Old Quebec: the Christmas Market is in full swing despite the rain

The strong winds and rain have not slowed down the frenzy of the holiday season which is slowly settling into Old Quebec. The hotels were also full of die-hards who came to visit the German Christmas Market of Quebec (MNAQ) which was on its first weekend of activity in 2024.

“I had some fears myself, but it went very well. […] The temperature wasn’t too favorable, but there were a lot of people and that’s what counts. Despite everything, the atmosphere was very fun,” underlines the general director of MNAQ, Olivia Lexhaller.

Even though the snow is still pending, the exhibitors were also very happy to see that visitors took advantage of the opportunity to begin to soak up the magic of Christmas.

“Feedback from exhibitors has been very positive so far. They are very enthusiastic and just like us, they are very confident that this is only the beginning of a very good edition again this year,” adds M^me Lexhaller.

Visitors charmed

Passing through on Sunday, The Journal took the opportunity to collect some comments from visitors who seemed indeed charmed by this edition under the theme “Emotions and Traditions”, which will last until December 23.

“We come for our tour every year as a family. It’s always a great experience and it really puts us in the Christmas spirit. There is something for everyone and we always leave with a full stomach,” says Yves Jalbert in the company of his children.

“We have visited Christmas markets all over Quebec, but the one in Quebec is by far the most beautiful. Old Quebec is really the best place for an event like this and it’s done really well again this year,” adds Julien Bédard, passing through with his partner.

Only positives for the hotel industry

For his part, the general director of the Hotel Association of the Quebec region, Alupa Clarke presents very positive figures regarding the occupancy rate of hotels in Old Quebec while the latter was between 85 and 90 % this weekend.

“The Christmas Market is increasingly an important event for hoteliers and the fact that it starts five weeks before Christmas is good news because November is usually a dead month and this weekend was very good so it is certain that it has a link.

Number 1 destination in Canada in 2022 and 2023 from December 24 to 1^is January, Quebec could do it again this year while the figures are already very encouraging in terms of reservations for December.

“The outlook for December is very positive. Reservations still come in at an attractive rate. […] 41% of rooms in Quebec are reserved for the month of December compared to 43% on the same date last year,” he concluded.