My Guide to the Colmar Christmas Market

Why Visit Colmar at Christmas?

Colmar’s Christmas market has a name that says it all: La Magie de Noël, or the Magic of Christmas.

It earns the name. Every corner of town gets dressed up for the season with lights strung between half-timbered houses, wooden chalets glowing against the cold, decorations spilling out of every square and side street. It’s the kind of place that stops you mid-step and makes you forget that you were ever anywhere else.

That said, Colmar is not a hidden secret. It can get just as busy as Strasbourg in December and sometimes busier. That’s the trade-off for all this beauty. But once you know how to plan around the crowds, it remains one of the best places in Alsace to spend a December day.

My First Visit to Colmar’s Christmas Markets

It was a Tuesday morning in late November, and I had no idea what I was walking into. I came around a corner near Quai de la Poissonnerie and stopped dead.

The houses were decorated, and a small gondola was floating along the Lauch River below. Someone nearby was selling roasted chestnuts, and the smell alone was enough to make me stay.

Since that first visit, I’ve come back every December without exception. By now I’ve wandered all seven markets in every kind of winter weather, eaten more tarte flambée than I want to admit, learned which squares to avoid on Saturday afternoons, and found a few quiet corners that most visitors walk straight past.

That first visit set the tone for everything that came after. I stumbled into Place de l’Ancienne Douane just as the lights came on — pure timing, pure luck.

Then I spent a good twenty minutes trying to find Place Jeanne d’Arc, took a wrong turn down a narrow side street, and ended up in the quietest, prettiest little corner of the whole market. No map would have taken me there. Getting lost turned out to be the best decision I made all evening.

One thing I’ve learned over the years: if you can swing it, the best time to visit Colmar in December is on a weekday. The difference between a Tuesday morning and a Saturday afternoon is night and day. Weekday mornings are when the town is calm, beautiful, and yours to explore without being swept along in a current of people.

If a weekend is your only option, go early. I mean early. By 10:00 am on a Saturday, some of the more picturesque spots are already filling up. By noon, the main squares can feel relentless. Evening visits are also lovely once the market closes.

Navigating Colmar’s Seven Market Locations

Here’s something that surprised me on my first visit: Colmar isn’t one market. It’s seven separate ones spread across the old town.

The first time I came, I tried to “do them all” in a rush and ended up tired and a little frazzled, having missed half of what made each one worth visiting.

These days, I take my time and treat each market as its own little world. Here’s what to expect at each, so you can plan smarter than I did.

Place des Dominicains

This is where I usually start. You’ll find 60 wooden chalets selling handmade ornaments, candles, and jewelry, each stall strung with twinkling lights. It’s a lovely spot to ease into the day before the crowds build.

Place de l’Ancienne Douane

Right in the heart of the old town, this one sells similar goods to Place des Dominicains. What sets it apart is the setting: the Schwendi fountain, the Koïfhus (old customs house), and Maison Au Pelerin. It’s stunning, but it fills up fast. Get in, soak it up, and move on before the afternoon crush.

Place Jeanne d’Arc

This little market is dedicated to local products. It’s where I go for Alsatian wine, liqueurs, and bredele. Because it’s tucked away from the main drag, there are far fewer people. It’s one of my favorite quiet stops, and I always leave with a bag of something good.

La Petite Venise

Little Venice is the prettiest neighborhood in Colmar, full stop. The colorful half-timbered houses along Quai de la Poissonnerie line the Lauch River, and in December, the decorations turn the whole scene into a picture-perfect winter wonderland.

The market at Place des 6 Montagnes Noires sits here too, with a nativity scene, wooden chalets, and a Santa’s Mailbox. This is the spot that stopped me in my tracks on my very first visit, and it still does.

The Koïfhus

The old customs house hosts an indoor craft market during the holidays. Local artisans from all over Alsace come to sell pottery, hand-carved ornaments, and more.

If you’ve already visited a few markets in the region, you’ll notice it feels a lot like the craft market at the Christmas market in Sélestat. It’s also indoors, which makes it the perfect place to thaw out on a cold afternoon.

Place Rapp

Next to Parc du Champ de Mars, this one has food stalls and rides for kids. It doesn’t have the same authentic charm as the downtown markets, but it’s noticeably less crowded. If you’re visiting with little ones, this is a good place to let them run around while you catch your breath.

Marché Gourmande

If you’re a foodie, don’t skip the Marché Gourmande on Rue de la Montagne Verte. It’s packed with local specialties, and I’ve spent many a happy evening here when I didn’t want the day to end.

Helpful Tip: The Christmas market in Obernai is also a great stop for foodies if you want to explore more of the region.

Local Specialties and Unique Finds

Beyond the markets themselves, Colmar has a handful of attractions worth adding to your day. Over the years, I’ve found that the visitors who enjoy Colmar most are the ones who slow down and look for these moments between the stalls.

• The Koïfhus stairway: There’s a set of stairs on the side of the old customs house, near the intersection of Grand Rue and Rue des Marchands, that most people walk right past. It leads to one of the most photogenic views in town, and I’ve taken some of my favorite Colmar photos from up there.
• Museums: Colmar has excellent museums. The Village Hansi & its Museum, the Bartholdi Museum, and the Unterlinden Museum are my top picks. They’re also a great warm-up when the cold gets to be too much.
• Marché Couvert: This covered market is where you’ll find local cheese, meats, beer, and other tasty treats. It’s gloriously warm and a nice contrast to the outdoor chaos.
• Boat tour: This is one of my favorite things to do in Colmar, period. You glide past the most colorful buildings in town and learn some history along the way. I booked with Sweet Narcisse and can’t recommend them enough, but book in advance during December.
• Place du Marché aux Fruits: This small square has a few Christmas stalls and a charming, low-key atmosphere. When the main markets are too much, this is where I slip away to catch my breath.

My Favorite Purchases

With so many stalls spread across seven markets, deciding what to buy can seem impossible. I’ve come home with my fair share of impulse buys, so let me save you some deliberating.

• Miniature half-timbered houses: These little replicas of Alsace’s iconic buildings turn up at stalls all over Colmar. They make lovely, understated souvenirs.
• Christmas-themed decorations: From handcrafted wooden ornaments to snow globes, there’s an overwhelming variety to choose from. Take your time and shop around before you commit.
• Christmas mugs: Each market has a unique mug design for festive favorites like mulled wine, hot chocolate, or warm apple cider. Here’s my tip: there’s usually one standard mug and a few fancier designs, so browse before you settle. I’ve built up a small collection over the years, and each one takes me right back to a particular evening in Colmar.

One year I stumbled on a little candle stall tucked behind Place de l’Ancienne Douane that I’d never noticed before. The woman running it made everything by hand, and the scents were extraordinary.

I went back the following year, and she was there again. Those are the kinds of finds that don’t make it onto any map.

My Go-To Treats and Food Stall Recommendations

If I’m being honest, the food is half the reason I keep coming back. Traditional dishes from Alsace are hearty by design, which makes winter the perfect time to dig in.

Here’s what I reach for every single year:

• Choucroute garnie: My favorite traditional dish, no contest. It’s sauerkraut, pork, and potatoes with an incredible amount of flavor. It’s the meal that makes me loosen my scarf and settle in.
• Bredele: These spiced cookies only appear at Christmas and come in dozens of shapes and flavors. I always buy a bag “to take home” and somehow finish half of them before I leave the market.
• Vin chaud: Mulled wine made with red (or white) wine, sugar, cinnamon, and cloves. Wrapping my cold hands around that warm cup is my favorite part of any market evening. The mug is a keeper too.
• Tarte flambée: One of the best market snacks going. A thin, crisp base topped with crème fraîche, caramelized onions, savory lardons, and melted cheese. Always order it fresh, and find a stall where you can watch them make it.
• Pain d’épices: A sweet, spicy honey bread flavored with cinnamon and ginger — the Alsatian answer to gingerbread. Someone handed me a sample made with local honey years ago, and I’ve been hooked ever since.

For a proper sit-down meal, I love Aux Armes de Colmar for traditional Alsatian cuisine in a beautiful setting, and Les Bateliers in Little Venice for views of the canal. Both are worth booking ahead because walk-ins in December are a gamble.

How to Get to Colmar During the Holiday Season

Getting to Colmar is simple. Its main train station is well-connected and reachable from cities like Paris, Strasbourg, and Mulhouse. The station sits close to the city center and is within walking distance of the market — just follow the signs.

Helpful Tip: Colmar runs a free shuttle from the train station to downtown during the Christmas season. It’s a small thing, but on a cold, dark evening with suitcases, it’s a very welcome small thing.

If you’re traveling from abroad, the nearest airports are Strasbourg Airport, EuroAirport, Frankfurt Airport, and Paris (CDG and Orly).

• Strasbourg Airport: Rent a car and drive, or take the train.
• EuroAirport: Near St. Louis, 58 kilometers (36 miles) from Colmar. Rent a car or take the train (about 1 hour).
• Frankfurt Airport: Although it’s in Germany, it offers easy access to Alsace. Take the train, rent a car, or hop on the Lufthansa Express Bus to Strasbourg and change to a train for Colmar.
• Paris Airports (CDG & Orly): Direct trains run from Charles de Gaulle to Strasbourg in about two hours. From Orly, transfer to Gare de l’Est and take a direct train to Colmar.

Helpful Tip: The best website and app for booking train tickets is SNCF-Connect.

My Personal Accommodation Picks

Colmar gets busy during the holidays, so book your accommodation as early as you can. This is the one thing I’d never leave to the last minute. I have a full list of hotels I recommend, but here are a few reliable options at different price points:

• Coquet Studio Colmar Centre: A modern, centrally located studio apartment with everything you need. Great value and ideal for exploring the markets on foot.
• Au Grenier à Sel Colmar: A pristine, spacious apartment in the heart of the city. The host is welcoming, and the space has everything you need for a comfortable stay.
• Hotel Saint-Martin: Along Grand Rue, this charming hotel occupies a beautifully preserved half-timbered building. The rooms are comfortable, and the staff genuinely care about making your stay special. This is my personal pick when I want the full Colmar experience.

Mistakes I Made and How You Can Avoid Them

Since moving to Alsace in 2019, I’ve learned a lot about navigating the Christmas markets, mostly by trial and error. I’ve made most of the classic mistakes at least once, so you don’t have to.

Here’s what I’d tell a friend before their first visit:

Mistake #1: Trying to see everything in one afternoon. Colmar has seven markets. If you rush through them all, you end up seeing nothing. On my first visit, I ticked every location off a list and came home realizing I had missed some places. Now I pick three or four spots and spend real time in each one.

Mistake #2: Visiting on a Saturday afternoon in mid-December. This is peak-of-peak. Place de l’Ancienne Douane was so packed I could barely move, let alone appreciate the setting. If a weekend is your only option, go early and be out of the main squares before 1:00 pm.

Mistake #3: Skipping Place Jeanne d’Arc. Because it’s away from the center, I walked past it on my first two visits without going in. Big mistake. It’s where you’ll find the best local products, the fewest crowds, and vendors who actually have time to tell you about what they’re selling.

Mistake #4: Forgetting cash. I’ve already told this story once, and I’m telling it again because it genuinely catches people out every year.

Mistake #5: Not booking the boat tour. I kept telling myself I’d do it “next time” for two full years before I finally booked it. Don’t wait. It’s one of the best ways to see Colmar, and in December the light on the water is extraordinary.

Mistake #6: Not booking restaurants in advance. Walk-ins during December are tough. If you have your heart set on somewhere specific, reserve it before you arrive.

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Read More Articles About Alsace

I hope you enjoyed my post and found it helpful. Here are a few other articles that I think you might find interesting.

• My 5-Day Alsace Christmas Market Itinerary for First-Timers
• A Local’s Guide to the Navettes de Noël in Alsace
• The Ultimate Eguisheim Christmas Market Guide
• The Ultimate Kaysersberg Christmas Market Guide
• The Mulhouse Christmas Market Guide I’d Actually Use
• The Neuf-Brisach Christmas Market Guide for First-Timers
• The Ultimate Riquewihr Christmas Market Guide
• The Ultimate Turckheim Christmas Market Guide

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