Strasbourg Christmas Market (Map + Dates 2023)

A complete guide to the famous Strasbourg Christmas market 2023 (+ map, opening dates, must-try foods, locations and where to stay).

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 to our daily life. 

The Berlin Christmas market was the first one 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.

Visiting the city for the first time? Then take a look at my Strasbourg itinerary (it covers all must-see sites and the best restaurants).

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.

Best Christmas markets in Strasbourg

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 2023

  • 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 on 24 November and ends on 24 December. On 24 December it is open until 6 PM.

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 24 December at the latest. It’s best to visit them before Christmas.

Strasbourg Christmas market dates 2023

From 24 November to 24 December 2023
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

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.

My favourite place to stay in Strasbourg is BOMA easy living hotel. It’s the perfect base to explore the Christmas markets (at a walking distance to all of them).

Place de la Cathédrale

Place de la Cathédrale

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 24 November to 24 December

Address: Pl. de la Cathédrale

Place Kléber

Strasbourg Christmas Tree

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 24 November to 24 December
Address: Place Kléber

Place Gutenberg

Place Gutenberg

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 24 November to 24 December
Address: Pl. Gutenberg

Place Broglie

Place Broglie at night

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 24 November to 24 December
Address: Place Broglie

Place du Château

Place du Château

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 24 November to 24 December
Address: Place du Château

More Strasbourg Christmas markets

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.

Place du Marché aux Poisson

Place du Marché aux Poisson

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 24 November to 24 December
Address: Place du Marché aux Poisson and the terrace of the Palais Rohan

Place du Temple Neuf

Place du Temple Neuf

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 24 November to 24 December
Address: Place du Temple-Neuf

Place Saint Thomas

Place Saint Thomas

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 24 November to 24 December
Address: Place Saint-Thomas

Place des Meuniers

Place des Meuniers

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 24 November to 24 December
Address: Place des Meuniers

Place Benjamin-Zix

Place Benjamin-Zix

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 24 November to 24 December
Address: Place Benjamin-Zix

Place Grimmeissen

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 24 November to 24 December
Address: Place Grimmeissen

Advent Village at Square Louise-Weiss

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 24 November to 24 December
Address: Square Louise-Weiss

Place du Corbeau

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 24 November to 24 December
Address: Place du Corbeau

Christmas street

Where to stay in Strasbourg for Christmas markets

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.


Hotel Hannong – Best mid-range

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


Hotel & Spa REGENT PETITE FRANCE – Most luxurious

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 – Best apartments

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

strasbourg christmas street decorations
Book tours or skip-the-line tickets with GetYourGuide or Tiqets (you get a mobile ticket + free cancellation). Tickets from attractions’ official websites are mostly non-refundable.

What to do in Strasbourg at Christmas

Free Walking Tour of Strasbourg

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.

See the Nativity scene

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.

Nativity scene

See the House of Bears

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).

polar bears decorations

See the magical Christmas decoration

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
Christmas decoration
Christmas decoration bears

Have a cheesecake at Salon de thé Grand’Rue

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.

Salon de thé Grand’Rue

Go ice skating

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!

Place Kléber

Have some gingerbread cookies

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

Strasbourg Christmas market food

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.

Bretzel

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.

Flammekueche

How to get to Strasbourg Christmas market

By train

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.

By car

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).

To get the best car rental rate, take a look at Rentalcars (they compare deals from all major companies, giving you the best price).
By air

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). 

Strasbourg Christmas market map

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.

The best Christmas markets near Strasbourg

Colmar Christmas market

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

Karlsruhe Christmas market

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!

Find out more in my guide to the Karlsruhe Christmas market (including the best things to do in December).

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.

Faqs about visiting the Strasbourg Christmas market

Is Strasbourg Christmas market worth it?

Known as the Capitale de Noël, Strasbourg hosts one of the best Christmas markets in Europe. With its 13 markets and fairytale festive decoration with twinkling lights and polar bears, Strasbourg totally worth a visit!

How many Christmas markets are there in Strasbourg?

There are 13 Christmas markets, all located within walking distance of each in the Old Town (known as the Grande Île). The most popular ones are at Place de la Cathédrale, Place Kléber, Place Gutenberg, Place Broglie and Place du Château.

Do you need tickets for the Strasbourg Christmas market?

There is no entrance fee to the Strasbourg Christmas market and in general, most events are free. You can find all events and the Christmas program here.

Does it snow in Strasbourg at Christmas?

December is the month with the most snowfall in Strasbourg (when snow falls for 4.4 days). However, as Alsace is in a bit of a valley, snow is not a common thing. It is more likely to rain a lot, so get an umbrella!


What is the best Christmas market in Strasbourg for you?
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About the author

AvatarMilena 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.

29 Comments

  1. My husband and I are planning an overnight stay in Strasbourg (Dec 28-29). We will probably get there around noon and leave around noon the following day. Will that be worthwhile doing?

    • Yes, it will be worthwhile. Strasbourg is very charming, the Christmas decoration will be still there. Plus, the Christmas market at Place de la Cathédrale should be still open. Unfortunately, the other markets will be closed.

  2. We were in Strasbourg last week and visited almost all Christmas markets. Thanks! We stayed at hotel BOMA – a perfect location and the breakfast has a lot of vegetarian options!

  3. Hi Milena!
    My husband and I will be joining Viking Cruise and on Nov 28, 2019 morning we will be visiting Strasbourg Cathedral and City center’s area. Just wonder if there is any Christmas market closed by? Are they walking distance? Much thanks and God bless !
    Natalie!

  4. Hello Milena, Thanks for all your tips, the article is really well explained and with a lot of good suggestions. But I was wondering if you recommend a restaurant for the night of the 24th. I have seen on website from Strasbourg that they have a list of the ones that will be open this date, but they do not have a review or information about the prices. And I believe for this night I will need to make a reservation in advance.

    Thank you, Vitor

  5. Hi milena.
    Can I know what’s the exact address of the most beautiful apartment/building who have a decorations of a lot of stuffed toys outside? I want to know where is it exactly like this I can show it to my 8year old daughter she’s going to be happy as this house is in her bucket list as we are going there on dec.04.2021 it will be perfect to know the exact address thank you in advance 🤗

  6. Thanks Milena for putting such an amazing guide together. My wife and are visiting Alsace region between Dec 8th and Dec 13th and we have 4-5 days to cover it. What cities would you recommend staying in? We were thinking Strasbourg and Colmar. Any others? We want to see as much as possible.

    • Hi Avneet,
      I recommend staying in Strasbourg or Colmar (or splitting your time between both, depending on your preferences). From there you can also take day trips to Eguisheim and Riquewihr – both towns are magical during Christmas! 🙂
      There is a direct train (30min journey) between Colmar and Strasbourg. However, to get to Eguisheim or Riquewihr you’ll need either to rent a car or stay in Colmar and take this shuttle which runs during the Advent weekends between the nearby small towns.

  7. Hi Milena, my wife and I are planning a trip to France for first half of December and we will be spending a week in Paris and have another week to spend in other parts of France. Strasbourg and Colmar are on the list. How would you recommend splitting this time (7 days)? We will be headed to Switzerland after. Would love your recommendations for must visit places.

      • Thank you so much. We really appreciate all the suggestions. We will definitely spend seven full days in Paris and then spend a few days in Strasbourg and probably another two days in Colmar to go visit the nearby towns. Any suggestions for Switzerland? We will have another seven days to spend there as well. Thanks again for all your recommendations.

        P.S. Sorry about the duplicate comment wasn’t sure if the first one went in.

  8. Hello! Thanks so much for the guide. I was thinking of doing a day trip on a Saturday in December from Paris. Approximately how many hours do you suggest spending at the Christmas markets? Trying to buy my train tickets… thank you!

    • Hi Ji Eun You,
      I’d recommend spending half a day but this depends on how many markets you want to see and how much time you’ll spend on each. If you’re going to see the markets on a day trip, focus on the main ones, which are: Place de la Cathédrale de Strasbourg, Place Kléber (where the Christmas Tree is), Place Gutenberg, Place Broglie and Place du Château.

      Probably it is possible to see all 13 markets in one day, but you’ll be in a hurry. Plan about half an hour to explore each market and more if you want to try some food and mulled wine. Also, if possible visit them late in the afternoon, when it is getting dark, as the atmosphere is more magical.

  9. Hello! My fiancé and I will be on our honeymoon in Europe, staying in Paris 12/19/22 through 12/23/22. We are wanting to do a day trip to Strasbourg on 12/21/22. Is this doable? I am having a hard time finding trains on this date! Also would love to know the best things to see if we only have one day there. Any advice/recommendations are appreciated! Thanks!

    • Hi Megan,

      I don’t know on which website you checked for trains, but there are trains almost once an hour during the whole day (see the official website of SNFC – France’s national railway company).

      The trip is doable of course, but I wouldn’t recommend it – you’ll spend between 3-4 hours travelling by train in total (and count another hour in Paris to get to the train station and back). If possible I’d recommend staying overnight in Strasbourg and taking a day trip to Colmar as well (both towns are magical). Still, this depends on how much you have in Paris – if this is your first time in Paris, maybe it will be better to take a day trip to Strasbourg and spend more time in the French capital.

      For the best things to see you can take a look at my article – how to spend one day in Strasbourg and choose according to your interests. Strasbourg Cathedral and La Petite France are must see. 🙂

      • Thank you for the reply! Unfortunately we are only in Paris for a few days but I feel like we have to take advantage of visiting Strasbourg right before Christmas even if just for the day 🙂 We were able to book our train using the link you provided – thanks! I will check our your article to plan our day!

  10. We are planning to travel to Strasbourg arriving December 28th till January 2nd. Are the decorations still on it is worth it to go for New Years Eve.?

    • Hi Gisela,
      the Christmas decoration is still on, however the Christmas market is closed. The atmosphere is very festive, but I haven’t been there for New Year’s Eve, so I am not sure if it’s worth it.

  11. Hi Milena –
    This article was incredibly helpful. Thank you. We will be in Strasbourg for two nights — December 12 and 13, staying at the Hannong. Where would you recommend we eat? We are more inclined to traditional than haute cuisine. Saw names of Chez Yvonne, Au Crocidle and Maison des Tanneurs. Thoughts on those an others appreciated. Thanks –

    Greg

    • Hi Greg,

      I haven’t been to any of these restaurants, but I can recommend Aux Trois Chevaliers or La Corde à Linge for traditional cuisine. You can also take a look at these restaurants on Google maps for some reviews and photos of the food so that you can decide easier. 🙂

  12. Thank you for such a wonderful guide. My wife and I will be staying in Strasbourg December 25-26. We have seen conflicting information about what will be open. The official Christmas Market website says everything closes on December 24; the front desk at Hotel BOMA confirmed this. However, it seems that some parts of the market will still be open. What do you think?

    • Hi Todd,
      This year 2022 all markets close on December 24. However, they change the closing time every year, sometimes a few markets are open after Christmas, last year, for example, all of them ran till 26. This is the reason you’ve seen conflicting information. I also fixed the article (thanks to your comment) – when I updated a few months ago these year’s dates the official website has listed that the markets would run till 26. Now I see that this information is changed, which have led to misleading information on my article, too.

      I wish you a lovely time in Strasbourg! 🙂

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