Christmas in Alsace, the Land of Lights

by | Updated on 3/11/2023 | Christmas markets, Various Christmas activities | 0 comments

During the Christmas period, Alsace is divided into 7 “countries”, a division aiming at grouping the territories according to their Christmas traditions. The Land of Lights is located around Saverne, west of Strasbourg and north of Alsace. It includes the towns of Bouxwiller, Wasselonne, Marmoutier, la Petite Pierre and Hengwiller.

The Land of Lights is not the best known when it comes to Christmas markets in Alsace. However, I made some nice discoveries there! It may not be as magical as the most beautiful Christmas markets in Alsace such as Colmar or Kaysersberg (although I do rank Bouxwiller among the most beautiful!) but this area is also quieter, which is also pleasant.

Here, Christmas markets are rather small markets that usually last only one weekend. Some animations are also proposed during the whole Advent period.

Here is an article that will help you, I hope, to see a little more clearly on this corner of Alsace. I give you here some ideas of visits to the Land of Christmas Lights.

Christmas market in Bouxwiller

bouxwiller-marche-noel-alsace

The Christmas market of Bouxwiller is the largest in the Land of Lights. It takes place during a single weekend in December but attracts a huge number of people. If you shy away from crowds, this is not the one I would recommend. Otherwise, I highly recommend it. It is a very nice market, even if it is not the most known by tourists.

The Christmas market takes place in the streets of Bouxwiller, a lovely little town with beautiful half-timbered houses. On the stands, many local crafts and producers of the region. A nice authentic market!

I liked

  • Pretty village
  • Quality products
  • Numerous stands spread out in the city center

I liked less

  • Many people

Practical information

Dates and times

You will find here the dates and times of the Christmas market in Bouxwiller.

Access

By car

Please note that there are two cities named Bouxwiller. The one we are talking about is located in the Bas-Rhin (67) and is in:

  • 15 km from Saverne (about 20 minutes)
  • 40 km from Strasbourg (about 40 minutes)
  • 113 km from Colmar (about 1h20)
  • 162 km from Mulhouse (about 2 hours)
By public transport

You can watch on Fluo.

Winter wonderland in Saverne – Lighting up the city

noel-saverne

I was thrilled by the lighting of the city of Saverne during the Christmas period. The facades of the Grand Rue are all lit, offering a superb luminous perspective. It’s worth it to go and admire them!

Saverne on the other hand does not have a real Christmas market but only a few stands, which are not very good on the whole. It feels more like a carnival than a Christmas market in my opinion.

For the children, there is also a small synthetic ice rink in Saverne which should please them!

I liked

  • Superb lighting of the city
  • Small skating rink for children

I liked less

  • Stands of the small Christmas market

Practical information

Dates and times

Here you can find the dates and times of the Winter Fair in Saverne.

Access

By car

Saverne is located in:

  • 51 km from Strasbourg (about 45 minutes)
  • 87 km from Colmar (about 1h20)
  • 128 km from Mulhouse (about 1h40)
By public transport

You can watch on Fluo.

Springerle making workshop in La Petite Pierre

springerle-alsace

Do you know the springerle? These are traditional Alsatian aniseed cookies, which are decorated with a pattern in relief. They can be eaten but also used as decorations for the Christmas tree.

The Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions in La Petite Pierre is entirely dedicated to springerle. There are many old molds and patterns, which allows you to immerse yourself in this Alsatian tradition.

During the Advent season, the museum organizes springerle making workshops. We go there to watch them being made, to learn the secrets of their success, to taste them, to discuss with the museum’s volunteers… The atmosphere is very nice.

I liked

  • Discover an Alsatian tradition
  • Very nice workshop

I liked less

  • Nothing!

Practical information

Rates

Admission to the museum and workshop is free. However, you can help maintain the museum by making a small contribution.

Dates and times

Here you will find the dates and times of the museum and the workshop.

Access

By car

The address is: 11 rue des Remparts 67290 La Petite Pierre. La Petite Pierre is located in:

  • 22 km from Saverne (about 25 minutes)
  • 67 km from Strasbourg (about 55 minutes)
  • 110 km from Colmar (about 1h40)
  • 151 km from Mulhouse (about 2 hours)
By public transport

You can watch on Fluo.

The huge crib in Hengwiller

creche-hengwiller-alsace

The crib of Hengwiller is part of the path of the cribs of Noëlies. It is very impressive since it occupies more than half of the church of Hengwiller! It is made every year by a passionate inhabitant.

Put a little coin to liven it up and brighten it up, it’s worth a look! I think I re-run it about 4 times to take the time to admire the level of detail in the crib. Really nice!

I liked

  • Very impressive crib

I liked less

  • Nothing!

Practical information

Rates

Access to the crèche is free. You have to put a piece to make it come alive and light up.

Schedules

Read all about it here.

Access

By car

The address is as follows: Saint Joseph’s Church, rue de l’école, 67440 Hengwiller. Hengwiller is located in:

  • 12 km from Saverne (about 20 minutes)
  • 35 km from Strasbourg (about 40 minutes)
  • 82 km from Colmar (about 1h15)
  • 124 km from Mulhouse (about 1h35)
By public transport

You can watch on Fluo.

Christmas Market in Wasselonne – Christmas in the Castle

marche-noel-wasselonne

The Christmas market in Wasselonne is called Christmas in the Castle. The medieval theme is honored with several stands and animations.

You can for example attend a demonstration of stone cutting, making a horseshoe, a stained glass window… Many activities are also planned for children: pony rides, archery, donkeys and goats to observe and pet… Nice!

The Christmas market is of medium size: it is not huge but still has a number of stands. I was a little disappointed by these: some are really in the Christmas spirit but others not at all, which gives a little more atmosphere than Christmas market. It’s a shame.

I liked

  • Medieval animations
  • Not too many people, not very touristy

I liked less

  • Christmas market stalls of uneven quality

Practical information

Dates and times

Here you can find the dates and times of the Christmas market in Wasselonne.

Access

By car

Wasselonne is located in:

  • 18 km from Saverne (about 20 minutes)
  • 25 km from Strasbourg (about 30 minutes)
  • 72 km from Colmar (about 1 hour)
  • 114 km from Mulhouse (about 1h25)
By public transport

You can watch on Fluo.

Christmas market in Graufthal

marche-noel-graufthal

The Graufthal Christmas market is a very small Christmas market with a very local atmosphere. There are very few tourists on the horizon! If you’re avoiding the crowds and want to enjoy a mini-market in a pretty setting, you might like it.

Graufthal is indeed located in the heart of the beautiful nature of the Vosges du Nord Regional Nature Park. The village is famous for its ” Maisons des Rochers”, troglodyte houses. Even if they can’t be visited in December, it’s worth it to see them! Nestled in the rock, they are truly amazing.

I liked

  • The place: wonderful natural setting and troglodytic houses
  • Mini-market away from the crowd!

I liked less

  • So local that I kind of felt like someone was looking at me with surprise! 😉
  • Very small market

Practical information

Date

Date to come !

Access

By car

Graufthal is located in:

  • 16 km from Saverne (about 20 minutes)
  • 62 km from Strasbourg (about 50 minutes)
  • 104 km from Colmar (about 1h30)
  • 146 km from Mulhouse (about 1h50)
By public transport

This is not possible 🙁

Laurène

Laurène

Laurène est la créatrice du blog Mon week-end en Alsace. Bretonne installée en Alsace depuis 2014, elle est tombée amoureuse de sa région d'adoption au point de lui dédier un blog et d'acheter avec son mari une maison alsacienne dans un village du Kochersberg, près de Strasbourg. A pied, à vélo, sur ses chevaux ou au volant de sa voiture, elle aime partir explorer les moindres recoins de l'Alsace pour dénicher de bonnes adresses à partager sur le blog.

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