A Guide to Colmar Christmas Markets 2025

It’s hard to resist the charm of Christmas, the most wonderful time of the year. From festive activities to Christmas cocktail parties, shopping for gifts for loved ones, and planning a holiday season getaway, there’s so much to enjoy when it comes to the festive season.

But is it even a festive season, without a Christmas market? Ah, there’s so much to love about Christmas markets — light-bedecked stalls offering mulled wine, gingerbread, countless foodie treats and souvenirs, and that fuzzy festive atmosphere filled with decorations, twinkling lights, and magical Christmas trees.

As the holiday season approaches, numerous cities across Europe are adorning their most beautiful Christmas markets, such as the Colmar, France, Christmas market, (Marché de Noël de Colmar).

This petite French town has plenty of Christmas activities to get stuck into this season. So, put a pin in your diaries and enjoy our picks of the best things to do in Colmar in December.

Heading to the whimsical Colmar Christmas markets 2025, this holiday season? Get ready to immerse yourself in one of Europe’s most magical festive destinations, infused with timeless Alsatian charm and holiday spirit.

The closest airport to Colmar, France, is Strasbourg Airport (SXB) — just the right distance for a comfortable, scenic drive into one of Europe’s most enchanting holiday destinations. From Strasbourg airport, book a Kiwitaxi private airport transfer to whisk you seamlessly to your hotel in the historic center or near the Colmar, France, Christmas market in style and comfort. Why deal with taxi queues or rideshares, when you can have your private driver meeting you at arrivals with a personalized welcome sign and ready to help with your luggage? From the moment you land, everything is taken care of — no Wi-Fi searching, no app opening, no last-minute fare guessing. Everything you need has already been arranged.

Want to sip hot chocolate with a freshly baked pain au chocolat Au Croissant Doré? Stop for takeout at a charming local brasserie? Need help at your hotel? Simply let your driver know, and they’ll make it happen.

Your Kiwitaxi transfer guarantees the right number of seats, plenty of luggage space, air conditioning, and a child safety seat, all at a fixed fare with no surprises. So sit back and enjoy the ride, setting the perfect tone for your visit to the enchanting Colmar, France, Christmas market.

The Colmar, France Christmas markets are bringing their holiday magic to the heart of Colmar, this season.

Tucked in the historic town center, Colmar’s six Christmas markets are just a short stroll apart, making it easy to explore them all. The largest and most iconic markets are Place des Dominicains and Place de l’Ancienne Douane. But take a look at the Colmar Christmas market map, only to discover that you’re never a minute away from another market.

Each with its own unique theme, the markets are full of handcrafted gifts, tempting treats, and some of the finest gingerbread in town. You’ll also find plenty of stuffed bears of all sizes hanging from windows, balconies, rooftops, and even street lamps of the cobbled streets. Pick up a little teddy, the perfect Christmas gift to take home with you, evoking memories of childhood, nostalgia and the family spirit.

Pro-tips: Have a twirl on the ice rink at Place Rapp, near the Parc du Champ-de-Mars and enjoy the merry-go-round, then wrap your cold hands around a warm mug of mulled wine. Grab some local wine from Carousel Bar and don’t miss the 3D mapping show on the Saint-Martin Collegiate Church (Collégiale Saint-Martin) that illuminates the Gothic cathedral’s façade. For the best views of lovely, half-timbered houses along the river illuminated with changing colours, stroll along Quai de la Poissonnerie and Au Vieux Pignon. The festively decorated pink house at Maison dite ‘au Pèlerin’ is truly unmissable.

Tucked next to the 13th-century Dominican Church, Place des Dominicains hosts Colmar’s largest Christmas market. Its glittering lights illuminate the square, and the church’s impressive 14th-century stained-glass windows sparkle at night, giving the entire area a spiritual, fairy-tale glow.

The market showcases the works of artisans and designers, housed in 60 wooden chalets. Get your hands on irresistible gifts for yourself and loved ones, including handcrafted ornaments, ceramics, Christmas trees, artisanal jewelry, and hand-blown glass baubles - you name it. Stroll across stalls selling beautiful carved wooden crèches (nativity scenes) and candleholders, the market’s specialties reflecting its spiritual setting.

Treat yourself with delicious seasonal food and mulled wine while wandering around, too. Colmar Christmas market dates 2025 for the Place des Dominicains Christmas Market: From November 25 to December 29, 2025.

Colmar Christmas market 2025 schedule for the Place des Dominicains Christmas Market: From Monday to Thursday – 11 AM to 7 PM Friday, Saturday, & Sunday – 10 AM to 8 PM Address: Place des Dominicains, 68000 Colmar

The Place de l’Ancienne Douane Christmas Market is set in the historic Place de l’Ancienne Douane, a square surrounded by Colmar’s iconic half-timbered buildings. Nestled around the Schwendi Fountain, the market’s canal-side chalets frame the fountain, with truly enchanting waterside reflections making it a picture-perfect spot. Illuminated by flickering festive lights, the market looks like a magical wonderland, with around 50 stalls showcasing the original handmade work of local craftsmen and artists.

Whether you’re after hand-painted ornaments, unique German Christmas pyramids, embroidered linens, or traditional Alsatian treats like bredele cookies or local craft beer, you’re sure to find a thing or two that take your fancy.

Colmar Christmas market dates 2025 for the Place de l’Ancienne Douane Christmas Market: From November 25 to December 29, 2025.

Colmar Christmas market 2025 schedule for the Place de l’Ancienne Douane Christmas Market: From Monday to Thursday – 11 AM to 7 PM Friday, Saturday, & Sunday – 10 AM to 8 PM Address: Place de l’Ancienne Douane, 68000 Colmar

Located on Rue de la Montagne Verte, just beneath the Ferris wheel (la Grande Roue de Colmar), the Colmar Gourmet Market (Marché Gourmand) is a haven for epicureans, after all that shopping in the chilled air builds an appetite.

Here, the aromas of fresh seafood and oysters, mulled wine, cinnamon, roasted chestnuts, and fresh patisserie perfume the air, and twinkling lights illuminate the wealth of festive market stalls.

The market focuses on gastronomy and offers high-end Alsatian cuisine with a Christmassy twist in 9 chalets run by 9 renowned local chefs (maîtres restaurateurs). Expect some perfectly crispy fried chicken, foie-gras sliders, truffled spaetzle, stuffed turkey breast, hoisin duck, charcuterie, scones, and some amazing patisserie, all elevated with subtle flavors for that festive dining experience. Pair them up with festive drinks, hot and cold, boozy and soft, for that quintessential Christmas experience.

Colmar’s gourmet food scene really shines here, with lots of tasty bits to get stuck into - and that’s without even mentioning the culinary show where chefs demonstrate their skills and offer cooking tips for festive appetizers, keeping you entertained while you savor the delicious food. Do expect a lot of laughs and the signature Alsatian wine to keep flowing.

Colmar Christmas market dates 2025 for the Colmar Gourmet Market: From November 25 to December 29, 2025.

Colmar Christmas market hours for the Colmar Gourmet Market: Daily from – 11 AM to 10 PM

Address: Rue de la Montagne Verte, 68000 Colmar

Koïfhus is an indoor Christmas market tucked in the 15th-century Old Customs House. It’s a wonderful place to pick-up handcrafted souvenirs, hand-painted ceramics and glass, hand-carved wooden toys, unique jewelry, embroidered linen, and vintage books in a historical and cozy atmosphere.

As the only fully indoor Christmas market in Colmar, it’s your perfect retreat to warm up on a cold, rainy day. The market’s two floors burst with a glorious selection of handmade craft goods, in addition to an endless supply of gingerbread houses and culinary delights displayed in a festive setting. The timbered halls and medieval staircases are beautifully decorated creating a festive backdrop for the artisans’ works and adding a touch of history to your Christmas shopping.

You can expect everything from Harry Potter-themed gifts to artworks, vinyl records, and rare gifts, meaning you can embark on festive parties once you’ve got the stockings easily sorted.

Colmar Christmas market dates 2025 for Koïfhus Christmas Market: From November 25 to December 29, 2025.

Colmar Christmas market hours for Koïfhus Christmas Market: From Monday to Thursday – 11 AM to 7 PM Friday, Saturday, & Sunday – 10 AM to 8 PM Address: Place de l’Ancienne Douane, 68000 Colmar

There’s nothing quite like the Place Jeanne d’Arc Christmas Market to get you into the Alsatian pastoral village spirit. The small market features half-timbered houses, a miniature church, and a small flock of animals, along with towering Christmas trees and festive decorations sparkling above a wealth of stalls offering a blend of Alsatian regional specialties with a festive twist.

Have your fill of the gourmet culinary offerings such as foie gras, charcuterie, Les Bouchées à la Reine, bredalas, gingerbread, roasted almonds, and crêpes with Nut’Alsace, all washed down with mulled wine, brandies (schnapps), or delicious hot chocolate.

Alsatian authentic food scene really shines at Place Jeanne d’Arc market that has long been a choice pick for foodies looking for regional and local specialties. Get ready to taste your palette!

Colmar Christmas market dates 2025 for the Place Jeanne d’Arc Christmas Market: From November 25 to December 29, 2025.

Colmar Christmas market 2025 schedule for the Place Jeanne d’Arc Christmas Market: From Monday to Thursday – 11 AM to 7 PM Friday, Saturday, & Sunday – 10 AM to 8 PM Address: Place Jeanne d’Arc, 68000 Colmar

Hands down the highlight of Colmar, France, Christmas Market, the Petite Venise is nothing short of spectacular. The Christmas market here is dedicated to kids (Marché de Noël des Enfants) and derives its name from the Lauch river and canals, resembling the canals of Venice.

The Petite Venise Christmas Market is a truly magical, postcard-perfect wonderland with festive decorations, twinkling lights, singing Christmas trees, and fairy-tale installations nestling alongside illuminated chalets offering all kinds of tempting treats, gingerbread, tarte flambée, warm spiced apple juice, and hand-crafted toys and Christmas decorations.

Stroll along the twinkling lights and enchanting waterside reflections, and stop off for some of the delicious food on offer, paired with mulled wine, cinnamon-spiced apple juice, or hot chocolate. Take a spin on the vintage carousel with wooden horses and marvel at the lovely, animated Nativity scene with live farm animals like rabbits or sheep.

Sing along with children’s choirs singing Christmas carols from magically illuminated boats as they sail along the Launch river canals. And post your handwritten letter directly to Santa (Père Noël) at the giant letterbox, instead of sending it up the chimney. You’re sure to get your very personal reply from Santa, so be sure to write your address clearly on the back of the envelope!

Pro-tips for visiting Colmar, France, Christmas markets with kids: Watch out for the special kids’ workshops at Petite Venise Christmas Market or beyond, including puppet shows in boats gliding along the canals and bredele-making workshops.

Visit the Choco-Story Museum for chocolate making workshops where kids decorate their very own chocolate bar, choosing the shape, design, and toppings like marshmallows, nuts, cinnamon, candy, orange stripes, and more. Luckily, the handmade chocolate creations kids get to take home are always super tasty regardless of how they look.

Colmar Christmas market dates 2025 for the Petite Venise Christmas Market: From November 25 to December 29, 2025. Colmar Christmas market 2025 schedule for the Petite Venise Christmas Market: From Monday to Thursday – 11 AM to 7 PM Friday, Saturday, & Sunday – 10 AM to 8 PM Address: Place Des Six Montagnes Noires, 68000 Colmar

For a prime Christmas market experience in Colmar, stay in the Old Town (Vieux Colmar), with all six Christmas markets just a short stroll apart. Wander across markets, admiring the festive lights reflected in the canals and the teddy bears peeking out from the rooftops and windows of fairy-tale-like half-timbered houses — all right outside your door. The atmosphere here is unmatched, especially in the evenings when Colmar’s facades and Christmas trees twinkle in festive lights.

Top-rated hotels include: Hotel Le Colombier, tucked in the charming Petite Venise (Little Venice) neighborhood, an ideal base for exploring the markets. Hotel Le Maréchal, set in Petite Venise, known for its cozy Alsatian charm and fairytale atmosphere during the holidays.

Other options near the Christmas markets include La Maison des Têtes, a historic gem blending luxury with tradition, and L’Esquisse Hotel & Spa Colmar – MGallery Collection, offering refined comfort and a relaxing spa experience after a day of exploring the Colmar, France, Christmas markets.

Pro-tip: Do remember to book way in advance – it gets very busy!

What are Colmar Christmas market dates 2025?

The main period is from November 25 to December 29, 2025.

What are Colmar Christmas market hours?

Typical opening hours are from Monday through Thursday: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM Friday through Sunday: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Is there a special Colmar Christmas market 2025 schedule for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?

Yes, the hours are typically adjusted: December 24 (Christmas Eve): 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (or 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM) December 25 (Christmas Day): 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (or 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM) December 26: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (or 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM)

Is public transport accessible during the markets?

Yes, Colmar is compact, and many markets are walkable from central accommodations. Public transport, trains, and buses serve the area well. Parking lots like Rapp, Town Hall, etc., are also options, though traffic can be heavy during peak evenings.

Is Colmar busy at Christmas?

Yes, Colmar gets very busy during the Christmas season, especially on weekends, when locals and tourists flock to enjoy the festive atmosphere and explore the markets. If you prefer a calmer experience, plan your visit between Monday and Friday, when the streets and stalls are far less crowded.

How many days should you spend in Colmar, France, Christmas Market?

For the best experience, plan to spend 3 days in Colmar during the Christmas markets. This allows enough time to explore all six markets, visit nearby attractions like St. Martin’s Church, and even take a short day trip to Strasbourg or Eguisheim. If you’re short on time, one full day still captures the festive spirit, but two nights let you enjoy Colmar both by day and under its twinkling evening lights.