UPDATED FEB 2020. I visited the Colmar Christmas markets on opening day last weekend and I have to say, they are one of the top Christmas markets I have been to. Here you’ll find what to expect, my recommendation of where to stay, and some extra tips for planning a magical and uber festive weekend in the Alsace region of France. I’ve added in a couple of other Christmas markets in the area so that you can make the most of your time and see a few of them (don’t forget your stretchy pants!)
Colmar Christmas Markets – What To Expect And Other Markets Nearby
Disclaimer
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What to expect
Pretty much just expect to step into some sort of cartoon fairytale.
If you like Beauty and The Beast, then you’ll like Colmar because it’s basically like the village where Belle is from. The festive decorations give it an even more magical feel.
You can see in the photos that I was there on a gloomy day, but it was still gorgeous. I can imagine it’s even more picture perfect on a clear day.
What to eat
There are multiple sections of the Christmas markets that you can walk to and it’s all well signed to get you from one spot to the other.
Make sure you visit with an empty stomach because Christmas markets are full of delicious snacks.
At the Colmar Christmas markets, I liked the Baguette Flambe, Sauerkraut with sausage and, of course, I tried a chocolate Eclair which was delish.
There were a lot of amazing looking pretzels with all sorts of toppings but I simply couldn’t fit one in!
Another Christmas market favorite is warm wine or cider. You pay an extra Euro for the cup deposit and if you don’t want the Euro back, you get yourself a cute souvenir cup.
They have non-alcoholic options for warm drinks as well.
What else to buy
Other than the food, you can expect to find a lot of crafty items, Christmas decorations, household goodies, and handmade everything.
Even if you aren’t looking for anything like that, it’s nice to window shop the different stalls and unique creations.
For more information:
Here is more information on parking and events.
Where to stay to visit the Colmar Christmas Markets
If you want to stay somewhere quieter but just as fairytale-like, I recommend staying in Obernai.
It has enough to give you everything you need as far as restaurants and shops, but it still has a charming small-town feel.
Although Colmar is the Insta-famous spot in the region, (that’s mostly why I didn’t stay there, to be honest), there are many more fairytale towns to explore and Obernai offers a central location to base yourself from.
I stayed at Nota Bene and got a studio in the city center which had kitchen facilities, Wi-Fi, cozy fake fireplace heating, and a super comfortable bed.
It also has free parking nearby which came in handy. 10/10 loved it and would absolutely recommend.
If it’s booked or you prefer somewhere else, I recommend searching on Booking.com because it is a great site to find a good deal on accommodation.
What to expect in Obernai
There is an amazing chocolate store across the road, lots of restaurants nearby, and the main street has all sorts of small specialty stores from cheese, to nougat, to artisanal liquor.
Obernai also has a gorgeous Christmas market of its own. Unfortunately, it wasn’t open on the weekend of my visit but I saw the setup and think it would be worth a visit too.
Another Christmas market nearby – Strasbourg Christmas markets
If you are visiting for a weekend, I recommend visiting the Colmar Christmas markets on one day and one of the other markets in the area the next.
I visited the Strasbourg Christmas markets but Riquewehr was another that I wanted to see, though it wasn’t open during the weekend of my visit.
Strasbourg had a bigger city feel compared to Colmar but was still captivating with its fairytale-like charm.
It also had different areas of markets that were easy to walk from section to section.
I enjoyed many of the same foods as the Colmar Christmas markets and had a magical time walking around looking at all the goodies.
For more information:
Official site for Strasbourg Christmas markets.
Official site for Riquewehr Christmas markets.
How to get to the Christmas markets
When you are following the signs while driving and walking to the city centers, look for ‘Marché de Noël’. If you are driving, remember to look up the parking garages near the markets as the city centers will be closed off.
The links for each market mentioned above have information for parking and hours.
Extra tips for visiting the Colmar Christmas Market
Christmas market snacking is a marathon, not a sprint so pace yourself. Definitely go hungry though because there is no shortage of good food.
You’ll be in a city and crowded area so keep your belongings close to you. Use the usual precautions to avoid getting pickpocketed – don’t leave your purse open, on the ground or have a phone/wallet loosely in your pockets.
Bring cash in small bills (10’s & 20’s). There are ATMs at the markets but if you can get your cash prior it’ll save you waiting in line.
Other guides to help you plan a visit to France
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Such great tips. These buildings look absolutely beautiful. I love it. It is like a magical wonderland.
It’s so magical there for sure!
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