In our Upper Rhine valley, cities of Colmar, Strasbourg, Mulhouse, Freiburg-im-Breisgau (Germany), Basel (Switzerland) and Thann, are opening their Christmas Markets on November 23-24, 2018!
During the before last weekend of November, the biggest permanent markets switch on their Christmas lights: Basel (Switzerland), Strasbourg, Colmar, Mulhouse, Thann, Freiburg (Germany) … Enjoy this unique Christmas atmosphere before the big rush of December.
BASEL – Switzerland
From 22 November to December 23, 2018. Every day 11:00 – 20:30
The Basel Christmas market takes place on the Barfüsserplatz in the heart of the old town and in front of the cathedral. In a warm and magical atmosphere, merchants and craftsmen from the region and throughout Switzerland offer their products and demonstrate their skills throughout some 130 stalls and wooden illuminated chalets. The Christmas market in Basel is the largest in Switzerland. Easy access by train from Colmar.
BENNWIHR – Lights & Delicacies – Market and gourmet walk of the Marckrain
Between Riquewihr and Kaysersberg, on the Alsace wine route, a gourmet market on the Bestheim wine cellar car park in Bennwihr, 24 November 2018 from 14:00 to 20:00 and 25/11 from 10:00 to 18:30 continuously. With foie gras, snails, cheeses and pies, oyster bar and crémant.
Not to be missed: The Gourmet Walk of the Grand Cru Marckrain, 24/11 at nightfall. A night walk in the light of the lanterns through the Grand Cru Marckrain vineyard, punctuated with gastronomic breaks accompanied by the best vintages of the Bestheim’s winery. Glass and lantern offered.
Adults: 35 € / pers; children: € 15 (identical menu without wines, with soft drinks). Departure every 15 minutes between 17:00 and 20:30.
Warning: registration required before 17/11.
The menu and the registration form are here: Lights & Delicacies 2018 in Bennwihr
COLMAR
Friday Nov 23, 2018 to Saturday Dec 29, 2018
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 2018. 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 Christmas markets of Colmar
The most well-known Christmas markets begin on November 23 and are also held during the week! Enjoy our special rates to visit the Christmas markets on weekdays. Click to visit our apartments
FREIBURG im BREISGAU (Germany)
Nov 22 – Dec 23, 2018. 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.
MULHOUSE
From Nov 24, 2018 to Dec 27, 2018. Every day from 10:00 to 20:00, closed Dec 25.
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.
STRASBOURG
From 23 November to 30 December 2018 : 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 certainly the world capital of Christmas. The whole historical city center is listed as World Heritage by UNESCO. Apart from the 300 wooden chalets of the several Christmas markets the scenery and the Christmas lights and decorations are absolutely beautiful.
See our dedicated page with pictures and important practical hints and tips.
THANN
Friday, Nov 23 to Monday, Dec 24, 2018. Closed on Mondays. Tuesday to Thursday: 14:30 – 19:00, Friday 14:30 – 20:00, Saturday 10:00 – 20:00 – Sunday 10:00 – 19:00 – December 24: 10:00 – 17:00.
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.
See the page of our favorite Christmas markets, from November 2018 to January 2019
The biggest Christmas markets begin on November 23. and are also held during the week! From Friday 23/11/18 to Friday 30/11/18 enjoy our great rates to visit the biggest Christmas markets on weekdays. Click to visit our apartments