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Christmas in Strasbourg: 1–4 Day Hour-by-Hour Itineraries

Strasbourg has held a Christmas market since 1570, and in December the whole Grande Île turns into one. In one day: the cathedral, the astronomical clock, Petite France and the Christkindelsmärik in the evening lights; in two days, Colmar too, 32 minutes away by train; in three or four days, the Palais Rohan, a boat on the Ill and the Neustadt. Our routes are built around the market hours, the cathedral’s Sunday-morning services and the Vauban Dam terrace, which closes at 4 pm. There are two paces: relaxed and balanced–packed.

Plan with your own dates

Enter your arrival and departure; the route adapts to that day’s opening hours, markets and your flights.

Itineraries by length

What’s open on 24 December?

24 December is the markets’ last day; the city goes quiet in the late afternoon, and no stalls are open from 25 December. Our routes are built around this.

  • Strasbourg Christmas markets: 11 am–6 pm, the last day.
  • Colmar markets: Last year 11 am–5 pm; they’re open on 25 December too (until 29 December).
  • The cathedral: No closure is listed for 24 December (it’s closed on 25–26 December); the 2026 time of Christmas night Mass will be announced in December.
  • Museums: Palais Rohan: 10 am–1 pm and 2–4 pm. Colmar, Unterlinden: 9 am–4 pm.
  • Restaurants: Most serve a special menu in the evening; book in November.

When are the Christmas markets open?

MarketDatesHours
Strasbourg: Christkindelsmärik (Place Broglie)27 November – 24 DecemberDaily 11 am–9 pm; opens at 2 pm on 27 November, closes at 6 pm on 24 December
Strasbourg: the Cathedral and Place du Château27 November – 24 DecemberSame as the Christkindelsmärik
Strasbourg: Place Kléber (Grand Sapin)27 November – 24 DecemberSame as the Christkindelsmärik
Strasbourg: Petite France (Benjamin Zix and Saint-Thomas)27 November – 24 DecemberSame as the Christkindelsmärik
Strasbourg: Quai des Délices, Carré d’Or, Alsace producers, Marché OFF27 November – 24 DecemberSame as the Christkindelsmärik
Colmar: six markets (Dominicains, Old Customs House, Jeanne d’Arc, Petite Venise, Koïfhus)23 November – 29 DecemberLast year Mon–Thu 11 am–7 pm, Fri–Sun 10 am–8 pm; 11 am–5 pm on 24 December

Open and closed over Christmas

PlaceWeekdaysSunday24 December
Strasbourg Christmas markets11 am–9 pm ✓11 am–9 pm ✓11 am–6 pm ✓
Cathedral (tourist visits)8:30–11:15 am, 12:45–5:45 pm ✓2–5:15 pm ✓no closure listed !
Astronomical clocknoon film, 12:30 apostles ✓not in our routes (morning services) !no closure listed !
Cathedral platform10 am–6 pm ✓10 am–6 pm ✓no closure listed !
Palais Rohan (Fine Arts)10 am–1 pm, 2–6 pm; closed Tuesday ✓10 am–6 pm ✓10 am–1 pm, 2–4 pm ✓
Vauban Dam terrace8:30 am–4 pm ✓8:30 am–4 pm ✓8:30 am–4 pm ✓
Batorama boat tour10 am–5:45 pm last year ◷10 am–5:45 pm last year ◷not published !
Colmar markets11 am–7 pm last year (Fri 10 am–8 pm) ◷10 am–8 pm last year ◷11 am–5 pm last year ◷
Unterlinden Museum (Colmar)9 am–6 pm; closed Tuesday ✓9 am–6 pm ✓9 am–4 pm ✓
  • Officially confirmed for 2026
  • Based on the last published season; the 2026 schedule is pending
  • Not published yet; check again before you go

Tips

  • The Strasbourg Christmas market runs 27 November – 24 December 2026: daily 11 am–9 pm; it opens at 2 pm on the first day and ends at 6 pm on 24 December. No stalls are open after 25 December. Colmar’s markets run 23 November – 29 December.

  • While the markets are on, there are security checks on the bridges onto the Grande Île and no car traffic on the island. Don’t bring a large bag: there’s no left-luggage on the island, so leave suitcases at the hotel or the station lockers.

  • The cathedral can be visited Mon–Sat 8:30–11:15 am and 12:45–5:45 pm, and Sundays 2–5:15 pm; no visits during services. Astronomical clock: a film at noon and the apostles at 12:30; tickets €2, be in the queue by 11:45. Closed on 25–26 December.

  • The direct TER train to Colmar takes 32 minutes, with two trains an hour in the daytime (from Strasbourg at :21 and :51). December weekend trains are packed, with extra services added: buy your ticket ahead. A Christmas shuttle runs from Colmar station to the markets. Colmar tours

  • The Vauban Dam’s panoramic terrace closes at 4 pm in winter, so go early in the afternoon for the view over Petite France. It gets dark around 4:30 pm.

  • The museums in the Palais Rohan and Colmar’s Unterlinden Museum are closed on Tuesdays; the Alsatian Museum is closed for renovation. In Alsace most shops close on Sundays, but the market stalls stay open.

  • At weekends the markets and winstubs are packed: go on a weekday if you can and book lunch and dinner. On the evening of 24 December most restaurants serve a special menu; book in November.

  • Alsace is cold and damp in December: bring a warm coat, hat, gloves and waterproof shoes; you’ll be standing at the markets for a long time.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Strasbourg Christmas market open in 2026?

27 November – 24 December 2026, daily 11 am–9 pm. It opens at 2 pm on the first day and ends at 6 pm on 24 December. No stalls are open after 25 December.

How do I get from Strasbourg to Colmar?

By direct TER train in 32 minutes; there are two trains an hour in the daytime (2026 timetable: from Strasbourg at 21 and 51 minutes past). December weekend trains are full, with extra services added, so buy ahead. A Christmas shuttle runs from Colmar station to the markets.

Is Strasbourg worth it for New Year’s Eve?

The market closes on 24 December, so our Strasbourg route covers the Christmas market season only. For New Year’s Eve, see our Prague, Berlin or Vienna itineraries.

When can I see the astronomical clock?

Every day there’s a film about the clock at noon, then the procession of the apostles at 12:30; tickets €2. The cathedral is kept for services on Sunday mornings, so our Sunday routes leave the show out.

Are there checks at the markets, and can I bring a bag?

While the markets are on, there are security checks on the bridges onto the Grande Île and no car traffic on the island. There’s no left-luggage on the island, so don’t bring a large bag: leave suitcases at the hotel or the station lockers.

Should I go on a weekday or at the weekend?

On a weekday if you can: on December weekends the markets, the winstubs and the Colmar trains are packed. If you go at the weekend, book lunch and dinner.

Sources

Hours compiled from official sources (24 October 2026). The marks in the table show each time’s status: confirmed for 2026, based on the last season, or not yet published. Holiday hours can change; check the official websites before you go.