The 14 Best Christmas Trips in Canada

1.Quebec City: Christmas Magic Walking Tour in Old Quebec

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 146 reviews · 2 hours · from $28Our pick

Walk through Old Quebec with a costumed English or French-speaking guide, visiting Château Frontenac, Dufferin Terrace, Notre-Dame-de-Québec Basilica, and Place Royale. Expect a history-led tour with Christmas stories, lively character narration, stairs, cold-weather walking, and a small hot chocolate.

“We loved our tour guide and the entire experience! We learned about parts of Quebec we never would’ve known about. Could not recommend this tour enough!”

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2.Winter Express: Old Montreal Highlights Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 119 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $24Top rated

Walk from Marché Saint Laurent to Bonsecours Market with a licensed Montreal guide such as Louis, Isabelle, Sylvia, or Jeff. Expect key Old Montreal sights, architecture, local stories, photo stops, and short indoor breaks. Dress for snow, ice, wind, cobblestones, and stairs.

“We had a great guide, Luis, who squeezed a lot of history into an hour and a half. We nearly froze to death though so it might be wise to add some warming stops along the way on very cold days. A good way to get a sense of the city before exploring it further.”

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3.Banff, Lake Louise and Johnston Canyon – Winter Wonderland Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 77 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $180

Spend eight hours with a local Radventures guide visiting Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon, and Banff National Park. Walk frozen trails with crampons, enjoy free time at Lake Louise, and watch for surprise stops. Guides such as Rae, Simon, and Michael are known for strong local insight and helpful photos.

“Great winter tour! Ginni was a great tour guide, very knowledgeable and friendly. Had a great time!!”

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4.Christmas Magic in Old Quebec

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 61 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $28

Walk Old Quebec for about two hours with a local guide, visiting the German Christmas Market, Château Frontenac, Notre-Dame Basilica, and Petit Champlain. Expect festive views, local samples, a small hot chocolate, plenty of history, and cold-weather walking on hills, snow, and ice.

“Wonderful tour guide! So much history about Quebec City. Guide was so informative and entertaining . Highly recommend”

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5.Victoria and Butchart Gardens Christmas Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 43 reviews · from $203

Spend about 12 hours traveling from Vancouver to Victoria by coach and BC Ferries. You’ll get free time around the Inner Harbour, then visit Butchart Gardens for its Christmas lights, music, wreaths, and seasonal displays. Guides such as Dave Rogers, Leslie, Andrea, and Gordie add local stories along the way.

“Dave Rogers was amazing. The descriptions and the stories he told made every moment of the trip lively”

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6.Old Montréal Small-Group Christmas Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 39 reviews · 1h 30m · from $25

Join a professional English- or French-speaking guide for a 90-minute Christmas walk through Old Montréal. See decorated landmarks from Victoria Square to Bonsecours Market, learn New France holiday customs, and visit the Santa Claus exhibit at the World Trade Center.

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7.Snowshoe Through Vancouver’s Winter Wonderland

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $105

Meet Paul or Arman downtown at 9 a.m. for a five-hour mountain outing with transport, snowshoes, winter trails, forest views, and hot cocoa. The pace suits beginners, and guides may adapt the route when snow conditions change.

“What an amazing day! Surpassed our expectations. We went with our two boys (8 and 10) and they loved every minute. We had great conditions!! So much snow! As the conditions were great and the group was keen, we went off the beaten track - a true adventure! Not at any point did we feel unsafe in Paul’s very knowledgeable company! Our sons are used to hiking but I think most active 8-10year olds would love this experience!! 100pc recommend!”

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8.Christmas Walking Tour in Old Montreal

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 28 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $26

Walk Old Montreal for 90 minutes with an English-speaking local guide, taking in holiday lights, the World Trade Center’s Santa display, historic arcades, and Bonsecours Market. Guides such as Matthieu, Matt, Pierre, and Francois bring history, humor, and practical local tips to this small-group tour.

“A wonderful way to explore Old Montreal during the holidays! Though it was a bitterly cold night (-14c!) our guide made the tour possible by keeping us inside as much as possible. We explored the historic shopping arcades and beautiful buildings of Montreal and learned about the history of Christmas and the influence of the church in this fascinating region of Canada. Our guide was informative, friendly and fun - we even finished the tour with some delicious cheese and wine! Thoroughly recommended.”

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9.Vancouver Christmas Lights Karaoke Trolley Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 21 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $53

Ride an enclosed karaoke trolley through Vancouver with hosts such as Bray and Jay, stopping at Stanley Park, VanDusen Botanical Garden, Gastown, Robson Street, English Bay, and St. Paul’s Hospital. Expect festive lights, snacks, guided commentary, and a cheerful group atmosphere.

“The host and driver amazing! Funny, friendly, kind. Great songs, company. Though the wheel well drivers side gets very hot, almost burned my leg. Other than that great time! Already looking to bring friends next year.”

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10.German Christmas Market Tasting Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 15 reviews · 1h 30m · from $34

Meet your French or English speaking guide at Quebec City's Tourist Information Center for a 90 minute walk through the German Christmas Market. Taste glühwein, a pretzel, and stollen while learning how German and Quebec traditions meet. Sarah and another upbeat guide have earned especially warm praise.

“Sarah was a knowledgeable guide and offered info on some of the different stalls as well as some other interesting facts and history of the market. I highly recommend this tour.”

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11.Vancouver Holiday Festive Dinner Cruises

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 12 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $163

Spend about 2.5 hours on Vancouver Harbour with a holiday buffet, live music, coffee, tea, and nighttime views of Stanley Park, English Bay, Lions Gate Bridge, and the city waterfront. Seating is reserved, drinks cost extra, and boarding begins 30 minutes before the 7 p.m. departure.

“The evening was awesome even though it rained most of the evening. The views around the bay were spectacular as we cruised around all evening. The staff on the boat were friendly and attentive all evening. We had a lovely young girl that looked after us all night, she was helpful, friendly and a great bubbly personality, so Thank you Allysandra! The evening was so much fun with music and dancing, great wine and excellent food. A wonderful pre Christmas evening so far away from home!”

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12.Christmas Lights Private Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $93

Meet Gustavo Trindade or another guide at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, then walk through downtown, Underground Montreal, Place des Arts, Old Montreal, and the Old Port. Expect holiday lights, local history, indoor warm-up stops, and a private route in English, French, Portuguese, or Spanish.

“Gustavo is an excellent guide. Always kind and attentive to every need, question, request on our side. Truly a pleasure talking this nice walk with him.”

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13.Christmas Interactive Walking Tour of New France

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 7 reviews · 1 hour · from $23Best value

Meet your French or English guide at La Fresque des Québécois for a one-hour night walk through Lower Town. Expect Christmas customs, old cures, winter folklore, and costumed characters appearing along the cobblestoned streets. Valerie has led a warmly praised evening tour.

“The night time tour is fun, the actor/guide tells good anecdotes about life in the lower old town.”

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14.From Banff: Winter Wonderland; Lake Louise & Johnston Canyon

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 8 hours · from $175

Join a small-group winter tour from Banff to Lake Louise and Johnston Canyon. Skate beneath mountain peaks, walk snowy trails with cleats and poles, and warm up with hot drinks while your guide shares local stories. Skates and snowshoes require advance rental arrangements.

“amazing tour, the tour guides were awesome and made us feel so comfortable and taught us so much ! 10/10”

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