Strasbourg Christmas Market 2024: our best spots & activities

From November 27th to December 27th, 2024, the magic of Christmas returns to Strasbourg. For one month, the Capital of Christmas dons its holiday garb, and this year’s theme is “The Time to Marvel”. Market squares are filled with the aroma of mulled wine, coconut macaroons, and tarte flambée. And at nightfall, the city lights up.

Here are some of our best spots and activities to get the most out of the holiday cheer at the Strasbourg Christmas Market:

Place de la Cathédrale and place du Château

Nestled at the foot of the Cathedral, the Christmas market on place de la Cathédrale and place du Château is, in our opinion, the most iconic market in Strasbourg.

In these two squares, the little wooden, chalet-like market stalls surrounded by historic buildings and charming side streets, with the majestic Cathedral as a backdrop, create bubble of holiday cheer in the middle of the city. In our opinion, this is the place that will truly get you in the Christmas spirit.

The Great Christmas Tree, place Kléber

This year, the decorations on the monumental Christmas tree are meant to highlight Strasbourg’s status UNESCO World Capital of Books for 2024, as well as the tales, legends and traditions of Christmas. They are also an homage to the crafts of origami and canivet (lace that is hand-cut in paper). The 31-meter tree (over 100 feet) is decked with white paper flowers, red baubles and wicker stars, and lights up at night.

Place Broglie

The Christkindelsmärik (Market of the Christ Child) on place Broglie is Strasbourg’s historic Christmas market, dating back to 1570. 

As a little boy, Jérôme would always scarf down a waffle from La Gaufre Lorraine at the Christkindelsmärik. He loved sinking his teeth into the crunchy, fluffy treat, covering his coat in a heavy dusting of icing sugar. That stall has long since closed… but the happy childhood memories remain.

The Carré d’Or

The Carré d’Or is a collection of charming, narrow streets around the Cathedral. Rue des Orfèvres, rue du Sanglier and rue du Chaudron are all very beautifully decorated by the local shopkeepers and business owners.

Admire the twinkling Christmas lights

After nightfall, the Capital of Christmas lights up, showing off its most beautiful decorations, and the spirit of Christmas comes alive all through the city.

In addition to place de la Cathédrale, place du Château, place Broglie, the Great Christmas Tree on place Kléber, and the Carré d’Or, there are several other spots you shouldn’t miss.

Among these are rue du Vieux-Marché-aux-Poissons (including the Gate of Lights), rue Mercière, place du Marché-aux-Poissons, terrasse des Rohan, rue du Maroquin and quai des Bateliers.

Enjoy a mulled wine or hot apple cider

Mulled wine and hot apple cider (mulled apple juice) are a traditional part of the Strasbourg Christmas Market: « Il est bon, il est chaud, le vin chaud ! » (The mulled wine is hot and delicious!). For Stéphanie, a trip to the Christmas Market is never complete without a nice, warming cup of hot apple cider with cinnamon.

Our recommendation: the mulled wine and hot apple cider with cinnamon from the stand called chez Mathilde, on place Broglie.

Practical information

• From November 27th to December 27th, 2024
• Around 300 wooden chalet stalls, open from 11:30 AM to 9 PM (until 6 PM on the 24th and 25th)
• The Great Christmas Tree lights up with music every hour on the hour from 4 PM to 9 PM, then without music from 10 PM to midnight
• Christmas light stay up all over town until January 6th, 2025.

You can find the detailed program on Strasbourg Capital of Christmas’ website

If you want to experience even more Christmas magic, there are several villages and towns in Alsace that also have a Christmas market: Wissembourg, Haguenau, Obernai, Ribeauvillé…