At Christmastime, add twinkling lights and festive city squares and Colmar becomes a picture-perfect European Christmas destination. (Mapics (Adobe Stock))
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Located in northeastern France is the striking Alsatian town of Colmar. Teaming with cobblestone streets, half-timbered medieval buildings, Gothic churches and quaint shops, the town seems to pop out of a fairytale. At Christmastime, add twinkling lights and festive city squares and Colmar becomes a picture-perfect European Christmas destination. Visit www.noel-colmar.com for more details.
Open daily from Nov. 23 to Dec. 29, 2026, Colmar has six festive markets that each house their own kind of holiday spirit.
Open daily from Nov. 23 to Dec. 29, 2026, Colmar has six festive markets that each house their own kind of holiday spirit. (Adellyne (Adobe Stock))
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Gourmet Market
Located at the Place de la Cathédral, this gourmet food market is new in 2023. Master chefs will be on hand to create culinary masterpieces for the discerning visitor. From appetizers to desserts, there will be delicious dishes to match every palate.
Dominican Church Market
The Place des Dominicains is home to the Dominican Church which dates back to the early 14th century. This is the largest market in Colmar with 60 huts set up outside the church. It is a place where families shop for Christmas and friends gather for food and drinks.
Old Town Market
The historic Place de l’Ancienne Douane located in the heart of the old city hosts roughly 50 stalls. The market is set up on both sides of the city’s canal near the Schwendi Fountain. Contemporary creations and traditional Christmas decorations can be found here.
Which of Colmar’s Christmas markets will be your favorite? (Boris Stroujko (Adobe Stock))
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Indoor Craft Market
Adjacent to the old town market, the Koïfhus is a 15th-century building that hosts local craftsmen and women. Inside you will find items from master glaziers, cabinet makers, wood sculptors, jewelers, hat-makers and other traditionally-skilled artisans.
Alsatian Village Market
This market in the Place Jeanne d’Arc is surrounded by charming half-timbered buildings giving it an old-fashioned village atmosphere. Here you will find booths selling traditional local craft items and foods like foie gras, schnapps and bredalas de Noël (Christmas cookies).
Children’s Market
Let your kids sip their own warm beverage, ride the mechanical horses or drop a letter in the giant mailbox for Père Noël. Near the Petite Venice area, in the Place des Six Montagnes noires, this children’s market has 43 cute cottages for shopping, plus a pretty nativity scene.
Nearby Christmas Markets
Turckheim (15-minute drive). This quaint village market is open daily from Nov. 27 to Dec. 30 (closed Dec. 25).
Requewihr (25-minute drive). This extremely scenic, traditional Alsatian town hosts a market daily from Nov. 27 to Dec. 20.
Ribeauvillé (30-minute drive). A medieval-themed Christmas market takes over this picture-perfect village for two weekends, Dec. 5-6 and Dec. 12-13.
Kaysersberg-Vignoble (25-minute drive). A local market and fir garlands line the main street of this town on the weekends from Nov. 27 to Dec. 20.
Equisheim (15-minute drive). The market at the center of this circular medieval village is open from Nov. 27 to Dec. 30 (closed Dec. 24-26)
Things to see in Colmar
Apart from the Christmas markets, Colmar offers many activities and sights to enjoy.
Head to the Musee d’Unterlinden to see modern art by Monet, Picasso and Renoir, plus incredible medieval paintings and statuary, including the famous Isenheim Altarpiece by German painter Mathias Grunewald.
Stroll along the canal at Petite Venice. (Aegoplaces (Adobe Stock))
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Stroll along the canal at Petite Venice. This stunning neighborhood possesses delicious canal-side restaurants, quaint bridges and colorful half-timbered houses built on the edge of the Lauch River canal.
For high-end French cuisine, try Atelier du Peintre, an elegant French restaurant on Rue Schongauer. From foie gras to grilled scallops, your taste buds will not be disappointed!
May your cups be filled with endless amounts of vin chaud and your hearts be filled with Christmas cheer!
Dining and Cooking