The Strasbourg Christmas Market is one of the oldest and most famous Christmas markets in Europe. It is held annually in Strasbourg, a city located in the Alsace region of France. The market typically takes place in the heart of Strasbourg’s historic Old Town, surrounding the Strasbourg Cathedral and many other locations around the city, spreading through the charming cobblestone streets.
In the past, at the beginning of the winter period, Strasbourg held a winter market where locals could stock up on food for the winter months when no traders would visit the city. These winter markets eventually evolved into Christmas markets. The Strasbourg Christmas Market dates back to 1570, making it one of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe.
The entire city is adorned with festive decorations, including thousands of twinkling lights, Christmas trees, and elaborate ornaments such as huge teddy bears, bows, and nutcrackers hang outside of buildings. The centrepiece is the Great Christmas Tree on Place Kléber.
Main Christmas market locations
Chrìstkìndelsmärik
📍Place Broglie
Chrìstkìndelsmärik means Christmas Market in Alsatian, the local dialect. This is the original Christmas market of Strasbourg and plays an important role in the region’s history. Alsace, a region with a complex history of changing hands between France and Germany, has experienced different rulers over the centuries. With every new rule the market moved to a different location in the city. The Chrìstkìndelsmärik moved to its current location on Place Broglie in 1871.
Cathedral
📍Place de la Cathédrale
One of the most breathtakingly beautiful Christmas market locations in Strasbourg is at the feet of the magnificent Strasbourg Cathedral, considered to be among the finest examples of Rayonnant Gothic architecture.
Place Kléber
📍Place Kléber
Home to Strasbourg’s great Christmas tree, decorated with a different theme each year. The tree stands at least 30 meters high and is adorned with 7 kilometres of twinkling fairy lights, as well as over 800 baubles and other decorations. The market here features many local and regional makers, and chalets dedicated to charities.
Le Quai des Délices
📍Terrace Rohan & Place du Marché-aux-Poissons
A gourmet market with fine Alsatian wine, local beers, Bredle and other traditional pastries, sweet and savoury local delicacies.
Carré Or:
📍the commercial and residential district located between rue des Orfèvres , place de la Cathédrale , rue du Dôme and rue du Temple Neuf
One of the most spectacularly decorated areas in the city, with market stalls on Place du Temple Neuf and some of the best shops the city has to offer: boutiques, patisseries, bakeries, chocolate-makers, restaurants, cheese shops and more.
Irréductibles Petits Producteurs d’Alsace (The small producers of Alsace)
📍Square Louise Weiss
Farmers and craftsmen sell their goods at this market: homemade jams, hot apple juice, chocolate, Bredle, condiments, organic Alsace wines (including orange wine!), and many other marvels. This location is also home to the Advent Village, offering programs such as workshops, theatrical readings, concerts, and shows for the whole family.
La Petite France
📍Places Benjamin Zix and Saint-Thomas
Petite France is a charming and picturesque neighbourhood located in the heart of Strasbourg, France. This area is famous for its half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets, and canals, creating a fairytale-like atmosphere. The neighbourhood is beautifully decorated and there are Christmas market chalets on Places Benjamin Zix and Saint-Thomas.
The OFF market
📍Place Grimmeissen
With containers instead of chalets, Place Grimmeissen is home to an alternative Christmas market with a focus on sustainability. Here you’ll find vintage furniture, handmade and second-hand clothes, local arts and crafts, books, second-hand toys, organic food and more! The perfect place for a unique and ethical gift!
2024 Dates
27 November – 27 December
Opening hours on market days
Monday: 11:30am – 9pm
Tuesday: 11:30am – 9pm
Wednesday: 11:30am – 9pm
Thursday: 11:30am – 9pm
Friday: 11:30am – 9pm
Saturday: 11:30am – 9pm
Sunday: 11:30am – 9pm
Exceptional opening hours
To be confirmed
Market tips
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- For the best experience, book a private or small group Christmas market tour. I booked this tour in 2023 and learned so much! You can also book a small group tour or a tour that takes you to several Alsatian Christmas markets!
- Prepare for the crowds: with more than 2.5 million visitors expected each year, the streets of Strasbourg can and will get extremely crowded.
- Think ahead and book a hotel well in advance. They tend to get expensive; that’s how I ended up paying over €200 per night for a room at the ibis hotel 🙄
- Parking: if you arrive by car during the day, parking in the city and its parking garages will be nearly impossible. If you cannot park at your hotel, arrive late at night or early in the morning to avoid day-trippers.
- The longest lines at the market are always for food and drinks. Have a bite before or pack a snack with you to avoid getting hangry.
- Due to acts of terrorism in the past, there’s an increased level of security in the city. You’ll notice the presence of military, police, and gendarmerie all over town. They might ask to check your bag when entering the city centre, but it’s done very efficiently, so you won’t be held up for long.
- Make sure to visit the markets both during the day and in the evening. During the day, there are fewer crowds, but the magic happens in the dark when they turn on all the lights.✨
- The best thing about Christmas markets is that they don’t start until mid-day. You can sleep in, explore the city or visit a regular market in the morning and enjoy the Christmas markets in the afternoon/evening!
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