Colmar Christmas Market: Complete Guide to the Christmas Markets

I’ve always been a fan of Christmas markets, mostly thanks to the effects of mulled wine and raclette sandwiches on my overall well-being during the holidays.

On our first trip to Alsace, I realized pretty quickly that Colmar’s Christmas market was on another level.

Between the fairytale aesthetic, vin chaud, and multiple markets throughout Old Town, it’s easy to see why Colmar is one of France’s most popular Christmas destinations.

If you’re planning a Colmar Christmas market trip, this guide covers everything you need to know. I include the 2026 dates and opening hours, where to find each market, what to eat and buy, how to get there, and where to stay.

Is the Colmar Christmas market worth visiting?

Colmar’s Christmas markets are worth the trip for anyone who loves whimsy, delicious treats, and an authentic Christmas market experience.

What makes Colmar especially appealing is that you’re not visiting just one market. There are six different Christmas markets spread throughout the city, each with its own atmosphere, decorations, and specialties.

The markets are free to visit, too, although you’ll want to budget for plenty of vin chaud, raclette sandwiches, Christmas cookies, and other Alsatian treats.

The setting is also a big part of the appeal. Colmar’s colorful half-timbered buildings, canals, and historic Old Town get an elaborate Christmas makeover, making even the walk between markets a good time.

Colmar Christmas Market Dates 2026

The six Colmar Christmas markets open on November 23, 2026, but they don’t all have the same closing date. Most of the markets run through December 29, while the Marché Gourmand (Gourmet Market) stays open through January 3, 2027.

The markets are generally open Monday through Thursday from 11am-7pm and Friday through Sunday from 10am-8pm. The Marché Gourmand has extended hours. It’s open daily from 11am-10pm except December 31, when it closes at 5 p.m.

Holiday hours for the other markets vary:

• December 24: 11am-5pm
• December 25: 10am-8pm
• December 26: 11am-8pm

The Colmar markets have one of the longest durations on the continent. Many markets across France and Germany — they’re weihnachtsmarkts there — don’t start their festivities until December and end by the Christmas holiday.

READ MORE: Visiting Germany, too? Check out my guide to a magical Christmas in Frankfurt.

Where are the Colmar Christmas markets?

The Colmar Christmas markets are spread across six locations in and around the city’s historic Old Town. They’re close enough together that you can walk between all six during a single visit.

These are some of the most popular markets in the region. Expect to have to share the whimsy with other holiday revelers on your trip to Colmar at Christmas.

The Six Colmar Christmas Markets

There are six unique Christmas markets for you to add to your agenda as you discover Christmas markets in Colmar.

They’re all very doable in one day, or even in one afternoon if you’re pacing yourself on that vin chaud. Let’s dive into all of your options for a very jolly Colmar Noël.

Marché Gourmand (Gourmet Market) | Rue de la Montagne Verte

We arrived at the markets right after they opened, which meant we were ready for lunch. The Marché Gourmand offers your best bet for a complete meal at the market, not that I’d ever fault you for making do with raclette sandwiches and bretzels. 

Fun fact: A bretzel is a pretzel in Alsace. In German, the word is actually brezel, but I’m telling you things get extra around here.

I’d still urge you to leave substantial room for this market. Choose from nine different vendors serving up a variety of delectable eats to warm and fill your bellies.

We split a platter of Alsatian treats from one vendor and a bouchée à la reine from another.

A bouchée à la reine translates to “a queen’s morsel,” and the name definitely suits this situation. It was like a pot pie if a pot pie was made out of a flaky croissant and then stuffed with fresh mushrooms in a meaty gravy. 

Note: The gourmet Christmas tent was in a new location during our visit. Visit the main website to get an idea of the main markets, but then make sure you scan the QR codes around the markets for the updated map.

This market is also where you’ll find cooking demonstrations and food competitions on select evenings at the market.

You can ride the Ferris wheel while you’re here and get your first nip of vin chaud, or mulled Alsatian wine. There’s a bit of a markup on the wine here, but it’s all gourmet, after all. 

Bring those plastic cups with you wherever you stop, as you’ll save some euros on refills for being eco-friendly.

Place de l’Ancienne Douane

This is the second-largest market out of the six options. We had already overpaid for vin chaud at the gourmet market, so we decided to lick our wounds here with a second, cheaper cup at one of the friendly vendors. 

We also grabbed some sweets at one of the chocolate shops on the way to the interior market.

We were surprised to find so much marzipan involved in what we bought, but it was all consumed anyway. Marzipan is fine. It’s just not my favorite. Don’t come at me. I still ate it.

Le Marché intérieur du Koïfhus (Indoor Market at the Koïfhus)

Koïfhus, which runs out of Colmar’s old customs house, is the only indoor market at the Colmar Christmas Markets. This is where the local artisans are stationed. 

If you’re at all in need of a T-shirt that reads Obi Wine Pinot Gris, this is where you’d get it. Leaving that shirt where I found it was the only regret of my time in Colmar.

Peruse the kitchen goods, jewelry, ornaments, and adorable gift ideas. Before you head down, snap a photo from the balcony at the exit. It’s a great view of the holiday scene below.

Children’s Christmas Market – Petite Venise | Place des Six Montagnes Noires

Petite Venise, or Little Venice, is one of the most picturesque destinations in the city in the off-season, but it really comes alive during the winter holidays.

READ MORE: Want to read my thoughts about BIG Venice? Check out this guide!

If it’s not too chilly when you visit, you can explore the canals below by boat. On Wednesdays and Saturdays during the market, this is also where you’d set up shop to hear the floating children’s choirs.

You’ll know you’re there by the kiddie rides, but this one definitely isn’t just for children. You’ll find the expected vin chaud at this one, too. 

Fun fact: That all said, the kids will definitely love this spot if you’re traveling with the whole family. This is where you may see Santa set up shop if you’re lucky, but I don’t know the details of his comings and going. He’s mysterious that way.

The market’s largest nativity scene is typically set up at this one, too.

Place Jeanne d’Arc

We visited this one twice, not because it was our favorite, but because they had these savory bretzels and tartines we wanted to grab for evening consumption. 

This is one of the smaller markets and often a quick stopover on your way to the larger Place des Dominicains, but I really liked this one. It’s modeled after an Alsace village, so everything here is hyper-local. 

The Christmas lights at this one are stellar, too, if you’re planning a trip in the evening.

Place des Dominicains

This was our last market of the day. Many holiday travelers start at this one as it’s near some of the main parking lots, but we bucked that trend to hightail it to the gourmet tents and work our way up.

You do you. The shops will be there for you when you’re ready.

This is the largest market available. In any given season, expect up to 60 different chalets selling sweet treats and holiday tchotchkes.

We had to get ourselves raclette sandwiches at some point, and this market seemed to have the most options to fill that need.

You’ll be spoiled for choice at this one.

How long do you need for the Colmar Christmas market?

One full day is enough to visit all six of Colmar’s Christmas markets, especially if your main goal is seeing the markets, eating, and enjoying the Christmas decor.

If you have two days, that’s even better. You can revisit your favorite markets after dark, explore more of Colmar’s Old Town, and fit in some of the city’s museums and other attractions.

I’d probably recommend at least one night in Colmar. The atmosphere changes once the lights come on, even if it generally means larger crowds.

What to Eat at the Colmar Christmas Market

One of the best parts of visiting the Colmar Christmas markets is eating your way through them. You’ll find plenty of classic Alsatian specialties alongside the usual Christmas-market treats. Here are a few to try:

• Bretzels: They’re not pretzels. They’re bretzels. More importantly, they’re the perfect portable snack when you’re walking between markets.
• Christmas cookies: Grab a bag of bredele, essentially butter cookies in a variety of shapes and sizes, for noshing on the go.
• Hot drinks: We tried vin chaud in red and white because we don’t discriminate against wine. Hot cider and hot chocolate are both delightful options, too.
• Knack d’Alsace: These pale sausages may not look that appetizing at first glance, but you’ll be singing a different tune once they’re in your hot little hands.
• Mannala (Mannele): If you’re visiting in early December, keep an eye out for these little brioche men, a traditional Alsatian treat for St. Nicholas Day.
• Pain d’épices: We didn’t take one of these home as we didn’t think we’d be able to finish a whole gingerbread loaf, but they are everywhere.
• Raclette sandwiches: Tartines and sausages may rule the day, but you can’t stop me when there’s bread and melted cheese involved.
• Tarte flambée: It’s basically Alsatian pizza. You’ll see vendors with these all over the market. Go for “natural” for the classic cheese and onion variety.
• Tartines: These are open-faced sandwiches that come with a variety of toppings. Vendors will wrap them up for you for later if you need a nighttime snack. We did.

What to Buy at the Colmar Christmas Markets

Giving you tips here is super subjective, as I don’t know your budget or how much room you have in your luggage. Here are a few things you’ll see at the traditional markets in Colmar:

• Christmas decorations: Beyond ornaments, you’ll find plenty of festive decorations to bring a little Alsatian Christmas magic home with you.
• Handmade crafts: The Koïfhus market is the place to look for locally made ceramics, pottery, glasswork, woodcarvings, and other handcrafted goods.
• Jewelry: If you’re looking for a gift that doesn’t scream “I bought this at a Christmas market,” the artisan stalls have handmade jewelry to choose from.
• Ornaments: We didn’t take any home with us as we have limited space in our lives, but I have to admit that some of the ornaments here were stunning.

Tips for Visiting Colmar at Christmas

Some of the advice out there seems outdated at this point, so I wanted to share a few tips from our most recent experience.

• Come on a weekday. I’d highly recommend a weekday visit if you don’t want loads of competition for those hot mugs of wine.
• Wear layers. Winter boots, scarves, and gloves kept us warm in between mugs of hot drinks. I didn’t need thermals in November, but you might in December.
• Scan the map QR codes upon arrival. Things change from year to year. A lot of the “updated” blogs list ice skating at Place Rapp. It was kiddie rides instead.
• Keep track of your cup. Your first hot beverage will come with a surcharge to cover your reusable cup. You can get that deposit back at the end of the revelry.
• Return your cup. It does not need to be the same stall where you got your cup, but it does need to be a stall that serves hot drinks.
• Take a mug home. Some stalls also sell hot beverages in collectible mugs. Try Place des Dominicains if you’d like to take one home.
• Bring a little cash. All but one vendor took contactless payments or credit cards. (I realize other bloggers tell you to bring money, but it wasn’t our experience.)
• Shop around. There was some varied pricing from shop to shop. Expect to spend anywhere from $4-5 on beverages and around $7-10 on plates of food.
• Make reservations. You can just show up at the holiday markets, but if you want a sit-down meal or wine-tasting in Colmar after, make reservations.

That last bit of advice includes the city’s winstubs. These are eateries that serve typical Alsatian cuisine. Wistub Brenner is a popular option.

How to Get to the Colmar Christmas Market

The easiest way to get to the Colmar Christmas markets is by train or car. Colmar is well connected to cities throughout France by high-speed trains, and the historic center is easy to reach from the train station.

By Train

Colmar is well connected to the rest of France by high-speed TGV trains. It’s an especially easy option if you’re coming from Paris, with trains taking around 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Here are some approximate train travel times from other transportation hubs:

• Metz/Nancy: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Reims: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Paris: 2 hours 20 minutes
• Lyon: 3 hours 15 minutes
• Lille: 3 hours 50 minutes

Book your train tickets ahead of time if you’re traveling close to Christmas. Popular departure times can fill up, particularly on weekends.

By Car

Colmar is a popular base for exploring the Alsace region, so having a car can be useful if you want to visit smaller towns and villages.

We drove to our accommodations in Widensolen, a small town about 15 to 20 minutes from Colmar, from our home outside of Paris at the time. The drive took us nearly six hours, but it was the practical choice because we wanted to bring our pup along.

Note: If you’re driving to Colmar, there are several parking lots within easy walking distance of the Christmas markets. Get there early if you want a spot in one of the most convenient lots, like Parking Mairie, the Town Hall lot.

By Plane

The nearest airports to Colmar are EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg and Strasbourg Airport. Depending on where you’re coming from, flying into one of these airports and continuing to Colmar by train may be the easiest option.

Christmas Shuttles

If you’re already in Colmar and want to visit some of the surrounding markets without driving, Christmas shuttles connect Colmar’s train station with several towns.

The 2026 shuttles run from November 27 through December 20 to Kaysersberg, Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé, Eguisheim, Turckheim, Munster, and Neuf-Brisach. Availability varies by route and day, so check the Christmas shuttle timetables before you go.

Book ahead if you can. The shuttles are popular, and tickets are limited on operating days.

Getting Around Colmar

Once you’re in Colmar, walk. The Christmas markets are spread throughout the historic center, but they’re close enough together that you can easily walk between them.

The city also runs free shuttles and paid Christmas buses during the market season. Weekend service is more frequent, but that’s also when the markets are WAY busier.

If you love the idea of someone else taking over the whole experience, we did see quite a few guided tours in and around Colmar. Here are a few options for Christmas market tours in and around Colmar:

Where to Stay for the Colmar Christmas Market

We stayed outside of Colmar in Widensolen, a sleepy town about a 15-20 minute drive to the holiday events. It was more affordable, dog-friendly, and a good base for visiting other towns and villages in Alsace.

If your travel is limited to Colmar, I’d recommend you book something in Colmar’s Old Town or within a short trip of the markets. It’ll make your life a lot easier, especially after an evening of indulging in Colmar Christmas market food.

Check out the map below for your options:

More Things to Do in Colmar at Christmas

Maybe you’ll get a little Christmas market fatigue. Maybe not.

Here are a few more things for you to check out while you’re galavanting around the Colmar markets:

• Choco-Story Colmar: There are a few of these globally. Each one offers a dedicated exhibit of local traditions. We really liked this one, as long as you don’t have plans to rush it. Upgrade to the hot chocolate at the end.
• Domaine Martin JUND: There are a few wineries and wine bars in Colmar that looked pretty great, but this is the only one that comes with 14 generations of winemaking history. Email ahead of time for a wine and cheese tasting.
• Musée Bartholdi: Spend an hour walking through the life and times of French sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, the artist behind the Statue of Liberty. You’ll learn all about that project and his early years in this modest museum.
• Toy Museum: Relive your youth (or learn a little something) at the Musée du Jouet. This one takes you on a journey of kids’ toys from the 1800s onward. There are interactive elements throughout that make this one a fun stop with kids.
• Unterlinden Museum: The draw is the fact that the museum operates out of a 13th-century convent, and European convents are super scenic. The exhibits themselves are focused on religious art, with some more modern pieces.

Christmas Markets Near Colmar

Colmar isn’t the only place to get your Christmas-market fix in Alsace. Some of the region’s prettiest markets are in the small wine villages surrounding the city, and several make easy day trips from Colmar:

• Eguisheim: This is one of the closest options to Colmar, with a charming, circular medieval village. Its 2026 market runs November 27 through December 30.
• Kaysersberg: This is a great choice if you want an artisan-focused market. The 2026 market runs on four weekends, from November 27 through December 20.
• Riquewihr: This walled medieval village is one of the most atmospheric places to visit at Christmas. The market runs from November 27 through December 20.
• Ribeauvillé: Go here for something completely different. Its Christmas market has a medieval theme and is held only on December 5-6 and 12-13 in 2026.
• Turckheim: This is another smaller option near Colmar, with an Elf-themed Christmas market running November 27 through December 30, 2026.

Colmar vs. Strasbourg Christmas Market

Colmar is the better Christmas market if you prefer something more manageable. The distances between the markets are much shorter, and you can easily walk between them while taking in all the ridiculously cute streets.

It’s hard to deny the appeal of Strasbourg as the Capital of Christmas, though. Its Christmas markets are spread throughout the historic center, with more than 300 chalets across multiple sites, so the overall experience is bigger and busier.

If you’re able, I’d try to do both on your trip to Alsace. They’re different enough that I don’t think you’ll feel like you’re simply repeating the same experience.

Love that idea? Check out my guide to Strasbourg’s holiday markets.

Is Colmar worth visiting at Christmas?

Absolutely. Colmar is worth visiting even if you’re not here for the Christmas markets. Its charming streets, picturesque canal, and delicious food and wine scene make it an excellent destination and ideal base for travel in the Alsace region.

During the holiday season, though, Colmar’s historic center is at its best. The winter holidays turn an already charming city into something that feels straight out of a Christmas movie.

I’m sure we’ll be back, whether that’s at Christmas or to check out the region during other seasons.

Staying in France for a while? Check these out:

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Planning travel elsewhere? Check out more in and around France:

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