Grand Est Region, France

Imagine suddenly finding yourself in a world where every holiday dream has come to life. The air is crisp, and it carries the scent of freshly baked gingerbread, mulled wine, and roasted chestnuts. Around you, towering trees sparkle with golden lights, and the sound of Christmas carols drifts from the nearby cathedral. Tiny wooden chalets, adorned with wreaths and candles, line the cobblestone streets, each one bursting with handcrafted treasures, glistening ornaments, and steaming cups of hot chocolate.

You wander through this magical wonderland, wide-eyed and breathless, savoring every sight, smell, and taste as if you’ve been transported into a Christmas fantasy. Your hands are wrapped around a warm, buttery bretzel, and you can almost feel the glow of the decorations twinkling overhead. You pause to watch as children laugh while riding the carousel and, for a moment, you're convinced you are one of them—experiencing the wonder of Christmas for the very first time.

That is exactly what we experienced at our very first European Christmas Market! If you’ve never been to one, you need to add the experience to your bucket list! As soon as we knew we would be in France at the right time, one of our immediate goals was to visit a Christmas Market. In particular, we wanted to go to the Strasbourg Christmas Markets and experience the winter wonderland that’s been an annual tradition for over 450 years.

Why the Strasbourg Christmas Markets Are So Special

Strasbourg, the capital of the Alsace region in northeastern France, is known as the "Capital of Christmas." Considered to be one of the best Christmas Markets in Europe, the "Christkindelsmärik," (“Christ Child Market” in Alsatian) is one of the oldest, dating back to 1570. Each year, from late November to December, the city transforms into a winter wonderland, drawing families from around the world to experience its festive charm.

Strasbourg's Christmas Markets stand out not just for their age but for their sheer size and beauty. The city is adorned with twinkling lights, beautifully decorated Christmas trees, and festive stalls spread across several locations. The markets are centered around the stunning Strasbourg Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture that towers over the city. The combination of the historic setting, the warm glow of lights, and the joyful atmosphere makes Strasbourg a magical place to experience Christmas.

Click on photo to enlarge and see descriptions.

A Glimpse into History: The Alsace Region and Its People

Nestled between France and Germany, the Alsace region has a rich and complex history. For centuries, it has been a cultural crossroads, blending French and German influences in its architecture, cuisine, and traditions. The people of Alsace are known for their strong regional identity, with a deep love for their customs, language (Alsatian), and festive celebrations. This unique blend of cultures is what makes the Strasbourg Christmas Markets so special—it's a celebration of both French and German cultures and holiday traditions in a setting that feels straight out of a fairy tale!

A Family Guide to Europe’s Most Magical Holiday Destination

Strasbourg boasts 10-12 different Christmas Markets each year. They are located around the central part of the city, or the Grand Île. Some are quite large with more than 100 stalls, while others are much smaller. Here are a few markets that you’ll definitely want to see during your visit:

• Place Broglie: The heart of the Christmas Markets, this square is home to the original Christkindelsmärik. You’ll find it located in front of the Hôtel de Ville (City Hall). Here you'll find traditional wooden chalets selling handcrafted ornaments, toys, and delicious treats.

• Place de la Cathédrale: Set against the backdrop of the enormous Strasbourg Cathedral, this market is easy to spot and would be a great choice to pick if you’re meeting friends and want to find each other quickly. With its 142m high spire, the cathedral was the highest Christian building in the world until the 19th century. 

Don't miss the opportunity to tour the inside of the cathedral with its 12th-14th century stained-glass windows, large nativity, and the huge astronomical clock. Each day at 12:30pm, the clock comes to life with figures that have their own parade before Christ while the clock sounds. (Please bear in mind that tickets for the presentation of the astronomical clock and the Parade of the Apostles are necessary to view the show but they cannot be purchased in advance. They must be purchased the day of your visit until 11:00am at the stalls of the Cathedral Notre-Dame de Strasbourg or from 11:30am at the entrance to Place Saint-Michel.)

• Place Kléber: The central square of Strasbourg, Place Kléber, is where you'll find the city's main Christmas tree, an iconic symbol of the season. With over 130 stands, it is the largest of the Strasbourg Christmas Markets. You’ll find vin chaud, local beers, delicious food, and candies. The square is also home to the "Village of Sharing," where various charities set up stalls. 

• Petite France: This picturesque district with half-timbered houses, canals, and narrow cobblestone streets is known as the “Village of Advent.” Petite France is magical at any time of year, but during the Christmas season, it is especially charming. It's a great place to take a stroll and enjoy the festive decorations. It hosts 2 smaller markets at Places Benjamin Zix and Saint-Thomas where you’ll find delicious treats, hot drinks, and lots of Christmas crafts and decorations.

Best Foods & Drinks to Savor

Alsace is known for its hearty and flavorful cuisine, and the Strasbourg Christmas Markets offer a chance to sample some of the region's best dishes:

• Bretzels: You’ll find these soft, salty pretzels throughout all of the markets. You can order them plain (like the pretzel you might be used to) or the Alsatian version which is taken to a whole new level. The Alsatian bretzel is topped with a white Munster cheese (produced locally) and topped with bits or lardon (the thick local bacon) that is cubed and fried crisp. You’ll definitely want to try one paired with a beer or a mug of warm mulled wine.

• Tarte Flambée: This treat is a staple at the Strasbourg Christmas Markets. While tarte flambeé is the French name, it could also be called flammekueche or flammkucken depending on the local dialect. It consists of a thin, crispy flatbread crust topped with crème fraîche, caramelized onions, and bacon. While simple in its ingredients, the flavors meld together to create a craveable treat. It's a delicious and portable snack to enjoy while exploring the markets.

• Flambée Baguette: We saw these all throughout the Strasbourg markets! The classic baguette is topped with cheese, onions, and bacon. It’s then baked until gooey and tender. You can even take it up a notch with Gruyère, mushrooms, or salmon. Despite its decadence, it tastes much lighter than you might expect.

• Munstiflette (Alsatian Potato Casserole): Casserole dishes of this kind were codified out of older cooking traditions in the late 19th century when they became trendy. This version is based on a traditional French-Savoyan dish called Tartiflette, which uses Reblochon cheese. The version sold at the Strasbourg Markets uses Alsatian Munster cheese instead, but the recipe is otherwise the same. We got to try this one and it was absolutely scrumptious!

• Spaetzle: Similar to the Munstiflette but made with pasta instead of potatoes. These small Alsatian pastas are traditionally eaten as a side dish, or even as a main course, mixed with cheese. At the Christmas Market, you’ll find them cooked with crème fraîche, accompanied by a pan-fried mushroom, munstiflette-style (with Munster cheese), or even with sauerkraut and bacon, a good way to discover two specialties in one.

• Alsatian Sauerkraut & Pig Knuckles: You can’t go to Alsace and not have sauerkraut! We particularly enjoyed a heaping bowl of it with pig knuckles that had been braised in beer. (We were surprised by how much Rachel, in particular, loved this dish.)

• Pain d'Épices: This is a classic Alsatian holiday food. It’s a delicious bread that features winter spices of ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon. You can purchase loaves in a variety of sizes. Some may even include extras like nuts or dried fruits.  

• Vin Chaud: Mulled wine spiced with cinnamon, cloves, and citrus is the quintessential Christmas Market drink. There are also non-alcoholic versions available for kids. We tried both the white and red versions and most of us settled on the red as our favorite. (As we traveled through France, both myself and Ellie noticed that our preference in wine changed from white to red by the time we’d sampled our way through the country.)

• Chocolat Chaud: For kids and for those who don’t want wine but would still like a warm drink on a chilly Christmas Market day, try a rich, creamy cup of hot chocolate. You haven’t had hot chocolate until you’ve sampled one in France!

Are the Strasbourg Christmas Markets Kid-Friendly?

Strasbourg is a family-friendly destination and the Christmas Markets are no exception. Our girls enjoyed meeting Père Noël (Father Christmas) and seeing all the decorations and creative store displays throughout town. 

For specific family-friendly Christmas Markets, the Children’s Village, located at Place Saint-Thomas, is designed with families in mind. It features a mini-farm, puppet shows, and workshops where kids can make their own ornaments. There’s even a play area for kids under 6. Place Gutenberg is another of the family-friendly Christmas Markets, featuring a charming carousel. It’s a fun activity for kids of all ages. With the decorations, illuminated streets, and magical atmosphere, your kids are sure to have a wonderful time!

Treasured Christmas Market Souvenirs

Our family has always enjoyed collecting Christmas ornaments. We have ornaments that commemorate certain milestones, events, or destinations from the year. Each time we decorate our tree, we relive those memories together. Sophie also collects nutcrackers and loves adding one to her collection each year. We were able to add unique and treasured additions to both collections as we wandered through the booths at the Strasbourg Christmas Markets.

• Handcrafted Ornaments: The markets are filled with stalls selling beautifully handcrafted ornaments, from glass baubles to wooden figurines. These make for wonderful keepsakes to remember your trip.

• Alsatian Pottery: Pick up a piece of traditional Alsatian pottery, such as a brightly colored casserole dish or a decorative plate.

• Local Wines: Alsace is famous for its wines, especially Riesling and Gewürztraminer. A bottle of local wine makes for a perfect gift or a special treat for yourself.

• Gingerbread: Packaged in decorative tins, Alsatian gingerbread is a delicious and festive souvenir.

Our Strasbourg Area Accommodation

Since we had a rental car, and wanted the ability to spread out and be comfortable, we stayed out in the countryside in a family-owned Airbnb located in LaLaye (they still have some availability this holiday season). We arrived just after dark and were met by our hosts who spoke little English. They were in the process of decorating the outside of the home for Christmas. They had raised their family in the home and they still lived in part of the house. The other part had been converted to an Airbnb in the last few years. 

When we walked into the home, we found the coziest and most welcoming atmosphere. The family room called out to our entire family to come and watch movies together on the huge sectional couch. The farm-style kitchen invited us to cook and enjoy meals together. Our hosts had even supplied us with some breakfast cereal so there was no need to grocery shop until the following day. Our favorite part, though, was the fresh greenery and Christmas lights that adorned each of the window wells with simple wooden decorations. I immediately felt lulled into the Christmas spirit!

If you’re interested in staying closer to the action, there are several reputable hotels located in downtown Strasbourg. Just keep in mind that reservations during the Christmas Markets will need to be made many months in advance. For families with more than 3, you might even need to reserve more than one room to accommodate everyone. 

How to Get There

• By Air: The closest airport is Strasbourg International Airport (SXB), located about 10 kilometers from the city center. From the airport, you can take a shuttle train to the main railway station, Gare de Strasbourg.

• By Train: Strasbourg is well-connected by train, with direct services from major cities like Paris, Zurich, and Stuttgart. The city's main train station is just a short walk or tram ride from the Christmas Markets.
  

• By Car: If you're driving to Strasbourg, be aware that parking can be challenging during the busy Christmas season. The best option is to use one of the "Park and Ride" (P+R) facilities on the outskirts of the city. For under €5 a day, you can park your vehicle and get a tram ticket into the city center (including a return ride) for everyone in your vehicle (up to 7 people).

Best Time to Visit the Strasbourg Christmas Markets

The Strasbourg Christmas Markets typically run from late November to late December. The 2024 market runs from Wednesday, November 27 - Friday, December 27, 2024. The best time to visit is during the first two weeks of December, when the markets are in full swing, but the crowds are still manageable. 

Weekdays are generally less crowded than weekends, making it easier to explore with kids. While we would have loved to visit mid-week, our schedule required that we visit on a Saturday at the end of November. We found the crowds to be quite manageable, but crowds are continuing to grow each year now that Covid restrictions have been completely lifted. 

Ideally, the best time of day to visit the markets is in the evening. It’s at this time of day that they take on a magical glow with all the lights and decorations. However, visiting during the day is also a great option, especially for families with young children. While the lights may not be in full glow, you’ll still have all of the beautiful wooden chalet style stalls to enjoy as well as the large Christmas tree.

Your Strasbourg Christmas Markets Visit

As the snow gently falls and the twinkling lights of Strasbourg’s Christmas Markets reflect off the cobbled streets, you can almost feel the warmth of the mulled wine in your hands. The hum of carols fills the air, and you find yourself surrounded by the magic of centuries-old traditions. Now, picture yourself wandering through those charming market stalls, discovering treasures to bring home, and savoring the sweet and savory delights of Alsace.

The beauty of Strasbourg during the holidays is something words can hardly capture—it’s a place where the spirit of Christmas comes alive in every detail. A visit to the Strasbourg Christmas Markets is a magical experience that will create lasting memories for your family. Whether you're exploring the markets, savoring Alsatian delicacies, or simply soaking in the holiday cheer, this is a trip your family will cherish for years to come.

So why not make it your next family adventure? Whether it’s your first visit or a cherished tradition, Strasbourg awaits you with open arms and twinkling lights.

What is your favorite Christmas memory? Share with us in the comments below—we’d love to hear your stories!