5 Reasons to Spend Thanksgiving in Québec City

Only a few hours by car (or plane) from Eastern USA, Québec City is a little piece of Europe in the heart of Eastern Canada. Discover over four-hundred years of history as you explore Old Québec. Far cheaper than a roundtrip ticket to Europe, not to mention the ability to spend less time on a plane and more time exploring, eating and exploring some more.

And here’s something you might not know: 2025 marks the 250^th anniversary of the American Invasion of Québec—a chapter of history many people have never heard of. Two special exhibitions bring this story to life: one at the Plains of Abraham Museum, and another at Îlot des Palais, each offering a fascinating look at this surprising connection between our countries. You can also dive deeper into this history by joining the Québec 1608 private guided walking tour, which retraces key moments and places linked to the 1775–76 invasion.

My favourite thing to do in Québec City is to wake up early and stroll the streets of Old Québec. It makes you feel like you are in a fairytale!

- Marisa Mercanti-Gagnon, The Daydream Diaries

Meet Santa Claus and listen to Christmas music at the German Christmas Market, a charming annual tradition that amps up the city’s European charm. Shop for festive decorations and gifts, try traditional German foods, sip mulled wine and listen to live performances. A lovely way to spend a few hours in Old Québec. What's next? Stop by in a cute café for a deliciously rich chocolat chaud (hot chocolate). Yum!

This year, swap your traditional dinner for our delicious Québécois cuisine. You won't regret it! Québec City is known for its amazing food scene and its incredible fine dining restaurants.

Spend an amazing evening with your friends or family over traditional Québécois dishes like tourtière at Restaurant Aux Anciens Canadiens or La Bûche. For a dining experience you’re not likely to forget, try La Tanière³ or Chez Boulay - bistro boréal. Don’t forget to reserve early as these trendy restaurants fill up quickly! 

A vacation is not a vacation until you make time to relax, and in Québec City one of the best ways to relax is to visit a Nordic spa. Spend a morning or afternoon getting a massage and enjoy the benefits of thermotherapy with hot pools, steam baths, dry saunas, infrared saunas, relaxation areas, cold baths, waterfalls and river.

Black Friday is often seen as an intense day, with people waking up before sunrise, hunting for online deals, and rushing to make purchases before items sell out. While it can be exciting, it’s not without its stress. Unless, of course, you take advantage of the favourable exchange rate and do all of your Black Friday shopping in Québec City. Shop at Québec boutiques on rue du Petit-Champlain or rue Saint-Jean. Of course, Black Friday deals can also be found at big brand stores and in shopping malls.

Are you ready to spend time with your friends or family, skip the shopping lines, and plan a trip to Québec City? French Canada awaits to make your holiday journey a special one.