Spending Christmas in Strasbourg: The Ultimate Guide (2025)

Planning a trip to Strasbourg this holiday season? Here’s a complete travel guide for spending Christmas in Strasbourg, France!

There aren’t many places more magical for Christmas than Strasbourg, France.

After all, it’s known as the Capitale de Noël, or the Capital of Christmas!

Strasbourg is the capital and largest city of Alsace, a region in the eastern part of the country known for its wine, half-timbered houses, delicious food, and of course, its Christmas markets.

A couple of years ago, I spent the last part of December (including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) in Strasbourg, and I truly can’t think of a better place to celebrate!

Being the Capital of Christmas, Strasbourg goes all out – twinkling fairy lights all over the town, over-the-top window displays in the department stores, and a host of Christmas markets all over town.

Plus, there are plenty of other things to do in Strasbourg that aren’t Christmas-related, like visiting the Cathedral and sipping Alsatian wine at a cute wine bar.

So, if you’re ready to plan your Christmastime visit to Strasbourg this year, keep reading for the ultimate guide to spending Christmas in Strasbourg, France!

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Why Choose Strasbourg for Christmas

When I found out that Strasbourg was known as the Capital of Christmas, I knew that I had to add spending Christmas there to my bucket list.

I’ve always loved everything about Christmas, from the sparkling lights to the festive decorations to giving gifts to my loved ones. But as I got older, I felt that Christmas had started to lose a bit of the magic that it had when I was younger.

After I visited my very first European Christmas Market in Berlin a few years ago, I quickly learned that Christmas Markets are now my top source for all that Christmas Magic I had been missing.

And if a Christmas Market in Berlin brought me so much joy, a city known as the Capital of Christmas would bring me even more joy, right?

Yes, it absolutely did!

Strasbourg is literally dripping in Christmas magic. There are Christmas trees around every corner, lights hanging from every storefront and streetlight, and 13 Christmas Markets around the city.

Not to mention that the entire city feels as if it’s straight out of a fairy tale, with its colorful half-timbered houses and picturesque streets.

By visiting Strasbourg for Christmas, you can live in your very own holiday fairy tale!

Planning Your Trip to Strasbourg for Christmas

So, you’ve decided to spend Christmas in Strasbourg this year? Here are some travel tips to help with the logistics of planning your trip.

When to Visit Strasbourg for Christmas

In Strasbourg, the Christmas season begins in late November and goes through the end of December

In 2023, the Strasbourg Christmas Markets open on November 24 and end on December 24.

If you’re planning a trip to Strasbourg for the Christmas season, you want to make sure you visit before the markets end.

Even after the markets end, the city will still be lit up with Christmas decor through the end of the year, but the markets truly make the city special during this time of year.

If you do happen to be visiting Strasbourg at the very end of December, it also makes for a great destination to celebrate New Year’s Eve!

December Weather in Strasbourg

When visiting Strasbourg in December (or at the end of November), expect cold temperatures and a chance for rainy days.

In December, average high temperatures in Strasbourg are around 42º Fahrenheit, with lows around 32º.

Rainy days are possible, with about 25% of days in December seeing some rain. Snow isn’t out of the question either, but the chances for snow are pretty low.

What to Pack for Christmas in Strasbourg

When planning your Strasbourg Christmas packing list, make sure to keep the weather in mind.

Since the days are often cold (and possibly wet), you don’t want to skip out on a warm coat and warm, comfortable, water-resistant shoes.

My Carhartt winter coat (warm, water-resistant, and stylish) and my all-time favorite Doc Marten boots kept me warm and comfortable during my Strasbourg trip.

Clothing-wise, layer-able pieces are a great choice so that you can layer up on colder days or remove layers if you happen to visit on an unseasonably warm day.

And with all of Strasbourg’s Christmas beauty, you definitely don’t want to forget your camera!

How to Get to Strasbourg

Strasbourg is located in an Eastern region of France called Alsace. It’s right on the France/Germany border.

Strasbourg’s location makes it pretty easy to reach from nearby cities like Paris and Frankfurt, Germany.

If you’re coming from the US, you can fly into either Paris or Frankfurt and then hop on a train to Strasbourg.

If you’re coming to Strasbourg from Paris, you can take a train from Gare De L’est to Strasbourg in under 2 hours. There are several trains departing daily.

If you’re traveling to Strasbourg from Frankfurt, you can get on a train at Frankfurt Main Hauptbahnhof and get to Strasbourg in about 2 hours.

There are a handful of direct trains from Frankfurt to Strasbourg each day, but you can also book a train with an easy transfer in either Karlsruhe or Offenburg.

Once you arrive at Strasbourg’s main train station, called Strasbourg-Ville Station, it’s a pretty easy walk into the city center. You can also take trams from the train station to your destination in Strasbourg.

Strasbourg is also served by a small international airport (Strasbourg Airport, SXB). If you’re coming to Strasbourg from elsewhere in Europe, it might be convenient and affordable to fly there.

The airport is located about 20 minutes west of the city center. You can get from the airport to the city center in about 20 minutes if you take a taxi or an Uber. You can also take the Shuttle Train from the airport to Strasbourg-Ville Station in just 8 minutes.

Spending Christmas in Strasbourg: Where to Stay

When choosing your Strasbourg hotel, location will be the most important factor.

The Strasbourg city center is pretty small and walkable. For the most part, if you pick a hotel on the Grand-Île, you’ll be able to walk to the Christmas markets.

When choosing your hotel, make sure that it’s a reasonable walking distance from La Petite France, the Strasbourg Cathedral, and Place Kléber.

Keep in mind that the Christmas season is one of the most popular times to visit Strasbourg, and affordable hotels often book up quickly. I recommend booking your accommodation as soon as you know your travel dates to secure the best price and location.

As far as specific Strasbourg hotels go, I HIGHLY recommend Hotel Hannong.

The boutique hotel is located right in the Strasbourg city center, less than a 5-minute walk from Petite France and Place Kléber and 10 minutes from the Cathedral.

Plus, there’s a wine bar downstairs called Black & Wine, where you can sample a glass (or a few glasses) of the best Alsatian wine.

If Hotel Hannong is sold out for your dates, here are a few more Strasbourg hotels that I would recommend.

Although I haven’t personally stayed at any of these, they are all highly rated and are perfectly located for exploring all of Strasbourg’s Christmas markets and attractions. I’d be happy to stay at any of them!

• BOMA Easy Living Hotel: This hotel is pretty close to Hotel Hannong, so you’re within walking distance of Petite France and the Christmas Markets. Check availability and rates at BOMA Easy Living Hotel here.
• Hotel Le Chut: This hotel is located right in the middle of Petite France, one of the most picturesque areas of the city. Rates also seem to be a bit cheaper during the Christmas season compared to other Strasbourg hotels. Check availability and rates at Hotel Le Chut here.
• Hotel Cour du Corbeau Strasbourg: This hotel is just across the river from the Grand Île, but it’s a short walk to the Cathedral and the other main sights in Strasbourg. The hotel also claims to be one of the oldest in Europe, and it’s the #1 top-rated Strasbourg hotel on TripAdvisor. Check availability and rates at Hotel Cour du Corbeau here.

The #1 Thing to Do in Strasbourg for Christmas: Explore the Christmas Markets!

Strasbourg is home to 13 Christmas Markets, or Marchés de Noël.

You’ll find them nearly around every corner on the Grande Île, and the fragrance of vin chaud (mulled wine) and delicious market treats can be smelled all around.

Being the Capital of Christmas, you know that Strasbourg does its Christmas Markets right!

Strasbourg’s Christmas markets are some of the best in all of Europe. They’re also some of the oldest, dating all the way back to 1570.

Many of the Strasbourg Christmas Markets are more traditional, where you can find the classic wooden stalls selling Christmas decor, mulled wine, and delicious food against festive backdrops of Christmas trees and the magnificent Strasbourg Cathedral.

Other markets have a unique theme. One market is dedicated to selling locally produced Alsatian food. Another unique market is the International Guest Market, which is hosted by a different visiting country each year.

In 2023, the market stalls open at 2:00 PM on November 24. After the 24th, the markets will be open each day from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, except on December 24 (Christmas Eve), when they close at 6:00 PM.

Below, you’ll find information on each of Strasbourg’s 13 Christmas Markets.

If you’re short on time in Strasbourg, use this info to prioritize which markets you want to visit. If you’re able, I recommend visiting as many as you can (or all of them)!

Strasbourg Christmas Markets: Know Before You Go

• Strasbourg’s Christmas Markets are spread across the entire city. Each year, the city releases an official map of all of the Christmas markets. Most hotels will also have physical brochures featuring the map – make sure to ask during check-in.
• Looking for mulled wine? It’s called vin chaud. Christmas markets have tons of stalls selling the warm, delicious holiday beverage, which translates literally to “hot wine.” Vin chaud tends to be a bit less sweet than the glühwein that you find at German Christmas markets.
• Don’t expect the cute Christmas mugs! If you’ve ever been to a German Christmas Market, you’ve probably seen mulled wine, hot chocolate, and other beverages served in cute, ceramic mugs. In Strasbourg, they use (sturdy) plastic cups instead. They work the same way as the mugs – return your cup to get a Euro or two back, or keep it as a cheap souvenir.
• Don’t want your reusable cup? Consider donating it! Around the markets, you’ll find marked bins where you can place your reusable plastic cup. You’ll forego getting your Euro deposit back, but each cup placed in these bins equals a €1 charitable donation.
• Overwhelmed with choice? Consider taking a guided Christmas Market tour. With 13 markets to choose from, it can be overwhelming deciding which ones to visit, especially if you’re limited on time in Strasbourg. Consider taking a guided tour of the Strasbourg Christmas Markets, where you’ll be led around by a local to all the best markets.

1. Place Kléber Christmas Market – Home to the Great Christmas Tree of Strasbourg

Out of all the Christmas Markets in Strasbourg, the one at Place Kléber is one of my favorites.

More than 100 market stalls cover the large square, making it the largest of the 13 markets in Strasbourg.

The real star of this Christmas market? The centerpiece Christmas Tree, which serves as one of the major symbols of Christmas in Strasbourg.

The nearly 100-foot-tall tree towers over the surrounding market stalls. The smells of vin chaud drifting through the air, the sounds of market-goers shopping, eating, and socializing, and the sight of the beautiful Christmas tree surrounded by the lit-up stalls make for a magical Christmas market experience.

Place Kléber’s Christmas Market is even home to Strasbourg’s ice skating rink. There aren’t many better holiday activities than ice skating with the view of the market and Christmas tree!

In addition to the traditional Christmas market activities, the market at Place Kléber is home to The Village of Sharing – a group of stalls with a focus on charity and community spirit.

Place Kléber is also home to Star Soup. Each year, Michelin-starred chefs from around Alsace prepare soups that are sold at a stall near the Christmas tree, with sales benefiting a local charity called Humanis Collective.

In 2023, four different soups will be served:

• Pumpkin Velouté with Parmesan by Chef Pascal Bastian from Auberge du Cheval Blanc in Lembach
• Mushroom Velouté with Riesling and Spiced Croutons by Chef Alexis Albrech from Au Vieux Couvent in Rhinau
• Cream of Carrot Soup with Red Curry and Coconut Milk by Chef Romain Creutzmeyer from Le Colbert in Strasbourg
• Cream of Split Pea Soup with Cocoa Butter by Chef David Degoursey from de:ja in Strasbourg

Click here to learn more about 2023’s Star Soup features (the website is in French, but most web browsers can translate).

2. Place de la Cathédrale Christmas Market

One of the most popular Strasbourg Christmas Markets is located around Strasbourg Cathedral.

It’s easy to see why this one is the most popular. The market is also one of the most beautiful, with the market stalls set against the backdrop of the striking Strasbourg Cathedral.

At this market, you can find traditional Christmas Market wares and snacks, like Christmas ornaments and decorations, bredele (basically the Alsatian version of Christmas cookies), mulled wine, and more.

This is also one of the only Strasbourg Christmas Markets that serves vin chaud in traditional ceramic mugs rather than the plastic cups found at most of the other markets.

As you’re heading to the Cathedral, make sure to walk along Rue Mercier to see the beautiful decorations with the Cathedral in the background.

3. Chrìstkìndelsmärik at Place Broglie

The Chrìstkìndelsmärik (Christ Child Market), located in front of the Strasbourg Hotel de Ville (City Hall) at Place Broglie, is one of the most traditional Christmas Markets in Strasbourg.

It’s also the oldest of the city’s markets, beginning in 1871.

The entrance to the market is marked by the lit-up Chrìstkìndelsmärik arch, which makes for a great photo spot.

The City Hall, illuminated in festive Christmas lights, serves as a centerpiece of the market.

This market is a great place to sample some of the favorite Alsatian Christmas foods like tarte flambée (similar to a flatbread pizza with cheese, bacon, and onions).

It’s also great for purchasing decorations made by local craftsmen and other locally-made products like honey and candles.

In addition to the market stalls, you can also find an exhibition dedicated to the history of Christmas markets in Strasbourg as well photos with Santa Claus (with proceeds from the photos going to charity).

4. Place du Château

Head to Place du Château, or Castle Square, for a Strasbourg Christmas Market that looks like something straight out of the pages of a fairy tale.

One of Strasbourg’s prettiest Christmas Markets can be found in Place du Château. The square is between the Strasbourg Cathedral and Palais Rohan, which houses some of Strasbourg’s top museums.

In Place du Château, the market chalets are surrounded by the square’s charming half-timbered houses, which are decorated to fit the season.

The area is home to some of the cutest decorations in town – you’ll find adorable teddy bears and festive wreaths on most of the houses.

5. Marche OFF at Place Grimmeissen

Looking for a bit of a different Christmas Market experience? Head to Marche OFF, a sustainable Christmas Market held yearly at Place Grimmeissen.

At Marche OFF, more than 30 local businesses come together to host a more sustainable Christmas Market.

Instead of the regular Christmas Market wares, you’ll find things like local food products, secondhand antiques, and crafts made by local artisans.

There are also workshops where you can learn how to make various household products and learn more about the themes of Marche OFF, like the protection of nature and fair trade.

You can find the full program, including a schedule of the various workshops, on the official Marche OFF website.

6. Quai des Délices: Palais Rohan Terrace

For some of the best Strasbourg Christmas Market food, head to the terrace of Palais Rohan for the Quai des Délices, or the Alsatian Delicacies Market.

The Quai des Délices is kind of a double-market, as part of it is on the Palais Rohan patio and the other part is next door at Place du Marché-aux-Poissons.

On the Palais Rohan terrace, you can sample different Alsatian wines as well as different Alsatian sweets, like bredele and gingerbread.

Don’t miss the great view of the Ill River from the terrace!

7. Quai des Délices: Place du Marché-aux-Poissons

The Alsatian Delicacies Market is continued next door to Palais Rohan at Place du Marché-aux-Poissons, or Fish Market Square.

Similar to the market on the Palais Rohan terrace, you’ll find stalls with local food, wine, and beer.

There are also cooking and tasting workshops here, primarily offered for children.

The square is located on the banks of the Ill, so you’ll get great views of the river and the bridges over it.

8. The Carré d’Or Market at Place du Temple-Neuf

This smaller market is held in front of Temple-Neuf, a 19th-century Lutheran church.

The market might be small, but it packs a punch. The stalls sell a wide arrangement of delicious sweet and savory treats, jewelry, candles, and Christmas baubles.

Many of the things sold here are higher quality than what you’ll find at some of the other markets.

The market and the area surrounding it are also home to some of the best decorations. Don’t miss a stroll down the nearby Rue des Orfèvres, a picturesque street adorned with Christmas lights.

9. Petite France Christmas Market at Place Benjamin-Zix

There are two Christmas Markets in Petite France, with one at Place Benjamin-Zix.

In the postcard-worthy district of La Petite France, Place Benjamin-Zix’s Christmas market is nestled among half-timbered houses.

This market draws those looking for a quaint and picturesque setting.

The offerings here are as delightful as the surroundings, with artisans specializing in traditional crafts that make for memorable gifts and keepsakes.

10. Place Saint-Thomas Christmas Market (La Petite France)

The second of La Petite France’s two Christmas markets is at Place Saint-Thomas.

The market chalets are located beside Saint Thomas’ Church, a Gothic-style Lutheran Church that’s sometimes called the “Protestant Cathedral.”

The Christmas Market at Place Saint-Thomas features many of the same treasures that you can find at Place Benjamin-Zix, with the addition of more food and drinks.

11. The International Guest Christmas Market at Place Gutenberg

If you want a truly unique Christmas Market experience, head to Place Gutenberg, a square near the Cathedral.

Place Gutenberg is home to one of Strasbourg’s coolest Christmas Markets: The International Guest Christmas Market.

Each year, a different country is featured at this Christmas Market. Stalls representing the guest country feature traditional cuisine, crafts, and other specialty items that are unique to that country.

This is a great place to go for some delicious food, especially if you’re getting tired of the Alsatian dishes found at most of the other markets.

Here, you’ll also find the Vitrines de Strasbourg blue tree, illuminated in blue Christmas lights.

When I visited Strasbourg in 2021, Germany was the featured guest country.

12. Rue des Hallebards

The Christmas Market on Rue des Hallebards is the smallest in Strasbourg. In fact, there’s only a single stall!

But the draw to this street isn’t the Christmas Market – it’s the decorations!

The Strasbourg Baccarat store is located on Rue des Hallebards, and overhead, you’ll find sparkling Baccarat crystal chandeliers enclosed in glass boxes.

The chandeliers are here year-round, but they’re especially beautiful at Christmastime with the addition of the other light displays on the street.

13. The Advent Village at Square Louis-Weiss

The last of the Strasbourg Christmas Markets on this list is the Advent Village, held each year at Square Louis-Weiss.

The Advent Village isn’t really a traditional Christmas Market. Instead, the square is transformed into a Chrismas Wonderland, complete with entertaining shows, interactive workshops, and festive decor.

Here, the fun doesn’t end on Christmas Day. After Christmas, the Advent Village turns into the After-Christmas Village, with workshops and shows to get you ready for the New Year.

Strasbourg for Christmas: Final Thoughts

As you can see, there aren’t many better Christmas destinations than Strasbourg, France.

The Capital of Christmas shines during the holiday season, with Christmas markets, festive foods, and twinkling lights galore.

If you’re looking for the perfect place for a holiday getaway this year, you really can’t go wrong with Strasbourg. It’s easy to get to, there are so many things to do, and the city has some of the best Christmas markets in the region.

It’s also easy to include in a longer European itinerary – you can fly into Paris and visit Strasbourg after a few days of exploring the City of Light.

Looking for more Christmas magic? Don’t miss this guide to some of Europe’s best Christmas markets!