Christmas Markets in France 2026
We’ve spent Christmas in France more than once, including Strasbourg and Colmar, and the markets can be very different depending on where you go. Alsace has the half-timbered towns and some of the biggest Christmas traditions in the country, while cities like Paris, Reims and Bordeaux do Christmas very differently.
Below are the 2026 dates for some of France’s best-known Christmas markets, along with what to expect from each one.
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Strasbourg: Not yet officially confirmed
Strasbourg calls itself the Capital of Christmas, and Christmas really does take over the center of the city. We spent Christmas here ourselves and had several days to see the markets at different times of day. The main market gets extremely busy, but Strasbourg is still one of our favorite Christmas trips we’ve taken.
Strasbourg’s official 2026 dates hadn’t been announced as of this writing. We’ll update them here as soon as they’re confirmed. You can also read our full Strasbourg Christmas Market guide for our photos, tips and what we’d do again.
Colmar: November 23 – December 29
We visited Colmar on the same Christmas trip as Strasbourg, and the two work really well together. Colmar is much smaller, with six markets spread through the old town, so you end up seeing a lot of the city just by walking between them.
Petite Venise was our favorite part, but the half-timbered streets and smaller markets throughout the center are really the reason to go. Read our full Colmar Christmas Market guide for more on the six markets and what we’d prioritize.
Reims: Not yet officially confirmed
Reims is one we want to get to, especially because it combines a Christmas market with one of our favorite regions in France. The market is held near the cathedral, with food, gifts and Champagne throughout the center.
The 2026 dates hadn’t been officially confirmed as of this writing, so we’d check again before booking.
Rouen: November 25 – December 27
Rouen’s Christmas market is held around the cathedral and nearby streets in the historic center. We’re going to Rouen this Christmas, so this section will get our own photos and notes after the trip.
Amiens: November 20 – January 3
Amiens has one of the larger Christmas markets in northern France, spreading through the city center with stalls, rides and seasonal activities. It also runs later than many French markets, continuing into early January.
Metz: November 20 – December 30
Metz has several Christmas market areas spread around the center rather than one single market. Place d’Armes is one of the main stops, and the city also usually has a Ferris wheel along with food and regional wine stalls.
Lille: Not yet officially confirmed
Lille’s Christmas market is centered around Place Rihour, with the large Christmas tree and Ferris wheel nearby at Grand Place. It’s also easy to reach by train from Paris or Brussels.
The 2026 dates hadn’t been officially confirmed as of this writing, so check again before booking.
Bordeaux: Nov 27 – Dec 27
Bordeaux: November 27 – December 27
Bordeaux’s Christmas market is held at Place des Quinconces, with stalls selling gifts, regional food and seasonal drinks. If you’re already planning a winter trip to Bordeaux, it’s easy to combine with the rest of the city rather than building a trip around the market alone.
Montbéliard: November 21 – December 24
Montbéliard’s Lumières de Noël is one of the better-known Christmas markets in eastern France. The 2026 edition is expected to have around 170 chalets along with an ice rink and events throughout the center.
Nice: November 27 – January 3
Nice is the outlier on this list because you’re getting a Christmas market on the Mediterranean rather than in a cold northern city. The main Christmas village is usually centered around Jardin Albert I and Place Masséna, with rides, food stalls and seasonal decorations. It also runs into early January.
Paris: Multiple Dates Across the City
Paris doesn’t have one main Christmas market. There are several around the city, and their dates vary. The Tuileries market is the biggest, with rides, food stalls and an ice rink, while smaller markets pop up near the Eiffel Tower, Hôtel de Ville and La Défense.
We’ve spent several Decembers in Paris, and I wouldn’t plan a trip around one specific market. The better approach is to choose the market that fits where you’ll already be in the city.
Travel Tips for French Christmas Markets
- Carry some cash. Card payment is common, but smaller stalls may still be cash-only.
- Dress for wet cold. France in December can be rainy as well as cold, especially farther north.
- Go on a weekday if you can. Strasbourg and Colmar in particular get very busy on December weekends.
- Try the regional food. What you find in Alsace will be different from what you see in Bordeaux, Normandy or the south of France.
- Book Strasbourg and Colmar early. Hotels in and around the centers fill quickly for December weekends.
- Use the train between cities. Strasbourg and Colmar are especially easy to combine without a car.
- Check the exact closing date. Some French markets close before Christmas while others continue through the holidays or into January.
- Most French markets open in late November and close before Christmas, but a few run through the holidays. Nice and Metz continue into the new year, while Strasbourg and Colmar usually end by December 24. If you’re planning to travel around France by train, reserve early, Christmas week is one of the busiest times of year.
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