Christmas in Alsace is everything people say it is. One Christmas we took a road trip from Paris to Alsace, and from the moment we arrived in Colmar we were swept away by the festive decorations and cosy atmosphere. This guide covers the Christmas markets in Colmar and Strasbourg for 2026: dates, opening hours, where to stay, how to get around, and which one to choose. Whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple, with friends or as a family, Alsace at Christmas has something for everyone.
Last updated: 10 November 2026, with this year’s official dates and opening hours.
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Christmas markets in Colmar and Strasbourg 2026: dates at a glance
| Market | 2026 dates | Opening hours |
|---|---|---|
| Strasbourg | 27 November to 24 December | Daily 11:30am to 9pm. Opening day from 2pm; until 10pm on 11, 12, 18 and 19 December; until 6pm on 24 December |
| Colmar | 23 November to 29 December | Mon to Thu 11am to 7pm, Fri to Sun 10am to 8pm. 24 December 11am to 5pm; open 25 and 26 December, 10am to 8pm |
| Colmar Gourmet Market, Ferris wheel and Place Rapp fair | Until 3 January 2027 | Daily 11am to 10pm (5pm on 31 December) |
| Eguisheim | 27 November to 30 December | Varies by day |
| Riquewihr | 27 November to 20 December | Varies by day |
| Kaysersberg | Weekends only: 27 to 29 November and 4 to 6, 11 to 13 and 18 to 20 December | Varies by day |
How to get to Alsace
Alsace isn’t a single city or town. It’s a region in northeastern France, known for its rich culture, beautiful landscapes and some of Europe’s most magical Christmas destinations. The main gateways are Strasbourg, Colmar and Mulhouse, and the nearest airports include Basel in Switzerland and Frankfurt in Germany. For the full details, read our Colmar and Strasbourg travel guide.
Whether you explore Alsace by train or on a scenic road trip, there’s plenty to enjoy. Don’t miss the famous Alsace Wine Route, which winds through vineyards, picture-perfect villages and canals, with Christmas markets along the way that make the whole region feel like a winter wonderland.
Where to stay in Alsace at Christmas
Where to stay in Colmar
We stayed at the beautiful Hotel Turenne in Colmar, just steps from Little Venice, which made it an ideal base for exploring. We drove from Paris to Colmar on a scenic toll-free route, and Colmar turned out to be the perfect starting point for our trip. For tips on toll-free routes and the most scenic drives, read our separate guide here.
Our two-night stay at Hotel Turenne was fantastic. Breakfast was included and delicious, and the staff were incredibly friendly, even helping us secure on-site parking. Parking spaces are limited and cost extra, so request one when you book.
More places to stay in Colmar near the Christmas markets
If you’d like other options, Colmar has plenty of serviced apartments and hotels close to the centre. Here are a few good choices within easy walking distance of the markets.
| Hotel | Distance from the centre |
|---|---|
| Hotel Turenne | 0.5 miles |
| Grand Hôtel Bristol | 0.7 miles |
| PAUL & PIA – Welcome Home Hotel | 0.4 miles |
| Les Gites Du Retable | 150 yards |
| Colmar Suites – Résidence | 0.7 miles |
| B&B HOTEL Colmar Liberté 4 étoiles | 2.4 miles |
| James Boutique Hôtel Colmar centre | 0.3 miles |
| Hotel Le Colombier Suites | 0.4 miles |
| Djokovic’s Apartment | 200 yards |
| Au Bretzel Doré – Centre Historique | 300 yards |
| Paradiso | 300 yards |
| Suite Le splendide du centre historique avec climatisation | 150 yards |
Where to stay in Strasbourg
We based ourselves in Colmar and visited Strasbourg as a day trip, but if you’d rather stay in the city, here are some well-rated hotels close to the main sights and markets.
| Hotel | Distance from the centre |
|---|---|
| Hôtel Tandem – Boutique Hôtel | 0.5 miles |
| BOMA easy living hotel | 300 yards |
| HANNONG Hotel & Wine Bar | 250 yards |
| Hôtel Régent Contades | 0.6 miles |
| Hôtel Gutenberg | 350 yards |
| Strasbourg Appart Cosy Hyper Centre | 0.4 miles |
| Mercure Strasbourg Centre Petite France | 0.4 miles |
| Hôtel LÉONOR the place to live | 350 yards |
| voco Strasbourg Centre – The Garden, an IHG Hotel | 0.5 miles |
| Best Western Plus Monopole Métropole | 0.3 miles |
| Maison Rouge Strasbourg Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection | 150 yards |
| Hotel & Spa Regent Petite France | 450 yards |
Strasbourg: the Capital of Christmas
Alsace’s villages are incredibly picturesque, especially at Christmas, when they look like something out of a fairy tale. Colmar, Eguisheim and Riquewihr each have their own charm, made even more magical by the festive decorations.
Strasbourg isn’t a village, but it’s one of the most popular Christmas destinations in Europe, thanks to its historic Christmas markets. It’s worth visiting at least once in your lifetime.
Strasbourg Christmas markets in 2026
The markets are spread across the old town, the Grande Île, so you can walk between all of them. These are the official market locations for 2026:
- Christkindelsmärik, Place Broglie: the original and biggest market
- Au pied du Grand Sapin, Place Kléber: around the giant Christmas tree
- Autour de la Cathédrale, Place de la Cathédrale and Place du Château
- La Petite France, Place Benjamin Zix and Place Saint-Thomas
- Le Carré d’Or, Place du Temple Neuf
- Le quai des saveurs et des savoir-faire, Terrasse Rohan on Place du Marché-aux-Poissons
- Les Irréductibles Petits Producteurs d’Alsace, Square Louise-Weiss, next to the family-friendly Advent Village
- Marché OFF, Place Grimmeissen: an ethical market in shipping containers, with vintage finds and local crafts
Also look out for the Village du Partage at the foot of the tree on Place Kléber, where local charities sell gifts and serve hot soup for good causes.
Strasbourg Christmas market opening times 2026
The Strasbourg Christmas market runs from Friday 27 November to Thursday 24 December 2026.
- Every day: 11:30am to 9pm
- Opening day, 27 November: 2pm to 9pm
- 11, 12, 18 and 19 December: 11:30am to 10pm
- Christmas Eve, 24 December: 11:30am to 6pm
- Christmas Day and after: closed. All the markets finish on the evening of 24 December
Is Strasbourg the Christmas capital of the world?
Strasbourg calls itself the “Capital of Christmas”, and it has good reason to. Its Christkindelsmärik dates back to 1570, making it one of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe. The star of the show is the giant Christmas tree on Place Kléber, around 30 metres tall and covered in thousands of lights, Alsatian-style decorations and red, gold and silver baubles.
What we wish we’d known before visiting Strasbourg
Our drive from Colmar to Strasbourg didn’t go to plan. After an hour on the road, we found ourselves just a few metres from the main market, but the roads were closed for the Christmas markets and every car park was full. We spent two hours stuck in traffic without finding a space and had to give up as it was getting late. The next day we came back, parked about 1.5 miles away and walked 45 minutes to reach the markets.
Learn from our mistake and leave the car behind. During market hours, cars aren’t allowed on the Grande Île at all. Here’s what works instead:
- Park and ride (P+R): park on the edge of the city for €4.20 a day, including a return tram ticket for everyone in the car.
- Tram: lines A, C, D and F stop close to the markets.
- On foot from the station: the first chalets are about a 10-minute walk from Strasbourg’s main train station.
Tips for the Strasbourg Christmas market
- Go on a weekday or in the morning. Mondays, Tuesdays and mornings are the quietest. Wednesday afternoons, Friday evenings and weekends are the busiest.
- Keep your cup. Drinks come in a reusable cup with a €1 deposit. Return it to any drinks chalet for your euro back, or drop it in a collection point to donate the euro to a local charity.
- Bring a little cash. Almost every chalet takes cards, but the cash machines on the Grande Île get very busy.
Colmar: our favourite Christmas market
Colmar is still our favourite, and we wish we could relive those magical days. After almost eight hours on the road, it was a relief to finally stroll through the Christmas market. One highlight was the trail of markers set into the cobblestones, which guides you from one market to the next and makes it easy to find your way.
Must-visit places in Colmar at Christmas
Colmar has six Christmas markets spread across the old town, each with its own atmosphere, and it’s easy to explore them all on foot. If you’re wondering where to start, here are the spots to save in Google Maps:
- Place des Dominicains
- Place de l’Ancienne Douane
- Place Jeanne d’Arc
- Little Venice (La Petite Venise)
- Koïfhus (the Old Custom House)
- The Tanners’ Quarter (Quartier des Tanneurs)
- Rue des Clefs
- Place Rapp
- Saint Martin’s Church
- Rue des Têtes
Colmar Christmas market opening times 2026
The Colmar Christmas markets run from Monday 23 November to Tuesday 29 December 2026.
- Monday to Thursday: 11am to 7pm
- Friday to Sunday: 10am to 8pm
- Christmas Eve, 24 December: 11am to 5pm
- Christmas Day and Boxing Day, 25 and 26 December: 10am to 8pm
- Gourmet Market, Ferris wheel and Place Rapp fair: every day until 3 January 2027, 11am to 10pm (closing at 5pm on 31 December)
The markets close exactly on time, so don’t leave your last mug of vin chaud too late.
Getting around Colmar at Christmas
From 23 November to 29 December, the town centre is closed to all vehicles during market hours. If you’re driving, use one of the paid car parks around the centre, or the park and ride at the Parc des Expositions on weekends: €5 a day, including the shuttle bus into town. It runs on 28 and 29 November and on 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20 December.
Is Little Venice in Colmar worth visiting?
Absolutely. A trip to Colmar isn’t complete without Little Venice (La Petite Venise). This is one of the most famous corners of the town, with colourful half-timbered houses lining the canals of the River Lauch, narrow streets and flowers everywhere. It’s also one of the most Instagrammable places in Colmar, especially at Christmas, and a beautifully preserved piece of Alsatian heritage.
Is shopping at the Colmar Christmas market expensive?
We found Colmar a little expensive, but there’s a mix of prices. Small souvenirs, local food and wine are reasonably priced, while Christmas decorations, handmade pottery and artisan pieces cost more, so be ready to pay extra for traditional items. We treated ourselves to a few, including a tiny cuckoo clock for €35. Sadly, it stopped working a few days after we got home, and now it hangs next to our fridge magnets as a pretty but expensive souvenir!
Are restaurants in Colmar expensive at Christmas?
Traditional Alsatian restaurants in Colmar can be quite pricey, while those serving other cuisines, such as Asian, Italian and Turkish, are generally more affordable. Rather than recommend one place, we’d suggest strolling through the old town, browsing the menus and picking whatever appeals. We mixed traditional meals with budget-friendly ones, because we always make a point of trying the local food.
Colmar or Strasbourg: which Christmas market should you choose?
Choosing between the Christmas markets in Colmar and Strasbourg isn’t easy. Strasbourg, the “Capital of Christmas”, is a must-see in Europe during the holidays, and staying there makes sense if you’re flying into Strasbourg Airport or arriving by train. If your route points to Strasbourg, our Colmar and Strasbourg travel guide compares the pros and cons in more detail.
Our personal favourite is Colmar. It’s close to other beautiful Alsatian villages that are easy to reach by public transport, and the drive there is gorgeous. It’s also near Basel Airport, so you can combine French and Swiss Christmas markets in one trip. One more thing in Colmar’s favour: its markets stay open on 25 and 26 December, while Strasbourg’s close on Christmas Eve.
Christmas markets in Colmar and Strasbourg: FAQs
When is the Strasbourg Christmas market in 2026?
From Friday 27 November to Thursday 24 December 2026, open daily from 11:30am to 9pm, with later closing on some December weekends and an early 6pm close on Christmas Eve.
When is the Colmar Christmas market in 2026?
From Monday 23 November to Tuesday 29 December 2026. The Gourmet Market, Ferris wheel and Place Rapp fair stay open until 3 January 2027.
Are the markets open on Christmas Day?
Colmar’s are, from 10am to 8pm on both 25 and 26 December. Strasbourg’s close for good on the evening of 24 December.
Can you visit both in one trip?
Yes. Colmar and Strasbourg are about an hour apart, so you can easily stay in one and visit the other as a day trip, just as we did. If you go to Strasbourg, take the train or use the park and ride rather than driving into the centre.
The magic of the Christmas markets in Colmar and Strasbourg
Whichever you choose, the Christmas markets in Colmar and Strasbourg will give you unforgettable festive memories. Colmar is famous for its fairy-tale markets and Little Venice, while Strasbourg, the “Capital of Christmas”, has one of the oldest and most iconic markets in Europe. Both are full of traditional treats and twinkling lights, and we hope this guide helps you plan the perfect Christmas trip to Alsace.
Planning a festive trip closer to home too? Read our guide to the best Christmas lights in London.
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