Winter doesn’t just mean the “big” holidays, it is also a time where all over the world, local holidays, festivals and gatherings dominate the chilly season and fill it with a special warmth. Exploring these local traditions and celebrations with your children can be great fun and extend the holiday cheer past December.

Quebec City, Canada is simply beautiful in winter, as well as easy to get to from points in the United States. Their annual Winter Carnival is just another reason (albeit a fantastic one) to bring the family to the heart of French Canada soon.

This year it runs from January 30 – February 15, 2015

There are a ton of great activities including parades on the first and second nights, a spectacular ice palace and impressive ice sculptures, as well as ice skating and other active pursuits for families. You can take in a sleigh race, a canoe race or even get your own ride on a dog sled. The festival also features fireworks, animation, shows, arts & crafts and workshops to engage children. See their guide to family activities and preliminary schedule of events. Bring the children and say hello to Bonhomme Carnaval, the playful mascot of an event filled with family fun and winter wonderment.

Tickets should be purchased in advance. There are an incredible number of events and activities, and prices vary greatly depending on what you would like to do. Read the brochure for an overview and to decide what you may be interested in.

To learn more about the event, visit the Carnival’s useful Tourist Information page or download the Free App!

And to help you save money on a family adventure in Quebec City, check out some of these great deals. Please note, that all deals are current as of the date this article was published but some do expire. Please see the applicable website for terms, conditions and restrictions.

Save up to 30% with last minute travel deals with Expedia in Canada
Get Car Rentals in Canada at great prices with Hertz
Also check out Great Quebec Hotel Deals from Hotels.com

Also be sure to check out our great itinerary for Quebec City (we also have some for nearby Montreal) and read our similar tip aboutChicago’s winter festival.

Please note that some of the links included in this piece are affiliate links and in such case, Real Family Trips will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on the link.