OFF Carnival
A festive, offbeat winter in Old Quebec
Québec City, January 21, 2025 - From February 7 to 16, the public is invited to gather in the heart of the Old Capital for OFF Carnaval! Highlighting the cultural, commercial and artistic vitality of Old Quebec, the dynamic, free program unfolds like a true winter neighborhood party. Passers-by and residents alike can enjoy an unconventional experience while celebrating the festive spirit of Québec Winter Carnival!
GAMES, DANCE, MUSIC AND RACING: A FUN, FREE PROGRAM
The Dufferin Terrace Slide is celebrating its 140th anniversary this year, and OFF Carnaval is inviting everyone to come down the iconic attraction for the occasion! Day or night throughout the event, head to 1884 for a good dose of adrenalin. Tickets are available free of charge from participating businesses, and to encourage the public, they are invited to consume in their establishment, subscribe to their social networks or simply post a photo. Also on the Dufferin Terrace, the public can take part in the Défis du coureur des bois from 12h to 17h on weekends. On the program? Shoe field hockey, giant skiing and tug-of-war! On Saturdays and Sundays, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Général Patente will be on hand in all four corners of Old Quebec to present its fun activities. And for one night only, on February 8, country line-dancing novices and veterans alike can stretch their legs with Claude and Manon. For sporty types or those looking to start the year off on the right foot, OFF Carnaval is offering several group running outings with Faux Mouvement. Kick-off on Sunday, February 9 at 9 a.m. in front of the Faux Mouvement boutique!
Saturday, February 15 will be a rich and colorful affair. The evening kicks off with a swing party presented by the Port-O-Swing school, who will brighten up the Dufferin Terrace from 17 h to 20 h, introducing everyone to this energetic dance. At 8:30 p.m., the electro evening presented by Le Phoque OFF will take over the Auberge Internationale de Québec with a show by JOUBe. Also known as Romain Joubert, this musician from Lyon uses his bicycle as a hybrid instrument to create unique and ingenious rhythms.
EXHIBITIONS TO ADMIRE OUTDOORS OR IN THE WARMTH
From February 7 to 16, EXMURO's Project 0º will take over the Petit-Champlain district, Place-Royale, Place de Paris and rue Sainte-Anne with a series of ice sculptures. These will feature photographs by André Barrette, Duane Isaac, Jessica Houston and Charles-Frédérick Ouellet, cleverly exploring our relationship with winter and climatic equilibrium. For a sneak preview of the exhibition, the public is invited to the Friday, February 7 launch at 17h, where it will be possible to meet the artists with a drink in hand. Guided tours with the EXMURO mediation team are also scheduled for Saturday February 8 and 15 at 14h.
Throughout the event, the vitrine chaleureuse, an initiative of the Commission de la capitale nationale du Québec, in collaboration with Manif d'art, will capture the attention of passers-by in Place des Canotiers. Visitors can discover Umbra, l'obscurité et l'absence de lumière, a work by Pavitra Wickramasinghe that makes judicious use of movement and light to transform the space into a place of magical contemplation - especially at dusk.
EATING AND DRINKING TO KEEP WARM
From Wednesday to Sunday, the Café de l'Aire publique EXMURO in Place Royale will be the place to go for a hot drink between two activities. Whether you opt for a signature latte from Café Fantôme or a gourmet hot chocolate from Érico Chocolaterie, you can even admire the works on site with your nectar in hand. On Saturdays and Sundays, the OFF Carnaval outdoor bar in Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville is the place to be. Beers, hot drinks and non-alcoholic options are on offer for those braving the cold! Finally, if you're feeling peckish, the OH MON KOGO! food truck will also be set up in Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville on weekends. You'll be able to customize your pogo to your tastes, using fresh, local ingredients.
Join us in Old Quebec from February 7 to 16, 2025, to celebrate winter with OFF Carnaval! For full program details, visit off carnaval.ca.
ABOUT OFF CARNAVAL
The OFF Carnaval first saw the light of day in Quebec City's Lower Town from 2011 to 2013, thanks to the joint initiative of Le Cercle - Lab vivant, La revanche des Duchesses and EXMURO. In 2013, EXMURO presented the first edition of Projet 0°.
Driven by the ambition to revitalize Old Quebec in winter and inspired by the return of Project 0°, EXMURO brought together committed partners to reinvent the festive OFF Carnaval concept. Today, the OFF Carnaval is gaining new momentum thanks to a dynamic collaboration between EXMURO, the Société de développement du Vieux-Québec, Au 1884, Artefact urbain, the Comité des citoyens du Vieux-Québec and the Conseil de quartier du Vieux-Québec-Cap-Blanc-Colline parlementaire. With the involvement of various programming and financial partners, these players join forces to breathe festive and creative energy into the heart of Old Quebec, offering an unforgettable winter experience for residents and passers-by alike.
