Colmar Christmas Market 2026: Dates, Markets and Alsatian Food

What I love about the Colmar Christmas Market is how it uses the old town itself as the main attraction. Six separate markets thread through canals, Gothic church squares and a 15th-century customs house, each with its own personality and its own artisans. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, children’s choirs glide along the River Lauch on small boats through the Petite Venise quarter, singing carols up to the half-timbered houses above.

Colmar Christmas Market 2026

Dates

Status: Confirmed
Colmar dates: 23rd November to 29th December 2026
Gourmet market: 23rd November to 3rd January 2027
Last checked: July 2026

Update: Dates were announced in April. Sign up for our newsletter to be notified of changes.

Source: Verified by Ultimate Christmas Markets via Visit Alsace.

Plan Your Visit

Location and Times

Locations: Colmar has six market locations:

Place des Dominicains – 60 huts and a huge variety.
Place de la Cathédrale – The gourmet market (open until 3rd January).
Place Jeanne d’Arc – A traditional Alsatian village market.
Place de l’Ancienne Douane – 50 chalets circle Schwendi Fountain and extend along the river.
La Petite Venise – The Children’s market with Santa Claus and rides.
The Koïfhus – The craft makers market with ceramists, potters, glassmakers, cabinetmakers, woodcarvers, hatters and jewellers.

Opening times:
Monday to Thursday: 11am to 7pm.
Friday to Sunday: 10am to 8pm.
Christmas Day: 11am to 8pm.

Travel and Accommodation

Recommended tour: A day tour of Colmar and nearby Medieval villages.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion. There is no vehicle access in the city centre for the season.
Travel tip: Hop on the train and visit nearby Alsatian destinations such as Strasbourg and Riquewihr.
Where to stay: James Boutique Hotel is my favourite place to stay.

Amenities and Attractions

Admission: Free.
Lights: From late November.
Santa: At La Petite Venise.
Ice skating: No.
Reason to visit: Historic traditions and gourmet treats from Alsatian producers.

Dietary Options

Vegetarian: Plenty of options.
Vegan: Some options.
Gluten-free: Limited. Ask individual vendors, but beware of cross-contamination.
Specialities: Flammenkueche, baeckeoffe, kouglof, bredle cookies, mulled beer.

Accessibility

Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Yes, but not recommended during busy periods.

Convenient Hotels

While there are many hotels in the historic old town, I recommend only a select few, as many have outdated or dated rooms and poor reviews. Luckily, I’ve been to Colmar twice and think the James Boutique Hotel is one of the best places to stay.

Read about more options in my curated list of hotels in Colmar.

Additional places worth visiting can be found in my Alsace Christmas Markets guide.

Or travel further afield to a place on our French Christmas Markets list.

Visitor Feedback

What Visitors Loved

• The setting does most of the work. Visitors repeatedly say the half-timbered streets and illuminations look like a fairytale, with the Petite Venise district singled out as the prettiest after dark.
• This is a market people come to eat at. Many were surprised by how food-focused it is, with the dedicated gourmet market and Alsatian producers a recurring highlight.
• The six markets feel walkable and well signposted, an easy stroll from the train station and simple to navigate even for first-timers.

Common Complaints

• Weekends get heaving. The narrow lanes mean crowds bottleneck quickly, and several visitors found the atmosphere closer to a packed trade fair than a quiet market.
• Prices feel steep, both for food and for handmade crafts. Browsing early and comparing chalets before buying is the common advice.
• A few seasoned market-goers found it polished but samey, missing something genuinely distinctive once the crowds set in.

The Bottom Line

Colmar earns its reputation as one of Alsace’s prettiest markets, but the crowds and prices are real, so visit on a weekday and early in the day if you can. If the centre feels overwhelming, the nearby villages of Riquewihr, Kaysersberg, Eguisheim and Obernai offer the same Alsatian charm with a fraction of the foot traffic.

Location Map

Captured a moment that embodies the holiday season? Tag your photos with #UltimateChristmasMarkets – we can’t wait to see your festive finds!

What to Expect

One of the oldest markets in Europe, Colmar stands out for six distinct markets, each with its own character and an assortment of handmade crafts, regional specialities and decorations.

The ‘Children’s Land’ event features wooden toys, sweet treats and an old-fashioned carousel, while the illuminated lanes of the Petite Venise district draw the biggest crowds after dark.

Alsatian Specialties

• Baeckeoffe: A slow-cooked casserole flavoured with juniper berries and baked in a sealed terracotta pot.
• Flammekueche: The region’s ‘tarte flambée’, a thin-crust base topped with crème fraîche, onions and lardons.
• Kouglof: A circular bundt cake with raisins, almonds and cherry brandy.
• Munster: A soft, washed-rind cheese with a strong aroma but a subtle taste.
• Spätzle: Small, soft egg noodles, often served with cheese as käsespätzle.
• Bredle: Small biscuits baked in various shapes and flavours, including aniseed, ginger and hazelnut.
• Berewecke: A dense fruit and nut bread, typically with pear and fig.
• Vin chaud: Mulled wine made with regional red wine.
• Pain d’épices: A richly spiced, honey-infused bread, eaten on its own or used in desserts.
• Tarte au fromage blanc: A light, airy Alsatian cheesecake.
• Marrons glacés: Candied chestnuts.

What to Buy

• Soufflenheim pottery: Brightly coloured kitchenware and decorative pieces from the Alsatian potters’ village of the same name.
• Linens and textiles: Hand-embroidered tablecloths, napkins and aprons in the traditional Alsatian kelsch check.
• Wine: Alsace produces distinctive whites including Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and the sparkling Crémant d’Alsace.
• Ornaments: Crafted from wood, glass or pottery.

Things to do in Winter

• Colmar’s historic centre includes Little Venice, a picture-perfect quarter renowned for its canals lined with vibrant half-timbered houses.
• Adjacent to Little Venice, the Fishmonger’s District (Quartier des Tanneurs nearby) was traditionally home to professional fishermen. A fire in 1706 claimed many of the original structures, but careful restoration in the 1980s brought the district’s charm back.
• The covered Market Hall (Marché Couvert) is a one-stop destination for local produce: charcuterie, cheese, baked goods, Alsatian wine and cider to savour on the spot or take away.
• The Unterlinden Museum, Maison des Têtes, Maison Pfister and the Chocolate Museum are among Colmar’s top cultural options.

Sustainability Ideas

• Walking or cycling: Colmar is easily navigable on foot or by bike.
• Support local: Easy to do here in Alsace, where so much is made and grown in the region.
• Eco-friendly hotels: Book a hotel that uses renewable energy for heating and electricity. You can usually find this in the hotel listing.
• Food waste: When sampling, be mindful of how much you can eat. I know it’s tempting to overorder!
• Eat sustainably: Choose plant-based or vegetarian meals where possible.
• Take the train: For nearby cities and villages, consider the train instead of flying or driving.