12 activities in Quebec for some family fun during the 2025 holiday break

The holiday break is just around the corner! Finally…a chance to breathe, relax and spend time with family. See it as a blank page, but don’t just fill it with activities for the sake of keeping busy – instead take the opportunity to write in beautiful moments of reconnection with family, away from your screens.

Whether you're already in planning mode or looking for last-minute inspiration, check out our ideas and create moments of togetherness during your holiday break. 

At museums: arts, games… and animal athletes!

Many museums in Quebec are putting together special programs to entertain their youngest visitors during the holidays.

At the Sherbrooke Museum of Nature and Science, kids will get to learn about how animals jump, slide and put their athletic abilities to good use during winter through a series of fun challenges. This special activity is available from December 20, 2025, to January 5, 2026.

In Québec City, the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec will be presenting Snakes and Mosaics, a special tour that will guide children ages 6 to 12 (and their families) through the featured exhibition about artist Niki de Saint Phalle with observation games and creative activities. December 23, 2025, to January 4, 2026.

At the McCord Stewart Museum in Montreal, let your creativity run wild at the Àdìrẹ: Dye It Yourself workshop, a family activity that will involve crafting paper garments clothing using àdìrẹ, a traditional Nigerian indigo-resist dyeing technique. December 20, 2025, to January 4, 2026. You can also stop by the Ogilvy’s Christmas mechanical window displays to soak up the holiday spirit until January 11.

On the slopes: special events at ski resorts

Winter sports enthusiasts, get ready for an action-packed holiday season on the slopes of Quebec's downhill ski resorts!

At Mont SUTTON, the holiday season at the mountain program (December 20, 2025 to January 4, 2026) includes Christmas camps, a festive rally, live music, torchlit trails and more! You could also take the opportunity to try a new activity: the yooner!

Outdoor games and themed activities will also be on the agenda at Bromont, montagne d’expériences, boasting a whole holiday entertainment calendar includes visits from Santa Claus, hunting for mischievous elves, snow Olympics, lucky snowflake hunts and more (December 20, 2025, to January 4, 2026).

At night: luminous places to visit

From nighttime light trails, some of which will be open during the holiday season, to temporary installations that brighten up the darkness of winter, these attractions are sure to fill you with wonder!

Whether it's your first visit or you’ve been before and are looking for a good reason to go back, Sentier des cimes Laurentides invites families to discover the brand-new Lumagica experience at nightfall, when the wooden walkway and its panoramic tower will be lit up to create a truly magical atmosphere! Coming December 12, 2025!

Illuminated houses, inviting entertainment, games of all kinds, walks in the woods, tasty treats… at the Illuminated Village in Drummondville, the festive atmosphere is at its peak! Experience the magic of Christmases past at this iconic living history museum on Saturdays, December 6 and 13, as well as from December 20 to 31, 2025 (except December 25).

The lavender gardens at Jardins Arômes et Saveurs in Sainte-Mélanie, Lanaudière will be illuminated until January 3, 2026. Load up on Christmas magic with torch-lit trails, a walk in the forest and a fun rally (not to mention a detour to the shop) that kids and parents will love!

At the theatre: from tried-and-true classics to imaginative new shows

From holiday classics to more offbeat experiences, the mid-to-late-December calendar is packed with shows that will dazzle young and old alike!

Décembre, Québec Issime's grand Christmas musical fresco, returns to Montreal's Salle Pierre-Mercure from December 12 to 30, 2025. With 12 scenes rich with emotion and a whirlwind of songs, music and dance, this epic show enhances the holiday season with a sprinkle of magic!

A true seasonal staple, The Nutcracker, featuring 165 performers, will be presented again by Les Grands Ballets Canadiens at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier at Place des Arts. Don't miss it from December 12 to 30, 2025!

Do you love classics? After its popular success at La Scala in Paris, Le Petit Prince (show in French) will be coming to Québec City, at the Louis-Fréchette Hall of the Grand Théâtre, for three performances on December 29 and 30, 2025. With its magical set design and animated universe, this production promises to enchant you!

And for some laughs, check out the highly acrobatic Action!, a new creation by Théâtre à Tempo presented at TOHU in Montreal. This show set during the filming of a 1960s television show combines touching moments and hilarious absurdities. Kids and parents alike are sure to love it! From December 11 to 14 and December 20 to 30, 2025 (except December 23-25).

Bonus idea: why not make it a full holiday getaway?

Treat the family to a couple of nights away and create even more memories! Several offers and packages for families allow you to maximize your vacation budget and enjoy festive activities!

The Hilton Québec is one hotel in the province going all out with a holiday schedule that promises to appeal to all ages: a hot chocolate bar, a mischievous elf hunt, swimming under falling snowflakes, live music and festive meals!

In the Eastern Townships, Jouvence invites you to enjoy an all-inclusive winter experience with its Holiday Celebration Club Formula, available from December 23, 2025, to January 1, 2026. The program is packed with activities that will keep the whole family entertained, and the staff will be looking after the kids for at least two hours a day, giving parents a chance to relax on their own!

Want to enjoy a true change of scenery? You can completely unwind in the heart of nature at the Ermitage Saint-Antoine in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean. Torchlit hikes, festive New Year's Eve celebrations, Christmas concerts and more are on the holiday calendar from December 22 to 29, 2025!