Everything You Need to Know About Visiting the Colmar Christmas Market

Place Jeanne d’Arc

For smaller bites and food items to take home, the market at Place Jeanne d’Arc is the one to visit. This market is meant to recreate the atmosphere of an Alsatian village, and you can find local products such as cheeses and cured meats, traditional Alsatian Christmas cookies, gingerbread, French liqueurs, and lots of other indulgences.

Many of the items at Place Jeanne d’Arc and throughout all the markets are packaged to get through Customs without a problem if you are hoping to bring them back to the US or elsewhere (i.e., cheeses and meats are often vacuum-sealed). If in doubt, ask the vendor.

Place de l’Ancienne Douane

In the heart of the old city surrounding the famous Schwendi fountain, Place de l’Ancienne Douane has 50 stalls on both sides of the River Lauch. You’ll find everything from local craft beer and hand-painted ornaments to unique German Christmas pyramids that are reminders of Alsace’s history.

In this beautiful market, you can hardly move without coming face-to-face with a brilliant building or unique architectural detail that’s at least 400 years old. Don’t forget to turn around and look up at the Koifhus (old Customs House)—its brightly tiled roof is a work of art.

Koifhus Indoor Market

The Koifhus market is the most different from the others because it’s inside and features a variety of crafts and antiques from local artisans. We found intricate handmade jewelry, paintings, glass creations, and knitted items.

This market was probably the least child-friendly because of the tight space and some delicate items, but the Toy Museum’s train exhibit on the first floor attracted a lot of attention from children of all ages.

Petite Venise (children’s market)

Undoubtedly the most famous view in Colmar, Petite Venise at Christmas is filled with people taking photos of its magnificent buildings and watching as projections of colors, snow, and Christmas scenes creep across the facades. Just a few steps away at Place des Six Montagnes Noires is the children’s market.

The chalets in the children’s Christmas market have similar merchandise and food to that in most of the other markets, but this is the place for mechanical horse rides, the unique nativity, and Santa’s mailbox. If you’re lucky, you may even spot Santa himself.

Pro tip: Each Wednesday and Saturday at 5pm from November 11 through December 20, don’t miss the children singing Christmas carols on illuminated boats in the canal.

What to eat at the market

At Christmas, lots of Alsatian treats that make their way into the markets and some restaurants. You can’t leave Alsace without trying at least a few.

These are some of the traditional Alsatian Christmas foods we found most often.

• Mannele – Shaped like a little man, these brioche figurines have raisins or chocolate chips for eyes and are often eaten with hot chocolate. We also like the ones from local chocolaterie Jacques Bockel, which makes their non-traditional version from chocolate with fillings like hazelnut and salted caramel.
• Bredele – These dry cookies come shaped as stars, bells, hearts, and other things of the season in flavors including cinnamon, vanilla, and anise.

• Vin chaud – A staple of Alsace Christmas markets—and indeed every European market we’ve visited—is vin chaud. Also known as gluhwein in German-speaking countries, in Alsace, white vin chaud is just as popular, if not more so, than red. Both varieties of mulled wine have spices, citrus notes, and sometimes honey to add a bit of sweetness.

• Pain d’epices – Similar to gingerbread, pain d’epices literally means “spiced bread.” But the ones we sampled in Colmar and Strasbourg were better than any gingerbread we’ve had anywhere. We had some types that were a little sweeter, some that tasted more of orange, and some with glazed, candied cherries.
• Kugelhopf – Alsace’s most famous cake has a bell-like shape and is topped with nuts and sugar. It may be spongy or drier, depending on the recipe (dry cake is for dunking in your morning coffee).

Visiting tips

The markets are very popular. If you don’t like crowds, avoid the weekends at all costs. Visiting in November or early December is also calmer than closer to Christmas. This attendance forecast is helpful, if your schedule is flexible.

The markets close promptly at the stated time.

The tourism office offers 90-minute guided tours in French daily.

The Christmas shuttle is a convenient way to visit other cute towns in the area such as Riquewihr or Eguisheim. It is 8€ during the week and 17€ Friday-Sunday. Children under 12 ride free.

What to do at Christmas

If you’re looking for other things to do around town or are just looking to get out of the cold, this lovely Alsatian city has lots to offer beyond the markets.

Go wine tasting

In Colmar, there’s no such thing as too much wine. Famous for its white wines like Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Gris, Alsace has been growing wine since at least the 2nd century. Stop in to one of the local winemakers like Domaine Karcher to sample their wares. During the Christmas season, they offer specially themed tours and tastings (may need to reserve in advance).

Visit the Unterlinden Museum and see the light show

One of the top museums in France, the Unterlinden Museum covers nearly 7,000 years of history. From prehistoric times to contemporary works, the museum has a little bit of everything. Its star attraction is the Isenheim Altarpiece, a richly-colored work on multiple panels that dates from 1515.

This year brings a special sound and light show at the museum from November 26 to January 4, 2026. Every 10 minutes from 4:45pm to 6pm, visitors will get to experience this unique display. Admission for the show is 7€ per adult (under 12 are free) and includes admission to the museum. (Note that the museum is closed on Tuesdays and December 24-25, December 31, and January 1.

For a more in-depth look at what to do, where to eat, and where to stay, see our detailed article.

Visit a local Alsace Christmas market

Colmar is part of the 100-mile-long Alsace Wine Route, which laces together picture-perfect villages with castles and medieval buildings surrounded by the vineyards that make the region famous. The towns of the Alsace Wine Route feature small Christmas markets and holiday events that make them a must-visit.

Riquewihr — Riquewihr is said to be the inspiration for the setting of Beauty and the Beast. Its colors are out-of-this world (but, in high season, the crowds can be, too). We loved the daily Christmas market here.

Eguisheim — Less than 5 miles from Colmar, the cute town of Eguisheim itself is the attraction. Wander the circular lane left by the ancient town wall and enjoy the architecture along with the small Christmas market.

Turckheim — On the slopes of the Vosges mountains, Turkheim is known for its medieval wall and imposing city gates. Its daily Christmas market is punctuated each evening by the opening of a window in the Advent calendar. You can also join the Night Watchman making his rounds through the town at 9pm, a tradition that dates to the 16th century.

Kaysersberg — The medieval mansions of Kaysersberg are a testament to the city’s wealth. Take in its architecture, visit a Michelin-starred restaurant or two, and linger over the river that passes through the center of town. At Christmas, the town goes all-out with decorations, and its market is also worth a visit.