10 Essential Colmar Christmas Market Dates and Planning Tips

Colmar Christmas Market Locations Overview

What visitors often don't realize is that Colmar's "Christmas market" is actually six distinct markets spread across different squares in the Old Town. Each has a different theme, atmosphere, and type of merchandise. Treating them as one market means missing the variety that makes Colmar special compared to other Alsatian towns.

• Place des Dominicains — the artisan arts market. Local painters, glass blowers, and jewelry makers set up here in the shadow of the Gothic Église des Dominicains. This is the best square for unique handicrafts and handmade ornaments.
• Gourmet Market (covered) — the newest addition. Nine dedicated chefs serve made-to-order dishes in covered cabins, including Bouchée à la Reine (vol au vent with spaetzle) and black truffle risotto. This is the best spot for a sit-down lunch sheltered from the cold.
• Koïfhus (Indoor Market) — housed in a medieval building. Local artists sell ceramics, jewelry, and felt hats across two floors. The upper floor features elaborate gingerbread displays; photography is not permitted but the displays are worth seeing.
• Place de l'Ancienne Douane — the largest market, with 50-plus chalets along the scenic canal. Wide selection from tourist gifts to local wines, craft beers, and handmade chocolates. It is busier and louder than the others but has the best canal-side decorations.
• Petite Venise (Children's Market) — the most photogenic location. It includes wooden toy stalls and a mailbox for children's letters to Santa, but also sells wine and food for adults. The postcard view of the canal from here is iconic.
• Place Jeanne d'Arc (Alsatian Market) — dedicated entirely to regional food products: foie gras, local wines, jams, honey, and charcuterie. This is the quietest of the six markets and the best for giftable food souvenirs.

The six markets are walkable from each other within the Old Town. A full circuit takes two to four hours depending on how much time you spend at the gourmet market. Weekday mornings offer the best light and the fewest crowds for photography.

What to Eat and Drink at Colmar Christmas Market

Vin chaud (mulled wine) is sold at every square and is the default hand-warmer for the entire visit. Colmar's vendors typically use plastic cups rather than the collectible mugs common in Germany, but the Place des Dominicains market sells it in ceramic boot-shaped mugs at a slightly higher price if you want the classic souvenir photo. Chocolat Viennois — hot chocolate buried under a mountain of whipped cream — is the alternative if you prefer to skip the wine.

For food, the gourmet market is the standout. The Bouchée à la Reine is the signature dish: a vol au vent pastry shell filled with a creamy meat sauce and served with spaetzle (egg dumplings). Tarte flambée (a thin flatbread with crème fraîche and onions) and choucroute (sauerkraut with meat) appear across multiple stalls. Tartines — open-faced sandwiches warmed in a stone oven — are a good grab-and-go option, most easily found at the Petite Venise market.

For sweets, look for bredele: small Alsatian Christmas cookies sold in assorted bags. The best selection is at the ground floor of the Koïfhus indoor market. Gingerbread hearts with "Colmar" written in frosting make a durable and lightweight souvenir. Many wine cellars in Colmar and the surrounding Alsace villages also run special festive tastings during the market period — a list of participating cellars is available at Alsace Essentiels Christmas Cellars.

With the Christmas Shuttles, Discover the Christmas Markets Without a Car

The Navettes de Noël (Christmas Shuttles) depart from Colmar train station and connect the major Alsatian market villages: Kaysersberg, Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé, Eguisheim, Turckheim, Munster, and Neuf-Brisach. A single day ticket is valid for all shuttle lines and as many trips as you need. Tickets must be purchased online — they typically go on sale in mid-November and sell out quickly for Saturdays and Sundays. Check the Christmas Shuttle Info page for 2026 schedules and booking.

A Park and Ride (P+R) option is available for those arriving by car. The P+R fee is €10 per vehicle for the entire day, which covers shuttle access for all occupants. This is strongly recommended on weekends when village streets and car parks reach saturation by mid-morning. The shuttles run roughly every 20 to 30 minutes from approximately 09:45 to 18:30, with slightly longer hours on the Ribeauvillé route.

A separate Perles de Noël P+R operates specifically for Ribeauvillé at the Cordon-Schmidt site (22 Route de Colmar, 68750 Bergheim, Exit 20 from the A35). It offers 750 spaces and also costs €10 per vehicle including shuttle access. Shuttles run every 20 minutes on Saturdays and every 30 minutes on Sundays. This is the most practical way to reach Ribeauvillé's medieval market on its four dedicated weekend dates.

Riquewihr Christmas Market 2026

The riquewihr christmas market runs from Friday November 27 to December 20, 2026. This is one of the most visually striking markets in Alsace — the entire medieval village is decorated with fir trees, fairy lights, and traditional garlands that line the ancient wine-route streets. The main market is held at Place Fernand Zeyer next to the town hall, with two additional small markets in private courtyards at the upper end of the village. Monday to Friday hours are 10:00 to 18:30; Saturday and Sunday hours extend to 10:00 to 19:30.

Parking in Riquewihr is extremely limited and car traffic is prohibited within the historic perimeter during market weekends. One-day visitors arriving by car should use the Naturoparc P+R (Route de Ribeauvillé, 68150 Hunawihr) on weekends, with shuttles every 30 minutes from 09:45 to 18:30 at €10 per vehicle. Visitors staying three or more nights in Riquewihr can obtain a public parking card from the municipality at €5 per day (versus the full meter rate), valid on all public spaces around the historic village except the Vignoble car park. On weekday mornings, arriving before 09:00 gives the best chance of finding parking before roads saturate.

Ribeauvillé Medieval Market and Bergheim Nativity Scenes

Ribeauvillé's Christmas market is one of the most distinctive in the region precisely because it is organized entirely by local volunteer associations rather than commercial operators. All imported products are banned — every item sold must be locally made. The market runs on two dedicated weekends only: December 5 to 6 and December 12 to 13, 2026. Visitors find artisan stalls, medieval food and drink, children's games, and live entertainment. On Fridays and Saturdays the market stays open until 21:00, later than any of the major permanent markets, which makes it a strong choice for evening atmosphere.

Seven kilometres from Riquewihr, the small walled village of Bergheim runs a separate and much quieter experience: a self-guided nativity scene trail. Over 80 families decorate the exterior of their homes with cribs ranging from miniature window displays to full courtyard installations several square metres in size. The trail is lit at nightfall and marked by white stars on a map available at the village entrance. The Bergheim Christmas market itself operates over two long weekends — November 27 to 29 and December 4 to 6, 2026 — with local artists and artisans from the area. On Fridays and Saturdays the market is open until 21:00. Bergheim is elected "Favorite Village of the French" in 2022 and remains genuinely off the tourist radar compared to Riquewihr or Colmar.

Kaysersberg Authentic Christmas Market 2026

Kaysersberg sits just a few kilometres from Riquewihr and runs one of the most carefully curated markets in Alsace. All 30 exhibitors are selected for the quality and origin of their crafts, with half coming from the Alsace region. No mass-produced goods. The market is located in the courtyard of the Arsenal and behind the church, with additional chalets spread through the city's back streets and a small square in front of the town hall dedicated to local food products: charcuterie, eaux-de-vie, cheese, honey, and bread.

Kaysersberg opens only on weekends (Friday to Sunday) across all four Advent weekends in 2026: November 27 to 29, December 4 to 6, December 11 to 13, and December 18 to 20. Hours are 10:00 to 20:00 every opening day. The shuttle from Colmar serves Kaysersberg directly, making it easy to combine with a morning in Riquewihr and an evening in Colmar in a single day trip.

Sélestat: Historic Cradle of the Christmas Tree

Sélestat is located 20 minutes north of Colmar by car or train. It holds the oldest written record of a Christmas tree decoration, dating to 1521, and the town builds its entire winter program around that heritage. In 2026 the Sélestat Christmas festivities are expected to run from November 20 to December 27, with some exhibitions extending into January 2027 — making it one of the first markets in Alsace to open. The inaugural weekend typically includes a tree lighting at Place d'Armes (Friday at 18:00), the opening of Christmas exhibitions and artistic strolls (Saturday), and a fire show (Sunday at 17:00).

The Sélestat Christmas Program is less commercial and more educational than Colmar or Riquewihr, with exhibitions at the Humanist Library on the evolution of tree decoration through the centuries. Crowds are consistently smaller here than at the major market towns, which makes it a practical alternative for visitors who find Colmar's weekend crowds difficult. It is easily accessible by TER train from Colmar station without needing to book in advance.

Strasbourg and Its Large Christmas Market

The strasbourg christmas market is only a 30-minute train ride from Colmar. Many travelers use a strasbourg and colmar christmas market itinerary to see both cities in the same trip. Strasbourg is known as the Capital of Christmas and spreads its market across multiple squares throughout the historic Alsatian capital. In 2026 the Strasbourg chalets are expected to open from 11:30 to 21:00 daily, with December 24 closing at 18:00 — hours that run later than Colmar's markets.

Driving into Strasbourg during the market period is strongly discouraged. The recommended approach is a TER train from Colmar, or if you are staying in Riquewihr with a car, the A35 motorway to Illkirch and the P+R tram connection into the city centre. The Strasbourg Christmas website publishes the tram P+R details each autumn. Combining both cities allows you to compare the intimate scale of Colmar's six distinct market squares against the grand, city-wide spectacle of Strasbourg.

What to Pack

Packing for the Alsatian winter requires preparation for damp and cold conditions. Temperatures during the market period typically range from 1°C to 7°C, but the humidity makes it feel considerably colder. Waterproof footwear is essential for walking on uneven, wet cobblestone streets. Evening temperatures drop quickly once the sun sets around 16:30.

• Thermal base layers — to retain body heat during long walks between market squares
• Insulated waterproof boots — for comfort on cold, wet cobblestones
• Gloves and scarves — essential for evening visits when wind picks up along the canals
• Portable power bank — cold weather drains phone batteries significantly faster
• Phone-compatible gloves — so you can navigate maps and take photos without removing them

If you are driving to any of the village markets, winter tyres are legally required in the Vosges and strongly recommended for the winding wine-route roads between Colmar and Riquewihr from late October to late March. Snow is less common than it once was but slippery cold roads are a regular feature of the season.