The WPJ
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Quebec City's Winter Carnival
Every winter, the people of Quebec City throw one of the world's great parties. And they invite the rest of the world to join in.
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For the past 58 Februarys, they've transformed the alleys and squares of this 16-Century French-speaking city into the Quebec Winter Carnival. For its 59th edition, the Carnival has come up with some very-cool new experiences, and some re-inventions of the traditional ones. And from February 1-17, this city will come alive with color and food and snow-sculptures and just-plain-fun.
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In 2013, the Québec Winter Carnival will offer four new activities around town, among them Lumocite, a spectacular urban mapping course worked around a winter theme. On the nights of Feb. 6-9, the city - which is the capital of Quebec Province - will light up its architectural treasures, with the help of multimedia teams from around the world. These teams will play incredible light-tricks on buildings such as the Palais Montcalm, Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral, and the historic Fortifications of the Plains of Abraham - simultaneously. (And, next year, this event will become an international competition.)
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Place George-V, in front of the old Armoury, is introducing the Brassee Du Carnaval. Here, from February 7-10, the products of Quebec microbreweries will create a giant winter party.
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This year, Bonhomme Carnival, the buttoned-up snowman mascot of the Festival, will get his own statue, right in front of the National Assembly Parliament Building. But it won't be of bronze.Â
This 24-feet-high structure will be made of aluminum parts...and beautiful light effects will bring the statue to life; he'll even change in front of onlookers as they walk by. Â
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Also new this year is the Loto-Québec Zone, on the Plains of Abraham overlooking the St. Lawrence Seaway. The Zone will become a giant outdoor nightclub for these 17 days, with a new layout that includes the Dome Disco, plenty of ice bars, the revitalizing Arctic Village spas, and braziers for warmth.
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This is the site of Bonhomme Carnival's palace, with a snow-sculpture that's 36-feet wide and 10-feet high - the largest ever created at the Carnival. The Festival's opening ceremony will take place on the Palace stage, with fireworks and music, followed by 16 more nights of partying here. Â
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This being Quebec, it would hardly be Carnival without ice-sculptures all over town. Thirty of them, by renowned ice-artist Laurent Godon, will adorn the streets of the Place Royale sector.
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One of the best things about Quebec Winter Carnival is Quebec City itself. The twenty-foot- wide fortress walls. The 16th-Century Old Town at the bottom of the cliffs overlooking the St. Lawrence, its cobblestone streets and squares festooned with colorful banners. The wonderful bistros of the majestic street known as The Grande Allee, which take on a warm, intimate glow in winter. The tram ride from the New City down to the Old. The majestic government buildings with their statues in front. The lights of the Old City sprinkling on at sunset. The green-turreted Chateau Frontenac, one of the most magnificent hotels in the world, overlooking the St. Lawrence. And the Laurentian Mountains in the distance.Â
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Winter may be a hardship where you are. But in Quebec City, it's the biggest party of the year!
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Also new this year is the Loto-Québec Zone, on the Plains of Abraham overlooking the St. Lawrence Seaway. The Zone will become a giant outdoor nightclub for these 17 days, with a new layout that includes the Dome Disco, plenty of ice bars, the revitalizing Arctic Village spas, and braziers for warmth.
Â
This is the site of Bonhomme Carnival's palace, with a snow-sculpture that's 36-feet wide and 10-feet high - the largest ever created at the Carnival. The Festival's opening ceremony will take place on the Palace stage, with fireworks and music, followed by 16 more nights of partying here. Â
Â
This being Quebec, it would hardly be Carnival without ice-sculptures all over town. Thirty of them, by renowned ice-artist Laurent Godon, will adorn the streets of the Place Royale sector.
Â
One of the best things about Quebec Winter Carnival is Quebec City itself. The twenty-foot- wide fortress walls. The 16th-Century Old Town at the bottom of the cliffs overlooking the St. Lawrence, its cobblestone streets and squares festooned with colorful banners. The wonderful bistros of the majestic street known as The Grande Allee, which take on a warm, intimate glow in winter. The tram ride from the New City down to the Old. The majestic government buildings with their statues in front. The lights of the Old City sprinkling on at sunset. The green-turreted Chateau Frontenac, one of the most magnificent hotels in the world, overlooking the St. Lawrence. And the Laurentian Mountains in the distance.Â
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Winter may be a hardship where you are. But in Quebec City, it's the biggest party of the year!
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