Enchanting Christmas Experience From Colmar
4.4 (83 reviews)
Eguisheim, Riquewihr & Kaysersberg markets
Spends the day in the villages, not at Colmar’s own market; hotel pickup
from, per person€130
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✦23 November – 29 December 2026
Colmar Christmas Market 2026
Six squares in the old town, about 180 stalls, free to enter. Open 11:00–19:00 Monday to Thursday and 10:00–20:00 Friday to Sunday, closing at 17:00 on Christmas Eve — and open on Christmas Day.
Independent guide · Updated Oct 2026 · Tour prices checked Oct 2026
PHCN★ 4.4 average · 136 reviews of the top three tours
The market by night, the villages by day
Walk Colmar’s six squares for free, then let a small-group tour take you to the markets of Eguisheim, Riquewihr and Kaysersberg.
See the tours
Enchanting Christmas Experience From ColmarEguisheim, Riquewihr & Kaysersberg markets · 8 h · hotel pickup · ★ 4.4 (83)
from, per person€130
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Strasbourg 7-Hour Christmas Markets TourIncludes free time at Colmar’s own market · 7 h · min. 2 people · ★ 4.4 (29)
from, per person€150
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From Basel: Day Trip to Colmar and Ribeauvillé (Christmas Market)Colmar plus Ribeauvillé’s medieval market · runs 5, 6 & 12 Dec only · ★ 5.0 (1)
from, per person€64
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From Paris: Colmar Christmas Market & City Tour in 2 DaysSleeps in Colmar so you see the lights · small group · new · New on GetYourGuide
from, per person€550
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Colmar: Secrets and Magic of the Christmas Markets2-hour walk with a live guide and tastings · min. 2 people · ★ 5.0 (4)
from, per person€21
Check availability6market squares, about 180 stalls
€0to enter any of them
17:00early close on 24 Dec; open on the 25th
26 minby train from Strasbourg
Mon–Thubefore noon is the calmest time
Tours
Tours Worth Booking at Colmar Christmas Market
You don’t need a tour for Colmar Christmas market itself: entry is free and the six squares are ten minutes apart. Book one for what is hard alone — the village markets of Eguisheim, Riquewihr and Kaysersberg without a car, a guided day in from Strasbourg, or a local guide’s stories for €21 a person.
Strasbourg 7-Hour Christmas Markets Tour
4.4 (29 reviews)
Colmar’s Christmas market + another village market
The reviewed tour with free time at Colmar’s market; minimum 2 people
from, per person€150
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From Colmar: Christmas Markets Across 3 Borders
4.6 (24 reviews)
Neuf-Brisach, Freiburg by day, Basel after dark
A second day out from Colmar — not Colmar’s own market; hotel pickup
from, per person€135
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Colmar: Secrets and Magic of the Christmas Markets
5.0 (4 reviews)
Old town, Petite Venise and the market squares
Includes a tasting of local products at the stalls; minimum 2 people
from, per person€21
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Prices: GetYourGuide, live “from” price for one adult, checked Oct 2026; ratings from GetYourGuide reviews. Compare all six tours side by side
Six squares
The Six Markets of Colmar Christmas Market
Colmar Christmas market is six separate markets, all inside the old town and about ten minutes apart on foot, with roughly 180 stalls between them. Each square has its own job: decorations at Dominicains, food and wine at Jeanne d’Arc, a children’s market in Petite Venise and crafts out of the cold in the Koïfhus.
Decorations
Place des Dominicains
About 60 chalets in the square below the Dominican church — the place for glass baubles, tree ornaments and Christmas decorations.
Photo: nativity figures at a decorations stall · GetYourGuide listing
The classic
Place de l’Ancienne Douane
About 50 chalets around the old customs house, the Koïfhus — the busiest and most photographed square in the evening.
Photo: an evening crowd in the old town · GetYourGuide listing
Food & wine
Place Jeanne d’Arc
Set out as an Alsace village of producers: foie gras, local wine, bredele biscuits and other regional food to take home.
Photo: mulled wine with orange and cinnamon · GetYourGuide listing
With kids
Petite Venise
The children’s market beside the river Lauch, with pony rides and Santa’s letter box — the one to start with if you have children.
Photo: Petite Venise after dark · GetYourGuide listing
Indoor crafts
Koïfhus
About 20 artisans inside the old customs hall: handmade gifts, and a warm place to browse when it is cold or wet.
Photo: a garlanded market hall · GetYourGuide listing
Open late
Gourmet market
Nine chefs’ cabins on Rue de la Montagne Verte, next to the Ferris wheel, open until 22:00 and on until 3 January 2027.
Photo: half-timbered houses lit for Christmas · GetYourGuide listingSource: noel-colmar.com, the official market site · checked Oct 2026
A tour for this
A guided walk through the six squares
Other walking tours · ★ 5.0 (4) · 2 h with a live guide · tastings at the stalls · starts at Musée Unterlinden
from, per person€21
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In pictures
Colmar Christmas Market in Pictures
These photos come from the galleries of the tours that visit Colmar Christmas market and the villages around it, not from stock libraries. Each frame names where it was taken and which tour it comes from, so you can see what a day on that tour looks like before you book.
Petite Venise after darkColmar · photo from the walk with a local · ★ 5.0 (1)
Book · from €198 per groupHalf-timbered houses lit for ChristmasColmar · photo from the 2-day trip from Paris · New on GetYourGuide
Book · from €550 per personStalls of a Christmas market at duskAlsace · photo from the day trip from Basel · ★ 5.0 (1)
Book · from €64 per personMulled wine with orange and cinnamonColmar · photo from the walk with a local · ★ 5.0 (1)
Book · from €198 per groupA gingerbread heart iced with “Colmar”Colmar · photo from the tour from Strasbourg · ★ 4.4 (29)
Book · from €150 per personA village Christmas market at duskAlsace villages · photo from the four-villages tour · New on GetYourGuide
Book · from €130 per personWhite reindeer decorations outside a restaurantAlsace villages · photo from the villages tour from Colmar · ★ 4.4 (83)
Book · from €130 per personAn evening crowd in the old townColmar · photo from the day trip from Basel · ★ 5.0 (1)
Book · from €64 per personPhotos: the operators’ GetYourGuide listings
Dates & hours
When Does Colmar Christmas Market 2026 Start? Dates and Hours
Colmar Christmas market 2026 opens on Monday 23 November and closes on Tuesday 29 December. Stalls open at 11:00 Monday to Thursday and at 10:00 Friday to Sunday and close exactly on time, at 19:00 or 20:00. Christmas Day is a normal opening day, and the gourmet market and Ferris wheel run later, to 22:00, until 3 January 2027.
Colmar Christmas market opening times
Monday – Thursdayall six squares
11:00–19:00
Friday – Sundayall six squares
10:00–20:00
Thursday 24 DecemberChristmas Eve
11:00–17:00
25 & 26 Decemberopen on Christmas Day
10:00–20:00
Gourmet market & Ferris wheelto 3 Jan 2027 · 31 Dec to 17:00
11:00–22:00
Source: noel-colmar.com · checked Oct 2026. Late-night shopping Sundays in town: 30 Nov, 7, 14 and 21 Dec. Weekend rooms go first — when to book a hotel.
NOV23
Opening dayMonday — all six squares from 11:00
DEC24
Christmas EveShort day, 11:00 to 17:00
DEC25
Christmas Day — open10:00 to 20:00, as on the 26th
DEC29
Last dayGourmet market carries on to 3 January
Where it is & how to get there
How to Get to Colmar Christmas Market
Colmar Christmas market fills the old town, and the easiest way in is the train: the station is a 15-minute walk from the squares, Strasbourg is 26 minutes away and Basel about 40. The centre is closed to cars during market hours, so drivers park at the edge — on market weekends the Park & Ride costs €5 a day with the bus.
Where is Colmar Christmas market?
1–6 market squares · station · car park · Park & Ride (2.6 km north, zoom out)
The six squares, the station, Rapp car park and the weekend Park & Ride. Open in Google Maps · official market map
From Strasbourg
TER train, frequent through the day
26 min
From Basel
TER train, fastest connections
~40 min
From Paris Est
Direct TGV
2 h 25
From Zurich
Train, change in Basel
~2 h 09
By car
- The old town is closed to traffic during market hours, 23 Nov – 29 Dec
- Open 24/7: Rapp and Gare/Bleylé car parks; a paid shuttle runs from Gare/Bleylé on weekdays
- Park & Ride at the Parc des Expositions, €5 a day with the bus: 28–29 Nov, 5–6, 12–13 and 19–20 Dec
- Coaches drop off on Rue Lacarre / Rue de la Cavalerie
Sources: SNCF and SBB timetables · noel-colmar.com · checked Oct 2026
Tours from Strasbourg, Basel and ParisBeat the crowds
Best Day to Visit Colmar Christmas Market
Monday to Thursday before noon is the calm window at Colmar Christmas market. Friday evenings fill up, Saturday afternoon is the peak — the city only runs its Park & Ride on market weekends — and Sundays come close. At a weekend, arrive for the 10:00 opening and start with Petite Venise before the lanes fill.
How busy the squares get, by day of the week
MonQuiet
TueQuiet
WedQuiet
ThuSteady
FriBusy evening
SatPeak
SunBusy
Our guidance from the official weekend traffic measures and visitor reports, not a live count.
Eat, drink, take home
What to Eat and Buy at Colmar Christmas Market
Start with a white mulled wine, which Alsace makes from its own white grapes, then bredele biscuits and a slice of flammekueche. Place Jeanne d’Arc is the square for foie gras and local wine; buy glass baubles at Dominicains and handmade gifts at the indoor Koïfhus craft market.
Mulled wine · photo from the walk with a local♨Vin chaud blancwhite mulled wine
✶BredeleChristmas biscuits
◐Flammekuechecream & onion tart
◆Foie gras & winePlace Jeanne d’Arc
❄Glass baublesDominicains
✿Handmade craftsKoïfhus
Beyond the town
Colmar Christmas Market and the Village Markets Nearby
The villages around Colmar run their own Christmas markets, but not all on the same days. Eguisheim and Turckheim trade all season; Riquewihr closes on 20 December, Kaysersberg opens only at weekends and Ribeauvillé’s medieval market runs on two December weekends. Without a car, a small-group minivan tour is the easy way to see three in a day.
A village street lit for Christmas · photo from the four-villages tourEguisheim27 Nov – 30 Dec
Turckheim27 Nov – 30 Dec
Riquewihr27 Nov – 20 Dec
Kaysersbergweekends, 27 Nov – 20 Dec
Ribeauvillé (medieval)5–6 & 12–13 Dec
Neuf-Brisach11–13 Dec
Village dates 2026: noel-colmar.com · also Bergheim (27–29 Nov, 4–6 Dec) and Munster (weekends from 20 Nov, daily 21–31 Dec). How a village tour day runs
A tour for this
The villages tour from Colmar
★ 4.4 (83) · 8 h · Eguisheim, Riquewihr, Kaysersberg · hotel pickup · free cancellation 24 hfrom, per person€130
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Yes, if…
Is Colmar Christmas Market Worth It?
Yes, if you come for the town as much as the stalls. Colmar Christmas market is smaller than Strasbourg’s, prettier after dark and easy to cover on foot. A day costs little: entry is free, a mulled wine is a few euros and a guided walk starts at €21 a person, so the main cost is getting here and a room.
Go if
- You want lit-up half-timbered streets
- You can come on a weekday
- You’ll add a village or two
Skip if
- You only have a Saturday afternoon
- You want one huge market
- Crowded narrow lanes bother you
Thinking of a tour? When a Colmar Christmas market tour is worth it
Do both
Colmar vs Strasbourg Christmas Market
They are 26 minutes apart by train, so most visitors do both. If you must pick one, Colmar is the prettier, calmer evening among canals and half-timbered houses; Strasbourg is the bigger, busier market around its cathedral, with longer walks between squares.
| Colmar | Strasbourg | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 6 squares, ~180 stalls | Bigger, spread out |
| Feel | Canals and lights | Cathedral, busy |
| On foot | All within 10 min | Longer walks |
| Who it’s for | A calm evening | A big day out |
Reviews
Colmar Christmas Market — What Tour Guests Say
The three most-reviewed Christmas tours around Colmar average 4.4 out of 5 from 136 GetYourGuide reviews. Guests praise the small minivan groups and the driver-guides’ stories; the most common caveat is that the order of stops can change on the day, and that some guides talk less than others.
4.4average across the three
most-reviewed tours · 136 reviews
Source: GetYourGuide
most-reviewed tours · 136 reviews
Source: GetYourGuide
★★★★★
The itinerary was well planned and gave us a good mix of villages, markets, and free time to explore. Christian was an excellent guide; knowledgeable, friendly, and genuinely funny. He explained the history and traditions clearly, shared local insights, and kept the group engaged without overdoing it.
Pam · Dec 2025 · verified GetYourGuide booking
On the villages tour: ★ 4.4 (83) →
★★★★★
Our tour destinations were altered a tiny bit from the order on the listing but we still went to three different markets in different cities in three countries. We got through borders easily and around quickly with our very kind and knowledgeable guide, Didier. He communicated with me any changes in timing and worked with us to make sure we were able to go on our trip.
Hailey · Nov 2025 · verified GetYourGuide booking
On the three-countries tour: ★ 4.6 (24) →
★★★★★
Sophie communication very well before the tour so it was extremely easy to find her. The tour itself was very informative. I love history and the details she provided about architecture and way of life during the middle ages were amazing.
Cynthia · Dec 2025 · verified GetYourGuide booking
On the guided walk in Colmar: ★ 5.0 (4) →Swipe for more
Sleep close to the lights
Where to Stay for Colmar Christmas Market
For Colmar Christmas market, stay in the old town to walk back to your room between squares, or by the station if you plan day trips by train. Weekends sell out first: when we searched early-December dates, far fewer of the hotels we checked had rooms on a Friday than on a Tuesday.
Old townPhoto: Trip.comIbis Budget Colmar Centre-Ville
200 m to the markets2★€€8.1 · 63 reviews
The closest hotel to the market squares; family rooms
Rates depend on your datesCheck rates
By the stationPhoto: Trip.comGrand Hôtel Bristol by Stay Collection
1 km to the markets4★€€9.0 · 154 reviews
Renovated in 2026, opposite the station — easy day trips
Rates depend on your datesCheck rates
Old townPhoto: Trip.comPaul & Pia by Stay Collection
550 m to the marketsBoutique€€€9.5 · 52 reviews
The top-rated stay in the centre on Trip.com
Rates depend on your datesCheck rates
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Scores: Trip.com, checked Oct 2026 · distance in a straight line to the market · € under €230, €€ €230–330, €€€ over €330 per room per night in December · compare the three areas
When does Colmar Christmas market start in 2026?
The 2026 Colmar Christmas market opens on Monday 23 November 2026. All six squares open at 11:00 Monday to Thursday and at 10:00 Friday to Sunday, so on opening day (a Monday) the stalls start trading at 11:00.
When does Colmar Christmas market end?
The main market closes on Tuesday 29 December 2026. The gourmet market and the Ferris wheel on Rue de la Montagne Verte stay open until Sunday 3 January 2027, from 11:00 to 22:00 (17:00 on 31 December).
What time does Colmar Christmas market open?
Monday to Thursday 11:00–19:00 and Friday to Sunday 10:00–20:00. Christmas Eve is a short day, 11:00–17:00, and the stalls close exactly on time for security reasons, so don’t plan on a last-minute browse.
Is Colmar Christmas market open on Christmas Day?
Yes. On 25 and 26 December the market opens 10:00–20:00, the same as a weekend day. Only Christmas Eve is shortened, to 11:00–17:00.
Is Colmar Christmas market open on New Year’s Eve?
The six main squares close for the season on 29 December. On 31 December only the gourmet market and Ferris wheel on Rue de la Montagne Verte are open, from 11:00 to 17:00.
Is entry to Colmar Christmas market free?
Yes. All six markets are open-air squares or public halls in the old town and there is no ticket. You pay only for what you eat, drink and buy; tours sell the guide and the transport, never access to the market.
How long do you need at Colmar Christmas market?
Half a day covers the six squares at an easy pace, since they are about ten minutes apart. Stay until after dark for the lights, and add a second day if you want the village markets of Eguisheim, Riquewihr or Kaysersberg.
Can you visit Colmar Christmas market as a day trip?
Yes. Strasbourg is 26 minutes away by TER train, Basel about 40 minutes and Paris Est 2 h 25–2 h 36 by direct TGV. From Strasbourg and Basel there are also guided day tours that add a village market.
Is Colmar Christmas market busy at weekends?
Yes, Saturday afternoon is the peak, and the city runs its Park & Ride only on market weekends because of the crowds. Monday to Thursday before noon is the calmest time; at a weekend, arrive at the 10:00 opening.
Where do you park for Colmar Christmas market?
The old town is closed to cars during market hours from 23 November to 29 December. Use the Rapp or Gare/Bleylé car parks (both open 24/7), or on market weekends the Park & Ride at the Parc des Expositions for €5 a day including the bus.
Is Colmar Christmas market good for kids?
Yes. Petite Venise hosts a children’s market by the river Lauch with pony rides and Santa’s letter box, and the squares are close together, so short legs cope. Go on a weekday morning to avoid pushing a buggy through Saturday crowds.
Which village Christmas market near Colmar is best?
Eguisheim is the one most visitors rave about, and it runs all season (27 November – 30 December 2026), as does Turckheim. Riquewihr closes on 20 December, Kaysersberg trades only at weekends, and Ribeauvillé’s medieval market opens on two December weekends.
Can you do Colmar and Strasbourg Christmas markets in one day?
Yes. Spend the morning in Strasbourg, take the 26-minute train and stay in Colmar for the evening lights. If you would rather not plan it, the 7-hour guided tour from Strasbourg includes free time at Colmar’s market.
Is there a Ferris wheel at Colmar Christmas market?
Yes, next to the gourmet market on Rue de la Montagne Verte. It runs daily 11:00–22:00 from 23 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, closing at 17:00 on 31 December.
Do you need a tour for Colmar Christmas market?
No. The market is free and compact, so you can see it on your own. A tour earns its price for the village markets without a car, for a guided day in from Strasbourg, Basel or Paris, or for the stories behind the old town.
Check dates for the villages tour from Colmar
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✦Ready for the lights?
See Colmar Christmas Market, Then the Villages
The market is free and walkable. Book a tour for the village markets and the trip in, and a room close to the squares.