Eleven Christmas Markets in one town … oh my! Not only is Strasbourg home to approximately 300,000 full-time residents, but with the Strasbourg Christmas Market — the oldest in France — the city bulges at the seams with holiday visitors during November and December.
Best Christmas Markets in France
Known as the home to one of France’s oldest and best Christmas markets, Strasbourg’s old city is closed to traffic during the season because of the crowds. That means visitors stroll down the center of cobblestone streets lined with holiday goodies and shops on both sides. It also means carrying your bags through a security check and to your hotel — a small price to pay for being in the middle of such magic. Fortunately, our hotel was nearby. After dropping off our things, we set out to explore the first of eleven Strasbourg Christmas markets we would visit during our two-and-a-half-day stay.
The narrow streets of the old town were crowded and brightly lit. We couldn’t help but think how lucky we were to be in Strasbourg before the “real crowds” arrived during Christmas week. Well, that’s not truly all we were thinking about — visions of choucroute, spaetzle, and beef bourguignon were also dancing in our heads.
Markets Full of Light and Flavor
Each Strasbourg Christmas Market has its own rhythm and personality. Wooden chalets fill the squares, overflowing with handmade ornaments, toys, and local treats. Permanent merchants compete with dazzling window displays that spill onto the streets, creating a seamless holiday spectacle. Every turn in the road, every alley, revealed lighting and decorations even more elaborate than the one before.
Of all the attractions, the Cathedral de Notre Dame de Strasbourg stood out as the city’s centerpiece. Its towering Gothic spire and flying buttresses dominated the skyline, adding a remarkable glow to the market stalls gathered beneath it. At night, the cathedral seemed to anchor the entire celebration — a reminder that Christmas here is both sacred and joyful.
The Oldest Christmas Market in France
The Strasbourg Christmas Market, known locally as the Christkindelsmärik, dates back to 1570, making it the oldest in France and one of the very first in Europe. It began when Protestant reformers replaced the traditional Catholic celebration of Saint Nicholas Day with a market honoring the Christ Child, or Christkindel. What started as a modest gathering around the cathedral has grown into an event that transforms the entire city each December, blending centuries of Alsatian tradition with the magic of the holidays.
More to See in Strasbourg
Although our visit was mainly for the Strasbourg Christmas market, we took a boat tour along the canal that borders the old town. It was the perfect way to gain an overview of the city’s history and catch glimpses of the new town as well. Strasbourg is a place I would love to see again — especially without the winter crowds, when its beauty feels a bit more personal.
In Strasbourg, the blend of French and German influences is evident everywhere — in the architecture, the people, the language, and the cuisine. From foie gras to spaetzle, from German beer to fine Alsatian wine, the Strasbourg Christmas Market brings together the best of both worlds in perfect harmony.
Continue Your Alsace Christmas Journey
Just an hour south, places like Colmar, Eguisheim, and Kaysersberg turn into storybook scenes of twinkling lights and half-timbered houses wrapped in garlands. Each market feels more intimate, more personal — a glimpse into the traditions that have shaped this region for centuries. Continue your Alsace Christmas journey in Colmar’s Market Magic, where the holiday spirit glows around every corner.
