Forgotten the 2020 edition canceled due to pandemic. The enchanting magic of the Christmas market is back in Strasbourg. On November 26, the Alsatian capital is adorned with a thousand lights to launch the festivities of its famous
Christkindelsmärik
(“market of the baby Jesus” in Alsatian). The new ecological municipality leaves its mark on this magical meeting organized until December 26, without neglecting its fundamentals. More authenticity. This has been one of the mantras of the organizers of this major European tourist event for ten years. “
Strasbourg Capital of Christmas had reached its limits, with a population that no longer recognized itself in this event
”, Introduced Jeanne Barseghian, the mayor of Strasbourg during the presentation of this edition entitled“ Allumons les étoiles ”.
Read also Strasbourg will find its Christmas market
The reappropriation by Alsatians of their Christmas market, born 450 years ago, will benefit all visitors. They were more than 2 million in the last editions. On the day of the inauguration, you will be able to walk with a star in the procession which will leave from Place de l'Étoile (sic) to reach the “Grand sapin”, place Kléber. Sanitary measure and Vigipirate plan oblige, the places and plots will be more ventilated, the aisles wider, less suffocating. And that's good ! With always so many wooden houses. More than 300 will be installed throughout the city center, over a larger perimeter. And if the wearing of a mask remains compulsory for this 2021 edition, some customers may have the clever idea of concealing it under a beard of Santa Claus or Saint-Nicolas ...
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Christmas markets: the guide to the most beautiful Christmas markets in France and Europe
Our unmissable events for 2021
The illuminations of the Promenade aux étoiles sublimate Strasbourg's rich historical and architectural heritage.
Jérôme Dorkel Strasbourg Eurometropole
The shows
1,2,3, 4… Let's light up the stars!
will punctuate the Advent season with their lights.
To be seen outside from the Covered Bridges, on Saturdays November 27, December 4, 11 and 18 at 6 p.m.
The illuminations of the Promenade aux étoiles
.
A constellation of more than 600 stars sublimates the richness of Strasbourg's historical and architectural heritage.
Let yourself be carried through the Big Island.
The route starts at Square Louise Weiss and ends at Pont Sainte-Madeleine.
Humanis Star Soup.
Created by starred chefs, prepared with the help of people in integration, this tasty soup is served by volunteers at the Village du Partage, place Kléber.
The profits from its sale support professional integration activities.
The Hôtel des Contes.
Place Broglie.
For the first time, Strasbourg Town Hall is adorned with a magical setting, in the heart of Christkindelsmärik, to tell tales featuring Christkindel, Hans Trapp and his donkey Peckeresel, but also Saint Nicolas.
In French, German and English.
Every day from November 26 to December 26, from 5 p.m. until the market closes.
Christmas at the Flea Market
.
Aubette village hall, place Kléber.
Ten antique dealers and second-hand dealers promote the popular arts and traditions of Alsace in all their diversity: pottery, earthenware, tableware, glassware, etc.
From November 26 to December 5.
Sunday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The cathedral's Christmas crib
.
Presented over 18 meters long, this nativity scene dating from 1907 is a pure marvel.
To be admired within the walls of Notre-Dame de Strasbourg Cathedral, Place de la Cathédrale, from November 29 to January 10 from 8:30 am to 11:15 am.
World tour of Christmas traditions.
Cour Saint-Nicolas, 3 rue du Parchemin.
In the main courtyard of the archdiocese, nicknamed “Saint Nicolas courtyard”, discover the many symbols of Christmas in Alsace and around the world.
November 26 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
November 27, December 11 and 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., then from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
November 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Read also48 hours in Strasbourg, of the Iles en Ill
Our advice for an authentic market
The products sold in more than 300 chalets must comply with the Strasbourg Capitale de Noël regulations.
Daniel Schoenen Strasbourg Eurometropole
The majestic conifer stood in 2020 in the Alsatian capital despite the cancellation of the festivities. The “Big Christmas tree” is back for this new edition (place Kléber). Its decoration embodies the city's desire to make the Christmas market even more authentic. The branches bear shapes in raw wood or even silhouettes reminiscent of the cookie cutters of the famous traditional cookies. As for its red and white balls, they remind us that families used to hang apples on their trees.
The ban on the sale of churros in 2010 banished the smell of fried food from the Big Island in favor of the scent of mulled wine and cinnamon. According to the Strasbourg Capital of Christmas regulations, exhibitors must also market decorations, Christmas-related gifts, spices, teas and herbal teas, drinks and sweet specialties or savory local products. Want to try your hand at baking? Marc Berger offers a wide variety of cookie
cutters
to prepare the
famous Bredele
, a small shortbread from Alsace to be eaten everywhere on the market. You will find these mussels in its chalets at Place du Château and Place Benjamin Zix. To discover in particular, the
mussels in Springerle
, a biscuit whose tradition dates back to the 16th century. "
Their engravings make it possible to make cakes printed in relief which once decorated the trees. We added anise, a spice that was widely cultivated in the Rhine basin
, ”says the trader.
The mulled wine of the Tribu des gourmets
is just as essential, on the terrace of the Palais Rohan (place du Château). The association, which works to renew the ancestral links between Strasbourg and its vineyards, develops an inimitable variation of white Alsace. As utilitarian as it is decorative,
artisanal pottery
remains a tradition that is still alive in the region. The charm of the salt stoneware pottery made in Betschdorf since 1844 can be appreciated in particular on the
Poterie Fortuné Schmitter
stand on
Cathedral Square. Another tradition, another small house. Do not miss the chalet of the
Center international d'art vitrier
from Meisenthal.
He perpetuates the techniques of blowing Christmas balls.
Year after year, contemporary balls have been added to traditional models by designers.
Read also What will the Strasbourg Christmas market look like this year?
A Christmas market to discover in all districts of Strasbourg
The Carré d'Or Christmas market, in the old Orfèvres district, invites you to stroll through its small shopping streets, superbly illuminated.
Jérôme Dorkel Strasbourg Eurometropole
The Alsatian capital does not have one, but several Christmas markets.
Over the years, the famous little chalets have spread over 15 squares and squares in the old town of Strasbourg.
The
Advent Village
, a novelty for this 2021 edition, takes up its quarters in
Square Louise Weiss
, near the Petite France district. The Village will combine tradition and modernity with Christmas decoration workshops, but also concerts and shows. It embodies the ambition of the new municipality to orient the market "
towards an event which is not only mercantile, but closer to a real festival
", details Guillaume Libsig, deputy mayor in charge of events policy. From December 27, the Advent
Village
will turn into
the After Village
to extend the magic until January 6.
To make the most of it, remember to collect your places for the workshops from 10 a.m. at the information chalet in Square Louise Weiss.
The
“Christkindelsmärik”
- the Christmas market on
Place Broglie
- is still a must.
Until 1992 it was the only market in the city.
The people of Strasbourg used to come there to buy the decorations for their trees.
A few hundred meters away, the market in
Cathedral Square
also retains a very special charm, nestled at the foot of the majestic building whose spectacular spire can be seen around a bend in an alley.
The
Carré d'Or
Christmas market
, the former Orfèvres district (
Place du Temple Neuf
), is also worth a detour for its shopping streets, superbly decorated and illuminated. Olivier Klein, the president of the Carré d'or merchants association, assures him that “
our narrow streets are the most decorated and the most illuminated in Strasbourg, Capital of Christmas!
»(Rue des Orfèvres, rue du Chaudron, rue du Temple Neuf, rue du Sanglier). The welcome is also legendary. So let yourself be tempted by a tasty break at Clou, Chez Yvonne and Saint-Sépulcre; three authentic neighborhood winstubs, traditional restaurants.
The gastronomic journey continues on the
Alsatian delights
market, fish market square and Palais Rohan terrace (
Castle square
).
Customers can taste, among other things, foie gras, beer, mulled white wine, etc.
For the little ones, a manufacturing and tasting workshop is offered every Wednesday afternoon, on the Fish Market Square (registration with the Federation of Bakers on 03 88 15 24 00).
Read also In Alsace, three unique walks near Strasbourg
An increasingly united Christmas market
The “Big Christmas tree” on Place Kléber houses the Sharing Village and its 90 associations.
Jérôme Dorkel Strasbourg Eurometropole
Looking to make your Christmas shopping more meaningful?
Take a trip to the
OFF market
(Grimmeissen square). This alternative market invites you to enjoy the festivities in a different way, around thirty actors of the social and solidarity economy. Its exhibitors have taken up their quarters in maritime containers! A nod to the wooden houses of the “historic” market. On site, shows, conferences and participatory workshops for young and old. You can leave with local crafts and creations, wine and organic products, second-hand clothes and toys. What to make happy young and old in a responsible way. Since its launch in 2015, the spirit of this engaged market has permeated all of Strasbourg Capital of Christmas. Guillaume Libsig, deputy mayor, even goes as far asto say that "
the values of the OFF embody what the city wants to deploy in the IN
".
Thus, the reusable cups collected throughout the Christmas market in collection points will have their deposit of 1 € donated to a regional charity.
In the shade of the “Big
Christmas
tree”,
the Sharing Village also
declines the message of solidarity and fraternity delivered by the nativity feasts (place Kléber).
90 associations invite them to make responsible purchases and participate in solidarity collections.
Come and taste the soup concocted by starred chefs, discover the program of conferences and round tables (from December 16 to 19, Aubette ballroom).
The Sharing Village associations meet on December 24 at 5 p.m. for a moment of conviviality around an aperitif.
For more information: marcheoffstrasbourg.fr
Practical notebook
The 2021 edition of the Strasbourg Christmas market called “
Allumons les étoiles
” gives pride of place to the values of sharing.
Nis & For Strasbourg Eurometropole
DATES AND TIMES OF THE STRASBOURG CHRISTMAS MARKET 2021
November 26 from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
From November 27 to December 26 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday to Thursday.
Until 9 p.m. on Fridays and until 10 p.m. on Saturdays.
December 25 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
December 26 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
ARRIVING IN STRASBOURG
By train
Strasbourg TGV station is located a 15-minute walk from Place Kléber, the epicenter of the Christmas market.
By plane
Strasbourg-Entzheim International Airport is located 10 km from the city center via the motorway.
The airport is served up to 4 times an hour by a shuttle train and is connected to Strasbourg train station in 9 minutes.
PARKING, TRAMWAY… HOW TO GET TO THE CHRISTMAS MARKET?
The Big Island where the Christmas market is held is entirely pedestrianized during the festivities.
The relay-tram car parks (P + R) offer the possibility of parking your vehicle near a tram station and reaching the city center in a few minutes.
The price of parking includes a return trip by tram for all passengers in the vehicle.
This year, all tram stations are served throughout the Christmas market with the exception of the Broglie stop
(line B, C and F).
More information: cts-strasbourg.eu/fr
SECURITY
No more systematic checks at check-points introduced after the attack that occurred during the 2018 edition. For this new Christmas market, the prefecture favors
“random, numerous and dynamic checks”.
These controls will be facilitated by aisles widened to 8 meters between the chalets.
More than 700 representatives of the police will also be mobilized in Strasbourg during the festivities to crisscross the market and ensure the safety of visitors.
SANITARY MEASURES
In terms of health, the pass will not be required, but wearing a mask will remain compulsory throughout the perimeter of the Christmas market.
Visitors will also be invited to consume mulled wine, pretzels and other sweets in furnished spaces, the “
food corner
”.
However, if the incidence rate were to exceed 200 cases
per 100,000 inhabitants
, the presentation of a health pass would become mandatory to consume in these areas.
WEATHER REPORT
Cover yourselves well !
In December, the average temperatures in Strasbourg fluctuate between 0 and 10 ° C during the day.
They drop into a range between 0 and 5 ° C in the evening, with incursions below the zero degree bar.
More information :
noel.strasbourg.eu