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Grand Est• Travel Inspiration
Strasbourg Christmas Market 2024 – Dates, Locations & Things to Do
22/05/2024Strasbourg at Christmas Time
If you are visiting Paris in December and have a couple of extra days, why not jump on a train to explore the Strasbourg Christmas Market, one of the best Christmas Markets in Alsace? There are beautiful Christmas markets in Paris and other cities in France, but for the quintessential fairytale Christmas Market, Strasbourg is the place to go.
Strasbourg is the capital of the Alsace region and home to one of the best Christmas Markets in France. The Christmas Market in Strasbourg is also the oldest, dating back to 1570! I visit Strasbourg at Christmas time almost every year to update this article (that’s my excuse) and for Christmas shopping and sightseeing.
For the Strasbourg Christmas Market 2024, expect over 300 wooden chalets spread around different squares in the city, offering unique gifts, Christmas decorations, and delicious food in a fairytale atmosphere. If you decide to visit Strasbourg at Christmas time this year, here’s a quick guide to the Strasbourg Christmas Market 2024 – dates, locations, and things to do.
Are you planning your Strasbourg trip last minute?
Below are some of the best Strasbourg tours, hotels, and more!
- Book your train tickets to Strasbourg.
Looking to travel around Strasbourg independently? Click here for the best rental car rates in Strasbourg.
Top Experiences and Tours in Strasbourg:
- Strasbourg Walking Tour with a Local Guide
- Strasbourg Food Walking Tour
- Highlights of Alsace Full-day Tour from Strasbourg
Top Places to Stay in Strasbourg:
- Hotel Cathédrale (with first-row views of the iconic Cathedral!)
- Pavillon Regent Petite France (located in the cutest neighborhood)
- Hotel Strasbourg Montagne Verte (the best choice for road-trippers!)
- Best hotels in Strasbourg
Don’t leave for Strasbourg without travel insurance!
Safety Wing works well for long and short trips (starting with a minimum of 5 days). Safety Wing covers COVID-19 for new policies purchased, and unplanned quarantine is covered, too.
Table of Contents
- Strasbourg Christmas Market Dates 2024 and Opening Hours
- Where to Stay in Strasbourg for the Christmas Market
- How to Get to the Christmas Markets in Strasbourg
- Christmas Market Strasbourg 2024 – Locations
- Strasbourg Christmas Markets 2024 – Things to Do
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Colmar or Strasbourg Christmas Market? Both Christmas markets are lovely, but Strasbourg is nicknamed the Christmas Capital for a reason! The Christmas Market in Strasbourg is more extensive, with more sites, chalets, and activities for all ages. Also, Strasbourg is better connected with other cities in Europe than Colmar. If you only have one day available, the Colmar Christmas Market is smaller and easier to visit on a day trip.
Strasbourg Christmas Market Dates 2024 and Opening Hours
So, what are the Strasbourg Christmas Market dates this year? The Strasbourg Christmas Market 2024 dates are from 27 November (evening) to 27 December 2024.
What is the best time to visit Strasbourg Christmas Market? If possible, visit Strasbourg in November rather than December, ideally during the week. There are always many people during the weekends of Christmas in Strasbourg!
Strasbourg is one of the best winter destinations in France, especially during the Christmas holidays, so booking everything in advance is essential!
Strasbourg Christmas Market Opening Hours 2024
The Strasbourg Christmas Market opening hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Where to Stay in Strasbourg for Christmas Market
The Strasbourg Chrismas Market is big, spread through many locations in the city. Therefore, plan at least one night in Strasbourg if you want to get the most out of it.
The advantage of staying overnight is that you can enjoy the city when the day crowds are gone. La Petite France and the Cathedral Square early in the morning when everybody still sleeps are wonderful. With two days in Strasbourg, you can also visit some of the city’s tourist attractions.
Finding accommodation in Strasbourg during Christmas will not be difficult as long as you book months in advance. Expect higher prices during the weekends, so here’s another reason to visit the Strasbourg Christmas Market on weekdays.
Beware that some of the best hotels in Strasbourg require a minimum stay of two nights during Christmas time, especially on weekends!
TIP: Hotel Cathédrale is my favorite hotel to explore the Christmas Markets in Strasbourg. It is located in Place de la Cathédrale, within walking distance of all the markets, and it has well-equipped rooms and unbeatable views over the famous Strasbourg Cathedral.
For more information, check out this post on where to stay in Strasbourg, where I describe the best neighborhoods for tourists.
How to Get to the Christmas Markets in Strasbourg
Strasbourg Christmas Market by Train
A trip to Strasbourg by train is very easy to plan. The central station (Gare de Strasbourg-Ville) is less than 500 meters from the historic center.
Trains from Paris to Strasbourg leave from Paris Gare de l’Est train station. The distance from Paris to Strasbourg is 438km, and most trains are direct. Count on taking it 2 hours from Paris to Strasbourg. – Click here to book your train from Paris to Strasbourg
Trains from Lyon to Strasbourg leave from Lyon Part Dieu train station. The journey is 504km and takes 4 hours – Click here to book your train from Lyon to Strasbourg
You can travel to Strasbourg with SNCF, InOui, and Deutsche Bahn (from Paris). TGV InOui is SNCF’s low-cost line (lesser space, only online booking & assistance), while Deutsche Bahn is the German train company. SNCF and Deutsche Bahn offer the same comfort level (I prefer Deutsche Bahn trains, though…), so I would choose based on the price.
If you want to visit Strasbourg for the day and carry heavy luggage, use the lockers at the train station. However, at this time of the year, all the lockers are occupied before 10 a.m.
Christmas Market Strasbourg by Car
Do you want to visit the Christmas Markets in Strasbourg as part of an Alsace road trip? Having a car in Strasbourg at Christmas time is always challenging!
The Grande-Île is entirely pedestrian during the opening hours of the Christmas Market. It is not possible to park in the Old Town during this period either.
If you want to visit Strasbourg with a car, we recommend staying in the lesser central neighborhoods of Strasbourg, ideally with private parking for its guests, or using the Park & Ride System (P+R) available in the city. Thanks to the Relais-Tram car parks, you can park your car inexpensively and use the tram to get to the city center. The tram ticket is valid (both outward and return) for all vehicle occupants up to 7 people.
If you don’t have a car in the country, check out our best tips for renting a car in France.
TIP: If Strasbourg is part of an Alsace road trip, the Hotel Strasbourg – Montagne Verte is the place to go. The hotel is a lovely 20-minute stroll along the Ill River to the center and offers free private parking and an excellent breakfast.
Christmas Market Strasbourg 2024 – Locations
The Strasbourg Christmas Market is huge: you can easily spend a whole day strolling around, more if you participate in the workshops and activities. Actually, it is made up of different Christmas Markets set in different locations.
All the Strasbourg Christmas Markets are located on the Grande Ile de Strasbourg. But don’t worry, the distances are short, and you can easily walk from one market to another while admiring the Christmas lights and decorations.
The Grande Ile de Strasbourg is entirely pedestrian throughout the Christmas Market. Take the tram to reach the Grande Ile (Place Broglie station is closed) and then walk. Last year, there were checkpoints to access the Grande Ile: basically, you had to open your bags and suitcases for a quick check.
TIP: If you visit Strasbourg for the day, this Christmas Market tour is a good idea. Discover the main secrets of the Christmas Markets in Strasbourg 2024 with a local guide and listen to fun and unusual anecdotes and local traditions as you explore the city.
Where are the Christmas Markets in Strasbourg? Here are the main places where the Strasbourg Christmas Markets are located; the whole historic center is celebrating!
1. Place Broglie
This square hosted the very first Christkindelsmärik in 1871, and since then, it has been Strasbourg Christmas Market’s beating heart. Place Broglie is also the square where Strasbourg’s Hotel de Ville is located.
2. Place Kléber
One of the main squares in Strasbourg, it hosts the famous Grand Sapin (Giant Christmas Tree) every year. Thirty meters high, Strasbourg’s Christmas Tree is the tallest decorated Christmas Tree in Europe, and it is stunning!
3. Place de la Cathédrale
This Christmas Market is located in front of the Strasbourg Cathedral, one of France’s best Gothic Cathedrals. This Market is especially beautiful at night.
4. In front of the Palais des Rohan and Place du Marché aux Poissons
Here, you will find the Marché des Délices, with local specialties and food workshops for the little ones. It is the place to taste Alsace’s traditional Christmas sweets: bredele, mannele, and gingerbread.
5. Petite France
Located in famous Petite France, and more precisely in Places Benjamin Zix and Saint-Thomas, this is the most picturesque Christmas Market in Strasbourg.
This Market is dedicated to small Alsatian producers. It offers unique, quality handmade gifts and excellent local products (cheese, beer, honey, sweets).
6. Place Grimmeisen
Here, you will find the Marché Off, Strasbourg’s social and solidarity Christmas Market. Discover thirty or so local companies involved in responsible purchasing have united to offer an original, festive, and committed market.
This market is aimed mainly at locals, but of course, you will be most welcome.
Strasbourg Christmas Markets 2024 – Things to Do
What to do in Strasbourg at Christmas time? Apart from strolling around the different Strasbourg Christmas Markets and soaking up the city’s unique atmosphere, here are the things you don’t want to miss. Ask at the Strasbourg Tourism Office (17 Place de la Cathédrale) for the full program and times.
- Grand Sapin, with a light & music show every hour from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Concerts
- Guided visits with different topics related to Christmas in Strasbourg
- Family shows
- Christmas Tales
- Advent shows every Saturday at the Village de l’Advent (Place Louise Weiss and Place Suzanne Lacore)
- Christmas Concerts
- The Cathedral’s Christmas crib. Presented over 18 meters long, this nativity scene dating from 1907 is a pure marvel. Expect long lines to access the Cathedral
Strasbourg Market Christmas Illuminations and Decorations
In the Strasbourg Christmas Market, there’s something to see everywhere, but don’t miss the Christmas illuminations in these places:
- Rue du VieuxMarché-aux-Poissons. Go through the Porte des Lumières to enter the magic of Strasbourg Capitale de Noël.
- Intersection Rue du VieuxMarché-aux-Poissons /Rue Mercière
- Place de la Cathédrale
- Rue des Tonneliers
- Rue des Hallebardes
- Rue de la Mésange
- Grand’ Rue
- Rue du 22 Novembre
- Place des Halles
Expect a unique and magical atmosphere, where streets, houses, bridges, church facades, and the city’s most iconic monuments are beautifully decorated with Christmas lights and decorations.
If you need some guidance, join this top-rated Strasbourg Christmas Market night tour that includes a glass of mulled wine
Visit Other Christmas Markets Near Strasbourg
You can also visit other Christmas Markets in Alsace on day trips from Strasbourg.
From here, the Alsace Christmas Markets in Obernai, Sélestat, and Colmar are easy to visit by train. If you visit the Alsace by car, you can venture to other Christmas Markets in Riquewihr, Eguisheim, or Kaysersberg.
Check out these quick guides to the best Christmas Markets in Alsace:
- Colmar Christmas Market
- Riquewihr Christmas Market
- Eguisheim Christmas Market
- Kaysersberg Christmas Market
You can also take a Christmas guided tour with transportation and spend a fabulous day visiting beautiful towns along the Alsace Wine Route and their Christmas Markets.
So there you have it, a quick guide to the Christmas Market in Strasbourg 2024 with everything you need to know to plan your Strasbourg Christmas trip.