Quebec Winter Carnival

winter festival · Canada · celebration · ice

A frosty fiesta. The Quebec Winter Carnival is a huge celebration held every year in Quebec City, Canada, right before spring arrives. It's been happening since 1955 and draws crowds of up to one million people who love winter fun.

Meet Bonhomme. The festival's friendly mascot is Bonhomme Carnaval, a giant snowman character who first appeared in 1955. Kids and grown-ups love spotting Bonhomme and taking pictures with him during the festivities.

World's biggest winter party. The Quebec Winter Carnival holds the title of the largest winter festival in the entire Western Hemisphere. In 2006, it attracted about one million visitors, making it an incredible celebration of snow and ice.

Before spring begins. The carnival happens before Lent, which is a special time in many Christian traditions. People gather to have fun and celebrate winter before the season changes.

Over a century of celebration. While the festival has roots going back to 1894, it became a regular annual event in 1955. That's when it truly became the amazing winter tradition people love today.