This January and February, conquer the winter as a family, thanks to the many festivals catering to all ages and held in every region of Quebec. From big cities to small towns, these often-free events offer activities and entertainment alike, all sorts of enjoyment to brighten up the day and light up the night. Here are five festivals that are among the most family-friendly.
Québec Winter Carnival (Quebec City)
Simply the biggest winter festival on Earth! With parades, canoe and dogsled racing, a sugar shack, winter camping and ice sculpture workshops, there’s something here for the entire family.
Cost: About $13 each for 17 days of events. Free for children seven years and under.
Dates: January 27 to February 12, 2012
Fête des neiges (Montreal)
This family-oriented festival invites you to come outside and play, offering a multitude of activities at Parc Jean-Drapeau, including snow tubing, zip-lining, skating and more. In 2012, the event will host the first Snow Village, featuring an ice hotel, a restaurant, a bar, a maze and other attractions.
Cost: Admission is free. Fees apply to certain activities.
Dates: January 21 to February 5, 2012. The Snow Village is open from January 6 to March 31, 2012.
Les Nuits Polaires (Trois-Rivières)
This event, which gets bigger every year, invites all winter haters to venture out of doors and enjoy torchlight skating, snow soccer, car races on ice and a host of other events that are often free of charge. Held in downtown Trois-Rivières.
Cost: Admission is free. Fees apply to certain activities.
Dates: January 19 to 22, 2012
Saguenay en neige (Jonquière)
You’re invited to make friends with winter at one of Quebec’s largest ice sculpture competitions. Programming also includes numerous activities such as inflatable slides, parent child races, live entertainment, fireworks and the “Village de Monsieur Flocon”.
Cost: Admission is free.
Dates: February 2 to 12, 2012
Festi-Vent sur Glace (Saint-Placide, Laurentians)
Claiming to be Canada’s largest winter kite festival, Festi-Vent sur Glace offers fun for the whole family, including a kite workshop, snow scooters, inflatable games, a snowboarding park and walking trails for watching kite demonstrations.
Cost: $8 for both days. Admission is free for children three years and under.
Dates: February 19 and 20, 2012
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