When Are the Christmas Markets in France? 2026 Dates & Details
France’s Christmas markets are among the most magical in Europe, combining deep-rooted Alsatian traditions, incredible culinary specialties, and stunning historic backdrops. If you're planning a Christmas markets trip in 2026, the first detail to nail down is when each market officially opens and closes. Dates vary widely in France! Some kick off in mid-November, while others wait until December to start the festivities. While nearly every town and city in France has its own spin on Christmas markets, we've curated a list of 20 of the most popular, historic, and charming French Christmas market destinations as well as their operating dates for this year.
What to Expect: 2026 Opening & Closing Trends
Earliest openings → Some markets, like those in Paris and Lille, kick off as early as mid-November.
Typical opening window → The majority of traditional Alsatian markets open between November 25–27, 2026, lining up with the final week of November.
Safest time to visit → If you want to maximize your market visits and see multiple destinations, plan a trip to France between November 28 – December 22, 2026. During this timeframe, almost every major market is open.
Closings → Many traditional markets wrap up on December 23 or 24. A few are open into the New Year! Colmar, Lille, and Paris run through the end of December and into early January.
Weekends vs. weekdays →Weekends deliver the most festive atmosphere but the biggest crowds (and higher hotel prices). Weekdays are quieter. However, keep in mind that several smaller traditional villages (such as Ribeauvillé and Kaysersberg) are only open on weekends.
While many of the Christmas markets below have published their dates, there are still a few that haven’t released their 2026 dates yet. We have notated those and make bi-weekly updates as they become available.
*Date last updated: July 15, 2026
French Christmas Markets to Visit in 2026
Amiens Christmas Markets
📅 November 20 – December 30, 2026
🔗 Official website
Set against the backdrop of the largest Gothic cathedral in France, the Amiens Christmas market stretches for nearly two kilometers. It’s the largest market in northern France, featuring over 120 chalets and an incredible nightly light projection show on the facade of the Amiens Cathedral.
Annecy Christmas Market
📅 November 26, 2026 – January 3, 2027
🔗 Official website
Known as the "Venice of the Alps," Annecy transforms into a mountain fairy tale during the holidays. The market is spread throughout the old town and along the lakefront, complete with illuminated canals, an ice rink, and Savoyard specialties like tartiflette and raclette to keep you warm.
Bordeaux Christmas Markets
📅 The 2026 Bordeaux Christmas Markets dates have not yet been announced. 2025 Dates: November 28 – December 28, 2025
🔗 Official website
Bordeaux brings a distinct southwestern French flair to the holiday season. Located in the Allées de Tourny, the market is surrounded by the city's elegant 18th-century architecture. Instead of just mulled wine (called vin chaud in France!), you'll find plenty of local Bordeaux vintages, along with regional treats like canelés and foie gras.
Colmar Christmas Markets
📅 November 23 – December 29, 2026 (dates vary slightly by market)
🔗 Official website
Colmar feels like stepping directly into a snow globe. Rather than one massive market, Colmar hosts six smaller, distinct markets seamlessly woven into the town's stunning cobblestone streets and half-timbered houses. The illuminated canals of "Little Venice" provide one of the most romantic winter backdrops in Europe.
As a short train ride from both Baseland Strasbourg, this would make for an easy day trip from either destination or a fantastic midway anchor point to further explore the other smaller villages in the Alsace region on a trip from Strasbourg to Switzerland.
Click here to read our complete Colmar Christmas market guide!
Chamonix Christmas Market
📅 The 2026 Chamonix Christmas Markets dates have not yet been announced. 2025 Dates: December 18, 2025 – January 4, 2026 (dates vary slightly by market)
🔗 Official website
Chamonix offers one of the most breathtaking alpine market settings imaginable. Because it caters heavily to the winter ski season, this market opens much later than the rest of France. The wooden chalets are set up at the Place du Triangle de l'Amitié, nestled right at the foot of Mont Blanc.
As a one-hour drive or bus ride from Geneva, this would be the perfect addition to any itinerary that wants to focus on winter sports like skiing while still having a dash of Christmas magic.
Eguisheim Christmas Market
📅 November 27 – December 30, 2026
🔗 Official website
Consistently voted one of the most beautiful villages in France, Eguisheim's market is incredibly intimate and traditional. The village is built in concentric circles around a central castle, and its market focuses heavily on local artisans and Alsatian gastronomy. It’s smaller than Colmar, making it perfect for a quieter, more authentic evening.
Kaysersberg Christmas Market
📅 November 27–29, Dec 4–6, Dec 11–13, Dec 18–20, 2026 (Weekends Only)
🔗 Official website
If you want an incredibly authentic experience, Kaysersberg is the crown jewel of the smaller Alsatian villages. Located in a valley surrounded by vineyards and ruined castles, its market focuses strictly on high-quality, local artisanship. Because it is highly traditional, it is only open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the Advent season.
What to Pack for Your Christmas Market Trip
Be prepared for whatever weather comes your way! Get our ultimate packing list here.
Lille Christmas Market
📅 The 2026 Lille Christmas Market dates have not yet been announced. 2025 Dates: November 19 – December 30, 2025
🔗 Official website
Located in northern France, Lille’s market is renowned for blending French flair with deep Flemish traditions. Taking place in Place Rihour, the market features 90 chalets and a massive Ferris wheel that offers sweeping views of the illuminated city. As a one-hour train ride from Paris and less than one hour away from Brussels, this would make for either an easy day trip from either city or a fantastic stop on an itinerary going between Paris and Brussels.
Lyon Christmas Markets
📅 November 22 – December 24, 2026
🔗 Official website
Lyon’s main Christmas market takes place in Place Carnot. However, if you are visiting Lyon in early December, you must time your trip with the famous Fête des Lumières (Festival of Lights), which typically occurs around December 5–8, when the entire city is transformed into a massive, breathtaking light installation.
Metz Christmas Markets
📅 November 21 – December 30, 2026
🔗 Official website
Metz hosts one of the most spectacular markets in the Grand Est region, spreading across five major squares. The highlight is the stunning "Sentier des Lanternes" (Trail of Lanterns), a magical illuminated walkway that brings fairy tales to life. While you’re there, you can also take a ride on the massive Ferris wheel set up next to the towering Metz Cathedral.
Less than one hour by train from Nancy, Strasbourg, and Luxembourg, and only 1.5 hours from Paris, Metz is a great central stop between destinations or a great day trip from other iconic Christmas market cities!
Montbéliard Christmas Market
📅 November 21 – December 24, 2026
🔗 Official website
Located in eastern France near the Swiss border, Montbéliard is famous for its incredible lighting displays. The town is illuminated by over 115,000 lights, draping the historic buildings in a brilliant glow. The market features 160 craftsmen carefully selected for their traditional skills, making it one of the best places in France to buy authentic gifts.
Mulhouse Christmas Market
📅 November 20 – December 27, 2026
🔗 Official website
Mulhouse stands out for its rich textile history, and they celebrate this every year by creating a special, limited-edition Christmas fabric that drapes the town hall, chalets, and streets. The market takes place in the Place de la Réunion, right in the heart of the historic center.
Nancy Christmas Markets
📅 The 2026 Nancy Christmas Market dates have not yet been announced. 2025 Dates: November 21, 2025 – January 4, 2026
🔗 Official website
Nancy does things a bit differently! Their celebrations center heavily on the Feast of Saint Nicholas (early December). The "Villages de Saint-Nicolas" spread across the city, featuring light shows, a grand parade, and festive markets. The magnificent Place Stanislas, a UNESCO World Heritage site, provides a jaw-dropping backdrop.
Nice Christmas Markets
📅 The 2026 Nice Christmas Market dates have not yet been announced. 2025 Dates: November 28, 2025 – January 4, 2026
🔗 Official website
If you prefer palm trees with your holiday lights, Nice brings the Christmas magic to the French Riviera. The market takes over the Jardin Albert 1er with dozens of chalets, an ice rink, and beautiful light displays reflecting off the Mediterranean setting.
Obernai Christmas Market
📅 The 2026 Obernai Christmas Markets dates have not yet been announced yet. 2025 Dates: November 28 – December 31, 2025
🔗 Official website
Obernai specializes in a "Gastronomy and Crafts" market, making it the perfect stop for foodies. Set at the foot of the Vosges Mountains, this market is less crowded than those in Strasbourg or Colmar but packs incredible charm. Try the local mulled white wine, which is a specialty of the region.
Paris Christmas Markets
📅 The 2026 Paris Christmas Markets dates have not yet been announced yet. 2025 Dates: November 15, 2025 – January 6, 2026
🔗 Official website
Paris is home to multiple Christmas markets scattered across different arrondissements (neighborhoods). The largest and most popular is "La Magie de Noël" in the Tuileries Garden (running mid-November to early January), which features an ice rink and carnival rides. You'll also find a massive market at La Défense, an artisanal market near Notre-Dame, and charming pop-ups in Montmartre and Saint-Germain-des-Prés. There are many, many markets in Paris. Some are open for the entire season while others work more like a pop-up weekend experience. Head to the official Paris tourism website for more details and an exhaustive list.
Click here to read our complete Paris Christmas market guide!
Reims Christmas Market
📅 November 26 – December 28, 2026
🔗 Official website
If you want to combine Christmas magic with incredible wine, Reims is the place to be. Set in the Champagne region, the market sits in the shadow of the breathtaking Notre-Dame de Reims cathedral. Alongside the traditional mulled wine, you will find plenty of stalls serving glasses of world-class local champagne. As the third-largest Christmas market in France, this is one market destination that’s certainly worth a visit!
Ribeauvillé Medieval Christmas Market
📅 Dec 5–6 & Dec 12–13, 2026 (Weekends Only)
🔗 Official website
Ribeauvillé completely transforms during Advent, hosting a deeply immersive Medieval Christmas market. You'll find villagers in historical costumes, fire-eaters, wandering troubadours, and traditional medieval crafts. Because of its unique nature, it only runs on two specific weekends in December, so plan carefully!
Riquewihr Christmas Market
📅 November 27 – December 20, 2026
🔗 Official website
Considered to be the village that inspired Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Riquewihr is exceptionally beautiful year-round but reaches peak magic in December. The main street is beautifully illuminated, and the air smells like roasted chestnuts and spiced wine. It is an absolute must-visit on any Alsace road trip.
Strasbourg Christmas Markets
📅 The Strasbourg Christmas market is scheduled to start on November 26, 2026. The closing date(s) for the Christmas markets and their hours have not been released yet, but based on past years’ hours, it’s expected to be open until Christmas Eve.
🔗 Official website
Strasbourg holds the title of the "Capital of Christmas" for a reason. Dating back to 1570, it is the oldest Christmas market in France. The event takes over the entire UNESCO-listed Grande Île with over 300 wooden chalets spread across 11 different squares. Don't miss the 30-meter Grand Sapin (Great Christmas Tree) in Place Kléber! With multiple can’t-miss markets and in an easy-to-reach location, it’s not hard to see why Strasbourg is so many people’s favorite Christmas market destination!
Click here to read our complete Strasbourg Christmas market guide!