Spending Christmas in Alsace: Strasbourg or Colmar?

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Plan a Christmas getaway to the fairytale region of Alsace in France. Discover which Christmas markets to visit, what to see and where to stay!

When it comes to experiencing the magical holiday spirit of Alsace, two cities stand out: Strasbourg and Colmar. Reputation-wise, these are the two best places to spend Christmas in France.

Each offers a unique charm with picturesque streets, festive decorations, and famous Christmas markets.

Whether you’re drawn to the bustling atmosphere of Strasbourg, with its stunning Gothic architecture, or the quaint, fairy-tale allure of Colmar and its half-timbered houses, choosing between these two destinations can be a delightful dilemma.

Both cities promise a memorable holiday experience, but your choice will depend on the type of festive atmosphere you wish to immerse yourself in.

In this guide, you’ll discover essential information for spending Christmas in Alsace and which destination will suit you best!

The Essentials: Spending Christmas in Alsace

🗓 Know the dates! Christmas markets across Alsace (including Strasbourg, Colmar, and the surrounding villages) typically begin in the last few days of November and end a couple of days after Christmas Day.

🚉 Strasbourg is quicker to reach from Paris by train (book tickets here). It’s the better choice if you’re looking to squeeze in a Christmas trip to Alsace while already visiting Paris.

💰 Be prepared for higher accommodation prices. Expect to pay 2–3 times more to visit Alsace during Christmas compared to other times of the year.

🎄 One or two days is enough if you only want to experience a single Christmas market. However, if you plan to visit neighboring towns outside of Strasbourg and Colmar, allow at least three to four days in Alsace.

🚐 The region offers additional transportation options for the influx of tourists during the winter season. Special shuttles are available specifically for Christmas tourism, so there’s no need to rent a car to explore.

Which Is Better for Christmas in Alsace: Strasbourg or Colmar?

Winter in Alsace is usually defined by two cities – Strasbourg and Colmar. While Strasboug is widely known as the Capital of Christmas, the charming town of Colmar sits more slyly in the background.

Which town should you base yourself in for experiencing Christmas in Alsace? Let’s get into it!

Strasbourg

Strasbourg serves as the capital of the historic Alsace region and is its largest city, with a population of over 420,000 people. In comparison, Colmar is much smaller, with a population of less than 90,000.

Based on this alone, you can expect Strasbourg to feel like a much bigger city. If you’re the type who prefers a larger destination to immerse yourself in while traveling, Strasbourg is the better choice.

There’s more of everything—shops, restaurants, museums, sightseeing opportunities, holiday décor, and a larger Christmas market. Additionally, getting to Strasbourg is more straightforward, as it’s just a 1.5-hour train ride from Paris.

Colmar

For travelers who don’t necessarily believe that bigger means better, Colmar is the cozier choice. Its atmosphere is just as radiant as Strasbourg’s, with holiday stalls set in the fairytale-like setting of Colmar’s old town.

Ironically, one of the best reasons to stay in Colmar may not be the city itself. A handful of picturesque villages in the nearby countryside are at your disposal, each hosting its own Christmas market.

Conclusion: Strasbourg or Colmar for Christmas?

If you are traveling by train and only spending a day or two in Alsace during winter, Strasbourg is the more sensible choice. The world-famous Christmas market in Strasbourg will provide plenty of holiday cheer, and you’ll also be able to enjoy other non-holiday related landmarks.

Colmar is better suited for those with enough time in their itinerary to explore the nearby villages and to really jam pack their holiday with as much Christmas as possible.

If you feel like just one Christmas market isn’t enough, you’ll appreciate the diversity of various festive Christmas activities and events throughout the area.

Strasbourg Christmas Market

Dates: November 27th – December 27th 2024

Opposed to just one central Christmas Market, nearly all of the major squares in Strasbourg are filled with vendors during the Christmas dates. More than 300 miniature wooden chalets serve as stalls for visitors in the market to buy handcrafted gifts, sweets, mulled wine and more.

Strasbourg also includes an outdoor ice skating rink along with the regularly scheduled holiday activities.

Parking: Thankfully, even during the dates of the Christmas festivities, the parking doesn’t shut down in the city centre. You can still park nearby in existing parking garages and lots (both paid and free).

Alternatively, you can leave your vehicle at a Park & Ride and take the tram/bus into town.

Colmar Christmas Market

Dates: November 26th – December 26th 2024

The permanent fixtures of the Colmar Christmas Market consists of the stalls. Many of the vendors will remain the same throughout entirety. Between 11/26 – 12/26, there will be several events like a Christmas scavenger hunt, numerous performances, boat carolling and of course, wine tastings.

In addition to typical food vendors, Colmar’s Gourmet Market offers a chance to indulge in delectable dishes. With nine master restaurateurs (maîtres restaurateurs) preparing everything from Alsatian specialties to gourmet appetizers, there’s something for every palate.

Colmar also features a Christmas Market lane just for kids! They can enjoy hot apple juice, ride the merry-go-round, or drop a letter with Christmas wishes in the giant letterbox.

Parking: Colmar’s historic centre is closed to cars during the Christmas Market dates. Therefore, you must park further away can opt to take a free shuttle into the town centre. Parking Bleyle and Parking Parc Expo are both options for people who need a place to park their car.

Christmas in Alsace FAQs

What makes Christmas in Alsace so special?

The main reason why Christmas in Alsace is world renowned is because of Strasbourg, which is said to be one of the oldest Christmas Markets in Europe. The traditions date back to 1570 and needless to say, have only improved and gotten more festive throughout the decades.

Alsace’s stunning settings of medieval architecture and fairytale-like sceneries, combined with enchanting holiday lights, makes it a must-see destination for Christmas enthusiasts from around the globe.

Does it snow in Alsace around Christmas?

The Alsace region regularly experiences very cold temperatures during the winter months. It does snow in winter, but temperatures often don’t drop below freezing until January and February.

Snowfall can occur and varies from year to year, with the most significant accumulation typically in the Vosges Mountains and higher elevations. This means it’s unlikely to experience a white Christmas market in Strasbourg or Colmar.

But you never know! That’s what Christmas miracles are all about, right?

How many days should you spend in Alsace for Christmas?

People who LOVE Christmas should plan a trip to Alsace in winter for at least three or four days. The reason is that while both Colmar and Strasbourg are magical, the small countryside villages offer a unique atmosphere that’s hard to find anywhere else.

It takes a bit more time to venture into the rural corners of Alsace and visit these villages, compared to just staying in Colmar or Strasbourg.

If you’re more of a ‘swing by’ type of traveler, book a one-night stay in either Colmar or Strasbourg during Christmas. You’ll still get to experience the iconic charm of winter in Alsace, even if it is for a day trip from Paris!

Is everything open on Christmas Day in Alsace?

Similar to most European countries, many of the typical Christmas festivities in France—such as dinner and opening gifts—take place on December 24th. For much of France, Christmas Eve holds greater significance than Christmas Day.

As a result, the Christmas markets in both Strasbourg and Colmar typically close early on December 24th, around 5 p.m. However, on every other day (including December 25th), the markets are generally open from late morning until around 7 or 8 p.m.

Most non-essential shops and many restaurants outside the Christmas markets in Alsace will likely be completely closed from December 24th to December 26th.

What should you buy from the Christmas markets in Alsace?

The best souvenirs to purchase from any Christmas market in Alsace are handmade or locally produced items. A few specific ideas include:

  • Wine – a must when you’re in Alsace!
  • Kelsch d’Alsace – a regional textile made from linen and cotton.
  • Anything gingerbread (pains d’épices) related – gingerbread has been an Alsace specialty for hundreds of years.
  • Hand-painted Christmas tree ornaments.
  • Pottery or ceramics made from local clay – Soufflenheim and Betschdorf are two famous Alsatian villages known for this craft.

Beware of Poor Quality Items: Compared to other European Christmas markets we’ve visited, the chances of finding genuine products in Alsace are luckily high. However, be wary of anything super inexpensive, as it likely means it’s mass-produced and not even from Alsace (or France). That’s not very Christmassy!

An Alsace brioche (the Kougelhopf) in a delicate alcoholic syrup 

Is Alsace crowded in December?

Alsace is widely known for having some of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe, which means it’s far from a secret and is certain to be crowded during your visit.

To avoid the largest crowds, it’s a good idea to plan your trip to Alsace right when the markets open. The last few days of November may feel slightly less festive than the dates closer to Christmas, but there’s a higher chance of a more relaxed experience.

How to Get around Alsace During the Christmas Season

By Car

The Alsace region is a fantastic road trip destination. With the scenic wine route and all the charming towns throughout the countryside, there are plenty of reasons to explore Alsace by car.

However, during the Christmas markets, driving can become a bit challenging. The influx of tourists leads to heavy traffic and difficult parking situations, even in small villages.

Additionally, many streets are completely closed off for the Christmas markets, leaving even fewer options for drivers.

To navigate Alsace in winter by car, it’s best to plan your parking in advance. Research available parking lots, arrive early, or be prepared to park farther away.

Even if you do park far away, you won’t necessarily have to walk. Both Colmar and Strasbourg offer tourist shuttles that transport visitors from the outskirts of the towns to the city centers, where the Christmas markets are located.

Public Transportation and Shuttles

If you’re planning to get around Alsace using public transportation, be mindful of where you stay. Book accommodation near a bus, train, tram, or shuttle station.

Alsace is well-connected by train, but mainly between the larger towns and cities. If you’re not interested in venturing outside of Colmar or Strasbourg, you can rely entirely on local trains and buses.

👍 For public transportation, reference SNCF Connect (website or app) to plan your train and bus trips.

Known as the Christmas Shuttle, this holiday addition is the best solution for tourists travelling around Colmar without a car. You can effortlessly visit the neighbouring villages of Kaysersberg, Riquewihr and more by hopping on this continuous bus loop from Colmar station.

❄️ Where to Stay for a Christmas Trip in Alsace

Strasbourg

Hôtel Gutenberg (Centrally Located) – CHECK PRICES

Le Relais de l’Orangerie (Best Value Outside of City Centre) – CHECK PRICES

Hôtel ORIGAMI (Best Deal Near a Train Station) – CHECK PRICES

Colmar

Les Gites Du Retable (Centrally Located Studio) – CHECK PRICES

LE 17 (2-Bedroom Apartment) – CHECK PRICES

Le Studio Stanislas (Best Budget Option) – CHECK PRICES

More Winter Destinations:

Travel Resources for Christmas in Alsace