Every year since 1570, Strasbourg has dressed itself in lights and, for a few weeks, become the Capital of Christmas, a title it has officially held since 2018 but has deserved for far longer. In 2026, the city comes alive around its market, the oldest in France, from 27 November to 24 December. From the half-timbered lanes of La Petite France to the pink sandstone spire of the cathedral, eight themed markets, each one unique, fill the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
As dusk falls, around 4:30 pm, the illuminations turn Rue Mercière and Rue des Orfèvres into a storybook setting. On Place Kléber, the Great Christmas Tree, usually close to 30 metres tall, towers over the city’s largest square, while the scents of mulled wine, gingerbread and bredele (traditional Alsatian Christmas biscuits) drift from the wooden chalets. To enjoy the atmosphere without the crowds, visit on a weekday in the early evening, just as the lights take over from the daylight.
Rather than a single market, Strasbourg offers eight, each with its own character and spread across different districts, so you can plan your own stroll through the squares of the old town.
Christkindelsmärik, Place Broglie: The historic market that gave its name to Strasbourg’s tradition as early as the 16th century.
At the foot of the Great Christmas Tree, Place Kléber: The unmissable gathering spot around the city’s iconic tree, where the festive spirit is at its peak.
La Petite France: Place Benjamin-Zix and Place Saint-Thomas. The old tanners’ quarter and its canals, one of the most photographed settings in Alsace, made even more beautiful by Christmas lights reflected on the water.
Around the Cathedral: Place de la Cathédrale and Place du Château. The chalets nestle at the foot of the Gothic spire, in one of the most spectacular settings of the whole market.
Carré d’Or Market, Place du Temple-Neuf: Local crafts and creations in a more intimate setting than the large squares.
Quai des Délices: Palais Rohan terrace and Place du Marché-aux-Poissons. A market devoted to food, on the banks of the Ill.
Alsace Producers, Square Louise-Weiss: Local producers and regional specialities, so you can take a little piece of Alsace home in your suitcase.
OFF Market, Place Grimmeissen: A more contemporary programme for those looking for something beyond the traditional postcard.
Why not discover the Capital of Christmas in a different way? Aboard our ships on the Rhine, a stop in Strasbourg gives you time to wander from market to market before sailing on to other cities also transformed by the magic of Christmas. Some of our itineraries are more than simple cruises: they are true floating hotels, where you settle in for several nights without changing ships or multiplying stops. A unique way to enjoy the festive season, free from driving and from dragging luggage from one city to the next, with every comfort included on board.
