The Quebec City Christmas market, officially the Marché de Noël allemand de Québec (German Christmas Market), runs from Thursday 19 November to Wednesday 23 December 2026 inside the walls of Old Quebec. More than a hundred exhibitors set up in decorated wooden huts across six sites, from Place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville to Place d’Armes below the Château Frontenac. Entry is free and the market is open Thursday to Sunday, plus the last three days before Christmas. Here are the 2026 hours, the sites, what to eat, how to get there and where to leave your bags.
Coming in by train or bus? Drop your bags near Gare du Palais before you walk up into the old town.
Quebec City Christmas Market 2026: Key Facts
| Dates | Thursday 19 November – Wednesday 23 December 2026 |
| Open | Thursday to Sunday until 20 December, then daily 21–23 December |
| Hours | Thu–Sat 11:00–21:00, Sun 11:00–18:00; 21–22 December 11:00–21:00; 23 December 11:00–20:00 |
| Location | Six sites in Old Quebec, inside the fortifications |
| Exhibitors | More than 100 |
| Entry | Free |
| Nearest station | Gare du Palais (VIA Rail and intercity buses), about 15 minutes’ walk uphill |
The organiser publishes the site map, schedule and show programme on the official German market website. Saturdays in December are the busiest days. Thursday and Friday afternoons are calmer, and Sunday closes early at 18:00.
The Six Sites of the Quebec City Christmas Market
The market is spread over six spots in the upper town, all a few minutes apart on foot:
- Place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville, in front of City Hall, the main square of the market.
- Jardins de l’Hôtel-de-Ville, the gardens beside City Hall.
- Rue Sainte-Anne, the pedestrian street that links City Hall with the Château Frontenac.
- Place d’Armes, the square next to the Château Frontenac.
- The back courtyard of the Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral.
- Place D’Youville, just outside Porte Saint-Jean, by the outdoor skating rink.
A good route is to start at Place D’Youville, walk through Porte Saint-Jean and along to City Hall, then follow Rue Sainte-Anne down to Place d’Armes and the Château Frontenac. The huts sell handmade gifts, decorations and food, and there are shows and activities for children on the main sites.
Opening Hours
| Period | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 19 November – 20 December | Thursday, Friday, Saturday | 11:00–21:00 |
| 19 November – 20 December | Sunday | 11:00–18:00 |
| 19 November – 20 December | Monday to Wednesday | Closed |
| 21–22 December | Monday, Tuesday | 11:00–21:00 |
| 23 December | Wednesday (last day) | 11:00–20:00 |
The market is closed Monday to Wednesday for most of its run, so if you’re visiting midweek, plan your trip around a Thursday or the final days before Christmas.
What to Eat and Drink at the Quebec City Christmas Market
The market has a German theme, so expect the kind of food you’d find at a Weihnachtsmarkt: hot mulled wine, sausages, pretzels and sweet pastries, sold from the huts on each site. The organiser asks visitors to bring their own reusable cup for hot drinks, which saves waste and is handy when you’re walking between sites.
Between the huts, Old Quebec has plenty of places to warm up. Rue Saint-Jean and Rue Sainte-Anne are lined with cafés, bakeries and restaurants serving Quebec classics such as tourtière (meat pie) and poutine.
Getting to Old Quebec
| From | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Gare du Palais | Walk up Côte du Palais to City Hall | About 15 min (uphill) |
| Montreal | VIA Rail or intercity bus to Gare du Palais | About 3 h 15 by train |
| Montreal by car | Highway 20 or 40 | About 3 h |
| Jean Lesage airport | Taxi or rideshare to Old Quebec | About 20–30 min |
| By car in the city | Public car parks in and around Old Quebec; street parking is limited | Varies |
Tips for a Winter Visit
- Dress for real cold. Temperatures in late November and December are often below freezing, and the wind on Place d’Armes can be sharp.
- Wear boots with grip. The streets of the old town are steep and can be icy.
- Bring a reusable cup for mulled wine and hot chocolate.
- Check the day. The market is closed Monday to Wednesday until 20 December.
- Go at dusk, around 16:00 in December, to see the huts and the Château Frontenac lit up.
Luggage Storage Near the Quebec City Christmas Market
Many visitors come from Montreal for a day or arrive on the morning train before hotel check-in. Pulling a suitcase up Côte du Palais on snow and ice is hard work, and the sites get crowded on December Saturdays.
Radical Storage has verified partner shops and cafés in Old Quebec, on Rue Saint-Jean and Côte du Palais, and near Gare du Palais, all within walking distance of the Quebec City Christmas market. Book online in a minute, drop your bags and collect them when you’re ready to leave. Every bag is protected up to €10,000, cancellation is free and travellers rate the service 4.8/5.
- Luggage storage near Gare du Palais for train and bus arrivals.
- Luggage storage near Place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville, by the main market site.
- Luggage storage near Rue Saint-Jean, close to Place D’Youville.
Quebec City Christmas Market FAQ
The German Christmas Market of Quebec runs from Thursday 19 November to Wednesday 23 December 2026. Until 20 December it is open Thursday to Sunday, then every day from 21 to 23 December.
Thursday to Saturday 11:00 to 21:00 and Sunday 11:00 to 18:00. On 21 and 22 December it opens 11:00 to 21:00, and on 23 December 11:00 to 20:00.
On six sites in Old Quebec: Place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville, the Jardins de l’Hôtel-de-Ville, Rue Sainte-Anne, Place d’Armes, Place D’Youville and the back courtyard of Holy Trinity Cathedral.
Yes. Entry to all six sites is free. You only pay for food, drinks and gifts.
Yes. VIA Rail trains from Montreal reach Gare du Palais in about 3 hours 15 minutes, and the station is about a 15-minute walk uphill from the main market site. Check the day first, since the market is closed Monday to Wednesday until 20 December.
Radical Storage has partner locations in Old Quebec, on Rue Saint-Jean and Côte du Palais, and near Gare du Palais. Book online, drop your bags at a verified local business and collect them later, with protection up to €10,000 per bag.
