Christmas Markets in Alsace, France
The Ultimate Guide to Colmar, Riquewihr, Strasbourg & More
If you have always dreamed of visiting Christmas markets in France, you’ve come to the right place. I have spent the last 4 years going to Christmas markets in Europe, and the Alsace region in France is my absolute favorite. It’s truly Christmas magic, and you’re going to fall in love with the storybook charm, cobblestone streets, and all the wonderful food!
In this guide, I will give a breakdown of each town, how to get around, where to stay, what to eat at the markets, and the best souvenirs to bring home.
Table of Contents
- Explore the Christmas Markets of Alsace
- Colmar
- Kaysersberg
- Ribeauville
- Riquewihr
- Strasbourg
- Where to stay
- Practical tips
- How to get around
- What to pack
Where to stay in the Alsace region of France
The first thing you’re going to want to decide is where to stay. I would recommend staying in one town as a base and either renting a car or doing what I did and going by train or using the Christmas market shuttle to get from town to town. Give yourself at least 3 days to explore a few of the villages.
I have stayed in both Strasbourg and Riquewihr. If you’re wanting something a little more authentic, I would recommend staying in one of the villages. Riquewihr is probably the cutest village I have ever seen. I stayed at B. Espace Suites, which I absolutely loved. It’s in the perfect location, and I loved being able to see the Christmas lights from my bed.
Practical Tips for the Christmas Markets
- Bring Cash, not every vendor takes credit cards.
- Dress in layers – you’ll get hot as you’re walking around & going inside places!
- Bring a tote bag for anything you may buy
- Wear warm, comfy shoes & socks
- Skip the restaurants & eat at the markets!
How to get around the Alsace Region
One of the things I loved about visiting the Alsace Christmas markets was how easy it was to explore the smaller villages without renting a car. While having a car can give you more flexibility, it is absolutely possible to visit this region using trains, buses, rideshares, and the special Christmas market shuttles.
If you do choose to rent a car, keep in mind that parking can be limited during the Christmas market season. The smaller villages are incredibly popular, and many people end up parking along side the roads and having to walk pretty far into the villages. Traffic can also be heavy, especially on weekends, so having a car does not always mean you will save time.
The easiest way to visit several of the smaller Christmas market villages is by using the Christmas market shuttle. During the holiday season, special shuttles connect popular villages throughout Alsace, including Riquewihr, Kaysersberg, Ribeauvillé, and other nearby towns. These shuttles are a great option because they allow you to enjoy the markets without worrying about navigating narrow village streets or finding parking.
The shuttle schedules typically run on select dates during the Christmas market season, and tickets can be purchased in advance online. For the 2026 season, the Christmas shuttles will operate from November 27 through December 20, with tickets going on sale November 12, 2026. These routes are popular and tickets do sell out, so if you are planning a Christmas market trip, this is something you will want to arrange ahead of time.
For villages that are not connected by the Christmas shuttle, you can also use local buses. Some larger towns, like Colmar and Strasbourg are well connected by train.
Overall, I found Alsace to be much easier to navigate without a car than I expected.
What to pack for the Christmas Markets
One of the questions I see a lot about visiting Christmas markets in Europe is: What do I actually need to pack? And if you’re an over-packer who thinks way too much about what to bring and wear, you’re in the right place.
The good news is that it’s not usually super cold in the Alsace region. When I visited in November, temperatures were generally in the 40s°F (around 4–9°C). It was cold, but not like an arctic blast cold. It does rain, so it’s more of a damp cold.
My biggest advice? Wear layers.
You will be outside walking through Christmas markets, looking at decorations, shopping, and eating, so you want to stay warm. But the second you step inside a restaurant, café, shop, or even your hotel, it can feel very warm. Being able to remove layers makes a huge difference.
During my trip, I typically wore leggings underneath my jeans, a turtleneck, and a sweater. My favorite coat for this trip was from Abercrombie. I loved the length because it kept me warm, and it’s so cute and classic.
Do Not Forget About Your Feet
Your shoes are probably one of the most important things you will pack.
You are going to spend a lot of time walking and standing on cobblestone streets, which somehow seem to make your feet feel even colder. I wore water-resistant ankle boots throughout my trip, and they were perfect.
I would recommend bringing:
- Comfortable boots you can walk in for hours
- Something waterproof or water-resistant
- Good socks that will keep your feet warm
The last thing you want is cold, wet feet while you are trying to enjoy a Christmas market.
Winter Accessories
I would definitely pack the basics:
- Scarf
- Gloves
- Hat
Some people also recommend hand warmers. Personally, I did not find that I needed them because I just don’t get that cold, but if you’re sensitive to the cold, they are easy to throw in your suitcase.
I would also bring an umbrella, but personally, if it’s raining, I’m probably not going to be walking around the markets.
Bring a Good Bag
I always prefer a crossbody bag when traveling, and I think it is especially useful for Christmas markets.
You want something that keeps your hands free for shopping, eating, and taking photos. I would recommend a bag with a zipper closure. Unfortunately, pickpockets also love Christmas markets. With large crowds and everyone distracted by food, decorations, and shopping, it is an easy place for someone to slip something out of your bag without you noticing.
I would also bring a tote bag that you can keep in your purse or backpack for anything you may purchase.
A Few Random Things I Always Pack
A few things that might seem random but I always find useful:
- Paper towels
- Wet wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Tissues
You are going to thank me for the paper towels. There are never enough napkins, and you’re going to be walking around eating all kinds of foods. I also like using the paper towels to wipe out the glühwein mugs before putting them in my bag so they aren’t all sticky.
The biggest thing to remember is that you do not need to overpack for Christmas markets. Most of your photos are going to be of you in your coat, so instead of bringing tons of different outfits, bring a couple of different scarves, hats, and gloves so you can change up your look each day.
You can find my full packing list on my Amazon Storefront.