 program will be published on the Sanctuary's website.
Christmas Activity Ideas to Do at Home
No need to go out to experience the magic of the holidays. Here are some simple ideas for the whole family:
- Bake cookies and a gingerbread house: kids handle the icing and candies, adults the dough.
- Hot chocolate and Christmas movie night in pajamas, under a blanket, with marshmallows and cinnamon.
- Christmas crafts: balls and ornaments for the tree, paper garlands, cut-out snowflakes, hand-drawn greeting cards.
- Elf treasure hunt in the house, with small clues leading to a surprise.
- Sliding and skating at the neighborhood park, then warming up indoors.
- Reading Christmas stories and songs by the fire, to keep family traditions alive.
Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Activities
What activity to do for Christmas?
It all depends on your tastes: a Christmas market for the atmosphere, The Nutcracker for a classic show, a skating rink for outdoor fun, or a crafting and hot chocolate night at home. With young children, a visit to Santa Claus remains a classic.
What are the Christmas activities in Quebec City?
The German Christmas Market in Old Quebec (from November 19 to December 23, 2026) is the main event. Add a stroll through the illuminated streets of Old Quebec and, in Wendake, the Onhwa' Lumina nighttime walk.
Where to spend an original Christmas?
To go off the beaten path: the illuminated forest of Onhwa' Lumina, the Illuminated Village at Village Québécois d'Antan, or cutting your own Christmas tree in Lévis.
What are the activity ideas to do before Christmas?
Do your shopping at a Christmas market, decorate the tree, bake cookies with the family, write a letter to Santa Claus, and book your show tickets early: holiday performances often sell out.
Also Discover
Even more ideas for luminous outings: read our article on the Jardins de lumière at the Jardin botanique de Montréal, or discover the Lumières du Quartier latin and the Marché de Noël de L’Assomption.
