The Ultimate Mulhouse Christmas Market Guide (2025)

Each year, starting in late November, Alsace transforms into a picturesque winter wonderland. Streets come alive with twinkling lights, festive decorations, and the aroma of roasting chestnuts.

One of the earliest Christmas markets to kick off the holiday season is the one in Mulhouse.

Since I moved to Alsace in 2019, I’ve started every winter season with a visit to this charming market, and it never fails to put me in the holiday spirit.

In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about the Mulhouse Christmas market, including must-visit sites, where to eat, and other practical tips.

This Place de la Reunion during the Mulhouse Christmas market. There are wooden chalets, the history museum, and people walking around. — Place de la Réunion

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Theme

These are items at the La Boutique aux Etoffes and each is made with the Mulhouse Christmas Fabric. There are table clothes, stuffed animals, and cups. — The Christmas Fabric

Most of the Christmas markets in Alsace are centered around a theme:

Strasbourg’s Christmas market is the Capital of Christmas
Turckheim is the Elf Christmas market
Haguenau is the Cradle of Nativity Scenes
Colmar’s Christmas market is the Magic of Christmas
Riquewihr is the Picturesque Christmas market
Obernai is the Gastronomy and Crafts Christmas market

Then, there is Mulhouse, which has two distinct themes. The first is Un Noël Singulier or a Very Special Christmas, and the second is the Christmas cloth.

Every year, a different fabric is designed for the market. And this fabric is used to decorate streets, chalets, and buildings. You’ll also see a lot of crafts (like tablecloths, wreaths, etc.) made with it.

Helpful Tip: On the ground floor of the City Hall and History Museum (La Boutique aux Etoffes), you’ll find items crafted from the festive Christmas fabric available for purchase.

Dates and Opening Hours

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

Dates

From the 21st of November to the 23rd of December

Opening Hours

Monday to Thursday: 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
Friday: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm

Must-Visit Attractions

This is the Christmas tree in Place des Victoires in Mulhouse. It's a giant tree decorated with ornaments and people are walking around it. — Place des Victoires

This is Place de la Réunion in Mulhouse at the Christmas Market. It's a bird's eye view so you can see the top of all the stalls and there are people walking around. — Place de la Réunion

This is a concert inside Temple Saint-Étienne at Christmas in Mulhouse. There is a row leading to the altar where an orchestra is playing. People are sitting in the surrounding pews. — Temple Saint-Étienne at Christmas

Mulhouse is the second-largest city in the region, so 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 three Christmas markets (Place de la Réunion, Place de la Concorde, and Place des Cordiers) featuring wooden chalets that sell a variety of items, from mulled wine to handmade crafts.
Place des Victoires: This is where you’ll find Mulhouse’s Christmas tree.
Temple Saint-Étienne: Located in Place de la Réunion, this stunning Protestant church hosts concerts throughout the holiday season.
Hôtel de Ville – Musée Historique: A free museum that covers the history and culture of Mulhouse.
La Boutique aux Etoffes: Located on the ground floor of the Hôtel de Ville – Musée Historique, this is where you’ll find a variety of crafts made with the Christmas fabric.
Square de la Bourse: Mulhouse hosts a light and sound festival every evening after sunset.

Helpful Tip: If you’re a fan of Christmas trees, Sélestat’s Christmas market is the Capital of the Christmas tree.

Food and Drinks

This is a cup of vin chaud from the Christmas market in the town of Mulhouse. The cup and the table it is on are both designed with the Christmas fabric. — Vin Chaud

Alsace has a lot of regional dishes, with several from Mulhouse and the surrounding area.

Most are hearty, savory dishes perfect for the cold winter months, but you’ll also find a few sweet treats worth trying.

Helpful Tip: If you’re a foodie, Obernai is the Gastronomy and Crafts Christmas market.

Below are some of the best regional foods to try while you’re in Mulhouse:

Fleischschnacka: This dish is a specialty of Mulhouse. It consists of large noodles filled with meat and rolled to look like a snail.
Fried carp: This dish comes from southern Alsace, so you’ll find plenty of options in Mulhouse. The fish is fried in hot oil and served with a side of French fries and a salad.
Tarte flambée: This pizza-like dish is my favorite snack to have at the Christmas market. It’s made with a layer of crème fraîche and topped with caramelized onions, savory lardons, and melted cheese.
Choucroute garnie: This is my favorite traditional dish. It’s made with sauerkraut, pork, and potatoes. It’s simple but delicious.
Bredele: These spiced cookies are only available at Christmas, and they come in a variety of shapes and flavors.
Vin chaud: This warm beverage (also known as mulled wine) is made with red or white wine, sugar, cinnamon, and cloves.
Kougelhopf: This classic is made with raisins and almonds and topped with powdered sugar.
Baeckeoffe: A slow-cooked casserole that’s made with potatoes, onions, carrots, and a trio of meats – beef, pork, and lamb.
Pain d’épices: This sweet and spicy bread is the Alsatian version of gingerbread. It’s made with honey, cinnamon, and ginger.

Practical Information

This is a hotel with Christmas Decorations in Mulhouse. It's a nutcracker theme and there are Christmas trees on either side of the door. — Christmas Decorations in Mulhouse

How to Get to Mulhouse

Getting to Mulhouse is straightforward. Its main train station is well-served and can be reached from cities like Paris, Lyon, and Strasbourg.

It’s also located near the city center and is within walking distance (via signs) of the Christmas market.

Helpful Tip: Mulhouse has excellent public transport.

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

Each one has several options for getting to Mulhouse.

EuroAirport: Near St. Louis, this airport is 31 kilometers (19 miles) from Mulhouse. At the airport, you can rent a car or take the train (about 40 minutes).
Strasbourg Airport: You can rent a car and drive to Mulhouse or take the train.
Frankfurt Airport: Although in Germany, it’s easy to get to Alsace from this airport. You can take the train or rent a car. There’s also the Lufthansa Express Bus that goes directly to Strasbourg, where you can then take a train to Mulhouse.
Paris Airports (CDG & Orly): Direct trains run from CDG airport to Strasbourg’s main train station (two hours). From there, you can change trains to Mulhouse. If you’re flying into Orly, you’ll first need to transfer to the Gare de l’Est train station and then take a train to Mulhouse.

Helpful Tip: The best website to buy your train tickets is SNCF-Connect.

Where to Stay

Mulhouse gets busy during the holiday season, but it’s not as bad as Strasbourg or Colmar.

Here are a few options that will guarantee an enjoyable stay:

Hotel Bristol: An elegant hotel in the center of Mulhouse. The breakfast is delicious and the staff are friendly.
Brit Hotel Mulhouse Centre: An affordable hotel with beautiful rooms. They even have on-site parking.
Gîte des Victoires: A fully equipped apartment with a responsive host. It’s conveniently located and the beds are comfortable.

Where to Eat

If you haven’t eaten enough at the Christmas market, there are plenty of restaurants in Mulhouse.

Below are my favorite places to eat in town:

La Table de Michèle: A traditional Alsatian restaurant with an impressive wine list. The setting is warm, cozy, and romantic.
La Piadina: A French brasserie with excellent food and service. It’s the perfect place to go for a relaxing setting.
Restaurant Zum Sauwadala: A traditional Alsatian restaurant that attracts even locals. It’s also a great place to try Fleischschnacka.

Insider Tips

This is a map of the Christmas market in Mulhouse. It shows the sites and locations of all the events, stalls, and key sites. — Map of the Christmas market

Since moving to Alsace in 2019, I’ve learned a lot about navigating the Christmas markets.

Here are some insider tips to help you make the most out of your visit:

Bring cash. Not every vendor accepts credit and/or debit cards.
Take a photo of the map of the Christmas market. There are several posted around town (see photo above).
Check out the list of my favorite websites that will help make planning your trip to this part of France easier.
Make sure to wear comfortable shoes. You will walk a lot.
Winter can be cold and rainy in Mulhouse. Pack warm clothing, like hats, scarves, gloves, thermal layers, and an umbrella. (It does snow, but not every year.)
Reserve accommodations and restaurants as soon as you can.
To avoid the crowds, visit during early to mid-morning or late evening on weekdays.
You don’t have to be fluent in French, but it’s always polite to say “Bonjour.”

Conclusion

While Mulhouse itself is worth visiting, my favorite time is during the Christmas market.

The theme is unique, and the atmosphere is more relaxed compared to towns like Strasbourg and Colmar.

I make it a tradition to visit every year, and I have yet to be disappointed.

I recommend booking your accommodations as early as possible. When the other towns fill up, Mulhouse is the next place people look to stay.

It’s the best way to guarantee a truly unforgettable holiday getaway.

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