At a glance
Christmas in Alsace is a store at 10 Rue des Dentelles, 67000 Strasbourg, France. Google reviewers rate it 4.4 out of 5 across 553 reviews. Opening hours vary by day. To book or check ahead, call +33 3 88 32 32 32 or see noelenalsace.fr.
About Christkindelsmärik (Strasbourg Christmas Market)
The Christkindelsmärik is the historic heart of the Strasbourg Christmas market. It has been held in Strasbourg since 1570, which makes it the oldest Christmas market in France and one of the oldest in Europe. It began as the "Market of Baby Jesus" outside the cathedral, moved to Place Kléber in 1830, and has been on Place Broglie, at the foot of the Opera House, since 1870.
Today the name is also used for the whole city-wide event. Over 300 chalets are spread across squares in the Grande Île, and the Place Broglie site is one of the traditional ones. Expect stalls with Christmas decorations and the classic mulled wine, scented with cinnamon, cloves and citrus. Other markets nearby include the small producers' market at Place des Meuniers and the sustainability-minded OFF market at Place Grimmeisen.
It is free to walk around, and it gets busy. Weekends and mid-December are the most crowded, so a weekday in late November or early December is calmer. After dark the lights come on across the old town and the cathedral is lit above the rooftops.
Tips
- Try vin chaud, bredele (spiced biscuits), pain d'épices, bretzels and knacks from the stalls.
- Weekdays in late November or early December are noticeably quieter than weekends in mid-December.
- If Place Broglie is packed, walk to Place Saint-Thomas, Place Grimmeisen or Place des Meuniers for more room.
- Expect random bag checks at access points to the Grande Île, so carry a small bag.
- Mulled wine mugs carry a refundable deposit, so check at the stall whether you can return yours.
Good to know
- 2026 dates: Friday, November 27 to December 24. Check noel.strasbourg.eu for any changes.
- Hours: 11:00 to 21:00 daily. Opening day, Nov 27, starts at 14:00; Dec 24 closes at 18:00.
- No stalls are open from December 25 to New Year's Day.
- Entry is free. The market is spread over about ten sites in the Grande Île.
- The Grand Sapin on Place Kléber, about 30 meters tall, is lit on opening day.
Getting there
The Grande Île is walkable from Strasbourg station in about 10 minutes. For Place Broglie by tram, get off at Homme de Fer rather than Broglie. If you drive, use the Park & Ride lots on the CTS network instead of parking in the center.
Best time to go
Go on a weekday in late November or early December, when the atmosphere is in full swing but crowds are lighter. Weekends and mid-December are the busiest, and evenings fill with locals after work..
Plan about 1.5 hours here, and check the hours before you go.