What to Do at Christmas in Saguenay? Your 2025 Holiday Guide
The holiday season is a precious time of year. Instead of the usual frenzy, picture yourself in the heart of a snowy landscape where winter’s sparkle blends with the understated luxury of exceptional accommodation. OTL Gouverneur Saguenay offers you the key to a Christmas where your only effort is to relax. Whether you’re seeking a romantic getaway for two, absolute comfort for your family, or an elegant home base from which to explore the region, your Christmas 2025 in Saguenay will be marked by excellence and serenity.
What to Do for Christmas 2025 in Saguenay: Let Yourself Be Carried by the Magic
In Chicoutimi, the holiday spirit begins spreading as early as mid-November with the Santa Claus Parade at Place du Royaume. Located just across from OTL, the parade makes its grand return on November 15, 2025, for the first time since the pandemic, to the delight of families. Santa will then welcome children in his majestic kingdom on the weekend of November 22 and 23, and then every Tuesday to Sunday starting November 25 (visits with or without reservations).
Those who prefer to savour the flavours of Christmas will gather at the Agri-Food Christmas Market from November 20 to 23, 2025, at the Zone Portuaire hangar. Blueberries, haskap berries, caramels, duck-based products, apples, jams, maple treats, and other delicacies await for a 100% gourmet moment, complete with wine tastings and hot chocolate.
For a cultural immersion in the heart of Saguenay during the holidays, head to the European Christmas Market of Chicoutimi. From December 4 to 7 and December 11 to 14, 2025, at Place du Citoyen, stroll through illuminated kiosks, discover exceptional Quebec craftsmanship, and enjoy delicious local products. Sip a spiced mulled wine, admire the decorations, and soak in the enchanting atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to find a signature gift that’s sure to delight.
Some neighbourhoods in Chicoutimi and Jonquière also compete in brilliance. An evening stroll is a local tradition that amazes both couples and families.
Attend a Holiday Show
Attending a holiday show in Chicoutimi means stepping into an atmosphere where emotion, tradition, and the beauty of the season intertwine. Starting November 21, magic fills the air with the sublime voice of Isabelle Boulay at Théâtre C, a rare moment where her warm tone gives the holiday season a new depth. A few days later, on November 29, the spirit of Christmas becomes warm and unifying with Noël, une tradition en chanson at Théâtre du Palais Municipal, a must-see for those who love revisiting classic holiday songs performed with heart.
In December, sacred music elevates the city: the Chicoutimi Cathedral comes alive during the Lumière sur Noël concert, a magical event where voices and harmonies resonate beneath its heritage arches, creating a grand and profoundly soothing experience.
Through these unique evenings, Chicoutimi offers an artistic calendar of great elegance, perfect moments to celebrate, be dazzled, and fully embrace the holiday spirit.
Take Advantage of the Holidays to Learn
When temperatures drop, take a warm break to explore Saguenay’s rich cultural heritage:
- Fjord Museum, 3346 Boulevard de la Grande-Baie S, La Baie, G7B 1G2
Perfect for learning about the region’s marine life, legends, and history. A captivating family activity. - La Pulperie de Chicoutimi Museum
A fascinating journey into the region’s industrial heritage, featuring immersive exhibitions and historical settings. - Falardeau Zoo
A must for animal lovers. Between Arctic wolves, felines, farm animals, and exotic species, the zoo offers a warm and family-friendly winter experience.
Saguenay: A Majestic Setting With Countless Activities for a Memorable Holiday Season
Saguenay transforms into a true movie set during the holidays, with its grandiose scenery and unique winter light. Visiting iconic villages like Sainte-Rose-du-Nord reveals the magic of Christmas layered over the snowy majesty of the Fjord: twinkling garlands, decorated homes, and towering cliffs create scenes straight out of a postcard. It’s the kind of landscape that inspires you to slow down, admire, and truly savour winter.
Just 15 minutes from OTL Gouverneur Saguenay, the Saint-Jacques ice ring in Jonquière (2100 Gilbert Street) is one of the area’s best-kept secrets. It offers an outdoor skating experience rarely found elsewhere. Glide along to soft background music as time stretches and worries fade. At the end of the day, lights suspended above the ice illuminate the ring, giving it an almost magical atmosphere, perfect for a family outing, a romantic escape, or a peaceful solo moment outdoors.
On the bay, winter reveals another iconic Saguenay activity: ice fishing. As soon as the ice forms, colourful little cabins appear in the distance, creating a temporary village in the middle of the frozen landscape. It’s a friendly and unique activity where the joy of being together meets a long-standing local tradition, all in a setting found nowhere else.
For those dreaming of a true Nordic adventure this Christmas 2025, dog-sledding excursions are a must. Several companies in the region offer guided tours, such as Alaskan du Nord. Pulled by an enthusiastic team of dogs, you glide through snowy trails with visible breath in the cold air, the forest your only companion. It’s a complete immersion in nature, intense, emotional, and deeply memorable.
During the holidays, nothing embodies Saguenay winter more than a snowshoe outing at Monts-Valin. In this spectacular snowy setting, each step leads into a peaceful and majestic wilderness, perfect for recharging as a family. Between deep forests, soft silence, and sweeping views, this outing becomes a precious moment that adds authentic adventure to your holiday stay.
Finally, snow lovers find paradise at Le Valinouët, a ski resort famed for its 100% natural snow. Here, every run delivers a sense of purity and authenticity, with snow that grips just right under skis or snowboards. The mountainous landscape and snow quality create a unique feeling of freedom, like experiencing winter in its truest form. In Saguenay, the holiday season isn’t just celebrated: it’s lived outdoors, intensely, in a majestic setting.
The Joy of Being Together: OTL Gouverneur Saguenay, Your Sanctuary for an Unforgettable Christmas
In the cozy atmosphere of OTL Gouverneur Saguenay, the holidays become an enchanted interlude where you can fully savour the joy of being together. Here, every moment is designed to offer your family a high-end winter retreat where tranquillity, exceptional service, and shared pleasures come naturally.
Start the day with a sumptuous personalized breakfast, enjoy elegant facilities, and let yourself be soothed by the PAŪS Spa Experience. Its thermal circuit, included for Superior View rooms, Premium rooms, and Suites, envelops body and mind in warmth and well-being. The contrast between saunas, baths, and Saguenay’s invigorating air creates a rare winter luxury, easily enhanced with a massage or professional treatment.
Between activities, the indoor pool becomes a bright haven for family time, while evenings naturally unfold into the gastronomic experience at Boefish. There, a refined holiday menu lets you celebrate without stress or preparation. Reservations are essential to secure your festive table.
Surrounded by culture, nature, light, and gastronomy, Saguenay reveals all its winter splendour, and OTL Gouverneur becomes a true destination, a place where warm, luxurious, and unforgettable memories are created together.
FAQ: Spending Christmas 2025 in Saguenay
What are the key dates for Christmas events in Chicoutimi in 2025?
- Santa Claus Parade: November 15, 2025 (Place du Royaume)
- Visits with Santa: November 22–23, then Tuesday to Sunday starting November 25
- Agri-Food Christmas Market: November 20–23, 2025 (Zone Portuaire)
- European Christmas Market of Chicoutimi: December 4–7 & December 11–14, 2025 (Place du Citoyen)
What are the best things to do at Christmas in Saguenay?
The top things to do include the European Christmas Market in Chicoutimi, attending a Christmas show, enjoying illuminated outdoor skating rinks and snowshoe trails, dog-sledding excursions, ice fishing on the Saguenay, or skiing at Le Valinouët. The Fjord Museum and La Pulperie are must-visit attractions, as is the Falardeau Zoo for a family outing.
What family activities are available during the holidays in Saguenay?
Skating at the Saint-Jacques ice ring, ice fishing on the bay, museum visits (Fjord Museum, La Pulperie), a day at the Falardeau Zoo, snowshoeing at Monts-Valin, or skiing at Le Valinouët, all within a spectacular winter setting.
Can we enjoy outdoor activities like snowshoeing and skiing early in the holiday season?
Absolutely. Saguenay typically gets its blanket of snow well before Christmas. Parks such as Monts-Valin National Park (including the famous Valley of the Ghosts) and ski centres like Le Valinouët (known for its 100% natural snow) are generally open by early or mid-December with excellent winter sports conditions.
Are restaurants open on December 24 and 25 in Saguenay?
Yes, though options are limited and reservations are essential. Fortunately, by staying at OTL Gouverneur Saguenay, you have access to Boefish, which offers a special Christmas Eve holiday menu, ensuring a high-end gastronomic experience without the stress of searching for an open restaurant.
Should I book ahead at Boefish for the holiday season?
Yes. The holiday menu is very popular, and evenings fill up quickly. Reservations are recommended to guarantee your table.
Is Saguenay a good Christmas destination for couples?
Absolutely. Between shows, illuminated strolls, escapes to Sainte-Rose-du-Nord, and wellness experiences at the PAUS Spa Experience, Saguenay offers a setting that is both romantic and serene.
Is OTL Gouverneur Saguenay suitable for families during the holiday season?
Yes. The hotel offers spacious rooms, a bright indoor pool, personalized breakfast, and thermal access included for select room categories. Family-friendly activities are plentiful nearby.
