Quebec City and Montreal Dec 25-Jan 2

I guess you have to ask yourself whether you want to invest in real winter clothing for one trip. When I lived in Southern CA for 20+ years, I did not even own a single jacket, scarf, hat, etc. that would prepare me for the East Coast, let alone Montreal/Quebec City....nor did I see any sold in (brick mortar) stores. Winter clothes/accessories will really add to your trip cost (they may be worthwhile if you plan on reusing them). Look online for events going on during that week (both cities have great websites with all events listed), but I believe the famous ice sculpture festival in Quebec occurs in February.

If you want to experience winter, you may want to pick somewhere that's not as cold. Quebec City and Montreal are very far north, so be sure to compare with some other alternatives. I think you'll be surprised how cold it is there at that time. I opted not to go there around that time because I'm too much of a wuss for extreme cold.

Already have the winter necessities, spent a few days in Budapest in Jan and several trips to NY in Dec. Just wondering if there is enough to do at that time of year even if it is super cold.

https://www.quebecregion.com/en/
https://www.mtl.org/en/what-to-do/festivals-and-events

I could personally find enough indoor things to do even in bad weather (after all, Montreal in particular is a large and lively city), but you can also check what people say on TripAdvisor for that timeframe

We took a drive to Quebec City in April of last year. We were freezing, couldn't believe how cold it was. We couldn't imagine how cold it is in December. Too cold for us. We spent 6 days there and felt because of the weather it was a few too many. We did one evening walking tour, it only ran on Saturday night since it was off season. Even though we froze it was fabulous. We were the only ones on the tour of the Citidel, a little breezy. We took the ferry over to Levi, not crowded, but pretty breezy. Not much was going on over there so we just ferried back. We will definitely go again, but in the summer.

They advertise a winter festival but you would have to look at their website for dates.

Thanks to everyone for sharing your thoughts-not sure what we will end up doing. Boston is also in the mix. Might depend on airfare and cost of hotels. Our theory is we can handle the cold for a few days so we aren't too concerned about that.

I was in Montreal February two years ago to participate in a sports tournament and to visit with a group of friends. It's a different wardrobe even for those of us used to winter. I could get by with my basic coat, hat, gloves for a while, but there's a reason they all seem to have the same uniform on--the long black parka with the fur ruff collar and thick boots. Also prepare for mushy sidewalks and pools of slush inside every restaurant or store door. It is what it is. I think you can experience winter without going that far north unless you really want to go to Canada.

One fun thing we did: there's a winter village right at the Olympic Park (next to the stadium). The year we went they had a skating rink, ice stock curling, fire pits, warming huts, drinks and food. It was a fun atmosphere. Looks like they've changed it up a bit (look up Mammouth village) but they still hold it every year...

Cover your ears, cover your toes, cover your fingers. Like other wintery regions, Montreal and Quebec believe there's no such thing as too cold; you're just not dressed right. Both make snow removal a big business. Montreal is also proud of its extensive underground network of tunnels and basement shopping malls, tied into the subway, to keep residents out of the elements.
The Dec. 25 holiday actually starts around noon on Dec. 24 with many businesses, bistros and even pubs closing early. You should do some advance planning as to where you can eat those two evenings as many restaurants will be dark. Hotels sometimes provide backup, or perhaps some non-Christian ethnic spots will be open.

The Agawa Canyon Snow Train in Ontario might be of interest. It will take an entire day and you will never forget the snowscapes in a good winter! I once stayed in Sault Ste. Marie mid-January when temperatures plummeted to -57F overnight. The roads and sidewalks were completely walled in with snow piled 12 feet high. It was if we traveled through sculpted white rectangles. It was quite a memorable experience.....including having the front bumper of our car ripped off when it slid just inches into oncoming traffic from a steep parking lot entrance ramp.

They completely refurbished the train last year.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/travel/ct-trav-snow-train-story.html

Go to canada your dollar will go far.

Some friends vacationed in Chicago in January one year and they said everyone they met was so GRATEFUL that they had come to visit at that time of year!

I am from Quebec City.. that time of year can be utterly, bitterly cold or really not that bad at all. You have to be ready for really cold though. That means getting really good coats, hats, scarfs and boots.
It is a wonderful time of year to be in the city. Christmas markets, lights etc.

It will likely be highs teens to thirties, highs below zero F possible but unlikely. The coldest weather normally comes later. Winters are much warmer now. Sounds like it would work but Budapest (or anywhere in Europe south of Lapland or west of Moscow) is going to have much milder winters.

If the forecast is frigid then what worked in NYC or Boston will not suffice. Frigid days are usually cloudless if that helps.

I've been to Quebec City twice in early January and, while very cold, it was gorgeous and fantastic. The cold almost ensures a snowy winter wonderland! I took a sleigh ride in the evening, enjoyed hot cocoa at Chateau de Frontenac, walked the storybook old town streets, and even visited a waterfall. By far away my favorite activity is just outside the city. They take what is usually a water park in the summer and repurpose it as a snow adventure park. SO fun! I took my husband there and when our kids are old enough we will definitely take them there. Even growing up near snowy Buffalo (though now I'm a Northern CA dweller), Quebec City in the winter time is still one of my very favorite places to visit!

Right now we are living in desert heat that won't let up, no jackets needed until early November. So no one on this thread is scaring me too much! A winter wonderland sounds pretty awesome right about now. We have winter clothes and are ready to put them to use. We may just go for it!

Did News Years in Quebec City several years ago. Good time, plus skiing at Mt Ste Anne with wonderful views over the St Lawrence River. But yes, cold.

Despite the cold and snow Old Quebec is a wonderous place to spend the Christmas holidays. We spent a long New Years weekend there and had a great time....everything is decorated, food is wonderful, small European village atmosphere, cross country skiing on the Plains of Abraham. There was a bob-sled ride set up on the Promenade in front of the Chateau Frontenac.

I would not hesitate at all to spend the holidays there.