One of Europe’s magical destinations, Colmar Christmas Market transforms this historic old town each winter. Fairy lights cover street trees, half-timbered buildings are festively decorated, and almost every central square is lined with wooden chalets offering regional items.
The confirmed dates and what you can expect follow.
Colmar Christmas Market 2024
Dates – Confirmed
Colmar Christmas Market dates: 26th November to 29th December 2024 (confirmed).
Update: Dates were announced in January. Sign up for our newsletter for future updates.
Source: Dates are obtained directly from the event organiser’s website, available here.
Plan Your Visit
Location and Times
Locations: Colmar has six market locations:
Place des Dominicains – 60 huts and a huge variety.
Place de la Cathédrale – The gourmet market.
Place Jeanne d’Arc – A traditional Alsatian village market.
Place de l’Ancienne Douane – 50 chalets circle Schwendi Fountain and extend along the river.
La Petite Venise – The Children’s market with Santa Claus and rides.
The Koïfhus – The craft makers market with ceramists, potters, glassmakers, cabinetmakers, woodcarvers, hatters and jewellers.
Opening times:
Monday to Thursday: 11am to 7pm.
Friday to Sunday: 10am to 8pm.
Christmas Day: Open from 11am to 8pm.
Travel and Accommodation
Recommended tour: A day tour of Colmar and nearby Medieval villages.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion. There is no vehicle access in the city centre for the season.
Travel tip: Hop on the train and visit nearby Alsatian destinations such as Strasbourg and Riquewihr.
Where to stay: James Boutique Hotel is my favourite place to stay.
Amenities and Attractions
Admission: Free, no tickets required.
Christmas lights: Yes, from late November.
Santa: Yes, at La Petite Venise.
Ice skating: No.
Reason to visit: Historic traditions. Gourmet treats from Alsatian producers.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of options.
Gluten-free: Limited. Ask individual vendors, but beware of cross-contamination.
Specialities: Flammenkueche, baeckeoffe, kouglof, bredle cookies, mulled beer.
Accessibility
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Yes, but not recommended during busy periods.
Convenient Hotels
While there are many hotels in the historic old town, I recommend only a handful, as many have old or dated rooms and poor reviews.
Luckily I’ve been to Colmar twice and think the James Boutique Hotel is one of the best places to stay.
Read about more accommodation options here: hotels in Colmar.
If you’re still looking for more, add a destination from this Alsace Christmas Markets List, where different towns and villages are highlighted.
Or travel further afield to a place on our French Christmas Markets List.
Location Map
Captured a moment that embodies the holiday season? Tag your photos with #UltimateChristmasMarkets — we can’t wait to see your festive finds!
Christmas in Colmar
One of the oldest markets in Europe, it holds its own with six distinct markets, each with a unique character and assortment of handmade crafts, regional specialities and festive decorations.
The ‘Children’s Land’ event in the park features wooden toys, sweet treats, and an old-fashioned carousel for young visitors. Another highlight is the illuminated streets of the picturesque Petite Venise district.
Alsatian Specialties
- Baeckeoffe: A slow-cooked casserole flavoured with juniper berries and baked in a sealed terracotta pot.
- Flammekueche: The region’s famous ‘tarte flambée’ is kind of a thin-crust pizza with crème fraîche and other toppings.
- Kouglof: A distinctive circular bundt cake with raisins, almonds and cherry brandy.
- Munster Cheese: A soft, washed-rind cheese with a strong aroma but a subtle taste.
- Spätzle: Smaal, soft egg noodles with a texture somewhere between a dumpling and pasta. Frequently served with cheese as käsespätzle.
- Bredle: Small biscuits baked in various shapes and flavours, including aniseed, ginger and hazelnut.
- Berewecke: A dense fruit and nut bread, typically with pear and fig.
- Pretzels: An Alsatian classic.
- Vin Chaud: Mulled wine made with regional red wine.
- Pain d’Epices: The richly spiced, honey-infused bread is enjoyed on its own or used in desserts.
- Tarte au Fromage Blanc: A kind of airy cheesecake.
- Marrons Glacés: Candied chestnut from southern French regions.
What to Buy
- Soufflenheim Pottery: Brightly coloured kitchenware and decorative pottery from a village in Alsace.
- Linens and Textiles: Hand-embroidered linens and textiles, including tablecloths, napkins and aprons.
- Wine: Alsace is one of France’s premier wine regions, producing a variety of distinctive wines, including Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Crémant d’Alsace.
- Ornaments: Crafted from wood, glass, or pottery.
- Spices: Star anise, cinnamon and nutmeg are frequently used in Alsatian cuisine.
Things to do in Winter
- Colmar’s historic centre is Little Venice, a picture-perfect quarter renowned for its canals lined with vibrant, half-timbered houses.
- Adjacent to Little Venice, the Fishmonger’s District bridges the gap to the Tanneurs District. It was traditionally inhabited by professional fishermen. A fire in 1706 claimed many original structures, but meticulous restoration in the 1980s restored the district’s charm.
- The city’s famed covered Market Hall is a one-stop destination for local produce. Here, you can shop for charcuterie, cheese, baked goods, Alsatian wine and cider to savour on the spot or take away.
- The Unterlinden Museum, Maison des Têtes, Maison Pfister, and the Chocolate Museum are among Colmar’s top cultural exploration options.
Sustainability Ideas
- Walking or cycling: Colmar is easily navigable on foot or by bike.
- Support local: This is easy to do here in Alsace.
- Eco-friendly hotels: Book a hotel that uses renewable energy sources for heating and electricity. You can find this information on hotel listings.
- Food waste: When sampling delicious food, be mindful of how much you can eat. I know it’s tempting to overorder!
- Eat sustainably: Choose plant-based or vegetarian meals where possible.
- Take the train: If you’re travelling to or from other nearby cities, consider the train instead of flying or driving.
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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. While we make every effort to provide accurate information, the dates and details listed here should not be relied upon. Please consult the official website before booking your trip or planning a visit.
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