i 🎄 Festivals & markets
Colmar Christmas Market
Six Christmas markets and nearly 200 stallholders in the fairy-tale setting of the old town and La Petite Venise.
Overview
In Colmar, the Christmas markets are spread through the pedestrian streets of the old town, turning a visit into a stroll from one square to the next. On Place des Dominicains, some sixty little huts huddle at the foot of the church, whose stained-glass windows light up in the evening. On Place de l'Ancienne-Douane, around fifty chalets surround the Schwendi fountain beside a canal. On Place Jeanne-d'Arc, the market showcases local produce: foie gras, charcuterie, wines, eaux-de-vie (fruit brandies), bredele (Alsatian Christmas biscuits) and gingerbread.
Indoors, the Koïfhus welcomes ceramicists, glassmakers, cabinetmakers and other craftspeople to its historic halls. In La Petite Venise (Little Venice), the children's market offers a merry-go-round, a mechanical nativity scene, hot apple juice and Father Christmas's giant letterbox. A sixth market, on Rue de la Montagne-Verte, is devoted to food, with huts run by chefs. Stallholders are selected with a preference for regional craftsmanship, and the chalets have been designed to blend in with the heritage of each square. For 2026, the tourist office has announced the markets will run from 23 November to 29 December.
Where to do it
In Colmar (Haut-Rhin (68)), in Alsace. Best season: ❄️ Winter.
Good to know
Six themed markets are spread across the old town and La Petite Venise.
Tips
Follow the illuminated trail at dusk for the best atmosphere.
Location
Frequently asked questions
What are the dates of the Colmar Christmas markets in 2026?
The official Colmar Christmas markets website announces they will run from 23 November to 29 December 2026. Detailed opening hours for this edition will be published on the practical information page of the website, so check before you go. They may differ between weekdays and weekends.
Where can you park during the Colmar Christmas markets?
The old town is pedestrianised. The tourist office lists the town-centre car parks and, at weekends, sets up park-and-ride car parks linked to the centre by shuttle buses. Spaces are provided for motorhomes and coaches; check the practical information section of the official website before you set off.
How can you avoid the crowds at the Colmar Christmas markets?
The tourist office publishes a forecast attendance calendar called “Lutin futé” (Smart Elf). For each day, it shows whether crowds are expected to be low, moderate, high or very high. Choose days forecast as low or moderate if you can, and arrive early in the day.
Are the Colmar Christmas markets good for children?
Yes. The market on Place des Six-Montagnes-Noires, in La Petite Venise, is designed with them in mind: a merry-go-round, small animals, a mechanical nativity scene and Father Christmas's giant letterbox. The programme also includes a treasure hunt, a storytelling trail and children's choirs singing on the boats.
Information checked in October 2026. Opening hours, prices and conditions may change: check the official website before you travel.
Nearby (within 20 km)
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