Écodici

Québec City German Christmas Market: wooden chalets and glühwein in Old Québec

From November 19 to December 23, 2026, the German Christmas market sets up its wooden stalls on five illuminated sites in Old Québec, mostly from Thursday to Sunday. More than a hundred exhibitors, most of them Quebec artisans and producers, share the space with glühwein, pretzels and stollen.

Page updated on October 15, 2026 · Has something changed? Let us know

← All public markets and Christmas markets · Capitale-Nationale

Every late fall, Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville and its surroundings take on the look of a German Christmas market. The Marché de Noël allemand de Québec (MNAQ) is an initiative of the Communauté allemande de Québec, the city's German community: it was born from the wish of a group of German women to share the traditions of their home country with their adopted city. Admission is free.

The event has grown a lot. The first edition, in 2008, lasted a single afternoon in a packed parish hall. The market moved to Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville in 2011, passed the 100,000-visitor mark in 2015 and welcomed about 680,000 visitors in 2019, according to the organizers. It is a member of the Regroupement des marchés de Noël du Québec.

Wooden stalls, glühwein and local artisans

The market brings together more than a hundred exhibitors (more than 125, according to the organization's About page). Most are Quebec artisans and producers, alongside exhibitors from Germany and elsewhere in Europe and exclusive German imports. For treats, expect glühwein, pretzels, stollen and other German and Alsatian specialties, served among other places at the Aux Traditions d'Alsace restaurant (counter service). The 2026 exhibitor list is to be announced this fall.

The organizers also highlight their entertainment: a parade of giant puppets on Rue Saint-Jean, meetings with Saint Nicholas and his Krampus, alphorns and choirs. Children can meet Santa Claus at the Château de Noël on Place d'Armes, and watch puppet shows or join free craft workshops at the Kinderchalet Ravensburger.

2026 dates and hours

The MNAQ returns from November 19 to December 23, 2026, according to its official website. It is open Thursday to Sunday: from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, except on Sunday, December 20, when it stays open until 9 p.m. It is closed Monday to Wednesday, except during the final week: Monday, December 21 and Tuesday, December 22, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Wednesday, December 23, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. It is closed on December 24, 25 and 26.

To avoid the crowds, the organizers suggest coming on a Thursday or Friday, especially if you use a wheelchair, push a stroller or bring your dog (leashed dogs are allowed on all sites).

Good to know: sites, transportation and sustainability

The market spreads over five sites: the Marktplatz (Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville), the Rathausgarten (Jardins de l'Hôtel-de-Ville), the Kirchgasse (behind Holy Trinity Cathedral and on Rue Sainte-Anne), the Château de Noël (Place d'Armes) and the Bergdorf, an Alpine village (Place D'Youville). Since parking spaces fill up quickly, the organizers recommend the bus: RTC route 11, which is wheelchair accessible, stops in front of City Hall, and routes 800, 801 and 807 go to the Place D'Youville terminus. STAC paratransit can drop passengers off on Rue Sainte-Anne. Most facilities are wheelchair accessible, but not the Kinderchalet (stairs). The accessible washrooms are those in the City Hall parking garage, with an entrance on Rue des Jardins. Bring some cash: some exhibitors don't take cards.

The MNAQ also publishes a sustainability report. It has 100,000 reusable deposit cups in circulation (68,327 were washed on site in 2025), reuses 95% of its decorative fir trees, notably to produce essential oils, redistributes its food surplus and offset 33 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent in 2025. It holds Biosphere certification and level 3 of the BNQ 9700-253 standard for responsible event management. Still, bring your own mug and reusable bags, as Destination Québec cité suggests.

Practical info

  • Address: Old Québec, Québec (Québec): Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville and Jardins de l'Hôtel-de-Ville (2, rue des Jardins), Place d'Armes, Rue Sainte-Anne and the courtyard behind Holy Trinity Cathedral, Place D'Youville
  • Region: Capitale-Nationale
  • Type: Christmas market
  • Season and hours: From November 19 to December 23, 2026. Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (December 20: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.). Closed Monday to Wednesday, except December 21 and 22 (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.) and December 23 (11 a.m. to 8 p.m.). Free admission.
  • 2026 holiday season: From November 19 to December 23, 2026. Closed December 24, 25 and 26.
  • Phone: 418 563-5014 (number listed by Sortir au Québec; the official website offers a contact form instead)
  • Website: mnaq.ca

Market dates and hours change from year to year, and the weather can force a cancellation. Check the official website before you go. Information verified on October 15, 2026.

Sources

Has something changed?

Market hours and dates change often. If you spot an error or a change on this page, let us know: we check every report before correcting the page.

Report an error or a change

Your email is only used to reply about this report. It is never published.