Plan your stay

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Plan your stay —  Q&A

Frequently asked questions

The 72nd edition of the Quebec Winter Carnival will be held from February 6 to 15, 2026.

The Québec Winter Carnival sites (excluding Gougoune et doudoune) will be open from February 6 to 15, 2026, according to the following schedule:

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Friday, February 6 — 5 PM → 11 PM

Saturday, February 7 — 10 AM → 11 PM
Sunday, February 8 — 10 AM → 8 PM

Monday, February 9 — 12 PM → 8 PM
Tuesday, February 10 — 12 PM → 8 PM
Wednesday, February 11 — 12 PM → 8 PM
Thursday, February 12 — 12 PM → 8 PM (except the Loto-Québec Zone, which will close at 11 PM)

Friday, February 13 — 12 PM → 11 PM
Saturday, February 14 — 10 AM → 11 PM
Sunday, February 15 — 10 AM → 6 PM

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Gougoune et doudoune will operate from February 6 to 15 according to this schedule:

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Friday, February 6 — 12 PM → 5 PM
Saturday, February 7 — 10 AM → 5 PM
Sunday, February 8 — 10 AM → 5 PM
Monday, February 9 — 12 PM → 5 PM
Tuesday, February 10 — 12 PM → 5 PM
Wednesday, February 11 — 12 PM → 5 PM
Thursday, February 12 — 12 PM → 5 PM
Friday, February 13 — 12 PM → 5 PM
Saturday, February 14 — 10 AM → 5 PM
Sunday, February 15 — 10 AM → 5 PM

Including February 21, 22, 28 and March 1 to 8 — 10 AM → 5 PM

The Effigy is the official pass for the Québec Winter Carnival. Made in Québec from recycled maple-sap tubing, it gives you access to a host of activities.

The Effigy also gives you access to a booklet of winter discounts with 18 coupons valid at several local businesses, along with additional deals and perks available at many events across Québec City during the winter season.

Moreover, the Effigy is not required for children aged 12 and under.

Several new features and ticketed activities will be offered during the 2026 Carnival:

 

  • The Scotiabank Ice Sculpture Workshops

  • The All-Nighter presented by Pop Underwear

  • A country dance session at the Voltigeurs de Québec Armoury

  • Our four musical evenings, including the After-Parade

  • Cayo Carnaval at the Spa des Neiges

  • The St-Hubert Snow Bath

  • The Government of Québec Ice Canoe Race

  • The Night Parades

  • And the Abseiling down the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac!

  • To access our ticketing page, click here!

Vidéotron, proud partner of the Québec Winter Carnival, wants to make your Carnival experience even more memorable by offering services and thoughtful touches that meet your needs and expectations.

    • Vidéotron Information Booth: Here to answer your questions.

    • Lost Children Program: Visit the information booth or any ticket booth to get an identification slip for your child. Write down your name and phone number so you can be reached easily if you become separated.

    • Vidéotron Shuttles: The Vidéotron Shuttles are available to help you travel between Upper Town and Espace Quatre Cents (Gougoune et doudoune).

    • Vidéotron Heated Zone: A warm space available for you to warm up and keep the festivities going!

Access to the Gougoune et doudoune site is free.

However, if you wish to take part in the activities after the Carnival, you will need to purchase a pass. The Carnival Effigy does not grant access to the activities, even during the Carnival period.

DAILY PASS
Anyone measuring more than 1 meter: $15 + tax

SEASON PASS
Anyone measuring more than 1 meter: $35 + tax

OR show your Effigy and get the season pass for $25!

To learn more, click here!

Absolutely! When purchasing 10 Effigies or more, the rate is $36 + taxes (instead of the regular $39 + taxes).

For groups and tour operators, we also offer custom corporate packages tailored to your needs.

Contact us at audrey.lavoie@carnaval.qc.ca.

The Carnival accommodates a range of budgets, including free activities such as the Night Parades and the Canoe Race. The program offers activities at various price points. Consult the program to learn more.
All purchases of Effigies, ticketed activities and merch are not refundable, exchangeable or transferrable. Consult the purchase policy for more details.
Smoking is prohibited on the Carnival sites.
Pets are not allowed on Carnival site, except for assistance dogs.
All methods of payment in cash and/or by debit/credit card (except American Express) are accepted on the Carnival sites.
Bonhomme is happy to visit schools, daycares, hospitals, etc. For any request, please contact: agenda.bonhomme@carnaval.qc.ca
The Réseau de transport de la Capitale (RTC) serves the Carnival sites. For those who are further away, we recommend carpooling through the AmigoExpress platform.

All our sites are accessible to people with reduced mobility. However, there is no specific adapted access to our outdoor sites.

We clear pathways to all activities for safety and accessibility purposes. People with reduced mobility may enter the sites, but the access routes may still be difficult to navigate. We strongly recommend that individuals with reduced mobility be accompanied.

Companions may enter the sites and musical evenings free of charge when the person with reduced mobility has their Effigy.

Recommended drop-off points (STAQ):

Main sites (Place de l’Assemblée, Parc de la Francophonie, Place d’Youville)

  • Wilfred-Laurier & Georges-Est (via Avenue Taché or Cour du Général-de-Montcalm)

  • D’Auteuil & Grande Allée

  • Place d’Youville

Note: On weekdays, when the pedestrian zone is not in effect, you may get closer to the sites depending on current traffic signage.

The Effigy is not required for children of 12 years old and under.    
The Quebec Winter Carnival offers its own food offerings at its sites to meet your needs. You can find these offerings at the Bistro SAQ, Chalet La Souche, the Queue de Castor food truck, the BBQ Géant Le Braisé, the Kraft food truck located on Grande-Allée, and on some slopes in the Cité de glisse. While the Carnival permits snacks and non-alcoholic beverages on its sites, it is prohibited to consume them in the food service areas.
All activities will still take place in case of snow shower, as long as there is no danger for the safety of visitors.
Carnival products act as firm sales. In the event that the product purchased is defective, please communicate to the following address: boutique@carnaval.qc.ca, then return your item to us at 205, boulevard des Cèdres, Québec, QC, G1L 1N8, during business hours. opening.
During Carnival, lost items must be taken to the Information Booth, in front of the Loto-Québec Zone, at the corner of Grande-Allée/Honoré Mercier. At the end of the Carnival, all unclaimed items will be returned to the Carnival reception. The Effigy is non-refundable, we invite you to consult our purchasing policy on this subject, here.
During the Carnival, lost items should be brought to the Information Cabin, in front of the Zone Loto-Québec, at the corner of Grande-Allée/Honoré Mercier. At the end of the Carnival, all unclaimed items will be handed over to the Carnival reception. If you have lost an item on one of our sites, please send an email to reception@carnaval.qc.ca with the following information: First name, last name, phone number, email address, date of loss, and detailed description of the item.
We are implementing several actions to minimize our environmental impact. Additionally, we are very proud to have obtained the Biosphere Certification in 2024.
  • Recycling of residual materials sent to the City of Québec's biomethanation plant;
  • Effigy made from recycled maple syrup tubing, making it a 100% Québec product;
  • Merchandise mostly sourced from Québec, identified as Made in Québec;
  • Winter bike parking;
  • Option to offset carbon emissions when purchasing the Effigy;
  • Ecocups with recycling bins;
  • Consignaction boxes (can deposit).
• Alcohol and drugs or related paraphernalia ; • Chairs ; • Edged weapons or blunt objects ; • Pets (excepting assistance dogs) ; • Sticks, balls or balloons of any type ; • Glass or metal container ; • Video equipment, audio recording, professional cameras or drones ; • Fireworks or firecrackers ; • Large “Golf” type umbrella ; • Large “camping” style backpacks ; • Objects intended for sale/promotion, except with the written and signed permission of the Carnaval de Québec ; • Camera stands, selfie sticks, tripods or similar items ; • Laser pointers.
Not only is Bonhomme unique, but he is also made of pure snow! As expected, there are no Bonhomme costumes available for sale or rent. For any other souvenirs of the Quebec Winter Carnival, we invite you to visit the Carnival boutique on Grande Allée, the Bonhomme Palace, Gougoune and Doudoune M. Christie, or to shop online on our website.
Do not hesitate to visit the websites of Destination Québec cité, Aboriginal Tourism, Wendake Tourism and Jacques-Cartier Tourism to prepare your stay. For any questions regarding the Carnival call 1 866 422-7628 Finally, we offer an information booth at the corner of Grande Allée and Honoré-Mercier Avenue.
You can purchase Effigies keychains at any time from our online store for $3.   You can call 418-626-3716 or email boutique@carnaval.qc.ca to make a request.   For instance, some school boards want to have Effigies to organize a Carnival in their schools. Effigies are also collected by certain individuals.
Game books are available on our website in the Teacher section. Simply print and photocopy them for your students. You can also order old Effigies and posters by writing to boutique@carnaval.qc.ca. You will need to cover a cost of $0.75 per old Effigy, as well as the shipping fees.
On our Online Store.