🟩 Friday evening: immerse yourself in the Strasbourg Christmas market (Friday evening)
Arrive in Strasbourg late in the day, ideally around 6:30pm, to experience the nocturne magic of Christmas. The big fir tree on Place Kléber glows brightly, and the alleyways around the cathedral are alive with the chalets of the Christkindelsmärik, France's oldest Christmas market. Enjoy your first magical immersion in the Alsatian atmosphere.
The rue mercière is illuminated it leads to Strasbourg Cathedral. Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com Phb.cz via depositphotos.com
🛏️ Where to stay in Strasbourg?
You can stay in the historic center to be close to the markets, or choose a quieter, more economical neighborhood on the outskirts thanks to the tram line A or D (Neudorf, Koenigshoffen, Cronenbourg) which links directly to the center.
🚆 Gare TGV station 10 minutes' walk from the center (Paris-Strasbourg: 1h50).
The famous Grand sapin on Place Kléber (it still comes from the Vosges mountains, right next door). Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: ifeelstock via depositphotos.com
🟩 Saturday morning: visit Strasbourg and its Christmas markets
On Saturday mornings, discover Strasbourg by day, more peaceful than in the evening. Start with a stroll through Petite France, one of the most picturesque districts, with its half-timbered houses and canals. Head up to the Ponts Couverts, then join the cathedral, majestic in the morning light. At 10:30 am, treat yourself to a visit to the Musée Alsacien (23 quai Saint-Nicolas): here you'll see antique nativity scenes, traditional costumes and everyday objects, perfect for understanding the roots of the Christmas spirit in Alsace. Otherwise there's obviously Strasbourg Cathedral, easier to visit in the morning and well worth the visit.
Strasbourg is also beautiful in daylight and without illuminations. Here little France / Photo chosen by monsieur de France: Image by Monika Neumann de Pixabay
🍽️ Lunch (12:30 pm - 2:00 pm)
For lunch, settle into a typical winstub and enjoy a good Alsatian dish while taking your time! For example, sauerkraut, baeckeoffe or tarte flambée. There are plenty of restaurants in town, the best known of which are:
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Chez Yvonne, Strasbourg institution
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Maison Kammerzell, at the foot of the cathedral
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La Corde à Linge, convivial atmosphere
Choucroute garnie is traditionally enjoyed with a good Alsace white wine / Photo chosen by monsieur de France: fotek via depositphotos
🟧 Saturday afternoon: Christmas markets in Eguisheim and Riquewihr
Eguisheim is worth a visit / Photo chosen by Monsieur de France : Marina113 via depositphotos.
🚗 Strasbourg → Eguisheim: 1h15
Leave Strasbourg around 2:45pm to arrive at 4pm in Eguisheim, just in time to enjoy the glow of twilight. This circular village, listed as one of the most beautiful in France, is transformed into a fairytale setting: colorful houses, flower-filled facades, garlands and artisanal chalets. The warm, intimate market features local, quality products: Alsace wines, wooden objects, candles and pottery.
Eguisheim is also very pretty in summer as you can see. Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: Xantana via dépositphotos.com
🟧 Saturday late afternoon in Riquewihr
🚗 Eguisheim → Riquewihr : 20 min
Then join Riquewihr, listed as one of France's most beautiful villages. This unspoilt medieval setting hosts an enchanting market between half-timbered houses and illuminated chalets. Gingerbread, mulled wine and local crafts make this a magical rendezvous at the foot of the ramparts.
A view of the Riquewihr Christmas market / Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: Xantana via depositphotos.Com
🟧 Saturday evening: the magic of Colmar's Christmas markets
View of the Colmar Christmas market / Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: Xantana via depositphotos.Com
🚗 Eguisheim → Colmar: 15 min
Arrive in Colmar at 6pm for a fairytale immersion. The town is home to five different markets, each with its own atmosphere:
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Place des Dominicains (cribs and decorations)
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Place Jeanne d'Arc (Alsatian gastronomy)
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Ancienne Douane (crafts)
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Little Venice (children)
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Place de la Cathédrale
By night, Colmar is like a postcard: reflections in the canals, illuminated half-timbered facades, soft music and the scent of spices.
The Colmar Christmas market is magnificent. Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: aletheia97 via dépositphotos
🛏️ Where to sleep in Colmar?
Stay in Little Venice for charm, or near the station for convenience (access to shuttles and TER links).
🟩 Sunday morning: Colmar and its peaceful Christmas markets
The Unterlinden Museum and its famous altarpiece / Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: Hackman via depositphotos
Sunday mornings are the perfect time to explore Colmar in a quieter atmosphere. You have two options:
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Visit the Musée Unterlinden, famous for its medieval masterpiece, the Retable d'Issenheim
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Or stroll through the covered market, ideal for tasting and taking home local produce: cheeses, charcuterie, bredalas, Alsace wines, jams, etc.
This quieter time allows you to enjoy the city at a more leisurely pace before the hustle and bustle of the afternoon.
For those with a sweet tooth, Colmar's covered market is worth a visit from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays / Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: depositphotos
🟧 Sunday afternoon: the authentic Christmas market in Kaysersberg
🚗 Colmar → Kaysersberg : 20 min
Leave around 3:30 pm to arrive at 4:00 pm in Kaysersberg, the ideal time to enjoy the market as night slowly settles in.
One of Kaysersberg's streets at Christmas:Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com : olesiabilkei via depositphotos.com
No industrial products here: the market is 100% artisanal and carefully selected. Wooden chalets, illuminations, traditional carols, the smell of mulled wine and gingerbread create an atmosphere that's both poetic and authentic. It's one of Alsace's most popular Christmas markets.
The streets of kayzersberg, which include the only Christmas store open all year round / Photo chosen by Monsieurdefrance.com: depositphotos
🟩 Return to Strasbourg
🚗 Kaysersberg → Strasbourg : 1h15
After 5:30pm, get back on the road to Strasbourg. You'll arrive around 19:00, just in time to conclude your weekend over a final mulled wine or a stroll under the big fir tree at place Kléber.
Christmas markets are also a great place to find holiday decor. Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: by moni quayle de Pixabay
🟨 Weekend summary (timetables + routes)
| Jour | Lieu | Schedule | 🚗 Distance / Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | Strasbourg (night market) | 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. | – |
| Samedi | Strasbourg (matin + midi) | 9h00 – 14h00 | – |
| Strasbourg → Eguisheim | Departure 2:45 p.m. | 🚗 1h15 | |
| Eguisheim (twilight) | 16h00 – 17h30 | 🚗 15 min → Colmar | |
| Colmar (evening) | 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | – | |
| Sunday | Colmar (matin) | 9h30 – 12h30 | 🚗 20 min → Kaysersberg |
| Kaysersberg (4 p.m.) | 16h00 – 17h30 | 🚗 1 hour 15 minutes → Strasbourg | |
| Strasbourg (return) | 19h00 | – |
6 Practical tips for a Christmas market weekend in Alsace
A facade in Strasbourg during the holidays with teddy bears / Photo chosen by Monsieurdefrance.com: depositphotos
1 Dress warmly;
It's silly, but it's cold in December, especially in Alsace. Dress warmly, especially by taking well-warmed shoes. Plan for comfort because you'll be walking a lot, we're not at fashion week, the most important thing is to feel good in your clothes.
2 Choose evenings
Even if you have to sleep in or settle down in the morning, Christmas markets are always more beautiful in the evening. so stagger your visits during the day as much as possible, but don't neglect the journey time.
Colmar at dusk /Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: depositphotos
3 Rent a car
If you don't want to do just the big cities like Strasbourg or Colmar, you'll need a car. You'll find them for hire in Strasbourg and Colmar. Be sure to reserve them well in advance because cars are in high demand at this time of year.
4 But take public transport often
Superb items can be found at Alsatian Christmas markets / Photo chosen by monsieur de France: depositphotos
If you're coming by carthe easiest way is to park outsideStrasbourg in a park-and-ride lot, you'll take the streetcar (it's convenient). Likewise in Colmar, a shuttle bus takes you to the city center from park-and-ride lots outside. You'll need your car to get to the villages;
5 and learn patience
Alsace's Christmas markets are so famous that they attract huge crowds. Sometimes you'll have to be patient, especially in the villages if you're coming by car to park your vehicle. That said, the atmosphere is warm and friendly, and even with lots of people, you'll get the most out of your stay!
It's always crowded but it always goes well / Photo chosen by Monsieur de France: depositphotos
6 Finally, be greedy!
We don't go to Christmas markets, and even more widely in Alsace, to diet. Please yourself! And enjoy, in particular, the famous Christmas cakes les bredeles. There's also always room for a good glass of mulled wine, flavored, even if we remind you that alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, consume in moderation.
FAQ - Alsace Christmas markets for foreign visitors
When do the Christmas markets in Alsace begin and end?
Most Christmas markets in Alsace open end of November, often on the last weekend of the month, and continue until Christmas. Some, like those in Colmar or Strasbourg, stay open until the end of December. Exact dates change every year: always check the official city website before your visit.
What are the market opening times?
In general, chalets open around 11 am and close between 7 pm and 9 pm depending on the day and the town. In Strasbourg, for example, the market is often open from 11:30 am to 9 pm, with reduced hours on December 24. In Colmar, it closes around 20 h on weekdays and later on weekends.
➡️ The best time to visit? After 5 pm, when night falls: the illuminations transform the streets and facades into a veritable wonderland. This is when the Christmas atmosphere is at its most fairy.
Strasbourg at Christmas: image chosen by Monsieur de France: by Cuong DUONG Viet de Pixabay
Which cities are not to be missed?
The most famous are :
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Strasbourg, the "Christmas Capital", with several markets throughout the historic center.
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Colmar, a fairytale setting with six themed markets.
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Kaysersberg, very typical and artisanal.
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Riquewihr and Eguisheim, two splendid medieval villages at Christmas.
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Mulhouse and Obernai, also popular for their illuminations and ambience.
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How long does it take to get the most out of it?
A weekend (2 full days and an evening) is already enough to experience the Alsatian Christmas magic. If you want to visit several villages, 3 to 4 days are ideal. The ideal is to choose a base point, such as Strasbourg or Colmar, to radiate easily.
How do you get between markets?
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By regional train (TER): convenient between major cities, for example Strasbourg-Colmar takes around 30 minutes.
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By rental car: useful for small villages not served by train.
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By Christmas shuttles: some destinations offer special buses linking nearby markets.
Remember to park your car in outdoor parking lots: historic centers are often pedestrianized during the holidays.
Always spectacular: Strasbourg's blue tree / Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: pixabay.
What's the weather like and what should I wear?
The Alsatian winter is cold but magical: temperatures between 0 and 5 °C on average. Wear warm layers, a coat, a scarf, a hat, and above all comfortable, waterproof shoes, as the cobblestones can get wet.
And don't forget your gloves to hold your goblet of mulled wine!
What can you taste at the markets?
Christmas markets are a festival of flavors! A must-try:
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The vin chaud, often based on white wine in Alsace.
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The bredele, small Christmas cookies with spices or hazelnuts.
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The tarte flambée and hot bretzels.
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The pain d'épices, the foie gras, the charcuteries locales.
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And the Alsatian pastries, perfect with hot chocolate.
You'll find plenty of Christmas decorations/ Photo chosen by monsieur de France : by G.C. de Pixabay
Can I pay by card or do I need cash?
Credit cards are often accepted in the larger towns, but many small artisans prefer cash payments. It is therefore advisable to prepare some cash (in euros) before arriving at the smaller markets.
Do Alsatians speak English?
In Strasbourg and Colmar, many shopkeepers speak English or German. In the smaller villages, French remains the majority language. Learning a few polite words in French is always appreciated: bonjour, merci, au revoir.
Are Christmas markets safe?
Yes, Alsace's markets are very safe and well-monitored, but also very crowded, especially on weekends. Avoid the rush hours if you want to stroll quietly, keep your belongings close to you, and enjoy the atmosphere in complete serenity.
When evening comes, when the lights come on and the Christmas carols ring out, the atmosphere is simply enchanted.
Illustration photo: depositphotos
