The 6 Best Christmas Markets in Colmar and the surrounding area – a 2025 Local’s Guide

This week, I’m taking you on a tour of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Colmar and the surrounding area ! As an Alsatian, not a year goes by without me discovering a new Christmas village in Alsace and returning to the “classics” that I love… Christmas markets bring a unique festive spirit to the towns and villages of Alsace!

If you come to Alsace in December, you’ll be spoiled for choice with a wide variety of Christmas markets. From large cities to villages, from Strasbourg to Eguisheim, some are intimate, others very lively, and still others disappointing and not very authentic.

To help you make your choice, I’ll give you all my local tips for exploring the Christmas markets of Colmar and southern Alsace. There are the ones I prefer after years (decades !) of exploration ! Then I’ll introduce you to the six most beautiful Christmas markets in Colmar and its region !

  See also:

Visit Strasbourg at Christmas: My Local Tips for 2025

Discover the medieval Christmas market in Ribeauvillé

6 Places to Visit in Colmar in one day

 

   

PRACTICAL TIPS FOR DISCOVERING THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN COLMAR AND ITS REGION

     

• How to get to Colmar ?

Colmar is located 50 minutes from Strasbourg and 35 minutes from Mulhouse if you are coming by car.

Compare car rentals to find the best price!

 

If you take the train, allow 20 minutes from Mulhouse, 35 minutes from Strasbourg and 2 hours 20 minutes from Paris (direct).

The Mulhouse region is also very well served by the TGV (2 hours 30 minutes) and remains a perfect alternative for accommodation during the Christmas market season, as the areas around Colmar and Strasbourg are often booked up several months in advance.

You can also visit the Christmas markets in the Colmar region with the Christmas shuttle, which departs from Colmar. This is convenient if you don’t have your own transportation! You can find the schedules and stops for the three lines on the website.

   

• Where to stay to discover the most beautiful Christmas markets in Colmar and its region?

 

Here are several accommodation suggestions to visit Christmas markets in Colmar !

 

 

3 recommended accommodation to visit Christmas markets in Colmar 

Mulhouse is also a good option for finding affordable accommodation in December. The Bristol Hotel in the center of Mulhouse, for example, is a very good option (4-star hotel at €120 in December). 

Find your accommodation at the best price to visit the Chrismas markets!

   

     

   

• Practical information for Christmas villages in Colmar 

Check out each market’s website by clicking on the links below for all the details for this year!

Riquewihr : November 28 to December 21, 2025 – 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (7 p.m. on weekends)

Colmar : November 25 to December 29, 2025 – Monday to Thursday: 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday to Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., shorter hours on December 24, 25, and 26

Kaysersberg : Friday, November 28 to Sunday, December 21, 2025 inclusive, Friday to Sunday only – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Ribeauvillé : weekends of December 6-7 and 13-14, 2025 – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. except Saturday, December 13, 7 p.m.

Eguisheim : November 28 to December 30, 2025 (except December 24, 25, and 26) – hours vary depending on the da

Mulhouse : November 21 to December 27, 2025 – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday)

 

 

• Plan your time to visit the Christmas markets in Colmar and the surrounding area

 

The markets (except Mulhouse) are grouped around Colmar (less than 20 minutes away), so you can visit four of them if you havetwo full days. Allow an extra day for the one in Mulhouse.

The villages are not large, and Colmar can easily be visited in half a day under normal circumstances. But be careful not to underestimate the crowds that flock to the Christmas markets in December! The small villages, often consisting of a single street, are really crowded, so you need to take your time to enjoy them fully. Allow around two to three hours for each village. There are often traffic jams between markets as they are very close together!

Also note that you may have to walk a lot as parking spaces are located several miles away. So make sure you wear comfortable shoes as many villages are entirely paved!

Here are a few tips to help you organize your trip and make the most of the Christmas markets: avoid weekends and evenings (especially in small villages with only one street). Choose to visit the villages in the morning to avoid the afternoon and evening crowds, as it becomes difficult to get around, even on foot (strollers are not recommended!).

Colmar and Mulhouse are better suited to an evening visit, because despite the crowds, there is more space than in the villages to enjoy the nighttime atmosphere of the Christmas markets.

 

 

• What to bring back from Christmas markets in Colmar ?

The Christmas market stalls are well stocked with delicacies and small Christmas gifts.

For food lovers, gingerbread and kougelhopfs (a type of raisin brioche with a distinctive shape and decorated with almonds) are regional specialities. You will also find bredalas, small Christmas biscuits. Tradition dictates that people make packets containing several types of homemade biscuits to give to their loved ones. Cookie cutters are sold everywhere in the markets and also make lovely gifts!

 

Here are a few tried and tested addresses: Maison Hansi (rue des Têtes in Colmar), Boutique Fortwenger (Colmar, Riquewihr and Kaysersberg), Maison Alsacienne de Biscuiterie (Eguisheim, Riquewihr and Colmar).

 

Those who prefer savory snacks can also try Alsatian charcuterie and Foie gras d’Alsace, a local specialty (it’s not only found in the southwest!). Munster is a typical Alsatian cheese, which you can taste at the Riquewihr cheese cellar.

You can also bring back some Christmas beers brewed in Alsace, and of course some Alsace wine! You’ll find it in Colmar, but also directly from winemakers in the small villages in the vineyards. A few addresses: Caveau Henri Becht – Rue du Rempart Sud in Eguisheim, Wolfberger stand at the Colmar Christmas market (crémants, etc.).

 

 

If you don’t have any Christmas decorations for your home or tree yet, don’t worry! You’ll find everything you need in Alsace! Red is the dominant color, and Christmas colors are everywhere!

Some of my favorite shops include the magnificent “Féerie de Noël” in Riquewihr, “Au bonheur de Cécile” at the entrance to Kaysersberg, “Marie-Laure boutique” in Ribeauvillé, and “Picaflor” in Colmar (6 rue des tanneurs). The Mulhouse History Museum also sells beautiful items made from the Christmas fabric created each year.

 

       

 

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN COLMAR AND THE SURROUNDING AREA

 

     

 

People come to Alsace for the Christmas markets and their artisans, but above all for the decor and atmosphere. The whole town is in a festive mood, with everyone carefully decorating their homes inside and out so that everyone can share in the celebrations.

Alsace is the birthplace of French Christmas markets, with a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages! Today, the fairytale villages are still decked out in their finest colors and illuminated to perfection. As you stroll around, the smell of spiced mulled wine wafts through the air and Christmas carols ring out…

 

December is a very special month in Alsace: it’s a time when the whole region comes together to celebrate this unique tradition with joy. There are Christmas markets in almost every village in Alsace, so there are a lot of them!

The best known is the famous Strasbourg Christmas Market, which you can discover in my article Visit Strasbourg at Christmas: My Local Tips for 2025!

But today I’m taking you between Colmar and Mulhouse to discover the six most beautiful Christmas markets in southern Alsace, which are the best Christmas markets in Colmar and the surrounding area !

 

 

THE CHRISTMAS MARKET IN RIQUEWIHR

 

     

Why choose this Christmas market? If you want to experience something typically Alsatian… For me, it’s one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Colmar and its region!

I’m in love with this fairytale village with its “main” street sloping up from the town hall to the Dolder gate. Its colorful half-timbered houses are straight out of Hansel and Gretel! The village is listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France, and there’s much more to see than just the Christmas market.

You’ll notice the dates of construction engraved in the pink sandstone arches on the facades. Most of them date back to the 16th century! Many cellars are open during the Christmas market. You can descend the steep stairs to taste wines, cheeses, and other local specialties lovingly stored in the cellars.

 

 

In December, the village buzzes with Christmas spirit and everything is perfectly decorated! Green branches, red baubles and more exotic decorations cover the facades and streets. The crafts on offer at the stalls are exclusively local, and the winstubs are truly authentic.

At the top of the street, don’t miss a visit to the Boutique Féeries de Noël (open all year round). You’ll find everything you could possibly imagine for Christmas!

 

Where to stay in Riquewihr?

The Hotel La Couronne is ideally located in the center of the village in a pretty, traditional house!

Find your hotel for your stay in Riquewihr

 

     

 

 

THE CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN COLMAR

 

       

 

Why choose this Christmas markets? If you want to enjoy a magical experience in one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe…

Colmar is a veritable museum city all year round, but it becomes particularly magical in December! There are actually 6 Christmas markets in Colmar ! When night falls, a stroll through its six Christmas markets scattered throughout the city is enchanting. And between each market, the houses are decorated and lit up in a spectacular fashion. Everywhere you go, the smells of Christmas treats fill the streets.

Did you know? In 2017, Colmar was ranked the second most beautiful Christmas market in Europe!

To discover the route that allows you to explore Colmar at the pace of its Christmas markets, I recommend (re)reading my article on my 6 Places to Visit in Colmar in one day.

   

 

A little local tip: if you want to eat out and try a nice traditional restaurant, head to the station square and the brasserie l’Auberge. It’s a great place to sample the flavors of the region in a typical setting away from the crowds!

 

Where to stay in Colmar?

 

3 recommended accommodation to visit Christmas markets in Colmar 

     

 

 

THE CHRISTMAS MARKET IN KAYSERSBERG

 

    

Why choose this Christmas market? If you want to enjoy a unique experience in France’s favorite village…

From the end of November, the “favorite village of the French in 2017” begins to beat to the rhythm of Christmas. Unlike other markets, Kaysersberg has few wooden huts. It is mainly the small shops and house facades that are decorated with the greatest care.

Kaysersberg is one of the most beautiful villages in France all year round, but it is even more beautiful during the Christmas season! Stars, hearts, bows, and gingerbread decorate the red and green storefronts. The delicious smells wafting from bakeries and food stands fill the air, and the atmosphere is truly warm and welcoming.

 

 

Local tip: to try pretzels, small Alsatian Christmas cakes, kougelhopfs, and more, head to the bakery just after the bridge over the river on the left. You’re in for a treat!

To discover all the secrets of Kaysersberg, read my article: Visit Kaysersberg, the “favorite village of the French”. It’s also my favorite village in Alsace!

 

Where to stay in Kaysersberg? In the heart of the village, the Le Seigle apartment offers good value for money!

Find your accommodation in Kaysersberg!

 

     

 

 

 

THE MEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS MARKET IN RIBEAUVILLÉ

 

     

Why choose this Christmas market? If you want to enjoy an unusual experience and step back in time to the Middle Ages…

This amazing Christmas market was one of my favorites last year! Unusual and authentic, Ribeauvillé hosts a medieval Christmas market over two weekends. The locals spend the whole year preparing for this event, and on the day itself, everyone gets involved to help visitors step back in time.

 

The atmosphere is very friendly and there are lots of activities throughout the town. Minstrels, dragons, and elves entertain passers-by. The locals also dress up for the occasion and prepare medieval dishes and amazing drinks to warm us up! In Ribeauvillé, we dance, sing, and feast as we should!

Rediscover my full article on the Medieval Christmas Market in Ribeauvillé.

 

Where to stay in Ribeauvillé?

In the heart of Ribeauvillé, the Hôtel de la Tour offers great value for money (€90 in high season). This beautiful traditional building offers comfortable and beautifully decorated rooms, as well as free access to the spa area.

Find your accommodation in Ribeauvillé!

     

 

 

 

THE CHRISTMAS MARKET IN ÉGUISHEIM

 

     

Why choose this Christmas market? If you want to enjoy an intimate experience… It is not to be missed among the Christmas markets in Colmar and its region.

Eguisheim is fortunate to be somewhat spared by the crowds that invade other villages during the Christmas market season. This charming circular village is listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France and was voted “France’s favorite village” in 2013. Its old Alsatian half-timbered houses and narrow circular streets have a unique charm. And in December, Éguisheim emerges from its usual peaceful tranquility and awakens to celebrate Christmas.

This intimate, family-friendly Christmas market has just a dozen wooden huts showcasing artisan crafts. You are then invited to stroll through the village and enjoy the Christmas decorations adorning the colorful houses, which are already so pretty the rest of the year. In the circular streets surrounding the center of Eguisheim, the residents have taken great pleasure in decorating the steps and windows of their houses. As for the winegrowers, they welcome visitors for tastings.

 

And if you’d like to sample some Alsatian specialties, head to the Maison Alsacienne de Biscuiterie on the main square. It offers delicious kougelhopfs and bredalas (small Alsatian Christmas cakes!).

To explore the village in more depth, you can read my article: Discover Eguisheim in Alsace.

 

Where to stay in Eguisheim? 

 

THE MULHOUSE CHRISTMAS MARKET

 

 

Why choose this Christmas market? If you want to get away from the tourist crowds and discover a little-known town in Alsace!

The Mulhouse Christmas market is a themed market based around Christmas fabrics, paying tribute to Mulhouse’s textile history. Every year, a new fabric is designed especially for the Christmas market! It is used to decorate the Christmas market stalls and the town hall, and is even available in gift form.

The Christmas market stalls are gathered on the pretty Place de la Réunion, which is also known for its trompe-l’oeil facades. At night, the atmosphere is truly magical, with the colorful facades illuminated for the occasion and the Ferris wheel towering over the center of the square. Don’t hesitate to climb the steps of the Saint Etienne temple to enjoy the panoramic view of the Christmas market!

 

The atmosphere of the Christmas market in Mulhouse is particularly friendly and less touristy than other markets. The locals love to go there!

Local tip: if you come to visit the Mulhouse Christmas market, take the opportunity to stroll around the historic center. Less well known than other Alsatian towns because it is a little different from the picture-postcard image, it has many surprises in store, especially in terms of street art! Also not to be missed: the automobile museum and the train museum, which have some of the largest collections in the world!

Check out my article with 6 Ideas to Visit Mulhouse, France!

 

Where to stay in Mulhouse?

Ideally located a stone’s throw from the train station and the historic center of Mulhouse, the Chambre d’hôte dans Maison de Maître offers great value for money. The room is comfortable and even has a balcony, and the owners are very welcoming!

Book your accommodation in Mulhouse!

     

 

 

OTHER CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN COLMAR AND THE REST OF ALSACE

 

Here are some other nearby Christmas markets to enjoy!

Neuf-Brisach (25 minutes from Colmar): this town fortified by Vauban (and listed as a World Heritage Site!) hosts a traditional Christmas market every year. Traditions and authenticity are the order of the day in this beautiful setting! This year, it takes place on December 8 and 9.

Obernai (40 minutes from Colmar): a warm and intimate Christmas market focused on food and crafts—open all December.

Strasbourg: even though the Strasbourg Christmas market is literally overrun, it has become much more authentic in recent years, and the city is beautiful during the Christmas season. The huge Christmas tree alone is worth the trip! – throughout December

 

Read also : Visit Strasbourg at Christmas: My Local Tips for 2025

 

I hope you enjoyed this tour of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Colmar !

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