Marché de Noël de Mulhouse – The Christmas fabric

Updated on 2026-07-13
march-noel-mulhouse

The Mulhouse Christmas market, known as “Les Étoffées,” isn’t the best-known one in Alsace, but it’s still worth mentioning: it’s a market I really love. In this article, I’ll share the 2026 dates, my tips, and my favorite spots so you can enjoy it like a local!

Laurène Philippot
Laurène is the blog's creator. Originally from Brittany but now living in Alsace, she has fallen in love with her adopted region and loves exploring its every nook and cranny to unearth great ideas to share with you!

My summary

  • Place de la Réunion, a beautiful setting for the Christmas market right in the heart of downtown
  • The Christmas fabric and the great stores
  • Intimate atmosphere
  • Mulhouse is not as decorated as some other cities in Alsace

When is the Mulhouse Christmas Market in 2026? Dates and times

When does the Mulhouse Christmas market start?

The Mulhouse Christmas Market will take place from Friday, November 20, to Sunday, December 27, 2026, except for December 25.

What are the days and hours of operation?

In previous years, the Mulhouse Christmas market was open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., on Fridays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with reduced hours on December 24, 26, and 27.

⚠️ Good to know: The detailed schedule for the 2026 edition had not yet been officially released at the time this article was written. I recommend checking the daily schedule on the official website before your visit.

Mulhouse Christmas Fabric: A Unique Textile Tradition in Alsace

Mulhouse may not have the charm and fame of some of its neighbors, but it has other attractions! One of them isthe Christmas fabric created each year, which decorates all the market stalls during Advent.

The textile industry is truly part of the city’s DNA, and this tradition has become a wonderful way to pay tribute to it. Every year since 2000, a call for submissions is issued, and then a fabric designed by a creator is selected and printed locally. This always generates a lot of excitement when the fabric of the year is unveiled—the people of Mulhouse eagerly await it!

In addition to decorating the facades, pedestrian streets, and chalets at the Mulhouse Christmas market —and giving it that unique atmosphere—the Christmas fabric is also sold by the meter and used to make lovely items that can be found at the fabric shop. I’m in awe of it every year: the Christmas fabric is always gorgeous.

What to Do in Mulhouse at Christmas? Don’t Miss These

The Mulhouse Christmas market is smaller than the Colmar Christmas market or the Strasbourg Christmas market, but I have to say that’s also why I like it.

The atmosphere there is quite intimate: you’ll see just as many locals as tourists, and it’s common for Mulhouse residents to stroll among the chalets, buy a few handmade items, and then stop for a glass of mulled wine with friends. I rank it among the most beautiful Christmas markets in Alsace!

The Mulhouse Christmas market is set up on Place de la Réunion, the city’s beautiful main square. Look up to admire the building facades—they’re well worth a look. From the square, the market extends all the way around the Temple Saint-Étienne, as well as onto Place des Victoires and Rue des Cordiers. The chalets on Rue des Cordiers are particularly focused on food.

For adults

My favorite part of the Mulhouse Christmas market is the Christmas shops, where you can find some really lovely items—perfect for bringing back a little souvenir from Alsace or as a gift.

  • La boutique des Étoffes. This is where you can find Christmas fabric: it’s sold by the meter, but there are also many items made from this fabric (tablecloths, napkins, table linens, Christmas tree decorations, jewelry, and more). The shop also offers plenty of lovely Alsatian items crafted by local designers, as well as a beautiful display of clothing made from Christmas fabric.
  • The gift shop at the Museum of Textile Printing. The museum is a bit off the beaten path from the Christmas market (it’s near the train station), but you’ll find some really lovely items there: lots of textiles, of course, but also a variety of decorative items.
  • The Museum Shop, which I’ll tell you about below.

For children and families

  • The 33-meter-tall Ferris wheel on Place de la Réunion is definitely worth a ride. It’s a fun experience, and the view of the Christmas market is quite breathtaking! I especially recommend it at night, when the market is all lit up.
  • The Christmas Chalet. Located on Place de la Réunion, this large wooden chalet hosts a variety of activities: hands-on workshops for making Christmas ornaments, candle holders, and bredalas (traditional Christmas cookies)…
  • The skating rink. Located on Cour des Maréchaux, the ice rink isn’t very big, but it’s still a great source of fun for the little ones!
  • The Museum Shop. This shop features a variety of items from the gift shops of museums in the Mulhouse region. The decor is beautiful (photos of Alsace have been printed on fabric— it looks great), and you’ll find plenty of fun little items for kids (like toy cars from the Cité de l’Automobile) as well as for adults (fabrics fromthe Textile Ecomuseum, jams fromthe Alsace Ecomuseum…).

My good addresses for Christmas in Mulhouse

The best mulled wine on the Mulhouse market

After conducting a survey of lifelong Mulhouse residents and carrying out an essential tasting, the top prize goes to the mulled wine at the Chez Mathilde chalet. It’s delicious! For those who don’t like mulled wine, I hear their hot chocolate is just as good. The gingerbread is excellent, too!

The best warm break

If you’ve ever been to a Christmas market, you know that there always comes a time when you start to feel cold (yes, despite the down jacket, scarf, hat and gloves).

Instead of drinking liters of mulled wine to try to warm up or to shorten your visit, I suggest you take a little break at the café Le temps d’une pause (which is aptly named), ideally located at 3 minutes walk from the market.

It’s one of my favorite spots in Mulhouse. You can enjoy tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and homemade pastries in a cozy setting—whether sitting at a table or lounging on a comfortable sofa. As an added bonus, there’s even free Wi-Fi… You can take advantage of it to post your photos of the Christmas market on social media!

How do I get to the Mulhouse Christmas Market?

By car

The Christmas market is located in downtown Mulhouse. Mulhouse is located in:

  • 45 km from Colmar (about 40 minutes)
  • 117 km from Strasbourg (about 1h25)

By public transport

The center of Mulhouse can be reached in 10/15 minutes on foot from the station. There are also streetcars. You can watch your route on Fluo.

You can also find all the practical information about the Mulhouse Christmas market (detailed hours, map, parking, etc.) on the official website.

FAQ: Your Questions About the Mulhouse Christmas Market

When is the Mulhouse Christmas Market in 2026?

The Mulhouse Christmas Market will be held from Friday, November 20, to Sunday, December 27, 2026, except on December 25, when it will be closed.

What is Mulhouse Christmas fabric?

This fabric has been created every year since 2000 by a designer, printed locally, and used to decorate the chalets, building facades, and pedestrian streets around the market. It is also sold by the meter and made into various items (tablecloths, decorations, jewelry) at the Étoffes boutique.

Is there an admission fee for the Mulhouse Christmas market?

No, admission to the Mulhouse Christmas market is completely free. Only the additional activities, such as a ride on the Ferris wheel or admission to the ice rink, require a fee.

The Mulhouse or Colmar Christmas Market: Which One Should You Choose?

The two are very different. Colmar offers more spectacular scenery and several themed markets, but it gets very crowded on weekends. Mulhouse has a more intimate atmosphere, is less crowded with tourists, and stands out for its Christmas fabric, which is unique to Alsace.

How can you get to the Mulhouse Christmas market without a car?

Mulhouse’s downtown area is easily accessible on foot from the train station (10 to 15 minutes) or by tram. This is one of the most convenient options for avoiding parking, which is often limited in downtown during the Advent season.

Now you’re all set to experience the cozy atmosphere of the Mulhouse Christmas market! To compare it with other hidden gems in the region, check out my guide to the 20 most beautiful Christmas markets in Alsace.