🎄 Festivals & markets
Christmas markets in Alsace and the Grand Est
From late November to late December, wooden chalets, mulled wine, bredele (Alsatian Christmas biscuits) and festive lights transform the historic centres of the Grand Est. Alsace is home to the oldest markets: in Strasbourg, the Christkindelsmärik dates back to 1570 and today spans eight markets in the city centre. Colmar has six, including one designed for children in La Petite Venise (Little Venice), while Kaysersberg spreads its chalets through medieval lanes at the foot of the castle. Beyond Alsace, Metz lights up five squares in the centre, Mulhouse drapes the town in its own Christmas fabric and Reims sets up its market on the Hautes Promenades, opposite the station.
To choose, bear in mind that dates vary from town to town: in 2026, Metz and Mulhouse open as early as 20 November, Strasbourg on 27 November, and Kaysersberg opens only from Friday to Sunday. Entry to the markets is free everywhere; only purchases, fairground rides and some car parks cost money. The big cities are served by train and their markets are within walking distance of the station, which spares you the gridlocked centres at weekends. For a calmer atmosphere, aim for a weekday, during the day, and save the evening for the lights.
How to choose?
If you are travelling without a car
Strasbourg station is a 10-minute walk from the markets, Reims station faces the Hautes Promenades and Metz-Ville station serves the centre.
🎄 Strasbourg Christmas Market – Christkindelsmärik🎄 Reims Christmas Market🎄 Metz Christmas Market
If you are visiting with children
Colmar devotes its Petite Venise market to children, and Metz has a big wheel and fairground rides on its squares.
If you prefer a village to a big city
Medieval lanes and local crafts at the foot of the castle, but only from Friday to Sunday until 20 December 2026.
If you are coming late in the season
Strasbourg closes on 24 December; Mulhouse stays open until the 27th, Colmar until the 29th and Metz until 30 December 2026.
🎄 Colmar Christmas Market🎄 Metz Christmas Market🎄 Mulhouse Christmas Market – L’Étoffe de Noël
ComparisonData taken from each listing, checked against official sources
| Place or activity | When | Time needed | Who it suits | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strasbourg Christmas Market – Christkindelsmärik📍 Strasbourg · Bas-Rhin (67) | 27 November to 24 December 2026, daily 11:00–21:00 | A day to tour all eight markets; a weekend to enjoy the city as well | All ages; dogs on leads allowed; free wheelchair loan | Strasbourg railway station 10 min on foot; Grande Île closed to cars during opening hours; P+R and tram |
| Colmar Christmas Market📍 Colmar · Haut-Rhin (68) | 23 November to 29 December 2026; gourmet market and big wheel until 3 January | Half a day to a full day for the six markets | All ages; the Petite Venise market is designed for children | Colmar station; by car, covered car parks in the centre or the Parc des Expositions park-and-ride with free shuttle |
| Kaysersberg Christmas Market📍 Kaysersberg · Haut-Rhin (68) | Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 27 November to 20 December 2026 | 2 to 3 hours | All ages, families | Park-and-ride car parks on Route de Lapoutroie with shuttles at weekends; Christmas Shuttle from Colmar (stop at Kientzheim) |
| Metz Christmas Market📍 Metz · Moselle (57) | Friday 20 November to Wednesday 30 December 2026 | — | All ages, for families and groups of friends alike | Metz-Ville railway station; LE MET’ buses and P+R park-and-ride car parks free at weekends until 27 December 2026 |
| Mulhouse Christmas Market – L’Étoffe de Noël📍 Mulhouse · Haut-Rhin (68) | From 20 November to 27 December 2026 | 2 to 3 hours | All ages, families | Mulhouse station; tram 1, 3 or tram-train, République stop; Université and Kinépolis park-and-ride |
| Reims Christmas Market📍 Reims · Marne (51) | Late November to late December (dates for each year published by the City of Reims) | Two to three hours of browsing, longer in the evening | All ages, families | Reims railway station, opposite the Hautes Promenades; underground car parks in the city centre |
Map: Christmas markets in Alsace and the Grand Est
When to go?
- JanOff season
- FebOff season
- MarOff season
- AprOff season
- MayOff season
- JunOff season
- JulOff season
- AugOff season
- SeptOff season
- OctOff season
- NovPossible
- DecPeak season
Peak season Possible Off season
📅 The markets open between 20 and 27 November 2026 and close between 20 and 30 December depending on the town. Weekdays in late November and early December are the quietest.
Tips & insider advice
- Come by train
In Strasbourg, the Grande Île is closed to cars during market opening hours: take the train or use the park-and-ride car parks linked to the tram.
- Use the park-and-ride
Colmar has a park-and-ride at the Parc des Expositions with a free shuttle, and Kaysersberg has park-and-ride car parks with shuttles at weekends.
- Keep your deposit cup
In Strasbourg, there is a €1 deposit on the cup: return it to get your deposit back or keep it as a souvenir.
- Check the opening days
Kaysersberg opens only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, from 27 November to 20 December 2026.
- Check the crowd forecasts
Around Colmar, the “Lutin futé” calendar published on noel-colmar.com flags the busiest days; on weekdays and during the day, browsing is more pleasant.
- Combine Colmar and Kaysersberg
A Christmas shuttle (Navette de Noël) links Colmar to Kaysersberg (stop at Kientzheim): handy for taking in two markets without a car.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dates of the 2026 Christmas markets in the Grand Est?
Metz runs from 20 November to 30 December 2026, Mulhouse from 20 November to 27 December, Colmar from 23 November to 29 December and Strasbourg from 27 November to 24 December. Kaysersberg opens only from Friday to Sunday, from 27 November to 20 December. Reims publishes its dates on the city’s website.
Strasbourg or Colmar: which Christmas market should I choose?
Strasbourg brings together eight markets in a pedestrianised centre and is easy to reach by train. Colmar has six markets and nearly 200 stallholders in the old town and La Petite Venise, including a market for children. The two cities are linked by train, so you can easily combine them.
Can you visit the Christmas markets without a car?
Yes: the markets in Strasbourg, Colmar, Metz, Mulhouse and Reims can be reached from the station on foot or by tram. A Christmas shuttle (Navette de Noël) also links Colmar to Kaysersberg. The train spares you the town centres closed to traffic and the packed car parks.
Do you have to pay to enter the Christmas markets?
No, entry is free at all the markets in this selection. You pay for purchases, fairground rides and the big wheel, as well as some park-and-ride car parks. In Strasbourg, there is a €1 deposit on the mulled wine cup.
Information checked in October 2026. Opening hours, prices and conditions may change: check the official website before you travel.