Best Strasbourg Christmas Markets (2022 guide)

The Christmas season in Europe is my favourite time of the year. The festive decorations, the Christmas spirit, the sparkling lights, the snow – all this brings a little magic in our daily life.

The Christmas markets in Berlin were the first ones that I visited. When it comes to Christmas spirit, Germany wins hands down.

However, there is one place in France, that could compare with the German festive atmosphere. According to some, it even wins first place. This region is called Alsace and it’s the most picturesque part of France.

The Christmas markets are not a traditional French thing. However, you can find plenty of them in Alsace, as this region was a part of Germany in the past.

The first market in Strasbourg (called Christkindelsmärik) took place in 1570 at Place Broglie. Initially, it was open for three days prior to Christmas Eve. Its main purpose was to sell provisions for the upcoming holidays such as spiced bread, candles, herbs, etc.

Although today Alsace is a French territory, the markets are still held every year as a part of a long-standing Christmas tradition.

Strasbourg is not huge, so you could imagine that one or two markets are enough for that size of a city. Apparently the French think otherwise. There are 13 Christmas markets spread out across the Old Town (the so-called Grande Île)! The shortest distance between any two of them is 50m and the longest one – 800m.

The most famous Christmas markets in Strasbourg are at Place de la Cathédrale, Place Kléber, Place Gutenberg, Place Broglie and Place du Château. In addition to this, you’ll find several smaller ones, all located on the Grande Île.

Strasbourg Christmas markets 2022

• Place de la Cathédrale de Strasbourg
• Place Kléber (where the Christmas Tree is)
• Place Gutenberg Christmas market
• Place Broglie Christkindelsmärik
• Place du Château
• Place du Marché aux Poisson
• Place du Temple Neuf
• Place Saint Thomas
• Place des Meuniers
• Place Benjamin-Zix
• Place Grimmeissen
• Advent Village at Square Louise-Weiss
• Place du Corbeau

Find a map with their exact locations at the end of the article.

When does Strasbourg Christmas market start?

The Christmas market starts from 26 November and ends on 26 December. On 26 December it is open until 6 PM, thus if you’re visiting immediately after Christmas, there is still a chance to see it.

Are Strasbourg Christmas markets open on Sunday?
Yes, all of them are open on Sunday, closing at 9-10 PM.

Is there any market open after Christmas?
Yes, the Advent Village at Square Louise-Weiss (which stays open till 6 January). However, all other markets close on 25-26 December at the latest. It’s best to visit them before Christmas.

Strasbourg Christmas market dates 2022

From 26 November to 26 December
Every day from 11:00 AM to 08:00 PM
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays – 11:00 AM to 09:00-10:00 PM
24th December – from 11:00 AM to 06:00 PM
25th December – from 02:00 PM to 06:00 PM
26th December – from 12:00 PM to 06:00 PM
(please note that the official dates for 2022 are not yet announced)

Each market has its own speciality. However at most of them, you’ll find ornaments, all kinds of gifts, mulled wine and of course plenty of tasty local food and sweets.

Located in front of Strasbourg Cathedral, the Christmas Market at Place de la Cathédrale is the most popular one. Visit it in the evening and have a cup of vin chaud (mulled wine) while enjoying the magical backdrop of one of France’s best Gothic cathedrals.

Place de la Cathédrale Christmas Market Opening times 
From 26 November to 26 December
Address: Pl. de la Cathédrale

This is the place where the big Christmas Tree (Grand Sapin) is. The minimum height of the tree is 30m and it’s provided by France’s National Forestry Office. They start the search for the perfect Christmas tree early in March every year. To get a really glamorous shape, more branches from other trees are added.

And finally, the tree is decorated with 7km of twinkling lights, baubles, angels and stars. In the end, it’s all worth it. It was one of the most sumptuous Christmas trees I’ve ever seen!

In the past, people used to put presents for the poor under the tree. Today, there are more than 60 charity stalls, selling souvenirs and food for a good cause. This market is called the Village of Sharing.

Village du Partage Opening times
From 26 November to 26 December
Address: Place Kléber

Each year Strasbourg dedicates this Christmas village to a different country. You’ll find local produce and traditional items, culinary specialities and many more. This year, 2021, the guest country is Germany.

Don’t miss the 10-metre high blue tree on Place Gutenberg!

Place Gutenberg International Guest Christmas Market Opening times
From 26 November to 26 December
Address: Pl. Gutenberg

This is the biggest and the oldest Christmas market in Strasbourg. The very first Christkindelsmärik took palace here at Place Broglie in 1871.

Over 100 stalls offer festive decorations, pottery, glass jewellery, handmade toys and many more. The food scene is excellent, with tasty options such as sausages, fresh pretzels, flammkuchen, crepes, gingerbread. Also, the mulled wine here is the best one in town!

Christkindelsmärik at Place Broglie Opening times
From 26 November to 26 December
Address: Place Broglie

Located next to the palace, this market is the prettiest of all. The stalls are surrounded by half-timbered houses, decorated with bears and festive garlands. A real fairytale!

Place du Château Market Opening times
From 26 November to 26 December
Address: Place du Château

All Christmas markets in Strasbourg are located on the Grande Île, just a short walk from each other. So, after visiting the five most popular ones, I’d suggest you head to any of the smaller markets below.

At Place du Marché-des-Poissons and on the terrace of the Palais Rohan, you’ll find the Alsatian Delicacies Market. This is the place to taste local specialities like traditional bredele, mannele, beer and delicious wines from the Alsace region. Don’t miss Nut’Alsace, a mouth-watering hazelnut cocoa spread (much tastier than Nutella).

Marché des Délices Opening times
From 26 November to 26 December
Address: Place du Marché aux Poisson and the terrace of the Palais Rohan

This charming small market is set in front of a 19th-century protestant church, Temple-Neuf. It’s a cosy market with unique handcrafted gifts and local delicacies such as foie gras.

Carré d’Or Christmas Market Opening times
From 26 November to 26 December
Address: Place du Temple-Neuf

It’s a small cosy market, located right next to Saint Thomas Church. A great place to escape the overwhelming crowds and enjoy a cup of wine.

Saint-Thomas Market Opening times
From 26 November to 26 December
Address: Place Saint-Thomas

At Place des Meuniers you’ll find the Small Producers of Alsace Christmas market. If you’re a foodie, this is a must-do. Tempting local artisan food ranging all the way from truffles, aromatic herbs and cheeses, to Bredele cookies and local craft beer wait for you here!

Small Producers of Alsace Christmas market Opening times
From 26 November to 26 December
Address: Place des Meuniers

Located in Petite France, the most picturesque part of Strasbourg, this market is surrounded by half-timbered houses. Here, you’ll find mostly handcrafted Christmas decorations and gift ideas.

Place Benjamin-Zix Market Opening times
From 26 November to 26 December
Address: Place Benjamin-Zix

The Off Christmas Market at Place Grimmeisen takes place every year since 2015. More than thirty local companies involved in responsible purchasing have united and created this alternative original market. Come here if you’re looking for vintage furniture, original handicrafts and organic food.

Marché Off Opening times
From 26 November to 26 December
Address: Place Grimmeissen

In December, the pretty Louise Weiss Square in Petite France is transformed into the Advent Village. Beautifully illuminated with thousands of lights, it’s the perfect area for strolling in a magical setting. You can also take a part in any of the numerous workshops to discover the Alsatian Christmas traditions or enjoy the frequent concerts.

The Advent Village becomes the After Village from 27 December onwards and it’s open till 6 January.

Advent Village Opening times
From 26 November to 26 December
Address: Square Louise-Weiss

The Christmas market at Place du Corbeau is the only one, situated outside the Grande Île. It’s a small market, mainly consisting of food stalls.

Place du Corbeau Market Opening times
From 26 November to 26 December
Address: Place du Corbeau

If you’re visiting Strasbourg for the Christmas markets, stay on the Grande Île, the city’s historic centre. This the best location for the following reasons:

• All markets are located within the Grande Île. You’ll be at just a short walk from all of them.
• There are security checks at each entrance to the Grande Île. If your hotel is on the Grande Île, you’ll avoid the inspection of your bag or backpack every time you want to enter the area.

Yet, keep in mind that you’ll have to pass through the security check with your suitcase on your way to the hotel. Thus, if you don’t want your suitcase to be inspected, choose a hotel outside the Grande Île. For me, the better option was to stay right in the historic centre and to pass the security check only once.

For more information, check out my guide to the best Strasbourg hotels Old Town.

Perfectly located in the heart of Strasbourg, next to Place Kléber (where the Christmas tree is) and just a few steps away from 4 more Christmas markets. Plenty of restaurants and shops in the immediate vicinity.
Why book – excellent location, easy to walk everywhere, parking garage right around the corner

This luxury hotel is set in a converted 17th-century mill in the heart of Petite France. The wellness centre features a sauna, hammam, massage treatments and a rooftop terrace.
Why book – next to 4 Christmas markets and just a short walk from the rest, spacious rooms with with river views, private parking

Carpe Diem Home offers stylish apartments, perfectly located on a pedestrian street on the Grande Île. The city’s cathedral, as well as plenty of shops and bakeries, are just a few steps away.
Why book – next to 5 Christmas markets, spacious stylish apartments with kitchen, parking nearby

Take the Free Walking Tour of Strasbourg and discover the Old Town with a knowledgeable guide. The tour will give you a great insight into the city and you’ll see the most charming places.

Every year a big Nativity scene is set inside the Strasbourg Cathedral. This 18m long painted wooden nativity set dates from 1907 and features scenes of the Jesus’ birth.

More nativity scenes you can find at the courtyard of Palais Rohan and in the shop windows on rue des Juifs and rue Brûlée.

This bear house is one of the most unique places in Strasbourg. You can find it right next to the restaurant Zum alten Straßburg (5 Rue du Maroquin).

Strasbourg is famous not only for its Christmas markets, but also for its impressive festive decoration. Almost every little street and storefront in the Old Town is decorated with twinkling lights, pine trees and plenty of bears. So take your time and get lost in these fairytale alleys!

Some of the must-see locations are:

• Rue du Vieux – go through the Porte des Lumières and enter the Capitale de Noël
• Rue Mercière – a gorgoues view of the cathdreal
• Rue des Orfèvres – Saint Sépulcre (awesome polar bears and penguins display) and the winter decoration at Maison Naegel
• Rue du Fossé-des-Tanneurs and Grand Rue One (fairytale chandeliers)
• the magical displays of Pâtisserie Christian and Au Fond du Jardin
• Rue du Chaudron
• Rue du Maroquin
• Rue des Grandes Arcades
• Rue des Hallebardes

What is better than a cup of tea on a freezing cold day? Tea with cheesecake, of course! So take your time and stop for a huge piece of cheesecake at Salon de thé Grand’Rue.

At Place Kléber, next to the largest Christmas tree in Strasbourg, you’ll find an ice rink. This sprawling skating rink with twinkling light-filled trees is set in the backdrop of the beautifully illuminated building of the Aubette. One of the best spots in the Old Town!

Christmas is nothing without gingerbread cookies! For the best gingerbread in town head to Pain d’épices Mireille Oster. These delicious handmade gingerbread cookies come with a great variety of flavours and will take you to Chine, Italy or even Egypt!

Address: 14 Rue des Dentelles
mireilleoster.com

At most of the markets, you’ll find the usual stuff such as red and white mulled wine (vin chaud in French), gingerbread and sausages. Besides that, there are a few typical Alsatian dishes that are not to be missed.

Don’t forget to bring some cash with you. Most of the stalls accept only cash and coins.

Bretzel

Bretzel is the French version of the German pretzel. It’s made from brioche dough and comes in different sweet and savoury versions.

Beignet

Beignet is a pastry made of deep-fried sweetened dough.

Chouquette

Chouquette is a Choux pastry sprinkled with sugar.

Baguette Flambée

Baguette Flambée, also known as a Flammekueche, is a wood-fired pizza topped with crème Fraiche, bacon and onion. A perfect savoury snack for these cold evenings!

Choucroute

Choucroute is a typical Alsatian dish. It’s a grated cabbage pickled in wine, accompanied by sausages and slow-cooked pork.

The central train station (Gare de Strasbourg-Ville) is located less than 500m away from the Historic Centre. You can check timetables and book train tickets online at SNCF official site.

During the Christmas market opening hours, access to the Grande Île (Old Town) is strictly regulated and parking is prohibited. Thus, if you’re arriving by car I’d recommend booking a hotel located outside the Grande Île.

Another option is to leave your car in any of the numerous parking lots near the Grande Île and stay in the Old Town (see more info about parking and available parking lots).

The closest airport is Strasbourg Airport (SXB), located in Entzheim. To get to the city centre just take the shuttle train directly from the airport.

You can also fly to Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport in Germany (only 42km away). 

To help you navigate, I prepared a detailed map with all the markets. You can use it during your trip, you only need internet access. The popular markets are marked in dark red, the smaller ones – in light red.

Find more information on the official website of Strasbourg.

If there is a place that can compare to Strasbourg, it’s Colmar. It’s a fairytale town, just 30min away by train. There are 6 Christmas markets, all of them in the Old Town. The markets start the last week of November and run till December, 24 (more info here).

To explore the famous Christmas market in Colmar take this Alsace Christmas Markets Tour. The tour will also take you to the most popular markets in the neighbouring villages, including the beautiful towns of Bergheim and Ribeauvillé.

If possible I’d recommend you to spend at least a night in Colmar. The atmosphere is truly magical in the evenings. Moreover, there is a Christmas shuttle, which connects Colmar to the most popular towns nearby – Kaysersberg, Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé, Turckheim and Eguisheim. For convenient accommodation, check out these great hotels in Colmar.

Karlsruhe Christmas market is one of the most charming markets I’ve ever seen. Fairytale atmosphere with sparkling pine trees, festive wooden huts and even a real flying Santa!

If you’re flying to Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport, spend your last night (if possible) in Karlsruhe and visit the market. You won’t regret it!

Karlsruhe is only 1 hour away by car from Strasbourg. It’s a perfect destination for a half-day trip if you’re travelling by car. However, I wouldn’t recommend visiting the city if you’re travelling by train. It’s a little long journey and you have to change trains.

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About the author

	Milena Yordanova
	I’m a full-time travel blogger based in Sofia, Bulgaria. I love to travel and to discover new places, cultures and food. I’m an expert in travel planning and I am here to help you plan your dream vacation.

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