Strasbourg Christmas Market 2022 – A Quick Guide

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Christmas in Strasbourg, France

If you are visiting France in December and have a couple of extra days, why not jump on a train to explore 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 Strasbourg Christmas Market is also the oldest, dating back to 1570!  

Expect over 300 wooden chalets spread around different squares in Strasbourg, offering unique gifts, Christmas decorations, and delicious food in a fairytale atmosphere.

Where to Stay in Strasbourg for the Christmas Market

The Strasbourg Chrismas Market is big, with many locations. 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. Little France or 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.

Christmas Market in Strasbourg 2022 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 to Strasbourg leave from Paris Gare de l’Est train station, in Paris 10. The distance from Paris to Strasbourg is 438km and most of the 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 distance from Lyon to Strasbourg is 504km and the train journey 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, no internet onboard, 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.

Christmas Market in Strasbourg 2022 by Car

Do you want to visit the Christmas Markets in Strasbourg as part of an Alsace road trip? A car in Strasbourg during Christmas 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.

TIP: Check out our best tips for renting a car in France.

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.

Strasbourg Christmas Market 2022 Dates and Opening Hours

This year, the Strasbourg Christmas Markets will open from 25 November to 24 December 2022. Strasbourg is one of the top places to visit in France in winter, especially during the Christmas holidays, so booking everything well in advance is essential.

Christmas Markets in Strasbourg – Top Sites

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 Île de Strasbourg – Strasbourg’s beating heart–, set this year in a total of 14 sites hosting more than 310 chalets. 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.

Here are the main places where the Strasbourg Christmas Markets are located, the whole historic center is celebrating!  

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. This year, its façade will light up every day to tell visitors about the characters who inhabit the tales and legends associated with the Christkindelsmärik (from 5 pm, every 40 minutes).

Place de la Cathédrale. This Christmas market is located in front of the Strasbourg Cathedral, one of France’s best Gothic cathedrals. It is gorgeous to explore at night.

Place Kléber. One of the main squares in Strasbourg, it hosts the famous Grand Sapin every year. Thirty meters high, Strasbourg’s Christmas tree is the tallest decorated Christmas tree in Europe, and it is stunning!  You will also find numerous chalets, the Village du Partage, and an ice rink.

Place Gutenberg. Strasbourg features a different country every year, and you will find the chalets dedicated to the guest country in this square.

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 the traditional bredele, mannele, and gingerbread made in Alsace.

Place Benjamin Zix. Located in famous Petite France, this is one of the most picturesque Christmas markets.

Place des Meuniers. Also located in picturesque Petite France, this market is dedicated to the small, Alsatian producers, with unique, quality handmade gifts ad excellent local products (cheese, beer, honey, sweets).

Place Gayot. This is one of the prettiest squares in Strasbourg. Here, there’s an original Christmas tree and many free workshops for children to create their own Christmas decorations and more.

Place Grimmeisen. You will find the Marché Off, Strasbourg’s social and solidarity market here. 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 at Christmas Time – What to Expect

After two unusual years because of the pandemic, the Christmas Market in Strasbourg is back with more locations so people can circulate better.

Wearing a mask that covers the mouth and nose is not compulsory but highly recommended in public transportation.

Expect a unique and magical atmosphere, where streets, houses, bridges, church facades, and the most iconic monuments in the city are beautifully dressed with Christmas lights and decorations.

This year, don’t miss Strasbourg’s ‘Star Walk,‘ a light path from Place Louise Weiss to Quai des Bateliers with more than 600 stars hung here and there, highlighting Strasbourg’s historical and architectural heritage. These stars will also guide you through the different Strasbourg Christmas Markets.

What to Do in the Strasbourg Christmas Markets 2022

From the city, 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.

You can also take a Christmas guided tour with transportation and spend a fabulous full day visiting beautiful villages and towns decorated for Christmas.

So there you have it, the guide to the Strasbourg Christmas Market 2022 with everything you need to know to plan your trip to Strasbourg at Christmas time.

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