Colmar Christmas Market 2026: My Tips and Favorite Spots as a Local

My summary

📅 Dates & Hours of Operation for 2026

To help you plan your Advent stay in 2026, here’s what you need to know:

• The Colmar Christmas Market will be open from Monday, November 23, 2026, through Tuesday, December 29, 2026.
• Hours:
  • Monday through Thursday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Friday through Sunday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Special Hours:
  • Wednesday, December 24: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, December 25: 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • Friday, December 26: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

🎡 Extended Hours: The Marché Gourmand (rue de la Montagne Verte), the Ferris wheel, and the activities at Place Rapp will remain open through January 3, 2027 (from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily; early closing at 5 p.m. on December 31).

🎄 The Magic of Advent in Colmar: Decorations and Lights

It must be said that Colmar is a beautiful city in every season: colorful half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets, small canals winding through the city… It’s like a real postcard, made even more beautiful by the magical Christmas lights, especially at nightfall! As the end of November approaches, the city is adorned with even more lovely decorations and lights. The entire downtown is in a festive mood during Advent, and the atmosphere becomes simply magical when the chalets housing the Christmas market stalls open their doors and the delightful scent of gingerbread, Christmas treats, and mulled wine fills the air… What’s more, you’ll generally find high-quality products there.

Be, beyond the markets themselves, it’s the city’s warm atmosphere that you’enjoy when visiting Colmar during the holiday season. The city’s lights and decorations are incredible: look up and admire every detail of the decorations on the facades and windows of the houses, take in the lavishly decorated Christmas trees, and explore the decorations in the various Christmas villages and along the famous Rue des Tanneurs… It’s magical!

The Christmas market in Colmar is very successful. If you can, I advise you to come during the week. Friday to Sunday are very busy, but the week is much quieter and you will enjoy it much more.

🗺️ Which Christmas market should you visit in Colmar?

There are six different Christmas markets in Colmar. Don’t worry—it’s easy to walk from one market to the next, so you can visit them all in a single day! Here are the locations of the markets and what makes each one special:

• Place des Dominicains Market: A historic atmosphere at the foot of the church—the quintessential traditional market.
• Place de l’Ancienne Douane Market: A magnificent space that stretches out around the Schwendi Fountain.
• Koïfhus Indoor Market: Located in the former customs house, it is entirely dedicated to the region’s arts and crafts (master glassblowers, painters, woodcarvers, etc.).
• Petite Venise Christmas Market (Place des Six Montagnes Noires): This market is especially geared toward children (but not exclusively!). For example, you’ll find rides, a few animals (sheep, rabbits, and chickens), and Santa’s mailbox.
• Place Jeanne d’Arc Christmas Market: The Gourmet Corner, which focuses primarily on fine dining and local products.
• Marché Gourmand (Rue de la Montagne Verte): The perfect spot to sit down and enjoy a variety of Alsatian specialties prepared right before your eyes.

In addition to these six markets, you can enjoy the Ferris wheel (located on Rue des Chasseurs) and also Place Rapp, which hosts several attractions, such as a merry-go-round for children and even a carousel bar (for those who want to have a drink on a merry-go-round!).

🌟 Must-try experiences during your weekend

🍷 For adults

• The Carrousel-Bar: A brilliant concept on Rapp Square where you can enjoy a Christmas beer or mulled wine on a real carousel that spins gently (my only regret is that we’re not riding horses but “just” at the bar 😉 )
• The Dominicans Exhibition: Take the time to step inside the magnificent Dominicans Church to admire selected works by some twenty exceptional artisans (admission: 1€).
• The Sound and Light Show at Unterlinden: The magnificent cloister of the Unterlinden Museum features magical projections in the late afternoon.

🎶 For young and old alike

• The Ferris Wheel: Perfect for rising above the rooftops and treating yourself to an exceptional panoramic view of the sparkling city.
• Children Sing Christmas Carols on the Boats: A magical, timeless moment when children’s choirs perform Christmas carols aboard flat-bottomed boats gliding along the canals of Little Venice.

🎄 Christmas Magic for Kids

• The carousel at Place Rapp.
• The small exhibition at the Toy Museum on the first floor of the Koïfhus.
• The Petite Venise Market: All children who drop a letter into the giant mailbox will receive a reply, and those selected in a drawing will even get a gift!

📍 My Favorite Local Spots in Colmar

☕ The Best Mulled Wines on the Market

After some intense testing sessions (for science, of course!), here are my two favorite booths:

• For white wine: Head over to Chez Alex at the children’s market. Their white wine is delicious, as is their spiced hot apple juice.
• For Red Wine: Stop by the Domaine Martin Jund chalet on Place Jeanne d’Arc. They serve organic, local mulled red wine, produced right here in Colmar!

🍰 Where can you stop for a tasty treat?

• Morning Kouglof: If you want to bring home a fresh-out-of-the-oven kouglof for breakfast, stop by the L’Enfariné bakery right under the Colmar Covered Market.
• Warm Up at a Tea Room: To avoid getting frozen to the bone, a break in a warm place is a must. Check out my selection of the best tea rooms in Colmar for a hot chocolate or a well-deserved pastry.

🏨 Hotels & Restaurants: Plan Ahead!

• Where to Stay: Rooms go fast as soon as summer ends. To find your cozy spot, check out my guide to the best hotels in Colmar.
• Dining: Many winstubs don’t take reservations on weekends in December. To make a reservation on a weekday or discover my go-to spots, read my article on my favorite restaurants in Colmar.

🚗 Practical Information: Transportation and Parking

Colmar’s historic center is completely pedestrianized during the holidays, and driving there is a real challenge. Here’s how I recommend you get there:

• By Public Transportation (Highly Recommended): The Colmar train station is located just a 10- to 15-minute walk from the first Christmas market. It has excellent connections to Mulhouse (40 min) and Strasbourg (1 hr) via the TER trains.
• Christmas Shuttles: If you’re staying in Colmar and want to visit the nearby villages (Kaysersberg, Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé, Eguisheim), take advantage of the special Christmas Shuttle routes.
• By Car (Park-and-Ride Lots): Do not try to park in the city center. Follow the signs to the Park-and-Ride (P+R) lot at the Parc des Expositions or the train station. You can park your car there for free, and shuttle buses will take you directly to the heart of the festivities without any stress. You’ll find all the practical information here.

FAQ – My Answers to Your Questions