Introduction: Strasbourg Christmas Market
Strasbourg is well known for its Christmas Markets and decorations. The Strasbourg Christmas Market is open every year from end of November until end of December, it is one of the busiest times to visit the city, but it is also one of the dreamiest times to do so.
Born 450 years ago under the name of « Christkindelsmärik » literally the Market of the Child Jesus, sees every year around 2 million visitors. By this time, French speaking almost disappear and is now replace by German, Italian, English and so many more languages.
In fact, Strasbourg hyper city center is located on an island, which is now closed to cars and traffics. The complete island become pedestrian only. And lots of Christmas market are installed throughout the complete place.
On top of all the 300 Christmas huts, most of streets see themselves wearing stunning decorations.
To sum-up (2019 edition), 300 huts, 3 trees, more than 600 stars, 22 luminous and sparkling barrels (rue des Tonneliers), 1 Door of Lights adorned by 2 giant bears, 15 giant gold and silver Christmas baubles (rue du 22 novembre), 2 lights entrances to welcome visitors on each side of the Grand Rue, 2 fairy trees decorated with authentic characters (Place des Halles) and 1 forest of 23 giant trees, gold and white light, rue de la mésange.
Personal Tips: It’s great to experience the Strasbourg Christmas market during the day and then during the night. Also, as there are many places to see, best to stroll around and stay a couple of days to fully discover it.
Table of Contents
Mapping the Strasbourg Christmas Market
Getting there
The best way to get to Strasbourg is to either arrive by Strasbourg High Speed train station which is 5min walking from the city center of Strasbourg.
Or to fly to Strasbourg Airport located outskirt of the city but well-connected. The journey takes 9min on train. You can get a TER (Train) + CTS (Bus/tram) tickets for 4.5€.
Moving Around
Once you are in the city center of Strasbourg, everything is reachable by walking. Though Strasbourg a great network of Trams and buses operated by CTS.
PS: During Christmas time and with the Strasbourg Christmas Market, some of the stations may be closed on the hyper center of Strasbourg.
When to Visit
The Strasbourg Christmas Market runs approximately from the last week of November until Christmas day.
What to Eat
In regular time, there are tons of things to eat on the Strasbourg Christmas Market:
- Tarte Flambee Baguette: The Iconic food of Alsace but serve on a baguette slice.
- Salmon: Cooked with wood fire on Place de Broglie
- Bredele: The TOP food to try in Christmas. The Bredele are the Christmas biscuit of this region. There are tons of them and every place selling them have their own recipes. (We personally make them ourselves every year)
- Crepes & Churros: It may not be specialities of the region, but they can be found everywhere, and it goes nicely in with the hot drinks!
- Hot Chessnuts: Founds throughout the city and sold by small flea store looking like a little train
And what about the drinks:
- Red Hot Wine: The most iconic drink to have. You will find almost everywhere, and you should try it from more than one place.
- White Hot Wine: Made with local wine. Try it on the Terrasse des Rohan (Riverside), Place Saint-Etienne or Tribu des Gourmets.
- Hot Beer: Try it on Place des Meuniers where Uberach Brasserie, a local beer producer, is located.
Strasbourg Christmas Markets
Place Kleber
Place Kléber with its “Grand sapin” remain the epicentre of the celebrations of the Strasbourg Christmas Market. The immense pine tree overlooks a skating rink and the “Village du partage” from its thirty meters. This market welcomes charitable and humanitarian associations. “The Christmas tree originally symbolized the tree of paradise that Christians decorated with apples and hosts. All its fairy-tale decorations and light are lit up every day at 5pm.
Place Broglie
The Strasbourg Christmas Market on Broglie Square is also known as the “Christkindelsmärik”. Until 1992 it was the only market in the city. The people of Strasbourg used to buy their Christmas tree decorations there.
Place de la Cathedrale
The Cathedral Square Market also retains an incredibly special charm, nested at the foot of the majestic landmarks, whose spectacular spire can be discovered at the bend of an alleyway.
Place du château
Connected with the Cathedral Square, you will find a Carousel and some unique Christmas huts.
Place Guttenberg
Guttenberg square is located near the cathedral, it is there that special event and huts are located. Most of the time, themes and countries are picked and represented there.
Place du Temple Neuf
A smaller square surrounded by a beautiful church and half-timbered house. This market is also known for being within the Golden Square Christmas Market
Terrasse des Rohans
Located on the river side of the Rohan Castle, it is there that White Hot wine and Bredele can be found. This place is incredible to taste some hot White wine during the Strasbourg Christmas Market.
Place du Marché au poissons
Located at the end of the Terrasse des Rohans, this market is known as the The Alsatian Christmas delights market where bredele, wines, mulled white wine, foie gras and beers can be found.
Place du Marché-Gayot
This little square does not really have a market but display another Christmas tree and offer the possibility to join workshop (for kids) to create decorations.
Place Benjamin Zix
Located in the Heart of La Petite France (the small France), this market combines a unique half-timbered district with fairy-tailed Christmas vibes.
Place des Meuniers
Right next to Benjamin Zix square, the Meunier square is home to all the small local producers. Cheese, beers, honey and so on can be buy there.
Place Saint Thomas
On your way to or out of the Petit France, the Saint Thomas Square is a nice little place with a few huts located next to a beautiful church.
Place Grimmeisen
Where another unique market takes place, the OFF Market. Which is a social and more solidarity-oriented market.
Strasbourg Christmas Decoration
Quai des Bateliers
This street become fully pedestrian a couple of years ago and is now one amazing place to visit in Strasbourg. The street follows the canal on the outer side of the Hyper center and is beautifully decorated during the Strasbourg Christmas Market. Lots of restaurants and shops are on it.
Rue des Orfèvres
The most beautiful street in Strasbourg during Christmas. The narrow street featured some of the most outstanding decoration of the whole city. This street is the MUST to see!
Grand Rue
One of Strasbourg main’s street, you could call it the Champs-Élysées of Strasbourg. The street has numerous shops, bars, restaurants.
Rue des Tonneliers
Most known for its bars and restaurants, this street see itself decorated with lighted barrel during Christmas.
Rue du 22 Novembre
This street became half pedestrian and is also nicely decorated. On it, you will find one of our favorite bars, le Meteor!
Rue des Maroquin
This street connects the Cathedral square to the canal. It’s one of Strasbourg most visited street. Fully of traditional restaurants located within half-timbered house.
Rue des Serruries
This street connects the Guttenberg Square with la Petite France. Though it isn’t pedestrian, it displays some great Christmas decoration.
Cathédrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg
Don’t forget to enter in the Cathedral. The entrance is free. Some decorations are added within the wall of the biggest Strasbourg’s landmark. The cathedral is also famous for its astrological clock and upper tower tour (with fee and lots of stairs)
Petite France
La Petite France is one of the most beautiful districts in town. And if you are in Strasbourg during Christmas, you should go as far as visiting the Vauban Dam and the Covered Bridge. They may not have as much decoration as the rest of the city but are worth going.
Christmas Market Unique Souvenirs
Boules de Meisenthal
Located in Benjamin Zix square. The Meisenthal Christmas ball are glass Christmas baubles entirely handmade at the Glass Art Center in Meisenthal. Every year a new ball come join the collection.
Poteries de Soufflenheim
Located place du Marché aux Poissons. It’s one the great hut to get a real Alsatian pottery from Soufflenheim
Le Coin d'Alsace
This store is located in an old half-timbered Alsatian house. With its 3 floors, it has all the souvenir you can dream to bring from this region.
“Christmas isn’t a season. It’s a feeling.” —Edna Ferber
Photos by
Nadia is one of our good friends in Strasbourg. She is a professional portrait photographer since 2015. She is passionate about portrait photos, speaks French, English & Russian and will be super happy to take you on a photo journey.
