Strasbourg Christmas market
Sleigh the holidays with a trip to Strasbourg Christmas market. Just 6 hours 25 minutes from Calais, it is an unmissable winter tradition.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas – especially in Strasbourg! Transformed into a winter wonderland every December, this French city is one of Europe’s most magical holiday destinations.
The Christmas market in Strasbourg is one of Europe’s oldest, and best – and in this guide you’ll discover why:
• Its fairytale feel
• Distinctive Alsatian crafts and gifts
• The giant Christmas tree
• Tempting festive food and drink
• Scenic river tours
Is the Strasbourg Christmas market worth visiting?
In short – yes – the Strasbourg Christmas market is definitely worth visiting! Set in the fairytale streets of Strasbourg, the market is a festive mish-mash of smaller markets that together take over the city with holiday magic. As one of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe, the historic Grande Île is home to some of the best Christmas keepsakes, flavours, and festive traditions. The annual event is easy to explore on foot, and with plenty of interactive workshops, carousel rides, and family-friendly attractions, it’s a perfect stop for winter fun.
Plus, with its pretty canals, half-timbered houses, twinkling lights, festive decorations, and striking landmarks, Strasbourg is the perfect backdrop for holiday photos!
What to see and do at the Strasbourg Christmas market
Get your festive fix at the Strasbourg Christmas Market. With plenty of stalls to explore, decorations to admire, and tasty treats to sample, there’s lots to see and do at this French Christmas market.
Discover a different market on every square
One of the many charms of the Strasbourg Christmas market is that it is not confined to a single location. The festivities sprawl across the city, with each square transformed by the revelry. Each market has its unique character, making it a joy to wander from one to the next.
Some of the best areas to explore during the Strasbourg Christmas markets include Christkindelsmärik, the Cathedral and Château squares, Rohan Terrace, and Places Benjamin Zix and Saint Thomas. But with stalls spilling into almost every street, you’ll find festive treats, decorations, and surprises around nearly every corner.
| Market | Highlights |
| Christkindelsmärik | One of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe, the market at Place Broglie is ideal for soaking up a quintessential festive atmosphere. Here you’ll find Strasbourg’s elegant Hôtel de Ville (City Hall), along with the illuminated Christkindelsmärik arch, which marks the entrance to this historic market. |
| Cathedral and Château squares | At the foot of the cathedral, this market is perfect for festive souvenirs including Christmas decorations and candles. For a spectacular view of Strasbourg lit up for the festivities, why not climb the 332 steps to the cathedral platform to take in the city from above? |
| Rohan Terrace | Bring your appetite to Rohan Terrace, this riverside market is a haven for food lovers! With stalls selling everything from traditional Christmas cookies (Bredle cookies) to flammekueche - flatbreads topped with crème fraiche and lardons - you won’t walk away hungry. |
| Places Benjamin Zix and Saint Thomas | In the fairy-tale setting of Petite France, these markets offer plenty of charm. You’ll find unique gifts like handmade wooden ornaments and candles, alongside traditional treats such as gingerbread, mulled wine, and local jams and preserves. |
Shop for unique gifts and Alsatian crafts
The Strasbourg Christmas market is a treasure trove of one-of-a-kind gifts and traditional Alsatian crafts. Browse handmade nutcrackers, wooden ornaments, hand-carved toys, festive wreaths, artisanal pottery, and cosy hats, gloves, and scarves. You’ll also find scented candles, local textiles, and unique jewellery, all crafted by regional artisans.
Find the perfect handcrafted Christmas decoration at Strasbourg Market.
Marvel at the Great Christmas Tree
With no less than 7 km of fairy lights, the giant pine tree that is erected in Place Kléber is an unmissable sight in Strasbourg. Decorated with 240 cherubs, 200 bouquets, more than 400 baubles, and around 180 traditional ornaments such as candles, biscuits, apples, and stars, the 30-metre-tall sapin is the dazzling centrepiece of the city’s Christmas celebrations.
Visit Place Kléber and see Strasbourg’s iconic Christmas tree sparkle this festive season!
Indulge in Alsatian Christmas treats
A great reason to spend more than a day at the Strasbourg Christmas market is to savour all the traditional Alsatian treats it has to offer. There’s no shortage of festive flavours to enjoy; you’ll find homemade cookies and spiced gingerbread, jars of jams and preserves, regional cheeses, truffles, candied nuts, and locally crafted wines and beers. With all the ingredients for a delicious holiday hamper, the market is a great place to gather all the essentials for a memorable gift – whether you can bear to part with it, though, is another thing altogether!
Pick up festive gingerbread cookies with charming Christmas messages at Strasbourg’s market stalls.
Create festive family memories
Strasbourg Christmas Market is not just for shopping, and families will find plenty of opportunities to build new family traditions and lasting holiday memories. Visit the Advent Village to see puppet and theatre shows and enjoy festive workshops. Or relax in the reading corner and listen to enchanting Christmas stories and winter tales. As the designated UNESCO World Book Capital in 2024, Strasbourg is one of the best places to lose yourself in a book. Little ones will also enjoy riding the carousels, admiring the Christmas tree, and delighting in sweet Alsatian treats - paired with creamy, indulgent hot chocolates, of course!
Enjoy festive treats with your family at Strasbourg Christmas Market.
Cruise along the illuminated river on a boat tour
A boat tour along the Ill River is a magical way to experience Strasbourg and the Christmas market atmosphere. Head to Batorama to enjoy scenic tours of the city. With circuits between 20 minutes and 2 hours long, and routes passing key districts like the Grand Île, Neustadt, the European Quarter, and Petite France, there is a tour for every interest and schedule.
During the holidays, families can dive into a festive adventure, helping Santa Claus and Captain Hans Trapp to find the mischievous elves who have gone missing. Complete with an activity book and audio guide, this family-friendly cruise is a great way to get into the Christmas spirit.
Hop on a festive evening boat tour in Strasbourg and see the city’s canals glowing with lights!
Explore Strasbourg’s Christmas charm
Beyond the markets, Strasbourg is packed with attractions and activities that take on a special festive charm at Christmas. Admire the illuminated cathedral, visit Palais Rohan, wander down the decorated streets or enjoy lively concerts and choir performances. Better still, why not just sit back and enjoy some people-watching with a warm treat in hand, while taking in the twinkling lights and cheerful energy of the city?
Plan your visit to the Strasbourg Christmas market
Plan your visit to the Strasbourg Christmas market with essential tips on everything from when to go to where to stay.
Where is the Strasbourg Christmas market?
The Strasbourg Christmas market takes place in the historic city centre near the Place Kléber and Strasbourg Cathedral on the Grand Île. But merry-making cannot be contained, and neither can merry markets. This one sprawls across the city, stretching over multiple squares and streets.
When is the Strasbourg Christmas market?
The Strasbourg Christmas market usually runs between late November and late December. In 2025, the market is open from 2pm on the 26th November to 6pm on the 24th December.
Where to stay in Strasbourg
You can stay right on the Grande Île, where the Christmas markets, shops, and restaurants are just outside your door, or choose Petite France for a quieter, picture-perfect setting with canals and half-timbered houses. Either way, Strasbourg has plenty of welcoming places to make your holiday stay special.
To help you plan your festive stay, we’ve rounded up some of the best stays near the Strasbourg Christmas market:
Great places to stay in Grande Île include:
• Maison Rouge Strasbourg Hotel & Spa
Great places to stay in Petite France include:
• Le Bouclier d'Or Hotel & Spa
• Hôtel de l’Europe by HappyCulture
Driving to Strasbourg from Calais
The drive from Calais to Strasbourg takes around 6 hours and 25 minutes. Take the A26 towards Reims, then join the A4 and follow the signs to your final destination in Strasbourg.
For a more scenic route, consider stopping in Arras, Reims, or Metz. All known for their charming Christmas markets, these are perfect stops on a Christmas market tour of France. Alternatively, take the N4 via Nancy: if you pass through on the first weekend of December, you can experience the Saint Nicholas Day festivities, with parades and floats filling the city with festive cheer.
Parking in Strasbourg
Driving on the Grande-Île is strictly prohibited during Christmas market hours. The easiest option is to use one of the 11 park-and-ride facilities located outside the city and then continue your journey by tram or bus into the centre. A full day of parking costs €4.20, which also includes unlimited bus and tram travel for all passengers in the car (up to 7 people).
Best time to visit the Christmas market
Beat the Christmas rush by visiting the Strasbourg Christmas market in late November. Mornings and weekdays also tend to be less crowded, making for a more relaxed visit.
'Tis the season to be jolly in Strasbourg!
Ready to get into the Christmas spirit? Then ho ho hop into your car and drive to Strasbourg with LeShuttle.
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