Complete Guide to the Strasbourg & Colmar Christmas Markets (2025)
If visiting a European Christmas Market is on your bucket list, you’re in the right place! Last year, I finally made my dream trip happen, and I’m sharing everything you need to know so you can plan your own magical holiday getaway. From Strasbourg’s world-famous Christmas Market to the fairytale streets of Colmar and the Alsace wine villages, this guide covers dates, travel tips, where to stay, and how to make the most of your visit.
Why Visit the Strasbourg and Colmar Christmas Markets?
When you picture a traditional European Christmas Market, you’re probably imagining Strasbourg. Known as the Capital of Christmas, Strasbourg has hosted its markets since 1570, making them the oldest in France. Just one hour away is Colmar, a storybook town with half-timbered houses, canals, and six festive markets spread across its historic center. Together, these destinations make the perfect holiday travel itinerary in France.
Strasbourg & Colmar Christmas Market Dates (2025)
Christmas Markets are open every day and are free to enter. For lowest crowds, plan to visit Monday - Wednesday.
Planning around market dates is essential! Here are the most up-to-date schedules:
Strasbourg Christmas Market 2025
Dates for 2025 are from November 26th - December 24th
Open every day from 11am-8pm
For more information, click here.
Colmar Christmas Markets 2025
Dates for 2025: November 24th - December 28th.
Open: Monday - Thursday: 10a-7p and Friday - Sunday: 10a-8p
For complete information on markets and events, visit the Colmar Christmas Market site.
Alsace Wine Route Villages
Many of the small villages surrounding Colmar on the Wine Route (like Eguisheim, Kaysersberg, and Riquewihr) also host markets with varying dates. Click here for more details on each village.
Eguisheim - For a fun experience, take the Round of the Night Watchman Tour.
Pro Tip: Visit Monday–Wednesday for fewer crowds. Weekends are very busy!
how to get to strasbourg and colmar
From Paris: Take the high-speed TGV train (2 hours) directly from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport or Gare de l’Est to Strasbourg. Book tickets on RailEurope for the best prices.
From Frankfurt: Another option is flying into Frankfurt and taking a direct train (under 2 hours).
Getting Between Strasbourg & Colmar: Colmar is just 30 minutes away by train. If you want to explore the Alsace wine villages, consider renting a car but skip the car in Strasbourg, where traffic and parking are a hassle.
Strasbourg, France is located about 2 hours east of Paris via high-speed train. We flew into Paris and hopped on the train right inside the airport. We factored in possible flight delays, eating after landing, walking through the terminal and maybe even getting lost into the time we pre booked our train for. We ended up booking a time about 2-3 hours after we landed. I highly recommend doing it that way. We were never pressed or stressed about missing our train.
WHERE TO STAY in colmar
Because we were working around work and school schedules, we planned two nights in Colmar, one night in Strasbourg and one night in Paris. It was perfect! Did you know Paris has Christmas markets too?
Hotel Restaurant Le Maréchal - Teritoria: We stumbled upon this hotel while walking through the Christmas Markets in Petite Venice in Comar. It backs to the river and the Christmas Markets are right at the front entrance. Couldn’t be a better location.
Hotel Le Colombier: Also located in the Petite Venice area of Colmar and steps from the Christmas Markets.
Grand Hotel Bristol : We’ve stayed here on two different trips.
The view of the Colmar train station from our room at the Grand Hotel Bristol
We stayed two nights in Colmar at the Grand Hotel Bristol. This is our second stay at this property. Rooms are a great size. I recommend paying for the full breakfast. We get our money's worth in cappuccinos when we travel. This hotel is directly in front of the Colmar train station. If you are not renting a car, it couldn’t be easier. Also, the shuttle to the Christmas markets picks up across the street.
Where to stay in Strasbourg
In Strasbourg you want to stay within the inner circle of the historic city center because they block cars from driving through there during Christmas Market season, so you want to be able to walk or hop on the tram. We stayed just one night in Strasbourg at the Hotel du Corbeau. The hotel is in a great location, just a three-minute walk to the Strasbourg Cathedral and several markets.
Hotel Maison Rouge: Located in city center, close to the tram, only a 5-minute walk to Petite France. This is a Marriott property bookable with points or a free night award.
Hotel and Spa Regent Petite France: Located in the heart of Petite France with gorgeous views. Steps from all the markets
The Kleber Hotel: Located in the pedestrian district. Short walk to Petite France and cathedral.
The Sofitel Strasbourg: You can hop on the Tram from the train station and it drops you about a 4-minute walk away. Just an 8-minute walk to the cathedral and 14 minute walk to Petite France so you’re in heart of the Christmas markets.
Best Western Plus Monopole: Located near the train station and Petite France. Short walk to the cathedral. It will be easy to get to from the Strasbourg train station or rental car returns centers.
Getting around in COLMAR
The Colmar Christmas Market Shuttle picks up and drops off in front of the Colmar Train Station. If you prefer to walk or the shuttle lines are too long, the markets and historic Colmar are just a 10-minute walk. If you are staying in the historic area, you’ll be able to walk to all of the markets.
If you plan to visit the surrounding medieval villages along the you can also hop on a shuttle in front of the Colmar train station. Make sure that you get an updated schedule as the shuttle does not go to every town every single day. Click here for the most updated information.
What to Expect at the Colmar Christmas Markets
Colmar has six Christmas Markets spread across its old town, each with its own theme. From Petite Venice to Place des Dominicains, you’ll find everything from handmade crafts to mulled wine (vin chaud).
As you can imagine, the crowds can be quite heavy, especially on the weekends. The villages along the wine route are very small and parking lots fill up very quickly. We arrived at our first village, Eguisheim (probably the most popular) an hour before the markets opened and the parking lots were full, and cars were lined up and down every road. As the day wore on and we were Christmas Market “hopping”, parking became more and more difficult to find. There are pay stations at every parking lot in each town we visited that take credit cards or euros. Plan to arrive 1-2 hours before the first market opens for easier parking.
Pro Tip: Take a photo of your license plate, you have to enter it every time you pay for parking.
Although the Christmas shuttle is convenient, we saw very, very long shuttle lines in the villages with people waiting to return to Colmar at the end of the evening. It was very cold and I’m sure the lines in the evening were at least 30-45 minutes long. Keep this in mind if you don’t plan to rent a car.
There is a train from Colmar to Turkheim that could save you time both driving and waiting in shuttle lines as an alternative to visiting one of the villages. Plus, you can take the train one evening to take the Night Watchman Tour!
One of the tallest Christmas trees in Europe can be found in Strasbourg
STRASBOURG christmas markets: the capital of christmas
With more than 10 markets across the city, Strasbourg truly earns its festive reputation. Some highlights include:
Cathedral Square Market – the heart of Strasbourg’s Christmas magic.
Place Kléber – home to the city’s giant Christmas tree.
Petite France – picture-perfect canals and timbered houses.
Strasbourg is very walkable, and during market hours the historic center is pedestrian-only. If needed, the tram makes it easy to get around (a 24-hour pass is under €5). For Christmas markets that you feel are too far to walk, then hop on the Tram. You can purchase a 24-hr. unlimited ride pass for less than $5 when you arrive. Take a peek at this interactive Christmas Market map in Strasbourg to see how close everything is.
CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN AND AROUND COLMAR
The gorgeous town of Eguisheim feels like a Disney movie
There are six Christmas Markets sprinkled all along the pedestrian streets in the historic center of Colmar. We parked at one end and just meandered through from stall to stall. In addition to numerous crafts and gift stalls, there are food and drink vendors and rides for the kids and adults. Our favorite time was spent in the Petite Venice area.
In addition to the Markets in Colmar, each of the tiny medieval villages along the Route de Vins (Wine Route) hosts beautiful Christmas Markets. If you have plenty of time, try to visit as many as you can. Our favorites are Eguisheim, Kaysersberg and Riquewhir. The drive through the mountains and villages is stunning. We could spend an entire day just driving this route.
We spent the morning exploring Petite Venise in Colmar
We visited super early one morning and although most chalets and stalls weren’t open, we had beautiful Colmar to ourselves. I highly recommend walking around Petite Venice in the morning as well as in the early evening.
For the latest Christmas Market information in Colmar and the Alsace region, click here.
CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN STRASBOURG
The Strasbourg Cathedral stands as a stunning backdrop to the chalets at one of the Christmas Markets in Strasbourg
In Strasbourg there are ten markets throughout town, all of them within a 5–15-minute walk from each other. We were given a Christmas Market map when we checked into our hotel, and I highly recommend grabbing one too when you check in. You’ll find the markets dotted along the main route as you’re walking. Our favorite markets were the one near the Cathedral, the one near the large Christmas tree (Kleber Platz) and the ones in Petite France. This neighborhood cannot be missed!
tips for Visiting the Strasbourg & Colmar Christmas Markets
Bring cash – many stalls prefer euros, especially for food and drinks.
Dress warmly – coats, boots, hats, scarves, and touch-screen gloves are a must for long nights outside.
Plan meals ahead – restaurants often close between 3–7 pm. Strasbourg has more options for early dining than Colmar.
Collect the cups – Mulled wine and hot chocolate are served in festive mugs you can keep as souvenirs (or return for a €2 deposit).
Visit early or late – enjoy quiet mornings and magical evenings when the lights come on.
Is Strasbourg or Colmar Better for Christmas Markets?
If you’re short on time, Strasbourg is the must-see. But if you can add Colmar and the Alsace villages, you’ll experience a true holiday fairytale. My advice? Do both! Spend one night in Strasbourg, two nights in Colmar, and leave time for a day along the wine route.
Final Thoughts
Visiting the Strasbourg and Colmar Christmas Markets in 2025 is an unforgettable holiday trip. Between the festive stalls, twinkling lights, mulled wine, and cozy Alsace villages, this is Europe at its most magical. If you’re dreaming of Christmas in Europe, start with this itinerary—you won’t regret it!
Happy Travels!
