Colmar Christmas Markets 2026: Complete Day Trip Guide from Strasbourg

France has some of the best Christmas markets in Europe, and if you truly want to experience the magic of Christmas, you can’t miss the Alsace region. Colorful half-timbered houses, canals lined with Christmas decorations, and wooden stalls tucked into historic squares: Colmar has all the ingredients for a memorable fairytale Christmas market trip.

I chose Strasbourg as my base in the Alsace region and visited the Colmar Christmas markets as a day trip. If you’re planning a similar trip, this guide brings together the market locations, transportation options, a suggested walking route, and practical tips for making the most of your day. (If you’re still planning your Strasbourg days, start with my Strasbourg Christmas markets guide.)

A note on this guide: My visit and photos are from a previous year. Dates and opening hours below have been checked against the official Colmar Christmas website for the 2026 season. Vendors, decorations, and individual activities can change each year.

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Is Colmar Worth Visiting at Christmas?

Yes! Colmar has one of the most magical Christmas settings in Europe. The entire city already feels like it’s part of a fairytale storybook, and when you add Christmas lights and decorations, it creates an unforgettable experience. And it’s not just the markets. Colmar has charming shops, beautiful canals to walk along in Petite Venise, and plenty of activities to keep you busy for a day trip.

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For a first trip to Alsace, I’d definitely make room for both Strasbourg and Colmar if your schedule allows. Since the two cities are connected by a short direct train, Colmar is a super easy day trip from Strasbourg.

Colmar Christmas Markets 2026: Quick Facts

How to Get from Strasbourg to Colmar

Taking the train

For a straightforward day trip, I recommend taking the train. Direct services connect Strasbourg and Colmar on the local TER train, and the journey takes only about half an hour. Check here for your travel date and ticket fares.

From Colmar train station (Place de la Gare), it’s about a 10 to 15 minute walk to the historic center. You can also hop on the free Cœur de Ville electric shuttle, which stops near the station and loops through the city center every 15 minutes, 9 am to 7 pm, Monday to Saturday.

If you’re visiting from Paris, the direct train journey from Gare de l’Est to Colmar takes around 2.5 hours. Book tickets here.

Can you drive instead?

If you want to explore more of the Alsace region, a rental car is a great option. If you have one as part of a longer Alsace road trip, keep in mind that during the festive season, Colmar’s historic town center is closed to cars so visitors can stroll around freely.

If you’re driving, consider one of the covered lots such as Parking Rapp, Parking Montagne Verte, or Parking de la Mairie Colmar. Plan your parking before arrival, especially if you’re visiting on a weekend.

Rental Cars:  Book with Discover Cars for the best prices I always choose a trusted company like Hertz, Enterprise, or Sixt within the search results.

By guided tour

If you’d rather not plan the logistics, many day tours from Strasbourg combine Colmar with smaller villages like Riquewihr, Kaysersberg or Eguisheim.

The Six Christmas Markets in Colmar

Colmar has six Christmas markets spread across the old town, with around 180 stalls in total. Each one feels like its own little village, and they’re all close enough to walk between in a few minutes.

Place des Dominicains

Set at the foot of the Église des Dominicains, this is the classic market that pairs wooden chalets with an impressive historic backdrop. The official listing describes around 60 stalls, with Christmas decorations among the things to browse.

It’s a good place to begin if you’re approaching the markets from the western side of the center, or from the train station. Give yourself time to look beyond the first row of stalls, and leave space in your schedule to revisit the square if you want to see the church illuminated later.

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Place Jeanne d’Arc

Place Jeanne d’Arc focuses on regional products in a setting designed to evoke a traditional Alsatian village. The official listing includes Christmas biscuits, gingerbread, charcuterie, wines, and other local specialties.

If you enjoy bringing edible souvenirs or gifts home, this is a great place to pick them up. Remember to check packaging, ingredients, and any restrictions that apply to food you’re taking across borders before buying gifts for your suitcase.

Place de l’Ancienne Douane

This market occupies the square around the Schwendi Fountain beside the Koïfhus, the old customs building. The setting brings together historic architecture, the water, and rows of stalls, making it a natural stop for both browsing and photographs.

The official event page lists around 50 chalets.

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The indoor market at Koïfhus

The Koïfhus also hosts an indoor artisans’ Christmas market.

This is a good stop to consider if you’re interested in crafts and gifts. It also adds some indoor time to warm up during a day that otherwise involves a lot of time spent outside.

Petite Venise

The market in Petite Venise is more family-focused and includes a carousel and a large letterbox for letters to Father Christmas.

Petite Venise is the most fairy tale setting and arguably the prettiest area in Colmar. Leave time to explore the nearby canals in addition to the market stalls.

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The Gourmet Market

The Gourmet Market is at the Plateau Sportif de la Montagne Verte. Its emphasis is prepared food, with chefs and restaurateurs serving dishes to eat there or take away.

Because it stays open later than the main markets, it can work as a dinner stop. Keep in mind that individual dishes and vendors can change each year.

This is also where you’ll find the giant Ferris wheel, and a few rides for children to enjoy.

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A suggested Colmar Christmas market day trip itinerary

This is a suggested route for planning your visit. Use it as a guide map, but keep in mind that the weather, crowds, and your food stops may influence how quickly you move.

Morning: arrive in Colmar

Take the direct train from Strasbourg (or wherever you’re coming from) to Colmar. If you’ve arrived before the markets have opened, you can use the quieter part of the morning for breakfast, a coffee, or photos of the streets before spending time at the stalls.

Midday: browse the central markets & historic center

Start at Place des Dominicains. There are about 60 stalls here, with whimsical decorations and the church Église des Dominicains in the background.

There was a cute Christmas tree and some quaint photo spots around the church so make sure to walk around the church.

Afterwards, walk along Rue de L’Eglise and turn left onto Grand Rue towards Place Jeanne d’Arc and explore the market here.

Next walk to Rue de la Montagne Verte for the Gourmet Market to grab lunch or a snack. We got tarte flambée which is a thin flatbread with toppings, and potatoes.

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After filling up with hearty Alsatian cuisine, head toward Place de l’Ancienne Douane and visit the Koïfhus indoor market nearby.

Now you’re in the heart of the city, with central streets like Grand Rue and Rue des Marchands.

If you are a Studio Ghibli fan, you might want to walk towards Maison Pfister, just around the corner from St Martin’s Church. Colmar is often said to have inspired the town in Howl’s Moving Castle, and Maison Pfister is one of the houses fans love to spot.

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From here walk back along Rue des Marchands towards Grand Rue. This area has so many cute decorations and charming buildings and shops to explore.

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Afternoon: Petite Venise and the decorated streets

Walk along Grand Rue towards Place des Six Montagnes Noires, and you’ll find yourself in La Petite Venise.

Like I’ve mentioned before, I think Petite Venise is the prettiest part of the city.

Children’s choirs often perform Christmas carols on illuminated boats along the canals on select Wednesdays and Saturdays. While we didn’t see the children’s choirs, we did see visitors enjoying rides on the boats along the canals.

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Evening: lights, dinner, and the return journey

If your schedule allows, plan to experience some of Colmar after dark. In December, the sun sets between 4:30 and 4:45 pm in Colmar. Revisit a square or street you enjoyed earlier, then decide whether to eat before returning to Strasbourg. We decided to head back to Strasbourg for dinner as we had a reservation.

The Gourmet Market’s later hours give you an option after the main stalls close. Just make sure to look up train times for your return journey.

What to eat at the Colmar Christmas markets

Food is a good reason to leave some flexibility in your itinerary. The following are Alsatian specialties to look for:

Bredele: Small Christmas biscuits made in a variety of shapes and flavors. They’re an easy option for a snack or a gift to take home.

Mannele or manala: Brioche figures associated with Saint Nicholas’ Day on December 6. Look for them at bakeries as well as seasonal stalls.

Pain d’épices: Spiced bread often associated with the Christmas season.

Tarte flambée: A thin Alsatian flatbread traditionally topped with cream, onions, and bacon. There may be variable toppings by different vendors.

And of course if you’re visiting Christmas markets in Colmar you can’t miss the vin chaud (mulled wine). There is vin chaud blanc, which is mulled white wine as well. For non-alcoholic options, try a warm mulled fruit juice or hot chocolate.

The Christmas markets in Colmar use plastic mugs rather than ceramic. There is a small deposit of 2 euros when you buy the drink. You can keep the mug as a souvenir, or if you return the cup to any participating stall, they will give you the deposit back.

Practical tips for your visit

Give yourself enough time.
Colmar is quite small, and you can see several markets in a shorter visit, but at least a half-day to a full day leaves room for food, photography, and sightseeing without rushing.

Visit on a weekday.
If you have flexibility, consider a weekday and start near opening time to have the least crowds. Keep your plans realistic around weekends and major holiday dates.

Dress for standing outside.
Wear layers, warm socks, gloves, and comfortable shoes.

Carry cash.
Bring some cash as well as a credit card, and check payment signs before ordering.

Other travel needs:
I always carry a portable charger so that my battery stays charged for looking up directions, maps and train times.

Make sure to have an eSIM that gives you connectivity throughout the whole trip without having to depend on Wifi. I use Holafly eSIM and you can use my 5% discount code MINYWANDER for your trip.

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Should you stay in Colmar or Strasbourg?

The two cities are close together so I recommend having a single base rather than unpacking and packing multiple times, or dealing with checking in and out of hotels multiple times.

Strasbourg is larger, has more dining options, and more accommodation options as well. I would recommend staying in Strasbourg and taking a short day trip to Colmar.

An overnight stay in Colmar is worth considering if you want a slower visit, time for museums, or additional days in the surrounding region. It also removes the need to work around a return train after dinner.

Where to stay in Strasbourg

• Cour du Corbeau Strasbourg, MGallery: a beautifully restored 16th century building near the cathedral, and one of the oldest hotels in Europe. A great pick if you love historic character.
• Hôtel & Spa Régent Petite France: a five-star hotel in a former mill on the River Ill, right in the Petite France canal quarter, with a spa. Ideal for canal views.
• Maison Rouge Strasbourg Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection: a landmark address on Place Kléber, steps from the Christmas markets and the giant Christmas tree.

Where to stay in Colmar

• L’Esquisse Hotel & Spa Colmar, MGallery: a five-star hotel with 62 rooms and suites and a spa, on the edge of the Champ de Mars park and a short walk from the markets.
• La Maison des Têtes, Relais & Châteaux: set in one of Colmar’s most famous historic buildings, the House of Heads, in the heart of the old town.
• James Boutique Hôtel: a stylish four-star boutique hotel about a 5 minute walk from the Christmas markets.
• LE 17 Climatisé: perfect for larger families, a 2 bedroom apartment close to everything.

Final Thoughts

Colmar was such a lovely place to visit, and I would highly recommend it for anyone visiting the Alsace region. In hindsight, my only regret is not allotting more time to explore more of the Christmas markets in Alsace. Riquewihr, Kaysersberg, and Ribeauvillé are all in the Alsace region, so if I were to plan another Alsatian Christmas visit, I would add these towns to the itinerary.

If you’re short on time and need to pick just one other place to visit from Strasbourg, Colmar is the easiest, and a rewarding trip.

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Colmar Christmas Market FAQ

When is the Colmar Christmas market in 2026? The six markets run from November 23 to December 29, 2026. The Gourmet Market and Ferris wheel stay open until January 3, 2027.

Is Colmar worth a day trip from Strasbourg? Yes. It’s only about 30 minutes by train, and one full day is enough to see all six markets, Little Venice and the town lit up at night.

Is Colmar or Strasbourg better for Christmas markets? Strasbourg is bigger, with more markets and its famous giant Christmas tree. Colmar is smaller and more intimate, with canals that make it feel like a storybook. If you can, visit both.

Are the Colmar Christmas markets open on Christmas Day? Yes. In 2026 the markets are open on December 25 and 26. On Christmas Eve they close early at 5 pm.

Is it free to visit? All six markets are free to enter. The Ferris wheel costs €10 for adults and €8 for children under 1.20 m.

What’s the best time of day to visit? Arrive in the late morning when it’s quieter, and stay until after dark for the illuminations. Weekdays are much calmer than weekends.