Few cities do Christmas like Colmar. 

This fairytale French city — with its half-timbered gingerbread houses and lantern-decked streets — already looks like something out of a Hans Christian Andersen story. From the end of November, it’s transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with twinkling lights and bauble-decked trees. 

There are six Christmas markets that pop up across Colmar over December, but we are going to focus on the largest, most popular one in the Place des Dominicains. 

Get your Santa hat ready — here’s our guide to Colmar’s famous Christmas market.

Christmas in Colmar. Image Credit: Getty Images, serts

When is the Colmar Christmas market?

Everything kicks off on Tuesday 26 November 2024. It runs until Sunday 29 December 2024. From Monday through Thursday, the market will be open from 11am to 7pm. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, you can visit between 10am and 8pm. 

Where is the Colmar Christmas market located?

Head to the Église des Dominicains, a beautiful 14th-century church in the heart of Colmar. Here, you’ll find the Christmas market, spread out in the Place des Dominicains square. 

If you're staying in Colmar, the best way to get to the Christmas market is on foot or by bus. Champ de Mars, Rapp or Theatre are all bus stops that are a just short walk away from the market. There are also shuttle services offered to and from the market during the festive season. 

How to get to the Colmar Christmas market by train?

Train is the best way to reach Colmar Christmas market if you’re staying outside of the city. From Colmar station, it’s about a 15-minute walk away. Strasbourg has a direct train link with Colmar (from 26m).There are also numerous trains from Nancy to Colmar (from 1h 39m) with some direct services. Or, if you’re visiting from Basel, it’s a surprisingly quick journey (from 43m) to get from Switzerland into France. 

Christmas in Colmar, France. Image Credit: Getty Images, SimonSkafar 

Why is the Colmar Christmas market famous?

With its half-timbered houses, pretty canals and 600-year-old churches, Colmar is a beautiful town to visit any time of the year. However, it’s gained a reputation for its Christmas market because of its chocolate box surroundings that wouldn’t look out of place on a Hallmark greetings card. Plus, the Colmar Christmas market has a distinct traditional feel, thanks to its rich Germanic heritage. 

Is the Colmar Christmas market worth visiting?

Yes, absolutely. Colmar is one of the most popular Christmas markets in Europe — for good reason. It does get quite busy, but it certainly ticks a lot of boxes when it comes to festive atmosphere.

Best hotels near the Colmar Christmas market

Looking to treat yourself? Book the five-star L’Esquisse Hotel & Spa Colmar, just ten-minutes on foot from the Christmas market. This luxury boutique hotel has the feel of a contemporary gallery, complete with bronze statues and abstract wall art. Take advantage of the indoor pool and spa.

Alternatively, if you’re on a budget, opt for Hôtel Beauséjour. Set a few blocks back from the city center, this family-run establishment promises a cozy stay. Sip a glass of local Alsace wine in the quirky piano bar, before bedding down in one of 40 contemporary rooms. Breakfast is available for an additional charge.

Springerle cookie. Image Credit: Getty Images, Jean-Claude Winkler 

What foods are popular at the Colmar Christmas market?

You can’t visit Colmar at Christmas without trying a bredele (butter biscuits). These festive cookies come in a range of flavors, from cinnamon to chocolate and walnut. Springerle are equally delectable aniseed cookies, made to hang on the Christmas tree before you eat them. Make sure you also look out for mannele, a brioche bread roll shaped like a man, often filled with chocolate chips. 

Fun facts about the Colmar Christmas Market

  • Did you know Colmar is the Alsace region’s wine capital? Try the city’s own white mulled wine, infused with citrus zest, cinnamon and star anise.
  • The Colmar Christmas market was originally called christkindelsmärik in the local regional dialect, Alsatian.
  • Nativity scenes in Colmar don’t feature a baby Jesus. This is because in Alsace, it’s tradition to only add the Jesus figurine on Christmas Eve.
  • The first recorded Christmas tree was discovered in a municipal register from 1521 in the nearby town of Sélestat.

La Petite Venise neighborhood in Colmar, France. Image Credit: Getty Images, Jean-Philippe Tournut 

5 things to do in Colmar besides the Christmas Market

Take a boat trip through La Petite Venise (Little Venice), one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods. You’ll also find the charming Marché Couvert (covered market) here. Dating from 1865, the beautiful building houses a food market, packed with gourmet delights, such as local cheese, sausage, and sauerkraut.

Art fans should head to L’Espace d'Art Contemporain André Malraux, a free-to-enter gallery showcasing local artists. Or pop into the Musée Bartholdi, a museum and childhood home of the sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi who designed New York’s Statue of Liberty.

If you’ve got time, take the train to Domaine Schoenheitz, a small winery on the outskirts of Colmar. It’s the best way to sample and learn about Alsatian wines. 

Feeling festive? Download the Trainline app to book train tickets to this year’s Colmar Christmas market.

For more Christmas market inspo, check out our comprehensive guides: 

Colmar Christmas Market. Header Image Credit: Getty Images, serts 

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