Quebec Winter Carnival Guide 2022: February 4 to 13

Return of the Festive Hub and Major Music Events!

Quebec City, PQ, December 6, 2022 – The Quebec Winter Carnival, Canada’s largest winter festival, presented in collaboration with Loto-Québec is back! The 68th edition of the world-renowned winter festival invites Carnival fans to come celebrate its return with some winter fun.

Taking place in Quebec City From February 4 to 13, the Carnival brings back its festive hub with Jos’ Camp by Videotron (Place George-V), the Cadbury Slides (Parc de la Francophonie) and the majestic Bonhomme’s Palace (Zone Loto-Québec, Place de l’Assemblée-Nationale) where the Hip-Hop and Electro Frette shows will be presented. Building on the success of the animation held on main commercial streets last year, Bonhomme will liven up all corners of the city with his finest snow and ice sculptures with the Scotiabank Snow Route.

Last to Be Presented, First to Return!

The Carnival was the last major event presented before the pandemic and it will also be one of the first major events to offer an almost complete program after this difficult period: “We are very happy to pick up where we left off in 2019, to continue moving in the new directions we had planned, and to offer Carnival visitors the major events we are celebrated for. But beyond our long-term vision is something that is more important to us: bringing back the smiles of all the children, letting adults relive their childhood memories, and the simple joy of being with each other again after everything we have been through,” exclaimed Mélanie Raymond, Director of the Quebec Winter Carnival.

Big Events Are Back!

The 68th Quebec Winter Carnival will kick off with the Hip-Hop QUB Music Evening featuring none other than Souldia, preceded by Zach Zoya, Naya Ali and Calamine on Friday February 4, at 7 PM, at Bonhomme’s Palace (Loto-Québec Zone). The shows will be presented on a large stage with a spectacular light show scenography combining the play of light on the snow and several screens. An experience that should not to be missed! Entrance with the Effigy.

Misstress Barbara at the Electro Frette

The following Friday, on February 11, electronic music lovers who want to dance will get what they are looking for and much more with the Electro Frette QUB Music Evening, which will also take place this year on the Loto-Québec stage at Bonhomme’s Palace. Starting at 7 PM, DJs CastNowski, Tony Romera and Bassjackers will take turns on stage, with what will surely be a memorable performance by the great Misstress Barbara to close the evening. An Italian who has lived in Montreal since she was a child, she is a pioneer on the turntables and has been spinning records since 1996. Misstress Barbara is also a singer and has received several Juno nominations and has collaborated with Sam Roberts and Björn Yttling (Peter Bjorn and John) among other artists. Entrance with the Effigy.

Amazing Sites in the Heart of the Festivities

All Carnival activities have been planned according to the health measures in effect, in particular by making it mandatory to present a vaccination passport to enter the sites.

1 | Loto-Québec Zone – Bonhomme’s Palace (Place de l’Assemblage-Nationale)

In addition to the 2 big musical evenings (Hip-Hop and Electro Frette), the Loto-Québec Zone will offer many other activities. This is Bonhomme’s favourite site, because it is where his magnificent palace and throne are, and he is still the undisputed King of the Party. This year, the palace will be inspired by the post-modern architecture of the great Californian villas. The site will be punctuated with spontaneous entertainment on weekends: Bonhomme’s gardener, valet, butler and personal trainer will follow one another to present short artistic and wacky plays. This is the perfect place to have a drink at the SAQ Bistro or quench your thirst at the Ice Bar. And since this is Bonhomme’s special site, you can have your photo taken with the King of the Party.

“A partner of the Quebec Winter Carnival for over 20 years, Loto-Québec is delighted to take part in this much anticipated return! This celebrated traditional event loved by so many festival visitors makes the Capitale-Nationale region shine through its unifying and festive elements that perfectly match the values of the Rendez-vous Loto-Québec. We invite visitors to take advantage of the activities offered in the Loto-Québec Zone and to come admire Bonhomme’s mythical Palace. If the magnificent and much loved Bonhomme is close by, you can be sure that there is lots of fun waiting for us!” proudly noted Eric Meunier, Director of Responsible Gaming and Social Engagement at Loto-Québec.

2 | Jos’ Camp by Videotron (Place George-V)

One of the best places to get crazy, the activities at Jos’ Camp will make everyone see through children’s eyes! Jos’ Camp is where you will find Axe Throwing, the Logging and Tripping obstacle course, the Hockey Shootout, dancing with the Trad Dance Revolution video game and a chance to embark on an adventure in A Forest Tale. Everything you need to stay warm and bring out the inspired lumberjack hiding inside of you!

3 | Cadbury Slides (Parc de la Francophonie)

This year, the Carnival doubles the pleasure for inner tube sliding fans by offering 2 big slides. Located in the Parc de la Francophonie, the Cadbury Slides site offers Carnival visitors 2 impressive crisscrossing icy descents of over 80 metres! And because Bonhomme never forgets his little snowflakes, a third ice slide suitable for kids will also be on the Cadbury Slides site. Hot drinks and sugary treats will also be available.

Tribute to the Parade

On Grand-Allée street, along the parliament, festival visitors will get an exceptional chance to participate in the parade in a different way, by visiting 4 stationary themed floats. They will be able to climb onto the floats, see behind the scenes and take photos of themselves on them. A beautiful tribute to the Parade, which cannot be presented this year due to heath measures.

The Scotiabank Snow Route

Building on its success in 2021, the Scotiabank Snow Route and its online game will be back in 2022. It will offer close to a hundred ice and snow sculptures in the process of being created or already completed by the sculptors in many neighbourhoods of the city. The Quebec Winter Carnival is will be present throughout the capital in Limoilou, Sillery, Montcalm, the Old City, Petit Champlain, Lower Town and Upper Town. And be on the lookout, because the King of the Party will be appearing in various neighbourhoods during the Carnival aboard his Bonhomme Mobile.

“What an incredible joy it is to be together again for our traditional winter festivities that have animated the city for 68 years,” added the Mayor of Quebec City, Bruno Marchand. “Once again this year and to everyone’s delight, it will be possible to enjoy the Quebec Winter Carnival in some of our neighbourhoods. I am very proud of the mission the organization of the Quebec Winter Carnival has given itself to make having fun accessible everywhere in our city. It will be a true pleasure to stroll through our animated main streets and be able to observe the frenzy of the Carnival in enchanting settings, while encouraging our local merchants. I invite the entire population of Quebec City and everywhere else to join in the fun, to have a tasty hot chocolate with Bonhomme and have fun with your family at our wonderful sites.”

“It is with great enthusiasm that your government supports the convivial and unifying Quebec Winter Carnival, without a doubt one of Quebec’s signature events known internationally. Over the years, the Carnival has been able to highlight Quebec’s many attributes: the majestic St. Lawrence River, the legendary Plains of Abraham, the magnificent Grande Allée street, in addition to creatively animating different parts of the historic capital city. For its 68th edition, the Carnival continues to make Quebec shine as a premier tourist destination, as Quebeckers welcome people from all over the world. I invite citizens and visitors to participate in the activities that will be offered to them, to celebrate the joys of winter and to discover or rediscover all the beauty of the magnificent Capitale-Nationale region!” Caroline Proulx, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Lanaudière and Bas-Saint-Laurent regions.

Stronger Than the Cold Challenges!

4 challenges for winter fanatics who have a particular love for the cold and extreme conditions!

1 | Jacques-Cartier Ice Swimming (February 5)

60 winter enthusiasts looking for thrills will be able to take a dip in the Jacques-Cartier River during the third presentation of the event in Jacques-Cartier National Park. Registration required.

2 | The Marto Shovel-Sled Race (February 6)

On your shovels, get set, go! The very first Carnival shovel-sled race will take place at Bonhomme’s Palace. A friendly and wacky competition animated by our friend Marto Napoli.

3 | Snowy Owl Challenge (February 12)

This year, Bonhomme’s playground will extend into the majestic nature of the Jacques-Cartier National Park, where winter trail runners can enjoy traditional marked trails of 5 and 11 km, and for families and little ones, a 1 km obstacle course will be set up. Registration required.

4 | St-Hubert Snow Bath (February 13)

A traditional event like no other, the St-Hubert Carnival Snow Bath is back at Jos’ Camp by Videotron. Cold or not, we’re diving into winter! Registration required.

The Effigy Is Available Now!

The Effigy is the pass you need to access the activities of the 3 main carnival sites and the major musical events. It is on pre-sale now online and at participating Couche-Tard stores at a cost of $15, taxes included, until January 15. After that date it will be on sale for $25. It is not required for children 12 and under.

Thank You to Our Partners

Thank you to our major partners, Loto‐Québec, Cadbury, SAQ, Scotiabank and Videotron, and Laurier Québec, Tourisme Jacques-Cartier, the Corporation des Concessionnaires Automobiles du Québec, Sauvageau, Alex Coulombe ltée, Ungava Spirits, St-Hubert restaurants and Solotech. The Carnival can also count on the support of the Government of Canada through Canada Economic Development for the Regions of Quebec and Canadian Heritage, the Government of Québec through the Secrétariat à la Capitale-Nationale and the Ministère du Tourisme, Ville de Québec and Destination Québec cité. Thank you to the Commission de la capitale nationale du Québec and Public Services and Procurement Canada, who will host the Carnival on their sites. Finally, the Carnival wants to thank its media partners, its collaborators, its various service providers, its partner hotels, including Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, Hôtel Château Bellevue, Hôtel Château Laurier, Le Concorde and Hilton Québec, as well as the many volunteers of the event, whose involvement is essential.

All Carnival sites and activities are accessible on presentation of the vaccination passport.

The 68th Quebec Winter Carnival will take place from February 4 to 13, 2022

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