The Colmar Christmas market runs from Monday 23 November to Tuesday 29 December 2026, spread over six small markets in the old town. Colmar is much smaller than Strasbourg, and that’s a big part of the appeal: half-timbered houses, canals in Little Venice and lights strung across the lanes, all within a few minutes’ walk of each other. The gourmet market and the Ferris wheel stay open until 3 January 2027. Here are the dates and hours, the six markets, what to eat and how to get there.
Colmar Christmas market 2026: key facts
| Dates | 23 November–29 December 2026 (gourmet market and Ferris wheel until 3 January 2027) |
| Opening hours | Mon–Thu 11:00–19:00, Fri–Sun 10:00–20:00 |
| Special days | 24 Dec 11:00–17:00, 25 and 26 Dec 10:00–20:00 |
| Gourmet market | Daily 11:00–22:00 (31 Dec until 17:00) |
| Location | Six squares in the old town |
| Entry | Free |
Dates are from Colmar’s official Christmas website, run by the tourist office. Check the hours page there before you travel, as times can differ slightly from one market to another.
The six Christmas markets in Colmar
Place des Dominicains
Set next to the Dominican church, this market has wooden chalets selling decorations, crafts and Christmas gifts. The church’s tall Gothic windows are lit up in the evening, so come after dark.
Place de l’Ancienne Douane and the Koïfhus
The square in front of the old customs house, the Koïfhus, is one of the busiest spots in the Colmar Christmas market, with plenty of food and drink stalls. Inside the Koïfhus itself there’s an indoor artisans’ market, a good place to warm up while you look at handmade pieces.
Place Jeanne d’Arc
Place Jeanne d’Arc is one of the smaller markets, a short walk from the main squares and usually calmer than the area around the Koïfhus.
Little Venice: the children’s market
Petite Venise, the canal district, hosts the market for children. There’s a carousel and a letterbox for letters to Father Christmas, and the view of the lit-up houses over the water is the photo most people come for.
The gourmet market
The sixth market is all about food and drink, with late hours (until 22:00 every evening). Together with the Ferris wheel, it stays open after the other markets close, until 3 January 2027.
Food and drink at the Colmar Christmas market
Colmar sits on the Alsace wine route, so the vin chaud is often made with local white wine. Look out for tarte flambée, bretzels, bredele (small Christmas biscuits), pain d’épices and kougelhopf, the ring-shaped Alsatian cake. The gourmet market is the best stop if you want to eat later in the evening.
Getting to the Colmar Christmas market
Colmar station is about a 15-minute walk from the old town. Regional trains from Strasbourg take about half an hour, and trains from Basel take under an hour, so Colmar works well as a day trip or as part of an Alsace tour. The closest airport is EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg. During the market period the tourist office says the town centre is closed to cars, so if you drive, use the car parks on the edge of the centre and walk in.
Christmas villages near Colmar
Several wine villages nearby hold their own markets, and they’re easy to reach by car or regional bus. The tourist office lists these 2026 dates:
- Eguisheim: 27 November–30 December
- Kaysersberg: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 27 November to 20 December
- Riquewihr: 27 November–20 December
- Turckheim: 27 November–30 December
Tips for your visit
- Colmar gets very crowded on December weekends, especially Saturdays. Weekday visits are much calmer.
- Markets close at 19:00 from Monday to Thursday, so plan evening visits for Friday to Sunday or head to the gourmet market.
- Book accommodation early or stay in Strasbourg or Basel and come in by train.
- Shops in the centre also open on the Sundays before Christmas.
Luggage storage near the Colmar Christmas market
Colmar’s old town is all narrow cobbled lanes, and with the centre closed to cars you’ll be on foot from the station. If you’re visiting for the day or between hotels, drop your bags first. Radical Storage has partner shops and hotels in Colmar where you can leave luggage for a few hours or longer. Book online, with every bag protected up to €10,000 and free cancellation. Travellers rate the service 4.8/5.
See luggage storage near the old town or find storage by the station.
Colmar Christmas market FAQ
From Monday 23 November to Tuesday 29 December 2026. The gourmet market and the Ferris wheel stay open until 3 January 2027.
Monday to Thursday 11:00 to 19:00, and Friday to Sunday 10:00 to 20:00. On 24 December the markets close at 17:00. The gourmet market is open daily until 22:00.
Yes. The tourist office lists 25 and 26 December as open from 10:00 to 20:00.
Six, all in the old town: Place des Dominicains, Place de l’Ancienne Douane, Place Jeanne d’Arc, Little Venice, the Koïfhus and the gourmet market.
Yes. Regional trains take about half an hour, and the old town is a 15-minute walk from Colmar station.
Radical Storage has partner locations in Colmar. You book online, bags are protected up to €10,000 and cancellation is free.
