6 Fairytale Christmas Markets in Alsace (+ 1 to Skip)
Europe at Christmastime is always a good idea, and cities across the continent are decked out and festive cheer is in the air. And while there are many incredible Christmas market cities in Europe, there’s honestly nothing quite like the Alsace region of France in December.
The region of Alsace, right on the border of France and Germany, is insanely adorable any time of year – there are so many fairytale villages and towns to visit.
But add in a heavy, heavy dose of Christmas decorations, lights, and hot drinks against the backdrop of colorful, half-timbered houses, and it legitimately feels like stepping right into a Hallmark movie set.
Suffice it to say, if you’re planning a trip to Alsace in December, you are in for a treat! These are 6 markets in Alsace you can’t miss. Plus, there’s one market in Alsace that I don’t think is worth your time. Let’s get into it!
6 Unbelievable Christmas Markets in Alsace
1. Strasbourg
Strasbourg is known as the “Capital of Christmas,” and it’s not hard to see why. The city transforms into a holiday wonderland each December, with over 300 chalets spread across more than 10 markets throughout the historic center.
That’s an enormous number compared to most other European cities, making Strasbourg feel like a Christmas extravaganza at every turn.
The main market, Christkindelsmärik, is located at Place Broglie. This is generally considered the oldest Christmas market in France, dating back to 1570, and it’s steeped in tradition.
Here, you’ll find stalls overflowing with handcrafted ornaments, wooden toys, Christmas decorations, and seasonal treats. The chalets are enormous and vibrantly decorated – it’s truly a visual feast for the eyes.
Just a short walk away, Place Kléber features Strasbourg’s towering Christmas tree, which soars to over 30 meters, making it one of the tallest in Europe. At night, its lights and ornaments create a breathtaking centerpiece for the city’s festivities.
Surrounding the tree, a variety of chalets offer everything from artisanal crafts to warm Alsatian delicacies.
The magic continues at Place de la Cathédrale, where the market is set against the dramatic backdrop of the enormous and stunning Notre Dame Cathedral.
This spot is perfect for soaking in the festive atmosphere while snacking on bredeles (traditional Christmas cookies) or flammekueche. Nearby, don’t miss the Insta-famous teddy bear house or the Alsacien Cuisine market along the river.
Strasbourg’s sheer scale and charm make it a must-visit destination. With its countless markets, dazzling decorations, and vibrant holiday energy, it truly captures the essence of Christmas.
Want more details? Check out my comprehensive guide to the Strasbourg Christmas market.
2. Colmar
Colmar strikes a perfect balance during the holiday season—it’s larger than the tiny villages nearby, with six Christmas markets and a lot to see and do, yet it is still small enough to feel intimate and have the whole town decked out.
Known for its vibrant half-timbered houses and fairytale streets, Colmar leans hard into its storybook charm any time of year, but Christmas truly brings it to life.
The decorations in Colmar are some of the best in Alsace, with intricate displays on the houses, sparkling lights draped across streets, and lots of Christmas trees set up throughout the town. One particularly adorable spot is the Insta-famous pink house with the Christmas tree.
Another can’t-miss spot is Petite Venise – the charming canals lined in garland and lights feel especially magical at Christmastime.
Among the markets, the market at Place de l’Ancienne Douane is a favorite. It’s set around the Schwendi Fountain in the Quartier des Tanneurs – one of the most picturesque settings in the city.
The market at Place des Dominicains, set against the Dominicans’ Church, is another must-visit, with its beautifully lit stained glass adding to the atmosphere.
What makes Colmar unique is its balance of size and charm. While it has the cozy feel of smaller Alsatian villages, its markets are larger and more varied, offering plenty of possibilities.
Combined with the incredible decorations and festive energy throughout town, Colmar offers a truly unforgettable Christmas market experience.
Want more information? Check out my detailed guide to the Colmar Christmas market.
3. Mulhouse
Mulhouse is a huge hidden gem when it comes to Christmas markets in Alsace. It’s the third largest city in the region, and while it doesn’t get as much attention as other towns, it offers a surprisingly great holiday experience. I truly was blown away by how nice it was, especially considering how under the radar it flies.
To be fair, Mulhouse has fewer half-timbered houses and not as much of a “quaint village” vibe as other spots on this list, but its city center is still lovely and very festive during the season.
The main Christmas market is held at Place de la Réunion, surrounding the Temple Saint-Etienne. At night, the temple is lit up with red lights, giving it a striking glow that adds to the market’s cozy atmosphere.
The market itself is the perfect size—not too crowded on a weekday, but still lively enough to feel festive. Make sure you walk down Rue Mercière, which is lit up with incredible lights, to beautiful Christmas tree near Rue Savage.
There’s also a small market at Place Concorde, with just a handful of stalls and a few decorations for a quieter vibe. Over at Place de la Bourse, there’s a short light show that shares some of Mulhouse’s history.
What makes Mulhouse stand out is its textile tradition. Each year, the city designs a special fabric for the Christmas season, and you’ll see it everywhere—decorations, displays, and even as souvenirs. The year we visited, the design was a cheerful red and white pattern, and it tied the whole market together in a really unique way.
If you’re looking for something a little different in Alsace, Mulhouse is worth a stop. It has a unique spin on the traditional Christmas market and feels just the right amount of off the beaten path.
4. Riquewihr
Riquewihr feels like it was decorated by Santa’s elves on overdrive. This tiny village goes all out for Christmas, with practically every building covered in whimsical and intricate decorations, garlands, and lights.
Many houses even use unique items like teddy bears, stuffed animals, gingerbread, and ornaments to create displays that are completely over the top—in the best way. Strings of lights run between the half-timbered houses, making the whole village feel like a fairytale film set.
The main street, Rue de Général de Gaulle, is the most elaborately decorated, but don’t skip the side streets—they’re quieter but still have plenty of charm and festive touches.
While the market is nice, the magic of Riquewihr is really in the decorations. For that reason, it’s best to visit during the day when you can fully take in the details.
The Christmas market itself, centered on Place Fernand Zeyer near the town hall, is a lovely surprise. Despite the crowds exploring the rest of the village (even on a weekday morning, there were tons of people), the market area is much more calm and cozy.
About 40 chalets fill the square and extend under the trees along the Esplanade des Remparts, with a large fir tree in the middle of the market.
The official market is almost entirely gifts, with a few drink stands here and there – a departure from most markets which have plenty of food options. In Riquewihr, stalls are set up and incorporated into the village streets, and you can pick up a sausage, crepe, tarte flambée, bretzel, or choucroute as you wander the town.
Riquewihr is honestly just ridiculous—in the best way. It’s so decked out with decorations that it feels like stepping into a Christmas postcard. The market is a great bonus, but the real magic is in wandering the streets and taking in all the festive, over-the-top charm.
5. Eguisheim
Eguisheim is easily one of the prettiest villages in Alsace, and at Christmas, it somehow becomes even more magical. Like Riquewihr, it’s a small, colorful village filled with half-timbered houses and decked out in elaborate decorations for the holidays. But Eguisheim has a different layout that gives it its own unique charm.
The village is built in a circular pattern, with Rue des Remparts wrapping around the town. This street is one of the most picturesque spots in Eguisheim, especially at Christmas.
Lights, garlands, and festive decor line the path, along with small trees and nativities, creating a cozy and peaceful holiday atmosphere. Known as the Path of the Nativities, it’s a perfect spot for a quiet stroll away from the busier areas.
At the center of the village is Place Saint Léon, where a fountain takes center stage, dressed up in garlands, decorations, and a nativity scene. This square is also near one of Eguisheim’s two small Christmas markets.
The first market, located just a few steps from Place Saint Léon around the Memorial for the Victims of the Two World Wars, features about 15 chalets and a wonderfully cozy feel.
A garland arch welcomes you to the market, lights are strung overhead between stalls, and cute little vignettes like a “Hansel and Gretel cottage” add even more charm.
The second market is even smaller, with just 10 chalets in a tiny square near 30 Grand’Rue, complete with a little fountain. It’s a small market, but the quaint setup still brings plenty of Christmas cheer.
6. Obernai
Obernai is a charming village just south of Strasbourg, with all the picturesque, colorful half-timbered houses typical of Alsace, but with noticeably fewer crowds than Riquewihr or Eguisheim.
While it may have slightly fewer decorations than those villages, it’s still beautifully adorned for Christmas and has a festive, cozy atmosphere that made me fall in love.
The village features five Christmas markets, each with its own character. The main market is in the heart of town at Place du Marché and has around 25 chalets. A carousel sits at the center, surrounded by adorable half-timbered buildings and a large Christmas tree marking the entrance.
Other markets include a smaller one in the shadow of the Obernai belltower, where about 10 stalls are arranged in a charming square with “pine forest” decorations at the center. Another small, adorable market is set up at Place Neher.
Make sure you walk down Rue du Marché,a street connecting the markets which is beautifully decorated with garlands and festive touches, and the houses are adorned with classic Alsatian holiday decorations like teddy bears, stars, bows, and ornaments.
Obernai’s standout landmark is the Saints Pierre et Paul Church, with its towering spires visible from across the village. Inside, the church has an incredible display of nativity scenes from around the world – we especially loved the igloo nativity.
For anyone who loves collecting Christmas market mugs, you’ll be excited to hear that Obernai is one of the few Alsace villages that has its own mug (instead of just themed plastic cups). We definitely brought home one of these red ceramic mugs featuring a scene of the village.
With its variety of markets, fewer crowds, and a wonderfully festive feel, Obernai is an excellent stop for anyone exploring Alsace at Christmastime.
7. Salestat
I think it’s obvious from this list that while I love visiting the iconic Christmas destinations, I also love finding a great hidden gem (ahem, Mulhouse and Obernai). I was hoping Salestat would be another great off-the-beaten-path Alsacien market, but for me, it’s a skip.
Salestat is a medium-sized city between Colmar and Alsace, with the first recorded mention of a Christmas tree, dating back to the 1500s. However, Salestat doesn’t have a lot of the half-timbered building charm or tons of decorations – it does have some lights around town, but nothing major or over the top.
As for the markets, they’re fine! They’re totally fine. There are some decorations and a unique, funky Christmas tree. But overall, the markets were small, the decorations were minimal, and the vibe was just average.
Overall, it’s not a bad market or city, but when you have the other 6 phenomenal cities on this list just 30-60 minutes away, I don’t think it’s worth your limited time to come here.
Christmas Market Tips:
- High crowds definitely make it harder to enjoy the markets, and crowds on weekends in Alsace are intense – avoid weekends if at all possible.
- Have a parking plan – consider using the Christmas shuttles to the smaller villages (harder if going to multiple little villages but worth looking into).
- Have cash! Credit cards are sometimes accepted, but sometimes not.
- Try to walk through during the daytime and nighttime.
- You can visit Strasbourg or Colmar on a day trip from Paris, but it’s worth coming out to Alsace for 2-3 days to really take it all in and visit multiple cities.
The Wrap Up
If you’re planning a trip to Alsace at Christmastime, you’re in for something truly special. With its colorful half-timbered villages, enchanting decorations, and charming Christmas markets, the region seriously feels like a holiday dream come to life. Visiting any of the 6 city’s Christmas markets on this list will be a fantastic vacation!
