Colmar Christmas market, France
Colmar Christmas Market ©amiclub
Colmar and Strasbourg welcome each year some of the most beautiful and famous Christmas markets in Alsace. For Christmas break, Colmar is a top location to visit in eastern France. From Paris, it takes 2h30 by train to reach Colmar train station. 2nd in the ranking of the best Christmas markets in Europe in 2017, this market is divided into 5 different markets. You will find several addresses in different districts of the center of Colmar. These markets sparkle the entire city and give it a magical atmosphere where lights and Christmas decorations adorn the streets and windows of Colmar. More than 180 exhibitors, artisans and local producers await you in traditional small wooden houses where you can find many regional specialties and handicrafts.
The Christmas market in Colmar starts on November 23 and ends on December 30, 2018.
The market hours are the following: Monday to Thursday from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. November 23, opening at 2:00 pm, December 24 closing at 5:00 pm, December 25 opening from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm and December 26 regular opening hours.
Colmar is also famous for its production of Alsatian wines. Take the opportunity to visit wineries where you can learn more about the specificities of Alsace wines and also participate in guided tours.
Discover below our suggestions to discover what to do and see during the Colmar Christmas market for a weekend or a longer stay.
Go directly to the section of your choice: Place des Républicains Market, Place Jeanne d’Arc Market, Place de l’Ancienne Douane Market, Koïfhus Indoor Craft Market, Little Venice and the Children Christmas Market, Vineyard close to Colmar
PLACE DES DOMINICAINS MARKET
Stroll through the alleys where sixty small chalets are gathered and dominated by the elegant Dominican church with stained glass windows and illuminated works of art. You will find in this market Christmas trees and all kinds of decorations for your tree, table or for your home.
On Rapp square, located 5 minutes’ walk from the Dominicains square, you can enjoy the joys of skiing on the 800 m² of ice rink where many activities are offered during the Christmas period.
Christmas Market, Place des Dominicains, Colmar ©Office de Tourisme de Colmar
PLACE JEANNE D’ARC MARKET
Discover here a market dedicated to local products where you can taste Alsatian specialties, duck foie gras, delicatessen, wines, eaux-de-vie, Christmas Bredalas, gingerbread … You can also admire traditional half-timbered houses mingled with classic style houses. You will learn more about the turbulent history of Alsace.
PLACE DE L’ANCIENNE DOUANE MARKET
View on Koifhus Building, place de l’Ancienne Douane, Colmar ©commons.wikimedia.org
KOÏFHUS INDOOR CRAFT MARKET
Sheltered from the cold, this covered market will allow you to stroll along the paths of this majestic medieval building. Twenty local artisans: ceramists, cabinetmakers, wood carvers, potters, master glassmakers, jewelers… will exhibit their creations.
On the first floor, the toy museum will please both young and old. You will discover many magical installations and explore the room of the decapole which shelters old books and jewels.
Toy Museum, Koïfhus indoor craft market, Colmar ©noel-colmar.com
LITTLE VENICE, CHILDREN CHRISTMAS MARKET
The Little Venice, one of the most beautiful districts of Colmar bordered by the Lauch River, turns into Christmas paradise for children. They will marvel at rabbits, sheep, mechanical crib, wooden rides and treats … But they can mostly post their mail in the giant mailbox of Santa Claus!
Also, every Wednesday and Saturday at 5pm, you can watch charming illuminated boats along the Little Venice canal on which children’s choirs will sing traditional Christmas carols.
Children’s choirs, Little Venice, Colmar © noel.tourisme-alsace.com
VINEYARD AROUND COLMAR
Enjoy being in Colmar to meet the Alsatian winemakers in the surroundings of Colmar. They will be pleased to explain the characteristics of the local grape varieties and will help you taste their wines.
Wineries close to Colmar
20 minutes north of Colmar, in Ammerschwihr, Jean-Baptiste Adam winery produces biodynamic wines and offers free tours where you can enjoy a self-guided visit of their 19th century old cellars with century-old oak casks. During the Christmas period, you can buy gift boxes of food and wine pairings with local products.
Gift boxes, domaine Jean Baptiste Adam
15 minutes south of Colmar by car, in the heart of the famous village of Eguisheim, you can discover the Emile Beyer winery, located in a former hotel of the 17th century. The owners will be delighted to welcome you for a free tasting tour or for a meal in a typical Alsatian inn.
Domaine Emile Beyer, Eguisheim
Still in the center of Eguisheim, the winemakers Jean Louis and Fabienne Mann welcome you for a commented tasting focused on organic viticulture that they are practicing for over 10 years. They will also explain the influence that a variety can have on the wine during a tasting of two Grands Crus wines that they produce: Pfersigberg and Eichberg.
Domaine Jean Louis et Fabienne Mann, Eguisheim
20 minutes from Colmar by car, we advise the visit of the Kuentz-Bas winery, located in a charming Alsatian half-timbered house. This winery also offers free tasting tours during which you will visit a cellar with hundred-year-old casts. You will also taste authentic wines of an excellent value for money.
Domaine Kuentz-Bas, Husseren-les-Châteaux
Last but not least, in the village of Pfaffenheim, located at also 20 minutes by car from Colmar, the Rieflé Landmann winery will allow you to discover the Alsatian vineyard from a completely different angle since the owners will approach various themes such as the influence of mythologies and religions on the Alsatian vineyard by drawing a parallel between the winemaking cycle and human life.
Domaine Rieflé Landmann, Pfaffenheim
We wish you a pleasant discovery of Colmar Christmas market!
