The German Christmas Market of Québec (Marché de Noël allemand de Québec) returns from November 19 to December 23, 2026. It opens Thursday to Sunday, plus Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, December 21, 22 and 23, and, according to the organizer, it spreads across five sites in Old Québec. If you are coming as a family or a group of up to six, there is another option than two or three hotel rooms: a whole house on Île d'Orléans, about 25 minutes by car from Old Québec. La Petite École, in Saint-Laurent, has a wood fireplace, a full kitchen and a view of the St. Lawrence.
Who the house makes sense for during the market
La Petite École is not a downtown address and does not try to be one. It works best if this sounds like you:
- A family or a group of up to 6 who would rather share one whole house than split into hotel rooms: two bedrooms (one bed for two in the first; a double bed and two single beds in the second) and 1.5 bathrooms.
- People who want the fire at the end of the day — the living room has a wood fireplace, for the evening after a few hours outside in the cold.
- Travellers who like to cook — the kitchen is fully equipped, so breakfast and a dinner or two can happen at home.
- Drivers who are fine with about 25 minutes each way to Old Québec. Parking at the house is free.
It is probably not the right fit if you want to walk back to your bed after the market closes, or if you are travelling with a pet: no animals are allowed, and the house is non-smoking. If walking matters most, see the option further down this page.
Getting to the market and parking
From the house, count about 15 minutes to the bridge and the Québec City limits, and about 25 minutes to Old Québec. Once you are in town, here is what the organizer suggests on the “How to get there” page of mnaq.ca:
- Public transit is strongly encouraged. The RTC (Québec City's transit network) runs free park-and-ride lots around the city. Bus route 11 stops in front of City Hall, right at the market, and routes 800, 801 and 807 serve the Place D'Youville terminal or a nearby street.
- Street parking: paid metered spots surround the market.
- Underground lots (paid): Hôtel de Ville de Québec (2, rue des Jardins), Maison Beaucours (39, rue Saint-Louis), Hôtel-Dieu de Québec (1, rue de l'Arsenal) and Place D'Youville (965, place D'Youville).
- Reduced mobility: the paratransit service (STAC) can drop passengers off on rue Sainte-Anne, next to the market.
The market is spread over five sites — Place D'Youville, Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville, the Jardins de l'Hôtel-de-Ville, the courtyard of Holy Trinity Cathedral with rue Sainte-Anne, and Place d'Armes — so the simplest plan is to park once and walk between them. Check mnaq.ca before you leave: the organizer's information takes precedence over this page.
A market day from the island
Morning — Breakfast at the house, coffee by the fire. Leave around 10:30 to arrive for the 11 a.m. opening.
11 a.m. to late afternoon — Walk the five sites at your own pace, with breaks in Old Québec along the way.
Evening — Dinner in Old Québec, or back on the island to cook. Thursday to Saturday the market stays open until 9 p.m.; on Sunday it closes at 6 p.m., except on Sunday, December 20, when it stays open until 9 p.m. (organizer's schedule on mnaq.ca).
Night — About 25 minutes back to the island, and the fire.
Book Christmas market week
Market dates: November 19 to December 23, 2026 (Thursday to Sunday, plus December 21–23).
Book direct (15% off)The last days of the market: December 19 to 23
The market's final stretch is the easiest one to plan a stay around. Saturday, December 19 and Sunday, December 20 are market days (that Sunday it stays open until 9 p.m.), then the market adds Monday 21, Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23: five days in a row. That window lines up with the free dates shown just below: arrive on Saturday, December 19 (check-in from 4 p.m.) and leave on Wednesday, December 23 (check-out by 11 a.m.). The market opens at 11 a.m. that Wednesday and closes at 8 p.m., so a last visit fits on the way out. It is a way to see the market and get the family together before Christmas Eve. When you book direct, cancellation is free up to 5 days before arrival.
🎄 Before Christmas: the whole house for the family
As of November 4, the house was still open for arrival on Saturday, December 19 and departure on Wednesday, December 23: the whole house, 15 minutes from Québec City, to get together before Christmas Eve.
Read from the live booking calendar.
Prefer to walk to the market?
If being able to walk to and from the market matters more than a fireplace on the island, look at Le Caïman: two furnished condos in Saint-Roch, each for up to 6, about a 15- to 20-minute walk from the market. Details here: where to stay for the German Christmas Market in Québec City.
FAQ
When is the Quebec German Christmas Market 2026?
From November 19 to December 23, 2026. It opens Thursday to Sunday, plus Monday, December 21, Tuesday, December 22 and Wednesday, December 23. Hours on the organizer's schedule: Thursday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (except Sunday, December 20: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.), December 21 and 22 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., December 23 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Check mnaq.ca before you go.
Where is the market held?
In Old Québec. According to the organizer, it spreads across five sites: Place D'Youville, Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville, the Jardins de l'Hôtel-de-Ville, the courtyard of Holy Trinity Cathedral with rue Sainte-Anne, and Place d'Armes.
How far is La Petite École from the market?
About 25 minutes by car from Old Québec, and about 15 minutes to the bridge and the Québec City limits. Parking at the house is free.
Where can I park near the market?
According to the organizer, public transit is strongly encouraged: the RTC runs free park-and-ride lots around the city, and bus route 11 stops in front of City Hall. Otherwise, there is paid metered street parking around the market and paid underground lots nearby: Hôtel de Ville de Québec (2, rue des Jardins), Maison Beaucours (39, rue Saint-Louis), Hôtel-Dieu de Québec (1, rue de l'Arsenal) and Place D'Youville (965, place D'Youville).
Can I stay within walking distance of the market instead?
Yes. Le Caïman, two furnished condos in Saint-Roch that also sleep up to 6, is about a 15- to 20-minute walk from the market.
One last detail, for history lovers: the house dates from 1839.
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