5 free activities for New Year’s Eve in Quebec

Goodbye 2025… hello 2026! Feel like celebrating the New Year in style without breaking the bank? In different regions of Quebec, major cities and destinations are inviting everybody for some free New Year’s Eve fun. Check out our suggestions and get ready for some dancing, music and magical moments!

December 31st in Montreal’s Old Port

To mark the transition to 2026, head over to the Old Port of Montreal to enjoy the electrifying atmosphere under the starry sky. The special Grand Minuit event will start at 7:30 p.m. and everyone is welcome (from grandchildren to great-grandparents!) You can expect the traditional countdown and an exceptional outdoor show to signal the arrival of the new year. And the best part? Access to this memorable evening is completely free, and it's easy to get there by public transit! Get your winter clothes ready and switch into celebration mode!

Keep things fiery for New Year’s at Centropolis Laval!

Once again this year, Centropolis' Place Centrale will come alive at 10 p.m. with a festive New Year's Eve event that will culminate in a spectacular countdown. To make the most of the occasion, consider booking a table as soon as possible (several restaurants in Laval are offering New Year's Eve specials) that way you'll get a front-row seat to the celebrations and you’ll make your evening even better with a succulent meal. 

Be part of an electrifying evening in Québec City

Québec City also closes the year on a high note with a festive get-together! Start the day with a stroll through the charming Petit-Champlain district to admire the holiday decorations around the stores and the Place Royale square. Next, head to Grande-Allée Street for the Toboggan festival, which brings the city to life. In the afternoons, starting at 1 p.m., classic holiday movies will be shown on a giant screen. In the evening, the SiriusXM Stage becomes the focal point of the celebration with electronic performances, lighting effects and pyrotechnics creating an electrifying atmosphere that will thrill the crowd. And on the evening of the 31st, you're invited to dance to the traditional rhythms of the band La Déferlance and singer-songwriter Jérôme 50. 

Enjoy top-tier entertainment in Mont-Tremblant

How about starting 2026 in a charming mountain village and ski resort? If this sounds like your kind of thing, plan a trip to Mont-Tremblant! Immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere of Place Saint-Bernard starting at 8 p.m. with the traditional music of the band RÉVEILLONS. Then head to the foot of the slopes where guest DJ Christian Alarie will have you dancing under the stars. Don't miss the spectacular LED torchlight descent that illuminates the mountain, as well as the drone show happening right before the stroke of midnight. And after the countdown? The party goes on until 1 a.m. in the pedestrian village, which will be in top party mode. An unforgettable celebration to launch 2026 in style!

Take the family out for holiday magic in Sherbrooke

Looking for an original, laid-back activity to celebrate New Year's Eve at your own pace? Sherbrooke is the place to go for young families! Let the kids unleash their inner detectives and go hunting for elves that are hidden in the CentrÔville downtown area. This activity, offered from November 22, 2025, to January 5, 2026, invites you to solve puzzles and win prizes! Sherbrooke also offers various other activities as part of the Lights on Sherbrooke program, allowing you to enjoy the festive and warm atmosphere and create beautiful memories with family!

Looking for more ideas? We have more suggestions for where to go to celebrate the New Year in Quebec!