2023 Christmas markets Alsace and nearby Germany: see my personal selection. The Christmas period in the Upper Rhine Valley begins every year on the first weekend and Sunday of Advent, more or less a month before Christmas. A large number of Christmas events are organized throughout the region: Christmas markets, concerts, storytelling and nativity scenes.
In the Rhine area of the Upper Rhine, the cities of Colmar, Strasbourg, Mulhouse, Obernai, Freiburg-im-Breisgau (Germany) and Basel (Switzerland) and Montbéliard will open their Christmas markets from the end of November 2023!

So here is a summary of my favorite Christmas markets and other Christmas themed events. They are listed by date and alphabetically by city and town. Scroll down to find yours… Please note that information is given as an indication, subject to modification.

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BADEN-BADEN – Germany

Christkindelsmarkt
November 23, 2023 – January 6, 2024, daily from 11:00 to 21:00.
On NOV 23: solemn opening at 17:00; December 24 and 31 from 11:00 to 16:00.

Nestled at the foot of the Black Forest, about an hour and a half drive from the Colmar / Riquewihr region, the traditional Christkindelsmarkt, the « Jesus Children Market’s » of Baden-Baden, with its many attractions, transports you to a winter fairy tale: the scent of mulled wine and gingerbread accompanies you during your walk among more than 100 high quality stands in front of the casino and its gardens. Just off Christkindelsmarkt, boutiques and luxury shops connect with the historic Old Town, where shoppers can succumb to their favorite temptations. An excursion that is worth the trip.

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BASEL Christmas markets – Switzerland

From 23 November to December 23, 2023. Every day 11:00 – 20:30

The Basler Weihnacht – the Basel Christmas market – is Switzerland’s largest Christmas market. It takes place at the two sites of Barfüsserplatz (Cordeliers Square) and Münsterplatz (Cathedral Square), in the heart of the Old Town. In a warm and magical atmosphere, traders and artisans from the region and from all over Switzerland offer their products and demonstrate their skills on 180 illuminated wooden stands and chalets. Every day from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. The last day at Münsterplatz (cathedral) until 6:00 p.m. and on Barfüsserplatz until 8:00 p.m.
Do not go by car! Take the train from Strasbourg, Sélestat, Colmar, Mulhouse or Saint-Louis.

COLMAR Christmas markets

Friday Nov 23, 2023 to Dec 29, 2023

The city of Colmar holds the second largest Christmas market in France after Strasbourg. Opening festivities of Christmas in Colmar start on 23 of November 2023. In fact, in Colmar, there is not only one Christmas market! There are five Christmas markets with different historical contexts that await you in the old town center of this beautiful city of Colmar. Feel free to go there during the week and as early as the end of November. It will be less crowded and it will be more enjoyable. You will be able to see all things in detail without being jostled by the crowds that flock here on weekends.
See my article about the (previous) Christmas markets of Colmar

Download the Christmas entertainment program brochure in and around Colmar (Colmar, Kaysersberg, Munster, Neuf-Brisach, Ribeauvillé and Riquewihr, Eguisheim and Rouffach), with the routes and timetables of the shuttles. (French version, English translation will come soon)

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ECOMUSEE d’ALSACE – Experience the Christmas tradition at Alsace Living Museum 

Every day from December 03, 2023 to January 07, 2024 (10:30 to 18:30) – Closed on Mondays

The Living Museum of Alsace is located in Ungersheim between Colmar and Mulhouse. It is a complete village built with historical houses rescued over years everywhere in Alsace. Secrets for an authentic Christmas is a collection of exhibitions, storytelling, guided tours, etc. that take place every day from December 03 to January 07. A must see not to be missed!

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EGUISHEIM Christmas markets

Friday, Nov 24 – Dec 30 from 10:00 to 19:00 – Saturdays until 20:00.

Eguisheim is another beautiful medieval village on the Alsace wine route, a half-hour drive of Riquewihr. Beautiful Christmas market with a different theme each week.

Download the Christmas entertainment program brochure in and around Colmar (Colmar, Kaysersberg, Munster, Neuf-Brisach, Ribeauvillé and Riquewihr, Eguisheim and Rouffach), with the routes and timetables of the shuttles. (French version, English translation will come soon)

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FREIBURG im BREISGAU (Germany) at Christmas time

Nov 23 – Dec 23, 2023. Mon-Sat 10:00 am – 8:30 pm, Sun 11:30 am – 7:30 pm.

Located in the very heart of Freiburg’s beautiful old historical quarter, the Freiburg Christmas Market is held on the Rathausplatz, the Franziskanerstraße, the Unterlindenplatz and on the Kartoffelmarkt.

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GENGENBACH (Germany) 
Christmas and the giant Advent Calendar

30 November 2023 – Dec, 23. Monday to Friday from 14:00 – 20:00, Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 – 20:00

Gengenbach is a beautiful historic town on the German side of the Rhine, some 40 kilometers south-east of Strasbourg. Gengenbach is twinned with the Alsatian town of Obernai. You can see a lot of old romantic wooden frame houses, in fact, very similar to traditional Alsatian houses. The Christmas market begins on November 30, every evening, the magnificent 200-year-old Town Hall facade comes to life in a different way with the opening ceremony of a new window. of the Advent calendar (Adventskalender). This happens every day at exactly 6 p.m. During Advent, the Christmas market is open until 8:00 p.m. The giant calendar remains illuminated until December 6, the date of Epiphany.
See our report and pictures of Gengenbach.

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MEISENTHAL – The Craddle of the Christmas bauble.

From November 17 to December 30 2023. Every day 14:00 – 18:00 except Mondays. Closed Dec 24-25.

Glass has been produced in Meisenthal since the early 18th century, and since the 19th century Christmas decorations from Meisenthal were famous. They say the Christmas baubles hanging in the Christmas firs were first invented and created there. It is possible to watch glassblowers in their activity of glassblowing, especially during the holiday season, when they make thousands of Christmas baubles in the old traditional and artisanal way. Take some home to decorate your own Christmas fir!
See our report and pictures about Meisenthal glass factory and Christmas baubles.

A drive to Meisenthal is to combine with a visit to the Cristalleries Royales de Saint-Louis (nearby) and the beautiful Musée Lalique, 40 Rue du Hochberg, 67290 Wingen-sur-Moder. In December, end the day on your way back with a stop at the Christmas market of Strasbourg.

MONTBELIARD Christmas market

From Nov 25, 2023 to Dec 24, 2023. Every day.

Did you know that Montbeliard and Riquewihr once had, for 400 years, a common destiny? From the fourteenth century until the Revolution, the seigneury of Riquewihr belonged to the counts of Wurtemberg who administered their property from the castle of Montbeliard. Just an hour’s drive from Riquewihr, the Montbéliard Christmas market, organized around the Saint Martin temple (the oldest Lutheran place of worship in France) is magnificent.

MULHOUSE Christmas market

From Nov 24, 2023 to Dec 24, 2023. Every day from 10:00 to 20:00, closed Dec 25. DEC 26 from 12:00 to 8:00 p.m. and DEC 27 from 10:00 to 6:00 p.m. 

A wonderful Alsatian Christmas market beautifully decorated in the heart of the historic center of Mulhouse. This Christmas market has an outstanding feature: the Christmas Fabric, a fabric created each year for the occasion and which refers to the rich industrial and artistic past of Mulhouse on weaving.

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OBERNAI Christmas market

From Nov 24, 2023 to Dec 31, 2023. From Monday to Thursday from 10:00 to 19:00, Friday, Saturday and Sunday until 20:00. Except: 24 and 31/12 from 10:00 to 16:00; 26/12 from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and closed on Christmas Day 25/12.

Obernai is another beautiful medieval city of Alsace. The thirty wooden chalets of the “Christmas Gastronomy in Alsace” Market invite you in an enchanting setting between scents of gingerbread and mulled wine scent to fill your baskets of local produce and crafts gifts.

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RIQUEWIHR Christmas market

From Saturday 25/11/2023 to 21/12/2022.
Inauguration on Friday 25/11/2023 at the end of the afternoon.

Riquewihr is one of the most beautiful villages in France. Enjoy a traditional Christmas market with musicians and street performers in a world-famous historical and architectural setting. The whole village of Riquewihr is celebrating. It really is a fairytale vibe. For those in the know, the inauguration takes place on Friday, November 24 2023 at the end of the afternoon and the Christmas market chalets will be open from then on.

Do not hesitate to stay in one of our holiday apartments at the Remparts de Riquewihr. You will have a front row seat. If you can, prefer a stay during the week. Click to visit our holiday apartments.

In Riquewihr, there are also several private Christmas markets organized in house courtyards. These markets are expected to remain in place until the end of December. Christmas atmosphere in place until the first days of January.

Click below to watch the video…

Download the Christmas entertainment program brochure in and around Colmar (Colmar, Kaysersberg, Munster, Neuf-Brisach, Ribeauvillé and Riquewihr, Eguisheim and Rouffach), with the routes and timetables of the shuttles. (French version, English translation will come soon)

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SELESTAT- historical cradle of the Christmas fir

From 25/11/2023 to 29/12/2023, Monday to Thursday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday & Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Exceptional closing at 4 p.m. on 24/12. Closed on 25/12. 26/12: 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Sélestat remains a city a little unknown to tourists. Perhaps because they often go on the motorway from Strasbourg to Colmar without thinking about stopping in Sélestat. What a pity ! Sélestat is a pretty town with a rich historical and architectural heritage. The Christmas entertainment is beautiful and neat. It is also the historical birthplace of the Christmas tree, the oldest written mention of which dates back to 1521 (500 years last year 2021!). The Christmas tree is presented there every year through an exhibition that traces its decorations through the ages (beautiful exhibition in Saint-Georges Church, until January 5). In short, a visit to Sélestat is essential for all those who wish to think outside the box with a high quality approach. From late November to Epiphany, many events and exhibitions including the Christmas village (chalets) which ends for the first time at the end of December.
See our dedicated page with pictures and practical hints and tips.

STRASBOURG Christmas markets

From 24 November 2023 to December 24 : Christmas market every day from 10:00 to 20:00 (until 21:00 on Fridays and Saturdays). December 24: 10:00 to 18:00.

Strasbourg is the Christmas capital of the world. The entire historic city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and forms the backdrop for the many Christmas markets scattered throughout the city. Besides the 300 wooden chalets of several Christmas markets, scenery and Christmas lights, the decorations are absolutely stunning. Place de la Cathédrale, Place Broglie, since 2016 Place du Château (south side of the cathedral), Esplanade of the Château des Rohan and many other places. Be careful, do not venture into Strasbourg by car on weekends during the Christmas market period. The Big Island where the Christmas markets take place is closed to car traffic. Your nerves and your mood would take a serious hit and you would be solely responsible :-). I know, I’m rambling: go on weekdays. And absolutely prefer public transport.
See our dedicated page with pictures and important practical hints and tips.

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THANN celebrates Christmas

Friday, Nov 24 to Dec 24, 2023. 

Thann is a little Alsatian city nested in a narrow valley near Mulhouse. It is famous for it incredible wine (on the Rangen hill) and for its beautiful church (Collégiale St-Thiébaut). Enter the magic of Christmas on the theme of White Christmas and discover the Christmas market around the Collegiate Church nestled in the heart of a decorated forest of firs. In the Middle Ages, during the Advent time before Christmas, holy tales and stories were played in front of churches. So it is in Thann on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

TURCKHEIM at Christmas time

Turckheim celebrates Christmas every year, with the Christmas ceremonial of the Advent calendar … Not to mention his famous night watchman in his traditional costume. You are invited to go with him in his nocturnal round. He will tell the story of the city of Turckheim while punctuating the route of anecdotes and Alsatian songs. The night watchman’s round starts at 22:00 in front of the city hall.

All permanent Christmas markets listed at the top of this page plus all events related to St Nicholas’s Day. As I was a child St Nicholas’s Day was a major event. It is still like that in Alsace. Do not miss the St Nicholas’s Parade in Sélestat (see below).

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This second weekend of Advent, the choice will become even more difficult as there are so many beautiful events to attend. I am afraid you will need several years to get it all done!

BURKHEIM AM KAISERSTUHL (Germany)

Friday 01st December 2023 : 16:00 – 21:00; Saturday: 14:00 –  21:00; Sunday 11:00 – 19:00

A beautiful Christmas market just across the Rhine. It always takes place the weekend of December 1st. Warm atmosphere in the alleys of Burkheim, we light fires to warm up, we drink a good mulled wine from the local cooperative, we even taste the Sekt (local sparkling wine like Crémant in Alsace) in real beautiful glass not in plastic! Park your car at the bottom of the rampart and climb into this pretty little fortified place to live Christmas.

BERGHEIM

Friday from 16:00 to 21:00, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 21:00.

Bergheim is another beautiful village on the wine route close to Ribeauvillé and Riquewihr. Combining tradition and creativity, this Christmas market will delight you with its warm and authentic atmosphere in the heart of the walled city of Bergheim. Also do not miss the beautiful exhibition of Nativity Scenes.

RIBEAUVILLE and its Medieval Christmas market

Saturday 2nd December 2023 10:00-19:00 and Sunday 10:00-18:00.

A well known and spectacular Christmas event. Everything as it might have been in the Middle Ages.
With dances, costumes and colourful characters. See the video (2019) …

BERGHEIM

Friday from 16:00 to 21:00, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 21:00.

Bergheim is another beautiful village on the wine route close to Ribeauvillé and Riquewihr. Combining tradition and creativity, this Christmas market will delight you with its warm and authentic atmosphere in the heart of the walled city of Bergheim. Also do not miss the beautiful exhibition of Nativity Scenes.

BLACK FOREST OPEN AIR MUSEUM in GUTACH (Germany)

Friday, from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday from 1 to 9 p.m; Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm.

The Black Forest open air museum is normally closed in winter, but every year in mid-December it reopens for a special Christmas Market weekend. A very special place with a different atmosphere. A few years ago, snow covered the countryside and the museum’s old farms. The atmosphere was particularly romantic. See our report and pictures about a previous Christmas market at the Gutach Black Forest Living Museum.

BOUXWILLER (Bas-Rhin) 

Friday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.  

Bouxwiller is a pretty Alsatian village of the Kochersberg, a small region between Saverne and Haguenau, famous for its preserved colorful traditions and painted Alsatian pine furniture. Every year in mid-December during a single weekend, stands a large Christmas market with nearly 150 exhibitors. Many of them offer delicious local produce, wines and gastronomic specialties, but also crafts, Nativity scenes and other Christmas decorations manufactured in Alsace. There are always lots of people, mostly locals who like to meet here. An authentic Christmas market off the beaten track.

NEUF BRISACH 

Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 to 9:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 to 18:30.

Neuf-Brisach stronghold is listed as World Heritage by UNESCO. They present live Christmas traditions at the time of Vauban, the famous architect who built the stronghold in the 17th Century. Exhibitors and extras in period costumes, old trades, tavern, boar on the spit, farm animals … back in time with the Christmas Market as it was in the years 1700!

ORSCHWILLER – 2023

Friday 08, Dec : 06pm – Midnight
Saturday 09, Dec : 02pm – Midnight
Sunday 10, Dec : 10am – 08pm

The «Authentique Village de Noël» (Authentic Christmas village) is an event that takes place every 2 years. Next time will be Dec 2023. Orschwiller is a small village on the Alsace wine route at the foot of Haut-Koenigsbourg. Family atmosphere of religious and popular tradition of the Nativity. Lively village, decorated and illuminated with passion by associations and residents. Enjoy an evening of lights and emotions. A beautiful moment indeed …

OTTMARSHEIM 

Friday December 8 from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 09 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 10 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Unique in France, the Christmas market of Ottmarsheim owes its originality and success to the fact that museums come to exhibit and sell the products of their shops in addition to high quality artists who are also invited. Entertainment, strolling, concerts, storytelling … And last but not least, part of the celebration, one of the most original and beautiful medieval churches in Alsace on site hosts concerts and storytelling. Snacks by village associations.

RIBEAUVILLE

Saturday DEC 09, 10:00-19:00 and Sunday DEC 10, 10:00-18:00.

A well known and spectacular Christmas event. Everything as it might have been in the Middle Ages.
With dances, costumes and colourful characters … Have a look at the video (2019).

Third Advent weekend, December 15-17, 2023

See my section “Permanent Christmas markets” as well as the Christmas markets which take place on weekends.

KAYSERSBERG

every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 24th November to 17th december 10:00 to 20:00 + Monday 18 + Tuesday 19 December 2023 .

The medieval town of Kaysersberg, protected by the shadow of the ruins of its castle, invites you to an enchanting ride in the heart of a picturesque and authentic 17th century city … A wonderful moment guaranteed for young and old!

MUNSTER

Friday (4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.), Saturday (10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.) and Sunday (10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.) from FRIday 24th November 2023 to Sunday 17th December 2023. + everyday from 19th December to 31st December 2023

Munster is the main town of the Munster Valley, known for its famous fragrant cheese of the same name. Christmas market and attractions on the theme of bredele, famous Christmas cakes made by all Alsatians during Christmas time. On certain dates, the famous Bredele clothing workshops. Horse-drawn carriage rides and other fun events.

After Christmas Day on December 25, the mood remains at its peak in the Upper Rhine Valley until Epiphany on January 6. Visit the Baden-Baden Christmas markets; Colmar; the Alsace Ecomuseum; Eguisheim; Munster; Obernai until 12/31; Strasbourg and Selestat. Some spectacular events also take place around this time, such as the Schauenberg torchlight procession.

SCHAUENBERG TORCHLIGHT RETREAT

28 DECEMBER 2023

The torchlight retreat to Notre-Dame du Schauenberg in Alsace takes place every year on December 28 from the village of Pfaffenheim. This is a very old custom that dates back to the 17th century.
Meet in front of Pfaffenheim town hall at 6 p.m. at the latest. We buy the torches on site.

MY TRAIL OF CRECHES (Nativity Scenes)

January is the month of nurseries. Christmas is the starting point and Epiphany, January 6 with the arrival of the Magi, a moment of magic that extends until early February. Tradition has it that the cribs in the churches are exposed until the Candlemas (February 2), 40 days after Christmas, commemorative day of the presentation of Jesus to the temple and blessing candles. This is still often the case for our greatest happiness because some crèches are real works of art, sometimes monumental, which deserve your visit. If you are interested in the subject, discover my article with pictures and presentation of the most beautiful crèches in the Upper Rhine Valley. (page in French, active automatic translation)

Stay in a beautiful accommodation with a festive Christmas atmosphere

To make your visit in Alsace a memorable one, stay at les Remparts Riquewihr – in one of our new holiday apartments, set in a historic winery facing the vineyards of Riquewihr.

We also have a holiday home in the beautiful mountain village of La Vancelle. La Vancelle is a haven in a prime location opposite the castle of Haut-Koenigsbourg. It is away from the noise and bustle but easily accessible in all seasons.

Riquewihr and Vancelle are very practical bases for visiting and touring throughout Alsace, Vosges and even nearby Germany and Switzerland.

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