The Ultimate Turckheim Christmas Market Guide (2025)

As a small village located in the heart of Alsace, Turckheim may not be on your radar as a holiday travel destination.

But I’ve been to a lot of Christmas markets since moving to Alsace in 2019, and it’s easily one of the top contenders for me.

The decorations are colorful and festive, while the stalls are the most unique that I’ve seen. Add to that all the fun activities this little town offers, and you have a winning Christmas market destination.

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

This is the main market at the Turckheim Christmas market. There are three houses that are meant to house elves, which is the theme. — Christmas Decorations in Turckheim

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Table of Contents ▼

Theme

There are four Christmas market stalls that look like they have been built by elves. In the center there is a water well. — Christmas Market Stalls in Turckheim

Most of the Christmas markets in this part of France have a theme – Strasbourg is the Capital of Christmas, Sélestat is the Capital of the Christmas Tree, Kaysersberg is the Authentic Christmas market, Haguenau is the Cradle of Nativity Scenes, and Riquewihr’s Christmas Market is the Picturesque One.

Then, there is Turckheim, which is the Marché de Noël des Lutins or the Christmas market of Elves.

And that’s exactly what you’ll find here.

Everything is centered around elves. Even the Christmas market stalls look like they’ve been built by elves. It’s a fun atmosphere that is different from the other markets you’ll see in Alsace.

Dates and Opening Hours

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

Dates

From the 28th of November to the 30th of December

Opening Hours: TBD

Key Highlights

Must-Visit Sites

This is Grand Rue in Turckheim at Christmas. All the buildings are decorated with ornaments and lights. — Grand Rue

This is a small stand in Turckheim. There are Christmas decorations and an information board that has a Christmas story. — Christmas Storytelling Stand in Turckheim

A small farm called Ferme de la Bassette with sheep in Turckheim. There are three sheep eating hay. — Ferme de la Bassette

Turckheim is a small town, but there are still several things to do, especially during the holiday season.

Below is a list of things I recommend:

Marché de Noël des Lutins: The Christmas market of Elves is the main event in Turckheim. It’s situated in Place de l’Hôtel de Ville and is filled with quirky stalls and charming decorations, making it fun for all ages.
Ferme de la Bassette: Next to the Christmas market in Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, there’s a small farm with goats and sheep.
Grand Rue: This is the main street in Turckheim. During the holiday season, all the buildings are covered in festive decorations. It’s also where you’ll find Christmas stories that you can listen to (via a QR code).
Église Sainte Anne: A beautiful church that hosts several concerts around Christmas. There’s usually one every weekend in December.
Le Veilleur de Nuit (The Night Watchman): Every night at 9:00 pm, the town’s night watchman makes his round through the old town. It’s been a tradition in Turckheim since 1540 and is something not to be missed.
Le Calendrier de l’Avent (The Advent Calendar): Every evening at 5:00 pm, children and adults dressed in costumes walk to Place de l’Hôtel de Ville to read the Advent Calendar. There’s also a short story about Turckheim’s history.
Le Wiehnacht’s Stewala (Christmas coffee): Every day in the Salle de la Décapole and the Salle du Brand Hôtel de Ville, you’ll find a few stands selling Christmas coffee, mulled wine, and bredele.

Food and Drinks

This is Christmas market stall selling vin chaud. It lists all the types of vin chaud that they sell and there are wooden barrels holding wine and decorations of typical Alsatian locals from the 19th century. — Christmas Market Stall Selling Vin Chaud

Most of the traditional dishes from Alsace blend the best of French and German cuisine.

You can expect to find hearty, savory dishes that are perfect for the colder months. There are even a few sweet treats worth trying.

Below is a list of the foods and drinks that you’ll want to try in Turckheim:

Choucroute garnie: This is my favorite traditional Alsatian dish. It’s a simple but tasty recipe made with sauerkraut, sausages, pork, and potatoes.
Bredele: These flavorful spiced cookies are only available during the holiday season. In Turckheim, you’ll want to stop by Le Wiehnacht’s Stewala to try one.
Vin chaud (mulled wine): A warm, spiced beverage made with red or white wine, a hint of sugar, and aromatic spices like cinnamon.
Tarte flambée: A dish reminiscent of pizza, crafted with a rich crème fraîche base, layered with sweet, caramelized onions, crispy lardons, and melted cheese.
Kougelhopf: This delightful Alsatian cake is infused with raisins and almonds and can be eaten at breakfast or as a dessert.
Baeckeoffe: This slow-cooked casserole is simple but perfect for the cold temperatures. It brings together potatoes, onions, carrots, and a trio of meats – beef, pork, and lamb.

Helpful Tip: If you’re a foodie, check out the Christmas market in Obernai.

Travel and Accommodation Tips

Holiday decoration in Turckheim. There is a Christmas tree that has wood carvings of snowmen and elves. — Holiday Decorations in Turckheim

This is a nativity scene in Turckheim. Each character is made of wood and painted. The entire scene is on hay. — Nativity Scene in Turckheim

How to Get to Turckheim

Turckheim is a small town about 6.3 kilometers (3.9 miles) west of Colmar.

And, during the holiday season, there are several ways to get to Turckheim (train, shuttle, bus, and car).

The easiest way to get there is by taking a train from Colmar. There are usually a few trains per hour, and the journey takes about 15 minutes.

Helpful Tip: Colmar’s train station is well-served with trains coming from and going to cities like Paris and Strasbourg regularly. Tickets can be bought on the SNCF-Connect website or app.

Next, there is the Navettes de Noël (Christmas Shuttle Bus). It’s less convenient than taking the train, but it is still an option.

The shuttle bus departs from Colmar and goes to Turckheim without making any other stops.

The only downside is the limited hours.

Helpful Tip: If you choose this option, I recommend booking your tickets for the Navettes de Noël as soon as they are available.

The final option is the public bus. It runs on weekdays and makes more stops compared to the Navettes de Noël. (I don’t recommend this option if you can avoid it.)

Helpful Tip: Download the GrandEst-Fluo app for schedules. Tickets are sold on the bus, and debit/credit cards are not accepted. It’s four euros for a one-way ticket.

If you decide to drive, there are several parking lots within walking distance of Turckheim.

Where to Stay

Turckheim doesn’t have a ton of accommodation options. Below are the places I recommend:

Hôtel des Deux Clefs: A charming hotel housed in a 15th-century building. The rooms are comfortable, and the breakfast buffet is outstanding.
Hôtel Berceau Du Vigneron: A cute hotel with a friendly owner. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the beds are comfy.
L’Auberge du Brand: In the heart of Turckheim, this well-located hotel has large, comfy rooms. The restaurant is a bonus.

Where to Eat

Turckheim has a nice selection of restaurants worth trying. Here are the places I recommend:

Caveau Restaurant Stewala: A traditional Alsatian restaurant with a menu that changes with the season. You can expect fresh produce and a warm atmosphere.
Saveurs et Terroir: A French restaurant that serves fresh, modern dishes. The service is excellent and the price is reasonable.
Caveau du Vigneron: An authentic Alsatian restaurant that’s located in a traditional half-timbered house. The food is tasty and the atmosphere is cozy.

Practical Tips

This is a map of the Christmas market in Turckheim. It shows the town and all the must-visit sites. — Christmas Market Map

I’ve been to the Christmas market in Turckheim several times. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your trip:

Take a photo of the map of the Christmas market when you arrive. (There’s one at the entrance of Porte de France.)
If you can, visit during the week. It’s less crowded than the weekends.
If you visit on the weekend, arrive early in the day or before closing.
Wear comfortable shoes. There are a lot of cobbled streets.
Always say “Bonjour” before ordering from a vendor or at a restaurant.
Make reservations for restaurants and book accommodation as early as possible.
Check out the apps and websites I use when I travel in Alsace.

Conclusion

Turckheim’s Christmas market is one of the most unique in Alsace. It holds onto many traditions that have long disappeared in other towns.

And best of all, it’s not as crowded as more popular places like Colmar and Strasbourg.

If you’re visiting Colmar’s Christmas market, I recommend hopping on the train and spending a few hours here. It’s well worth it for the charming experience.

Now that you know about the Christmas market in Turckheim, why not check out Sélestat’s magical Christmas market?

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