Top 10 things to do during the holiday season in Quebec

The Holiday season is a truly special time in Québec. Snow transforms the landscapes, life slows down, and the desire to reconnect becomes stronger than ever. For many travelers, renting a cottage in Québec has become the best way to fully enjoy this magical time of year. A cottage offers comfort, privacy, and privileged access to the most beautiful winter experiences, unique to each region.

Here is our Top 10 list of activities to enjoy during the Holiday season, directly connected to inspiring Québec regions, to help you choose not just a cottage—but a complete and unforgettable experience.

1. Family Fun at Expérience Matha Tubing Park in Lanaudière

The holiday season is synonymous with children’s laughter and simple pleasures. In the Lanaudière region, Expérience Matha tubing park is one of the most popular family winter activities. Fast-paced runs, a festive atmosphere, and contagious energy create instant, unforgettable memories.

Renting a cottage in Lanaudière allows families to extend the joy of the day in a warm and cozy setting. After an exciting day outdoors, you return to the cottage, change into comfortable clothes, share a comforting meal, and enjoy the peacefulness of the forest. This region is ideal for combining organized winter activities with relaxed family time.

2. Relax at a Nordic Spa in the Heart of the Laurentians

The Laurentians are a top destination for travelers seeking both escape and relaxation. A visit to Strøm Nordic Spa Saint-Sauveur is often the highlight of a stay. Immersing yourself in warm water surrounded by snow and mountains creates an immediate sense of well-being.

By choosing a cottage rental in the Laurentians, visitors can easily balance relaxation with outdoor activities. Mornings are peaceful, afternoons can be active or restful, and evenings are spent unwinding by the fire. This region is perfect for couples as well as groups of friends.

3. Experience a Unique Nighttime Dog Sledding Adventure in Lanaudière

For travelers looking to experience something truly different, a nighttime dog sledding excursion with La Nocturne is an unforgettable adventure. Gliding through snow-covered forests under a star-filled sky creates a powerful sense of freedom and connection with nature that is hard to put into words.

This experience becomes even more meaningful when paired with a chalet stay. After the adventure, returning to a warm cottage rental in Québec offers pure comfort—warming up indoors, sharing stories, and reliving every memorable moment of the evening.

4. Discover Regional Flavours in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean

The holiday season is also the perfect time to explore Québec’s rich local food scene. In Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, a visit to Distillerie du Fjord adds a gourmet and distinctly local touch to any winter getaway. Their products, inspired by the Nordic climate, pair perfectly with a festive dinner enjoyed back at the cottage.

Staying in a cottage rental in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean allows travelers to fully immerse themselves in the region—spectacular landscapes, warm hospitality, and deeply rooted traditions. Evenings naturally stretch on, filled with conversation, laughter, and the comforting warmth of the fireplace.

5. Treat Yourself to a Spa Experience in Montérégie

Montérégie is an ideal destination for those looking to escape without traveling long distances. A day at Noah Spa fits perfectly into a winter getaway, offering a true moment of relaxation amid the holiday season’s excitement.

Renting a cottage in Montérégie allows you to enjoy this peaceful spa experience while staying close to home. It’s the perfect region for a short stay, a spontaneous escape, or a relaxing long weekend during the Holidays.

6. Enjoy Simple Pleasures Around the Cottage

The most precious memories are often created through the simplest moments. Skating as a family on a frozen lake near the cottage, improvising a game of hockey, or simply snowshoeing through the winter landscape quickly becomes the heart of the stay. These spontaneous activities require no complex planning—just the desire to spend time together.

In the evening, the outdoor fire becomes a natural gathering place. Everyone comes together to chat, laugh, and roast marshmallows. A tip that’s always a hit: bring flavored sausages for the fire pit. Kids love it, and even adults rediscover this simple pleasure, making winter evenings even more warm and memorable.

7. Creating New Holiday Traditions

Renting a cottage during the holiday season is a wonderful way to slow down and create new traditions. Families cook together, play board games, watch Christmas movies, and enjoy time without a tight schedule. These shared moments strengthen connections and give the holidays a deeper, more meaningful feel.

The cottage becomes a place to truly reconnect—away from daily obligations and constant noise. This is often why families choose to repeat the experience year after year, turning a simple cottage stay in Quebec into a cherished holiday tradition.

8. Ski and Take in the Stunning Landscapes of Charlevoix

Charlevoix offers some of the most spectacular winter scenery in Québec. Nestled between the St. Lawrence River and the mountains, the region is a top destination for alpine skiing and cross-country skiing, especially around Mont-Sainte-Anne.

Renting a cottage in Charlevoix during the holiday season allows you to combine outdoor adventure, breathtaking panoramas, and peaceful relaxation. After a day on the slopes, returning to the comfort of a warm cottage, enjoying a hearty meal, and taking in the incredible views creates the perfect winter holiday experience.

9. Explore Christmas Villages and Holiday Markets in the Eastern Townships

The Eastern Townships are known for their charming villages and warm, festive atmosphere during the holiday season. Christmas decorations, holiday markets, local boutiques, and cozy cafés create an inviting and magical setting that truly captures the spirit of the holidays.

Staying in a cottage rental in the Eastern Townships allows travelers to explore these villages at a relaxed pace while still enjoying the surrounding nature. It’s the perfect region for those who love combining cultural discoveries, local gastronomy, and peaceful moments of relaxation in a winter setting.

10. Observe Winter Nature on the Côte-Nord or in Abitibi

For travelers seeking a complete change of scenery, some of Québec’s more remote regions offer a truly unique holiday experience. The Côte-Nord and Abitibi allow visitors to witness winter nature in all its splendor—vast open spaces, deep forests, and absolute silence.

Renting a cottage in these regions becomes a true winter retreat. Life slows down, moments of reflection take over, and connection with nature becomes central. These stays are especially appealing to those looking to fully unplug and experience a different kind of Christmas, far from the crowds.

The Holiday Season Starts in a Cottage

No matter which region you choose, renting a cottage during the holiday season is the perfect way to experience Québec differently. From family activities and relaxation to cultural discoveries and simple pleasures, each region offers its own unique kind of magic.

👉 Explore cottages for rent by region on Chottage Discount.
👉 Browse our last-minute cottage deals.
👉 Get inspired by our blog articles and enjoy unforgettable experiences with exclusive discounts offered by our tourism partners.