Alsace and its Christmas markets will immerse you in the magic of the end of the year celebrations.
Obernai opens the ball on November 20.
What to compensate for the winter frosts by the magic of the illuminations and the local gastronomy.
And then there is the pleasure of warming up with family or friends around a tasty glass of mulled wine.
Many cities in France, but also in Europe and around the world, have followed suit in Strasbourg, self-proclaimed "Capital of Christmas" in 1992. Kaysersberg and Colmar have drawn the first, but the Alsace Destination Tourisme agency counts more than
200 Christmas markets
. All the more reason to follow our guide to focus on authenticity.
The towns and villages of the region are working hard to surprise four million visitors each year. The festivities canceled in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic have aroused immense expectations in this region known for its friendliness at holiday time. "
It's the excitement
", rejoices Nathalie Birling, director of the Mulhouse tourist office. The city of southern Alsace has adapted, like many cities, to health constraints "
by spacing out wooden houses, by extending the perimeter of the market
", she explains.
Wearing a mask will also be compulsory on the region's Christmas markets.
The health pass can also be requested in the outdoor dining areas.
But, the party always has the last word.
Here is our selection of ten Christmas markets to focus on.
Read also Covid-19: the threat of new health constraints worries traders as Christmas approaches
The Colmar Christmas market, the favorite of gourmets
From November 26 to December 29, 2021.
In 2021, Colmar is reissuing its gourmet market for the third consecutive edition.
Colmar Tourisme / Press photo
In
Colmar
, nine chefs put their great cuisine in small dishes until 10 p.m., Place de la Cathédrale.
Foies gras, sauerkraut and gingerbread, this Gourmet market is not to be missed!
As a bonus, restaurateurs - including Michelin-starred chefs - put on a 30-minute culinary show at this extremely popular market (Thursday and Friday at 5 p.m.; with the exception of 11/26 and 12/24).
A bilingual show in Alsatian and French will be hosted by starred chef Marc Haeberlin and Serge Dubs, starred sommelier, on December 2 at 4 p.m.
This extremely popular market came four years ago to extend the list of five existing markets and their 175 exhibitors "
including three-quarters of regional
", assures the Colmar Tourist Office.
Where ?
Place des Dominicains, Place Jeanne d'Arc, Place de l'Ancienne Douane, Koïfhus, Place des 6 Montagne Noire, Place de la Cathédrale.
Dates and times:
The Colmar Christmas market is open from November 26 to December 29, Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
December 24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and December 25 from 2 to 7 p.m.
How to come to Colmar?
By train.
Colmar TGV station is located a quarter of an hour's walk from the city center.
It is accessible in 35 minutes from Strasbourg train station.
By car.
The park relay car park (avenue de la Foire aux vins) offers free parking on Christmas market weekends and free shuttles to the city center.
Free shuttles departing from the Gare-Bleylé paying car park (route de Rouffach) have also been set up during this period.
Read also
Christmas market in Colmar: what to expect visitors in 2021
The most authentic Kaysersberg Christmas market
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from November 26 to December 21, 2021.
The setting of the wine-growing city, installed at the foot of the Vosges, constitutes a magical setting.
OTVKB / Photo press
Fancy an authentic Christmas in a magical Alsatian half-timbered landscape?
In Kaysersberg, it's very simple, the market has hardly changed in 33 years.
The decoration of this wine-growing city near Colmar is adjusted to the millimeter: green fir, red bows and white lights, not twinkling, please!
The medieval center of the city is a remarkable setting to immerse visitors in the atmosphere of the market.
Foie gras, aromatic herbs, gingerbread, organic wine, etc.
Lovers of local specialties will also find their happiness there.
Where ?
Cour de l'Arsenal and behind the Sainte-Croix church.
Dates and times:
The Kaysersberg Christmas market is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from November 26 to December 21 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
How to get to Kaysersberg by public transport?
The Christmas shuttles from the Land of Stars depart from Colmar station to the markets of Kaysersberg, Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé, Eguisheim and Turckheim every Friday (every two hours), Saturdays and Sundays (every 30 minutes) from November 29 to December 19.
€ 9 per person, free for children under 12.
The Strasbourg Christmas market, always more united
From November 26 to December 26, 2021.
In the shade of the “Big Christmas tree” of Strasbourg, the Sharing Village invites you to make responsible purchases and participate in solidarity collections.
Alexi Tauzin / stock.adobe.com
The Alsatian capital wanted to place at the heart of its 2021 edition the message of solidarity and fraternity delivered by the Nativity feasts.
In the shade of the “Big tree” (place Kléber), the 60 associations of
the Sharing Village
invite people 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)!
If you are looking to make your Christmas shopping more meaningful, also stop by the
OFF market
(Place Grimmeissen).
This alternative market launched in 2015 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.
The spirit of this engaged market infuses all of Strasbourg Capital of Christmas.
Guillaume Libsig, deputy mayor, even goes so far as to say that "the values of the OFF embody what the city wants to deploy in the IN".
See also
What will the Strasbourg Christmas market look like this year?
Where ?
The thirteen markets are spread over the squares and squares of the Big Island, the historic center of Strasbourg.
Dates and times:
The Strasbourg Christmas market is open from November 26 to December 26.
December 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.
How to come to Strasbourg?
By train.
Arrival at Strasbourg TGV station, located a 15-minute walk from Place Kléber.
By plane.
Arrival at Strasbourg-Entzheim International Airport, located about 10 km from the city center by the motorway.
Opt for the train shuttle: 4 times an hour, it reaches Strasbourg station in 9 minutes.
Parking, tram ... How to get around?
The Strasbourg Christmas market takes place on the Big Island, entirely reserved for pedestrians during the festivities.
The relay-tram car parks (P + R) allow you to park your vehicle near a tram station, to reach the city center in a few minutes.
The price of parking includes a return trip by tram for all passengers in the vehicle.
Read also
Strasbourg Christmas Market 2021, our guide to making the most of it
The Haguenau Christmas market, cradle of nativity scenes
From November 27 to December 30, 2021.
Every year, the capital of Northern Alsace highlights an exceptional nativity scene.
ADT / Photo press
The contemplation of a representation of the Nativity will immerse you in the origins of Christmas. And it is in Haguenau, 30 km north of Strasbourg, that this magic is appreciated the most. The fourth agglomeration of Alsace has been claiming for six years its status as "cradle of nurseries".
Away from its more touristic neighbors, the city plays the card of a family market of about fifty small wooden chalets and invites each year to discover an exceptional nursery.
After Provence two years ago, it's Madrid's turn to be in the spotlight this year.
The 16m long crib is the work of Fernando Cruz-Avalos, a great specialist in the art of cribs.
A real treasure of the genre!
You can admire its 242 characters in the setting of an old chapel, the Espace Saint-Martin located on the Place d'Armes.
Open from November 27 to December 30, Tuesday to Sunday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. (closed on December 24, 25 and 26).
Where ?
Place de la République, Place Joseph Thierry, Place d'Armes, Cours de la Décapole
Dates and times:
The Haguenau Christmas market is open from November 27 to December 30, Monday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
December 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and December 26 from 2 to 7 p.m.
Closed on December 25th.
How to come to Haguenau?
By train.
The SNCF train station is located 10 minutes walk from the city center.
It is accessible in 20 to 30 minutes from Strasbourg train station.
By plane.
Strasbourg-Entzheim International Airport is located 50 km from the city center by 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.
Parkings.
The town center is bordered by five paid car parks: Hall aux Houblons, Vieille île, Quai des Pêcheurs, Thurot and Gare.
The Sélestat Christmas Market, magnified Christmas trees
From November 26 to December 30, 2021.
Sélestat puts the Christmas tree in all its forms on the occasion of the Advent celebrations.
Here, the nave of the Saint-Georges church.
French Moments / Press photo
Come to Sélestat to admire the oldest written mention of a Christmas tree.
The city is celebrating the 500th anniversary of this inscription this year.
It appears in an account register;
in the absence of storybooks at the time!
The work is highlighted in the city's vibrant Humanist Library.
The latter also houses part of the Christmas market on its forecourt.
The tree is the common denominator of the festivities in the dynamic city of central Alsace.
Ten conifers suspended in the nave of Saint-Georges church (Place Saint-Georges) retrace the evolution of its decorations since the 16th century.
Push the door of the Sainte-Foy church and you will discover an original suspension in the shape of a fir tree (rue Sainte-Foy).
173 Christmas balls from Meisenthal, the regional cradle of glass art, make it up.
Finally, don't miss the Christmas table exhibition-competition at the Sainte-Barbe complex (rue Sainte-Barbe) on the theme of… the Christmas tree.
Where ?
Place de la Victoire, Place d'Armes and Place du Dr Kubler, square Ehm.
Dates and times:
The Sélestat Christmas Market is held from November 26 to December 30.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
December 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., December 26 from 2 to 6 p.m.
Closed on December 25th.
How to come to Sélestat?
By train.
The SNCF train station is located 10 minutes walk from downtown Sélestat.
It is accessible in 20 minutes from Strasbourg train station.
By plane.
Strasbourg-Entzheim International Airport is located 45 km from the city center via the motorway.
The airport is served up to 4 times per hour by a shuttle train which reaches Strasbourg station in 9 minutes.
By car.
Five paid car parks line the city center: Place Vanolles, Boulevard Vauban, Place du Vieux Port, Place de Lattre de Tassigny and Boulevard Charlemagne.
Obernai's Christmas market, the warmest
From November 20 to January 2, 2021.
Obernai's exceptional architectural heritage enhances the Christmas festivities.
ADT / Photo press
The mulled wine is best enjoyed at the foot of the belfry, 25 km from Strasbourg.
This winter drink, prepared in the Obernoise way (with white wine from Alsace and spices), is served there around a large cauldron.
You will taste the exceptional architecture of this square as well as its warm atmosphere.
The sixteenth century monument covers with its sixty meters high a market of forty chalets run by local artisans carefully selected by the Tourist Office.
The youngest will be able to stroll through alleys and squares so typical of the region on the occasion of a storytelling round.
Meet in front of Father Christmas's office, Place de l'Étoile (this cannot be invented) on Wednesday December 8, 15 and 22 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Wednesday December 29 from 2 to 3 p.m. (5 € / child from 4 years old, accompanying person free).
Registration at the tourist office on 03 88 95 64 13.
Where ?
Place du Beffroi.
Dates and times:
The Obernai Christmas market is open from November 20 to January 2, every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays until 8 p.m.
December 24 and 31 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
January 1 and 2 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Closed on December 25th.
How to come to Obernai?
By train.
The Obernai SNCF train station is located a 5-minute walk from the Place du Beffroi.
It is accessible in 30 minutes from Strasbourg train station.
By plane.
Strasbourg-Entzheim International Airport is located 25 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.
By car.
The free Remparts car park is located on the edge of the market.
Christmas shuttles (free) lead to the market on Saturdays and Sundays from the peripheral car parks (Altau, Stadium, Extracurricular Europe car parks) and from the campsite.
Mulhouse Christmas market, adorned with a thousand and one fabrics
From November 24 to December 27, 2021.
The old textile city is draped each year with a new fabric to celebrate Christmas.
Mulhouse OTC Mulhouse and its region / Press photo
During Advent, Mulhouse revives the memory of its glorious industrial past by wrapping itself in spectacular fabrics.
The patterns are made by Alsatian textile designer Marie-Jo Gebel.
They adorn the Place de la Réunion, the epicenter of the Christmas market with its Christmas tree, the Ferris wheel and a hundred small chalets.
The fabrics were designed from the archives of the Museum of Printing on Fabrics in Mulhouse.
You can buy this fabric labeled Alsace Terre Textile by the meter and in the form of tablecloths, cushions or even pouches in the shop installed in the walls of the Town Hall.
Where ?
Place de la Réunion and surroundings.
Dates and times:
The Mulhouse Christmas market is open from November 24 to December 27.
Sunday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
December 24 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., December 26 from noon to 8 p.m., December 27 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Closed on December 25.
How to come to Mulhouse?
By train.
The TGV station is located 10 minutes walk from Place de la Réunion, the epicenter of the Christmas market.
By plane.
EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is located 30 km via the motorway from the city center.
The airport is served up to 4 times per hour by a shuttle to Saint-Louis station.
Saint-Louis station allows you to reach Mulhouse by train in 15 minutes.
By car.
Park in the P + R Nouveau Bassin (7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.) and University (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.) car parks from Monday to Saturday, and benefit from a return trip by tram for € 2 for all occupants of the vehicle ( up to 7 people).
Ribeauvillé Christmas market, the most medieval
December 4,5 and 11,12, 2021.
The medieval market of Ribeauvillé invites you to dive back a thousand years.
Vincent SCHNEIDER / OTPRR
Haven't you noticed the three fortresses overlooking Ribeauvillé?
They inspired the medieval Christmas market in the wine city.
20 km from Colmar, it invites you to dive back a thousand years.
You will be able to meet a shepherd walking his flock of learned geese, taste wild boar cooked on a spit, or converse with artisans and designers in medieval costumes.
A change of scenery is guaranteed in the capital of the minstrels of Alsace and its 70 small wooden chalets.
Here, the year 2020, without a Christmas market, was used to renew the architecture of the stands and the events.
The market combines with the timeless pleasure of tasting local wines accompanied by Christmas sweets in the cellars of the Ribeauvillé-Riquewihr region.
Where ?
In the heart of the old town.
Dates and times:
The Ribeauvillé Christmas market is open on December 4,5 and 11,12.
Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
How to come to Ribeauvillé?
By public transport.
The Christmas shuttles from the Land of Stars depart from Colmar station to the Ribeauvillé, Kaysersberg, Riquewihr, Eguisheim and Turckheim markets every Friday (every two hours), Saturdays and Sundays (every 30 minutes) from November 29 to December 19.
€ 9 per person, free for children under 12.
By car.
It is advisable to park in the park and ride of the Cordon company, in the Muehlbach business area (€ 5 per vehicle) and to reach the city center using the shuttles.
Eguisheim Christmas market, in the heart of the most charming village
Du 26 novembre au 30 décembre 2021.
La visite du marché d'Eguisheim se combine parfaitement avec Colmar, Kaysersberg et Ribeauvillé. Eguisheim Tourisme / Rouffach
Noël en Alsace n'aurait pas la même saveur sans les inimitables toitures pentues de ses villages, ses colombages et autres maisons colorées. Il faut venir au marché d'Eguisheim, au cœur du vignoble haut-rhinois, pour profiter de cette magie dans un environnement unique à 8 km de Colmar.
Le petit marché d'une trentaine d'exposants est ouvert pendant toute la période de l'Avent. Et qui mieux que le veilleur de nuit pour vous guider dans les ruelles illuminées à la découverte des trésors de la cité mais aussi de l'histoire du village. Il propose une balade enchanteresse gratuite d'une heure trente. Rendez-vous à 17h place du Château le 27 novembre, puis les mardis du 30 novembre au 28 décembre et le 30 décembre. (Réservation au 03 89 23 40 33.)
Où ça ? Place du Château.
Dates et horaires :
Du 26 novembre au 30 décembre, du lundi au jeudi de 12h à 19h, le vendredi, samedi, dimanche, de 10h à 20h. Fermeture du 24 au 26 décembre.
Comment venir à Eguisheim ?
En transport en commun. Les navettes de Noël du Pays des étoiles desservent au départ de la gare de Colmar le marché d'Eguisheim tous les vendredis (toutes les deux heures), samedis et dimanches (toutes les 30 mn du lundi au jeudi (toutes les 2 heures), du vendredi au dimanche (toutes les heures) du 29 novembre au 19 décembre. 9 € par personne, gratuit pour les moins de 12 ans.
Le marché de Noël de Neuf-Brisach, l'esprit des Lumières
Les 10, 11 et 12 décembre 2021
Cette ville fortifiée par Vauban à la frontière allemande accueille les visiteurs comme en 1700. Sylvie Petit Photography / ADT AE
Venez vivre un Noël comme en 1700, dans cette cité inscrite au patrimoine mondial de l'Unesco. Ce marché de Noël d'antan invite à se laisser surprendre par cette ville fortifiée par Vauban et découvrir ses métiers d'autrefois : brasseur, céramiste, cordier, fileuse etc. À Neuf-Brisach, le rayonnement de l'esprit des Lumières s'incarne dans les 30,5 m du conifère installé sur la place d'Armes. Tout simplement le plus grand sapin de Noël cette année en Alsace !
Pour l'occasion, c'est l'ingénieur et architecte Vauban en personne qui vous plongera dans la féerie de sa cité au travers de visites guidées. Rendez-vous les 10, 11, 12 décembre de 14h30 à 16h. Tarifs 6 € par adulte et 2 € par enfant de moins de 12 ans (réservation avant midi au 03 89 72 56 66.). Attention la présentation d'un passe sanitaire est obligatoire sur ce marché de Noël.
Où ça ? Place de la Mairie, rue de l'Hôtel de Ville, salle des Fêtes
Dates et horaires :
Le marché de Noël de Neuf-Brisach a lieu le 10 décembre de 14h à 19h, le 11 décembre de 10h à 21h, le 12 décembre de 10h à 18h30.
Comment venir à Neuf-Brisach ?
En transport en commun. À partir de la gare TGV de Colmar, située à 20 Km de Neuf-Brisach.
By car.
Free parking for cars around Place d'Armes.