Alsace may have some of the most famous Christmas markets in France, but the tradition extends to the whole of eastern France, where the legend of Santa Klaus (Saint Nicholas) is most alive.
So, at the end of this article, we take you to the Vosges, Lorraine and Franche-Comté, with a selection of the most beautiful Christmas events to discover during an Advent getaway.
What's the best Christmas market in Alsace?
Alsace's charms are on display all year round, as we saw on our trip along the wine route, but Christmas is a very special time of year in the region.
The half-timbered houses, the illuminated facades, the smells of gingerbread and mulled wine in the Christmas villages create a truly magical atmosphere.
The best Christmas markets: Colmar or Strasbourg?
The Christmas markets in Strasbourg, Colmar and Kaysersberg are the most popular. We admit to having a soft spot for Colmar and Kaysersberg, which are more authentic than Strasbourg.
But that's no reason to forget all the little nuggets elsewhere in Alsace and the rest of eastern France!
Pauline & Simon
What are the dates and times of the 2024 Christmas markets in Alsace (when do they start)?
Here are all the dates and times of the 2024 Christmas markets in Alsace and eastern France, to help you prepare for your visit.
Christkindelsmärik, Strasbourg's Christmas market
This is the oldest and largest Christmas market in Europe. The Christkindelsmärik (Christ Child Market) has been held in Strasbourg since 1570.
The market stretches across the Place Broglie and 11 sites in the heart of the city.
Strasbourg Christmas Market: dates and times 2024
Dates and times: from 27 November to 27 December 2024, from 11.30am to 9pm.
Parking / camper van area : Kelh municipal area. Open all year round, €12/24h. Bus service to the city centre.
The Mulhouse Christmas market
Located right in the heart of Mulhouse's historic centre, this Alsatian market offers all the excitement and magic of Christmas, with local products and Alsatian gastronomy.
One of Mulhouse's specialities is Etoffe de Noël, a fabric created each year to decorate the town's facades and pedestrian streets.
Mulhouse Christmas Market: dates and times 2024
Dates and times: from 22 November to 27 December 2024- Monday to Thursday, 11am to 8pm (9pm on Fridays), Saturday 10am to 9pm, Sunday 10am to 8pm.
Parking: University car park. The centre is 10 minutes from the city centre by tram (ticket included in the price of parking - €2).
The magic of Christmas in Colmar
In the heart of the historic squares of old Colmar, the Christmas market showcases regional products and local crafts. It's a chance to discover ‘Little Venice’ all lit up. A real treat.
You'll be seduced by the decorated alleyways, the chalets and the scents of cinnamon and mulled wine. Alsatian traditions and authentic charm make Colmar one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe (and therefore one of the most popular).
Colmar Christmas Market: dates and times 2024
From 26 November to 29 December 2024. Monday to Thursday 11am to 7pm, Friday to Sunday 10am to 8pm.
Parking / Motor home area : Colmar marina, €15/24h.
Hours of the gourmet market (Rue de la Montagne Verte): 11am to 10pm every day.
The authentic Christmas market in Eguisheim (Rouffach)
Located 10 km from Colmar, this authentic Christmas market is one of the most typical and welcoming in the region. This medieval village is one of the ‘Most Beautiful Villages in France’.
Eguisheim Christmas Market: dates and times 2024
- From 29 November to 30 December 2024 (closed on 24, 25 and 26 December).
- Parking : Eguisheim motorhome park, €12/day with emptying services, Wi-Fi, water, electricity €2.
Christmas market in the Kaysersberg valley
The wine-growing village of Kaysersberg is already a reference in Alsace. At Christmas, its charm is multiplied. The Kaysersberg Christmas market takes place only at weekends. The craftspeople are carefully selected to offer you original, hand-crafted creations.
Kaysersberg Christmas Market: dates and times 2023
- From Friday 13 to Sunday 15 December, and from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 December 2024 inclusive.
- Parking / Motor home area : Kaysersberg area, with free shuttles to the historic centre.
The markets of Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé
A typical Alsatian village, well known to tourists for its exceptional architecture, Riquewihr awakens the senses during the Advent season.
Nearby, the medieval Christmas market in Ribeauvillé, on the weekends of 7 and 8 December and 14 and 14 December (Saturday from 10am to 7pm and Sunday from 10am to 6pm), immerses you in a unique atmosphere.
Riquewihr Christmas Market: dates and times 2024
- 30 November to 22 December 2024 - Monday to Friday: 10am to 6.30pm - Saturday and Sunday: 10am to 7.30pm
- Parking area : Camper park in Riquewihr, €15/24h with water and drainage services.
Obernai Christmas Food and Crafts Market
One of our favourites in Alsace's Bas-Rhin region. Spread over four squares in the heart of this small fortified town, the Obernai Christmas market is both intimate and friendly.
Obernai Christmas Market: dates and times 2024
- From 29 November to Sunday 31 December 2024 - Monday to Thursday: 10am to 7pm - Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 10am to 8pm. 24 December and 31 December: 10am to 4pm. Closed on 25 December.
- Parking: car park, rue de l'Abbé Oesterie. Free all year round.
Mulled wine and stollen, the specialities of Alsace
The speciality? Mulled white wine made from Sylvaner grapes, originally produced by local winegrowers.
We had the pleasure of a guided tour by Céline from the blog ‘Une fille en Alsace’. If you like Alsatian Christmas specialities, we recommend you try her recipe for Stollen, which she received from a local baker.
Northern Alsace: the Haguenau Christmas market
Still in the Bas-Rhin region, the Haguenau Christmas market is little-known, but utterly authentic and charming. Special mention should be made of the decorations and illuminations.
Haguenau Christmas Market dates in 2024
- From 22 November to Saturday 30 December 2023.
- Parking : Motorhome park, rue du Moulin Neuf, 10 minutes from the centre. 5 free pitches + an electric terminal - 8€/24h (contactless credit card only).
The Wissembourg Christmas market
Located in the very north of Alsace, in this thousand-year-old village nicknamed the ‘Little Venice of the North’. Discover this authentic market, open only at weekends.
Wissembourg Christmas Market dates in 2024
- From 29 November to 22 December 2024
- Parking: city car park ‘Place de la Foire’, free of charge.
The 2024 Christmas markets in Burgundy Franche-Comté
Besançon in the Doubs Valley, Belfort, Dijon, Montbéliard? Here's our selection of the best Christmas markets in Burgundy-Franche-Comté.
Christmas Lights in Montbéliard
In the shadow of the Alsatian Christmas markets, the Montbéliard Christmas market is nevertheless one of the most beautiful in Eastern France, thanks to its illuminations (which come from Puglia in Italy) and its Christmas chalets surrounding the Saint-Martin temple.
With 130 craftspeople, regional culinary specialities (Cancoillotte, Comté, Montbéliard sausage...), a children's village and entertainment, it's well worth the diversions!
Montbéliard Christmas Market: dates and times 2024
- From 23 November to 24 December 2024. Monday: 2pm to 8pm, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: 10.30am to 8pm (9pm from 17 December), Friday: 10.30am to 9pm, Saturday: 10am to 9pm, Sunday: 10am to 8pm.
- Closes at 6pm on 24 December.
- Parking / Service area: 14 free parking spaces at the harbourmaster's office, impasse des bateliers. Electricity €4/side, drainage, water, 100 m away, car park at the fairground.
Frosty Month at Christmas in Belfort
Less popular than its neighbour in Montbéliard, the Mois Givré in Belfort is aimed more at families, with its ice rink, village and activities for children aged 4 and over (concerts, storytelling, face painting, etc.).
It's the perfect way to get in on the festive spirit of the season in the charming town of Belfort.
Belfort Christmas Market: dates and times 2024
The Belfort Christmas Market 2024 runs from 7 December 2024 to 7 January 2025. Place d'Armes, Place Corbis and Place des Vosges. Free admission. Open every day from 10am to 8pm, with extended opening hours until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Christmas markets in the Vosges
Here are some of the most beautiful Christmas markets in 2023 in the Vosges.
The Village of Saint-Nicolas in Épinal
100 km from Strasbourg, Épinal and its Village de Saint-Nicolas bring tradition back to life. Sixty chalets spread over three squares offer a wide range of products, including champagne, foie gras, leather, jewellery, beer and many local products.
Épinal Christmas Market: dates and times 2024
- From 1 December 2024 to 7 January 2025 - Every day from 11am to 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays from 11am to 8pm.
- Parking : Motorhome park at the Port of Épinal. Five pitches (limited to 48 hours) with services for €5.20/24h.
Christmas market in Gérardmer
Known for its ski resort and lake, Gérardmer has a pretty setting and a small Christmas market at the foot of the church. Although small, the atmosphere is warm and cheerful, thanks to a varied programme of entertainment.
Gérardmer Christmas Market: dates and times 2024
- From 22 November 2024 to 7 January 2025
- Parking : Parking area, Tourist Office car park. 7.00 per night per vehicle (oil change points 100 m away - €2).
Christmas markets in Lorraine
Here are some of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Lorraine to see in 2023.
The Fêtes de Saint-Nicolas in Nancy
A not-to-be-missed event! A traditional festival in Lorraine, Saint-Nicolas is celebrated most fervently in Nancy.
Officially held on 6 December, the festivities last throughout the month of December, with an enchanting decor and entertainment programme.
Nancy Christmas Markets: dates and times 2024
- From 22 November 2024 to 5 January 2025
- Monday: 12pm-8pm (9pm for food and drink stalls); Tuesday to Friday: 11am-8pm (9pm for food and drink stalls); Saturday and Sunday: 10am-8pm (9pm for food and drink stalls). Special opening hours: Saturday 8 December: 9pm for all exhibitors (10pm for food and beverage outlets).
- Early closing at 5pm on Saturdays 24 and 30 December 2024. Closed on Monday 25 December 2024.
- Parking / Service area: 6 pitches in the marina, with electricity, drainage and clean water. 16€/24h.
Metz Christmas Market
The magic of Christmas takes hold of Metz city centre with its illuminations, entertainment and craft stalls on several sites: Place de la République, Place d'Armes, Place de la Comédie, Place Saint-Louis and Place Saint-Jacques.
Merry Christ ... Metz!
Metz Christmas Market: dates and times 2024
- From 22 November to Saturday 30 December 2024.
- Place Saint-Louis, Place Saint-Jacques, Place d'Armes and Place de la République: Sunday to Thursday: 11am to 9pm Friday and Saturday: 11am to 10pm Place de la Comédie: Monday to Friday: 5pm to 11pm Saturday and Sunday: 11am to 11pm
- Parking: Free parking on the banks of the Moselle, next to the Metz Plage municipal campsite, 500 metres from the town centre.
Where can you go to visit beautiful Christmas markets in your motorhome?
Take a look at our top 3 Christmas markets in Alsace, the Vosges and Franche-Comté. We went to Obernai, Gérardmer and Montbéliard by motorhome, to give you a taste of this great diversity.
We'll take you there on video on YouTube, of course!
So, are you ready to discover new Christmas Markets in motorhomes in Eastern France? Tell us in the comments which is your favourite 😉
See you soon!
Pauline & Simon
Photos: © Péripléties and DR Deposit Photos (razvanphoto, Leonid Andronov, Xantana), Wikimedia Commons (guillaume.s, Thomas Bresson), Pixabay (SLPix)
