The 6 Christmas Markets in Colmar

One of the truly magical winter destinations in Europe, Colmar Christmas Market takes over this historic old town from late November until late December. Fairy lights cover many of the street trees, the famous half-timbered buildings are festively decorated and almost every square is lined with Christmas stalls and wooden chalets.

Colmar Christmas Market 2021

For a small city, you might be surprised to know there are six Christmas markets in Colmar, each with a different theme and atmosphere. The historic centre is very walkable so you can easily visit all the markets in one day or visit more slowly over your Christmas break.

Colmar Christmas Market dates: 26th November to 29th December 2021.
Locations: There are 6 Christmas markets in Colmar.
Dominican Church Christmas Market: Place des Dominicains – 60 Christmas huts offering decorations, Christmas trees and festive meals.
Gourmet Christmas Market: Place de la Cathédrale – Here the focus is on Alsatian culinary artisans.
Traditional Christmas Market: Place Jeanne d’Arc – An Alsatian village Christmas market with specialties that include charcuterie, wine, brandy, Christmas cakes and gingerbread.
Schwendi Fountain Christmas Market: Place de l’Ancienne Douane – 50 huts surround the fountain of Schwendi and extend along the river.
Children’s Christmas Market: La Petite Venise – handmade toys, santa claus and rides for children.
Craft Market: The Koïfhus – Ceramists, potters, glassmakers, cabinetmakers, woodcarvers, hatters, jewelers and other artisans.
Travel tips: Hop on the train and visit nearby Alsatian destinations such as Strasbourg and Riquewihr or extend your trip with a visit to Basel’s Christmas market which is only 45 minutes away in Switzerland.
Hotels near Colmar Christmas Market: The James Boutique Hotel is a lovely hotel in the city centre with quality rooms and excellent service.

Hotels near Colmar Christmas Market

While there are many hotels in the historic old town, there are only a handful that we recommend. Read our guide to hotels near Colmar Christmas Market where we list the best and most convenient hotels and apartments suitable for a range of budgets.

Alsatian Food in Colmar

Food is part of Alsace’s rich cultural heritage. There are a few Christmas specialties but most local dishes you’ll likely want to experience on any visit.

• Tarte flambée – one of the most iconic dishes in the Alsace region of France. It is a thin flat rolled out pastry that is typically topped with cream, cheese, bacon and onions and then woodfired. There are vegetarian versions too of course.
• Pretzels – the gourmet symbol of Alsace, traditonally served with course salt but contemporary varieties include melted cheese or chocolate.
• Wine and cider – Muscat for aperitif, Riesling with fish and shellfish, Pinot Gris with white meat and Gewurtztraminer with cheese and dessert. Alsatian cider is also popular and you can sometimes find it served hot at the Christmas markets.
• Dine at a winstub – the traditional restaurant in Colmar that serves old fashioned dishes including choucroute, rösti, liver dumplings, Baeckeoffe and tartes flambées.

Things to do in Colmar in Winter

Winter is a wonderful time to experience Colmar and elsewhere in the Alsace region. The city is compact and cosy with an incredibly festive atmosphere thanks to street decorations and the six Christmas markets. The canals are decorated and when the weather is less favourable you can stop in a cafe for warming hot chocolate, strudel or many of the countless other Alsatian specialties.

• Little Venice – This is the classic area of Colmar that you have likely heard about or seen photos. Little Venice is the canal area where the waterway is lined with colourful half-timbered houses.
• The Fishmonger’s District – Located between Little Venice and the Tanneurs district, it’s not surprising that the Fishmonger’s district was historically the home of professtional fisherman. A huge fire in 1706 destroyed many of the original buildings but the area was restored in the 1980s.
• Market Hall – You’ll find many incredible small artisan shops around Colmar that sell local specialties. If you would like to visit a number of producers at once, head to Colmar’s famous covered market hall to shop for supplies to eat there or take away with you. Specialties include charcuterie, cheese, baked goods, Alsatian wine and cider.
• Museums – Of course, museums are interesting to visit all year round but if the weather isn’t great you mind end up visiting more museums than you planned. In Colmar, the Unterlinden Museum, Maison des Têtes, Maison Pfister and the Chocolate Museum are popular.

Location Map

If you have any questions or comments about visiting the Colmar Xmas market in 2021 or visiting Colmar in winter more generally, please leave a comment below. We are experienced travellers who are happy to help where we can or you can get more information from the Alsace Christmas website.

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Please be sure to follow all government travel guidelines and restrictions while in Colmar and elsewhere in France. Be aware these may change at short notice so please continue to monitor the situation. The latest information for travellers is published by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

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