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Québec Winter Carnival Activities 2021
Although we are all pining to get back to travel, we also know its best to keep close to home. One of the best winter activities in Canada is to visit the Quebec Winter Carnival. This year everyone has to make adjustments but for many, the show goes on and in Quebec City, there is no tie off for Bonhomme! The Québec Winter Carnival has been moved on-line. There remains a few outdoor venues for refreshing walks outside. If you have never been, this will be a great introduction to the festivities that have occurred in the world’s most famous winter carnival since 1894.
From February 5 to 14, 2021, the famous Québec Winter Carnival will offer carnival-goers from around the world a fun virtual program to enjoy the event from the comfort of their own homes on their brand new YouTube channel. The program is extensive and exciting, do not let the fact that these events are in French only keep you away.
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Festive themed evenings, a way to warm up after a day spent outdoors, as well as a family program on Sunday mornings will be presented, to be watched seated comfortably in front of your screen on the Carnival YouTube Channel!
Opening ceremonies will be Friday, February 5th hosted by Virginie Gagnon and the friendliest co-host, the King of the party, Bonhomme will feature a hip-hop party, a brand-new snow sliding site for grown-ups, an even wackier version of Jos’ Camp and a second edition of the electro music evening. Because it’s on the Quebec Winter Carnival YouTube, you can watch it any time you want!
The first weekend will include music, storytelling, trivia and musical improv guests. The second weekend will focus on Family Day activities. There will also be mixology workshops presented by SAQ and Ungava Spirits with Monsieur Cocktail, interviews with the Winter Fanatics, quizzes and games to do at home and family mornings with singer and storyteller Arthur L’Aventurier and Ari Cui Cui!
You can set reminders for the live stream on YouTube for shows starting at 7 pm on Thursdays, Friday, Saturday and Sunday!
The Ice & Snow Route
Presently in a red zone, the 2021 Carnival will deploy outside only scenic elements and contemplative monuments of ice and snow. Winding its way through the commercial arteries of the city, about a hundred sculptures (Scotiabank Ice and Snow Route) and magnificent 20-foot-high towers (Loto-Québec Ice Towers), which will represent Bonhomme’s Palace will encourage Quebec residents for some outdoor activities. At this time, no event sites will be installed.
The Ice and Snow Route exposition during the 2021 Carnival offers about 100 sculptures that will connect Limoilou, Saint-Roch, Saint-Sauveurand Saint-Jean-Baptiste’s districts including well known picturesque areas of Québec City, such as Place D’Youville, Place Jean-Béliveau, Cartier Avenue, Maguire Avenue, Grande Allée, Québec Old City and Petit Champlain.
We will miss not being together during the Quebec Winter Carnival but you can still feel the magic by going for a brisk walk outdoors then going inside and warming up a hot chocolate, turn to YouTube and stream the mini-carnival online. The theme is #ColdorNot and that is what you can do for this year’s Quebec Winter Carnival. Until 2022, when we will meet again. À bientôt.
Insider’s Tip: If you want a better idea of what fun activities you can try at the Quebec Winter Carnival, you can read my post here. On the same trip, I stayed at the Hotel de Glace, just outside of Quebec City in Valcartier. This is amazing and is worth a few days stay on its own.
The location of the Valcartier Resort is close enough to Quebec City that you can spend the day in Old Quebec taking in the festivities or go skiing at nearby Stonham Mountain. You can take a full online virtual tour of the Hotel de Glace and Village Valcartier with @DownshiftingPRO.
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