Quebec Winter Carnival Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Quebec Winter Carnival
Bonhomme Carnaval in 2011
Genre	Winter festival
Begins	February 7, 2025
Ends	February 16, 2025
Frequency	Annually
Location(s)	Quebec City
Country	Canada
Inaugurated	1955 (1955) (annual event)
Website	Carnaval de Québec

The Quebec Winter Carnival (also called Carnaval de Québec) is a huge winter party held every year in Quebec City, Canada. It's one of the biggest winter festivals in the world! People have been celebrating it since 1894, but it became an annual event in 1955.

That same year, a friendly snowman named Bonhomme Carnaval became the festival's official mascot. He's been the face of the Carnival ever since. In 2006, about one million people visited the Carnival. This made it the largest winter festival in the Western Hemisphere.

Fun Activities and Attractions
Delicious Food and Drinks
- Dining Experiences
Exciting Races and Tournaments
- Winter Sports Competitions
Gallery
See also

Fun Activities and Attractions

The Quebec Winter Carnival is packed with exciting things to do. Many events happen outdoors, even in the cold, showing how much fun people in Quebec love to have!

Parades and Parties

The most famous parts of the Carnival are the night and day parades. These parades are led by Bonhomme Carnaval himself! They wind through the upper part of Quebec City. The city streets are decorated with bright lights and amazing ice sculptures for the occasion.

Lots of public and private parties, shows, and dances take place all over the city. Some of these are even held outside in the chilly weather.

Special Events to See

A fancy masquerade ball is held at the beautiful Château Frontenac. Up to 400 people attend this special event.
The opening and closing ceremonies happen at the Ice Palace. Thousands of people gather to see Bonhomme and the mayor of Quebec.
You can watch or join in outdoor sports. These include snowboarding, ice canoe races, snowshoeing, and dog-sledding. Some of these are even part of world championship tournaments!
Free outdoor meals like brunch or breakfast are offered to the public.
Snow sculpture contests take place on the Plains of Abraham. Artists from Canada and other countries create amazing sculptures. The Plains of Abraham also become a winter amusement park with fun family activities.

Outdoor dance parties are also held at the Ice Palaces.

Carnival Traditions

You can buy a special Bonhomme tag in the city. This tag lets you get into most of the Carnival events. Some events are free even without the tag.
Many main streets are decorated for the Carnival. Some restaurants and bars even set up outdoor patios for winter.
Bonhomme Carnaval is the official mascot and host of the Ice Palace. He is a seven-foot-tall snowman. He wears a red cap, black buttons, and a special woven sash called a ceinture fléchée. This sash is a nod to traditional French-Canadian clothing.
People often drink Caribou, a warm traditional drink, to stay cozy in the cold.
There is a public auction that helps raise money for the Carnival. Many items and services are donated for people to bid on.

Delicious Food and Drinks

The Carnival also has special food events for visitors.

Dining Experiences

The Business Leaders' Luncheon is a special meal organized by the Quebec City Chamber of Commerce.
Many restaurants in Quebec City take part in a "Restaurant Partners' Campaign." During the Carnival, these restaurants offer a special menu at a set price. This menu usually includes an appetizer, soup or salad, a main course, and a dessert.

Exciting Races and Tournaments

The Carnival is home to several thrilling races and competitions.

Winter Sports Competitions

A sleigh race takes place on the Plains of Abraham. Drivers and their horses compete in single and double harness races.
An exciting Ice canoe race is held on the St. Lawrence River. Teams paddle canoes across the icy water.
The Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament was part of the Carnival program until 1977. This famous youth hockey tournament started in 1960.
The Snowboard World Cup sometimes takes place in Quebec City. However, it is not officially part of the Carnival program.