What are the Christmas Markets in Alsace?
Christmas markets are part of Alsace's traditions and appear at the same time as the start of Advent with its legendary wreath.
At first, Christmas markets were only held in the big cities; today they reach right into our countryside to bring their magic there. They are often enlivened by living nativity scenes and Christmas legends.
The scents of mulled wine and Christmas bredele will welcome you and guide you throughout your visit, where you will discover decorations for your tree, nativity scenes, santons, crafts of all kinds and, of course, magnificent wooden toys.
Find the dates of the various markets in Alsace in the Christmas Markets Calendar.
THE SEVEN CHRISTMAS LANDS
At this time of year, Alsace is divided into seven Lands so that you can discover all the magic of CHRISTMAS.
The Land of Mysteries
In northern Alsace, from Haguenau to Wissembourg, Lembach, Niedersteinbach and Obersteinbach in the heart of the forest, lies the Land of Mysteries.
Land of mysteries, land of legends: here we are among elves, fairies, giants and dwarves… but above all, here we are plunged into the world of Hans Trapp.
Hans Trapp, with his shaggy hair, rags and chains, strikes terror into the youngest children, while the beautiful Christkindel reassures them.
The Land of Lights
Surrounded by mountains and hills, the Land of Christmas Lights is located in the area around Saverne, Wasselonne, La Petite Pierre, Marmoutier and Wangenbourg-Engenthal (also known as the Switzerland of Alsace).
You can admire the beauty of the illuminations along trails called "the Advent Windows", which let you discover each evening either a new window lighting up, often accompanied by a tale, or simply a richly illuminated and decorated village.
This land is also that of the Christkindel, the young girl bearing the wreath of greenery and lit candles, who symbolises the Christ Child.
The Land of Stars
This vast land will enchant you with its wonders.
Colmar, a town of lights, will dazzle you with its decorations and the way its heritage is showcased. The Land of Stars will take you through the Alsace vineyards in search of both historical and wine-growing splendours.
The twinkling stars will lead you through Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé, Kaysersberg, Turckheim, Eguisheim, Munster, Trois Epis and Neuf Brisach, bewitching you with their mulled wine and their fabulous local wines.
The Land of Flavours
Strasbourg: Capital of Christmas but also the Land of Flavours.
As you stroll through the various Christmas markets on Place de la Gare (special market: Christmas Bredele), Place Broglie and Place de la Cathédrale, you can discover and be tempted by the mouth-watering smells of gingerbread, mulled wine and many other treats.
The Land of Carols and Fabrics
Let yourself be lulled by sweet Christmas melodies as you wander through the Sundgau, Altkirch, Thann, Saint-Louis or Mulhouse.
You will have the pleasure of joining in and singing the Christmas carols that will immerse you in the joy and magic of the moment.
Mulhouse, an industrial and cultural city, retains its reputation for the textile industry that once made its fortune. Its fabric printing museum traces its development and will reveal wonders to you. You can also continue discovering the textile industry by heading to Husseren-Wesserling, a former textile mill, which puts on an enchanting show every year.
The Land of Fir Trees
In the heart of Alsace, the Land of the Christmas Tree dazzles you with its splendour and festive lights.
On walks around Sélestat, Obernai, Barr, Gertwiller, Rosheim and Molsheim, you can discover different, sometimes original, ways of decorating your tree.
The Land of Evening Gatherings
This land is a little like the secret garden of our beautiful region. Located within the Écomusée d’Alsace (an open-air museum tracing Alsatian life in the 19th and 20th centuries), it carries us away, with the help of elves from the Sundgau, to the land of Christmas dreams.
The evening gatherings will take you back to your earliest childhood amid tales and legends.
Although many villages hold Christmas markets (see the markets by town and village), we have made a selection for you of the Christmas markets we consider unmissable.
The must-see Christmas markets and events.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR
GLÜCKLICHE WEIHNACHTEN UND VIEL GLÜCK ZUM NEUEN JAHR
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR