Visiting the Colmar Christmas Markets had been on my festive bucket list for years, especially because Colmar sits in Alsace, the French region often credited with inspiring Disney's Beauty and the Beast.
The moment I arrived, I understood why.
Colourful timber-framed houses, canals, cobbled streets and medieval buildings create a setting that already feels magical before the Christmas decorations even appear. Add festive lights, Christmas trees and market stalls and it quickly becomes one of the most beautiful Christmas destinations I've visited in Europe.
I visited Colmar as part of a solo trip around the Alsace region and this guide combines my honest experience with everything you need to know before visiting.
Whether you're looking for Colmar Christmas Market dates, a Colmar Christmas Market map, information about the different markets or simply wondering if the Colmar Christmas Markets are worth visiting, you'll find it all here.
The map above is from the official 2025 Colmar Christmas Markets guide and gives a good indication of the market layout and locations. Whilst the 2026 version hasn't yet been released, the markets generally remain in the same areas each year.
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Colmar was one of those places that looked exactly how I'd imagined it would, yet somehow still managed to exceed my expectations.
One thing that immediately surprised me was how easy it was to get there. The walk from Colmar station to the Christmas markets takes around 10 minutes on mostly flat streets, and everything is clearly signposted. Even with my questionable sense of direction, I had no trouble finding my way.
The first area you'll come across is Parc du Champ-de-Mars and Place Rapp. It's not technically one of the main Christmas markets, but it quickly became one of my favourite parts of the town.
Instead of traditional market stalls, you'll find festive photo opportunities, children's rides, food stands and plenty of Christmas decorations. There are giant "COLMAR" letters, festive displays, a huge Christmas tree and the famous Carrousel Bar.
The Carrousel Bar was probably my favourite surprise. It's exactly what it sounds like: a slowly rotating carousel serving drinks. Completely unnecessary, slightly quirky and something I couldn't resist trying.
One thing Colmar does exceptionally well is festive food.
After a couple of hours wandering around in the cold, it was impossible to ignore the smell coming from some of the food stalls. At Place Rapp, I followed my nose to a stand selling Bretzels, the soft, warm Alsatian pretzels that seem to be everywhere during Christmas market season. At €4.50, they were one of the cheaper things I bought and genuinely one of my favourites.
The same stand was also serving Tarte Flambée, a traditional Alsatian speciality that's often compared to a pizza. It's topped with crème fraîche, onions and bacon on a thin, crispy base and makes the perfect winter comfort food.
Another highlight was the Carrousel Bar. Not only does it slowly rotate as you enjoy your drink, but it's also where I picked up one of the famous Colmar boot mugs.
I ordered a white wine, which was served in the souvenir mug and cost €11.50 including the drink. If you just want the mug, they were selling them separately for €7.
As far as I could tell, this was one of the best places to buy the boot mugs. If you collect Christmas market souvenirs, it's definitely worth stopping by before you leave.
Six. All within a short walk of each other.Â
Here’s a quick overview of each market, plus my impressions:Â
Traditional regional produce, Alsatian gifts, food, and the coziest vibe. Great for browsing local specialties.Â
One of the prettiest squares in town - think river, bridges, lights, and charming stalls wrapped around the fountain.Â
Inside a historic building, perfect if you’re frozen and need warmth. Mostly handmade crafts and artisanal pieces.Â
This is THE Instagram spot.Â
It’s the area you’ve probably seen online — storybook houses, canals, glowing decorations. Very busy, very beautiful.Â
Large square, beautiful church views, plenty of stalls.Â
Nine cabins serving food and drink, plus the Giant Ferris Wheel and extended evening hours. Lots happening here including more rides for children.Â
Everything felt walkable, manageable and beautifully linked, which is a huge part of Colmar’s charm.Â
The Colmar Christmas Markets will run from 23 November to 29 December 2026.
With six Christmas markets spread throughout the historic centre, Colmar transforms into one of the most festive destinations in France during the Christmas season. The markets are all within easy walking distance of each other, making it easy to explore them in a single day.
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Monday to Thursday
11:00am – 7:00pm
Friday to Sunday
10:00am – 8:00pm
Christmas Eve (24 December)
11:00am – 5:00pm
Christmas Day (25 December)
10:00am – 7:00pm
26 December
10:00am – 8:00pm
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One thing that makes Colmar slightly different from some other Christmas market destinations is that parts of the festivities continue after Christmas Day.
The Ferris Wheel, Christmas Fair at Place Rapp and Gourmet Market remain open until 3 January 2027, making Colmar a great option if you're planning a festive break between Christmas and New Year.
Opening hours are:
Daily
11:00am – 10:00pm
New Year's Eve (31 December)
11:00am – 5:00pm
I found Colmar incredibly easy to reach by train.
Many visitors combine Colmar with Strasbourg or use it as part of a wider Alsace Christmas market trip.
One piece of advice I'd definitely give is not to waste money on first class.
Neither first nor second class guarantees a seat on these regional trains and both journeys I took were extremely busy.
If you're travelling during the Christmas market season, arrive early. The trains often arrive around 20 minutes before departure, giving you a better chance of getting a seat.
I'd also recommend buying tickets well in advance. During my visit there were periods where travellers struggled to buy tickets at the station due to demand.
If your main priority is experiencing the Christmas markets, staying in Colmar definitely has its advantages.
The biggest benefit is being able to enjoy the markets early in the morning and later in the evening when many day-trippers have left.
The downside is that accommodation can be expensive and sells out quickly.
I personally visited Colmar as a day trip, but if I returned specifically for the Christmas markets, I'd be very tempted to stay overnight.
If you’re wondering when is the best time to visit the Colmar Christmas Markets, the honest answer is: as early in the day as possible and ideally mid-week.Â
The markets open at 11am Monday–Thursday and 10am Friday–Sunday, and if you can be there right at opening, you’ll experience the most relaxed version of Colmar you’ll get all day. Stalls are fully stocked, you can snap those picture-perfect shots without crowds in the background, and you won’t feel like you’re swimming upriver through people.Â
From opening until around 3pm, it’s still pleasant, especially mid-week. You can browse at your own pace, grab a hot drink without queueing, and wander the old town in peace. This window is also when many travellers say they got their best photos, because there’s still daylight but the surrounding streets feel calm.Â
As darkness falls, the crowds increase rapidly as everyone arrives to see the Christmas lights and capture those postcard-perfect photos.
For me by around 5.30pm it became unbearable even though it was only a Monday night. For reference it went dark around 4pm.
If you want to enjoy the evening lights, aim to wander just after sunset, then retreat to a cosy restaurant before the crush builds.
Weekends in Colmar are exceptionally busy all day long. Some travellers report they couldn’t even get close enough to the stalls to see what was being sold. If your schedule allows it, avoid Friday to Sundays entirely.Â
If you want to experience the Colmar Christmas Markets with smaller crowds, I'd recommend visiting midweek and arriving as close to opening time as possible. In my experience, Tuesday to Thursday mornings through to around 3pm offer the best balance of festive atmosphere, manageable crowds and the chance to browse the stalls without feeling rushed.
Yes, Colmar is gorgeous - but the surrounding villages are equally magical, less crowded, and often more traditional.Â
You can visit them via the Colmar Christmas Shuttle, which runs to:Â
Some travellers even claim Kaysersberg and Riquewihr are better than Colmar; they’re just a little harder to reach unless you use the shuttle. If I’d had more time, this is where I would’ve spent an extra day.Â
Most visitors choose either:
I personally flew into Basel because flights were significantly cheaper and there were more options available from the UK. The train journey to Colmar was straightforward, making it a good alternative to flying directly into Strasbourg.
If you're considering using Basel as a base for exploring the Alsace region, read my guide to using Basel as a base for France, Germany and Switzerland.
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If I could only visit one Christmas market destination in the Alsace region, Colmar would probably be my choice.
Yes, it's busy.
Yes, it can feel crowded once darkness falls.
But it's also one of the most beautiful Christmas destinations I've visited.
Between the colourful houses, canals, festive decorations and six walkable Christmas markets, Colmar genuinely feels like stepping into a Christmas card.
For me, it completely lived up to the hype.
If Christmas markets are your thing, I think the Colmar Christmas Markets deserve a place on your festive travel bucket list.
Strasbourg Christmas Markets Guide
Basel as a Base for Switzerland, France and Germany
Montreux Christmas Market Guide
Tivoli Gardens Chirstmas Market Guide
2 Nights, 2 Countries: My Solo Christmas Markets Itinerary from Basel (coming soon)
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