The Ultimate Haguenau Christmas Market Guide (2025)

History and Theme

The title of the Christmas market in Haguenau is Berceau des crèches or Cradle of Nativity Scenes.

In 1420, St. George’s Church (Église Saint-Georges) became the birthplace of the very first nativity scene.

Helpful Tip: This historic moment is backed by documentation from the municipal archives.

And, so, the entire market is centered on this theme with nativity scenes on every corner.

Helpful Tip: This event predates the mention of the first Christmas tree, which occurred in 1521 in Sélestat.

Dates and Opening Hours

The dates and hours for the 2025 Christmas market are listed below:

Must-Visit Attractions

Haguenau is the fourth-largest city in the region, and you’ll find plenty of things to do here.

Below are the key attractions to visit during the Christmas market:

• Christmas Market Stalls: There are five Christmas markets (Place d’Armes, Place Joseph Thierry, Place de la République, Cours de la Décapole, and Place de Neubourg) and a total of 50 wooden chalets selling everything from local honey to crafts.
• Église Saint-Georges: This is where the first nativity scene was mentioned.
• Alsatian Museum: This is one of two museums dedicated to the history and culture of the region (the other one being in Strasbourg). It has an expansive collection of traditional costumes, furniture, and art.
• Nativity Scenes: There are several nativity scenes around town, but the two most impressive are at Place de Neubourg and in front of Église Saint-Georges.
• Christmas Tree: In Place d’Armes, you’ll find a giant Christmas tree covered in beautiful ornaments and lights.
• Carousel 1900: Located in Place de la République, this carousel is over 100 years old and is still in operation. It’s mostly for kids, but it’s so beautiful it’s worth stopping by.
• Santa’s Mailbox: Every year, in a square called Cours de la Décapole, there’s a mailbox where children can drop off their letters to Santa.

Foods to Try

Alsace specializes in hearty, German-influenced dishes such as choucroute garnie, sauerkraut cooked with various meats.

Other foods worth trying are tarte flambée, a pizza-like dish, and baeckeoffe, a three-meat casserole.

Helpful Tip: Bredele is a spiced cookie that is only available at Christmas.

You can find all these dishes in any town and are available at the Christmas market.

But, if you’re in Haguenau, the food to try is dampfnudel. This tasty dumpling is a specialty of northern Alsace. It’s usually eaten as a dessert, but it can also be part of the main dish (along with soup or cabbage).

Helpful Tip: Don’t forget to try vin chaud (mulled wine). It’s a warm, spicy drink made from red wine, sugar, and spices.

General Information

How to Get to Haguenau

Haguenau is 36 kilometers (22 miles) north of Strasbourg and can be reached by train or car from other major cities in Alsace, such as Strasbourg, Colmar, or Mulhouse.

Helpful Tip: Train tickets can be purchased on the SNCF-Connect website.

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

From any of those airports, you can take the train or rent a car to get to Haguenau.

Helpful Tip: Direct trains run from Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport to Strasbourg’s main train station. From there, it’s a 25-minute train ride (you’ll have to change trains) or a 30-minute drive to Haguenau.

Where to Eat

While there are lots of stalls that sell food, there are also plenty of restaurants.

If you want to take a break from walking around, you can sit down at one of these establishments and enjoy a hot meal.

• Le Jacques: A French restaurant with a modern twist. Each dish is made with seasonal produce, and the service is impeccable.
• Brasserie Moon: A typical French brasserie that also serves some Alsatian specialties. The food is excellent, and the cocktails are the best in town.
• O’thurot: A modern take on traditional dishes. This charming restaurant has excellent service and a warm atmosphere.

Practical Tips

After visiting the Christmas market in Haguenau several times, here are some tips to help you make the most of your trip:

• Take a photo of the map when you arrive. There are boards with the map and layout of the market around town (photo above).
• Download my list of must-have apps for Alsace. It will guarantee a smooth trip.
• Check out the official website for a list of events. Haguenau has a surprising number of cool things going on.
• Visit in the evening to experience the beautiful lights.
• Bring cash, most vendors do NOT accept credit/debit cards.
• Arrive early in the day on weekends to avoid large crowds.
• Wear comfortable shoes as there is a lot of walking involved.
• Always say “Bonjour” before starting a conversation with a vendor.
• Check the opening times of museums before visiting, as they may vary.
• Dress warmly (hats, gloves, and a jacket).

Conclusion

The Christmas market in Haguenau is one of the lesser-known markets in Alsace, but it is worth a visit.

Overall, it offers a more authentic experience compared to more popular Christmas markets, like Strasbourg or Kaysersberg.

I also thought the vendors were more friendly and engaging. It was clear that they hadn’t been inundated with tourists and were genuinely excited to share their products.

Now that you know more about the Christmas market here in Haguenau, why not add it to your itinerary for the holiday season in Alsace?

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Read More Articles

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

• Is Colmar Worth Visiting? 19 Reasons Why You Should!
• 25 Amazing Things to Do in Alsace (Local’s Guide)
• Where to Stay in Alsace: Best Towns and Hotels

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