50 ideas for activities over the holidays, in any kind of weather

The onset of winter can bring a mix of sun, snow and rain. No worries! We’ve put together a list of activities to keep in mind so you don’t let Mother Nature dictate how much fun you have over the holidays. There are loads of things to do!

Cultural activities

With a few well-deserved days off, the holidays are the ideal time to feed your curiosity and discover new local talent. Québec’s culture is rich and offers something for everyone.

1. Delve into the history of the Titanic in the exhibition dedicated to it at the Musée de la civilisation.
2. Visit the Centre des sciences de Montréal or unusual and interactive experiences with the whole family.
3. Admire works of art in one of our fine arts museums.
4. Attend an evening or afternoon show at a nearby theatre or concert hall.
5. Enjoy a few laughs at a comedy night at a bar or nightclub in your city (Psst! This is a great idea for a first date or a girls’ night out!)
6. Take in a winter festival such as Noël dans le parc, the Festival Kaléidoscopes or Toboggan – New Year’s Nights, to name just a few!
7. Listen to Gregorian chants while soaking up the impressive architecture of the Abbaye de Saint-Benoît-du-Lac.

Culinary activities

During the holiday season, everyone enjoys the comfort of traditional dishes and rich local flavours. It’s also an opportunity to discover tasty products, good restaurants and new producers on your own or with family and friends.

8. Savour the subtle flavours of tea and perfect your knowledge on the subject by signing up for a workshop or enjoying a gourmet tea time.
9. Book a table at a new restaurant for a celebratory dinner or check one of our “must-try” places off your list.
10. Visit a Christmas market to meet passionate artisans and discover new flavours, with a mulled wine in hand.
11. Sign up for a wine, cider or spirits tasting at a producer’s facility for a more professional experience, or organize one yourself using our latest list of local finds.
12. Take a cooking class to hone new skills and create fun memories. For example, try your hand at making maple syrup for a day (French only).
13. Strop at an ÉCONOMUSÉE® to meet dedicated artisans who will share their expertise.
14. Raise a glass with friends on a very Insta-worthy winter patio!

Sports activities

Time to layer up and head outside for some fresh air! Why not take advantage of the holidays to try a new activity? After all, raclette tastes that much better after coming in from the cold.

15. Go for a skate on a frozen forest trail or twirl around on a refrigerated ice rink.
16. Grab your skis and head to the mountains to enjoy cross-country skiing, off-trail skiing or a guided adventure!
17. Hit the snowy slopes at one of our sliding centres.
18. Hop on a snowmobile and speed along some trails, surrounded by nature.
19. Paddle among the ice floes while trying out winter stand-up paddleboarding or ice canoeing.
20. Swap your hiking boots for snowshoes and head to the most stunning peaks blanketed in snow.
21. Hurtle down the slopes on a yooner, a unique piece of snow equipment consisting of a single ski you can sit on and steer by simply leaning your body.
22. Explore the Sentier des cimes Laurentides treetop trail and its observation tower while enjoying holiday activities and the illuminated nighttime trail, Lumagica.
23. Take a ride on an old-fashioned sled down the Dufferin Terrace slide or on the marked trails of Massif de Charlevoix, day or night.
24. Attend a Montreal Canadiens or Quebec Remparts hockey game.
25. Jump to your heart’s content on suspended trampolines during a day or night experience at Uplå in Mont-Saint-Grégoire.

Relaxation and wellness activities

The holidays are also a great time to relax, recharge and practise some self-care. You might opt to do so in the comfort of your own home or muster up your courage to venture out.

26. Head to the movies for a matinée or a late-night show.
27. Visit a spa and enjoy a soak in the thermal baths before treating yourself to a well-deserved massage to release the tensions of the past year.
28. Prepare for a day of relaxation at home by buying a few items to pamper yourself with (tea, candles, cream, essential oils, etc.) from a shop featuring artisanal products.
29. Plan a stroll and a chat in good company, along with a hot drink or a stop at a local gourmet shop as a reward for braving the cold.

Discovery activities

During the holiday season, Québec’s regions and cities pull out all the stops to impress visitors and locals alike. It’s a great time to discover them, and there’s no shortage of options for doing so!

30. Hit the road and follow a pre-planned itinererary to guide you throughout your trip.
31. Enjoy themed outdoor decorations, such as those in the Enchanted Alley on Promenade Wellington in Montréal and the nostalgic Petit-Champlain district in the city of Québec.
32. Admire the urban view of the city as you board a closed gondola on the Grande Roue de Montréal.
33. Gaze at the stars at at the Cosmodôme in Laval, the Planétarium de Montréal or the ASTROLab at the Parc national du Mont-Mégantic.
34. Walk along Onhwa’ Lumina, a magical nightime trail in Wendake. The multimedia experience is inspired by the cultural and artistic heritage of the Huron-Wendat people.
35. Visit a real Christmas village at Woodooliparc to get into the holiday spirit. It’s sure to be fun for the young and young at heart!

Fun activities

When the temperatures drop, it can be tempting to stay warm inside, but it’s worth it to head out and burn off some energy. Laughter and memorable moments are guaranteed!

36. Ride an indoor carousel at Méga Parc in Galeries de la Capitale in the city of Québec. Take advantage of the visit to finish up your Christmas shopping!
37. Head to a bowling alley and try to get a few strikes to impress the crowd.
38. Put your brain to work at a quiz night where teams compete against each other to test their general knowledge.
39. Challenge yourself to a round of glow-in-the-dark miniature golf at one of Québec’s many indoor centres, such as Putting Edge and Bfly Québec, etc.
40. Try out a new board game in a gaming pub without the mental burden of having to learn all the rules first!
41. Win an escape challenge with the help of your most brilliant teammates, who are carefully chosen to help solve puzzles in a series of zany scenarios.
42. Head to an arcade in a retro 70s-themed lounge or a more modern amusement centre.
43. Let yourself be surrounded by butterflies flying freely for a magical, unique and tropical experience thanks to the warm temperatures maintained in the Bfly aviaries in the city of Québec or Brossard.

Activities with animals

Not all animals hibernate in the winter. Many particularly enjoy the season because, like us, they love to play in the snow. Indoors or outdoors, Québec gives new meaning to the concept of animal therapy.

44. Climb aboard a dog sled led by a musher and let yourself be carried away by the energy of a pack of experienced runners.
45. Visit one of Québec’s many zoos for a totally different experience than in the summertime. Here are a few ideas: Miller Zoo, Zoo de Granby, Parc Oméga, Safari Park, Zoo sauvage de Saint-Félicien and Familizoo.
46. Observe marine wildlife during a family visit to the Aquarium de Québec, where you can wander through the Awesome Ocean tunnel and even a room dedicated exclusively to jellyfish.
47. Take a horseback ride and trot gently through winter landscapes. What could be more romantic?
49. Pet alpacas by booking a hike with them, visiting a specialized farm or participating in an escape game (French only) in their natural habitat!
50. Take a break at a cat café and sip a hot drink while listening to the purring of the sweet felines around you.

Looking for more tips for the holidays?

Did one of these ideas pique your curiosity, but you don’t know where to find it in the area you live in or are visiting? Contact our destination specialists for guidance! They can give you personalized advice and recommendations to ensure that your travels and experiences are tailored to your interests.