Colmar at Christmas: A Complete Guide

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Is Colmar Worth Visiting at Christmas?

Absolutely yes! If you’ve ever wanted to step inside a real-life snow globe, visiting Colmar at Christmas is about as close as it gets.

With its pastel-coloured half-timbered houses, cobbled streets, and canal-lined “Little Venice” district, Colmar already feels like a fairytale. But in December it transforms into one of the most magical festive destinations in Europe.

You’ll step into a magical world of twinkling lights and larger-than-life festive decor around every corner, plus there are multiple gorgeous Christmas markets to explore. This really was a bucket list activity for me.

For families, couples or anyone chasing that classic European Christmas vibe, Colmar absolutely delivers.

How to Get to Colmar, Alsace

Colmar doesn’t have its own airport. So you can either get there by renting a car or taking the train from a nearby city.

We visited Colmar as a day trip from Basel. This was a really easy 45-minute train journey, and Colmar’s station is just a short walk from the town. You can read more details on this in my guide here.

Alternatively, you can also take the train from Strasbourg in about half an hour, or Paris in 2 and a half hours.

Where to Stay in Colmar at Christmas

As I mentioned, we stayed in Basel and took a train to Colmar. We stayed at Hotel Victoria, which was a great hotel with an amazing breakfast. It was also located right opposite Basel train station, making our day trip very easy! If you would also like to explore Basel, read our Basel guide here.

If you’re able to stay in Colmar itself, it would be magical. One hotel that is fully decorated for Christmas is Hotel Le Maréchal, pictured below. Staying there would really be a Christmas dream, or you can see all Colmar accommodation availability here.

Colmar Christmas Market Dates and Opening Times

The Colmar Christmas Markets typically open daily from late November until 29th December each year.

Most open late morning, around 11 am until the evening, with longer hours on Fridays and weekends. Note: On Christmas Day and Christmas Eve, some of the markets may close or have reduced opening hours.

When you’re planning your trip to Colmar at Christmas, it’s always worth double-checking the official city website closer to your travel dates, as times vary slightly year to year.

Colmar does get very crowded; my advice would be to visit midweek if you can. Weekends in December will get busy, especially in the evenings. Also, arrive in Colmar early to enjoy the streets and decorations before visiting the markets later in the day.

The Best Things to Do in Colmar at Christmas

Below are all the things to do in Colmar at Christmas. If you need help planning an itinerary, check out our one-day in Colmar guide, linked here.

1. Wander Le Petite Venise

This little area of Colmar is the area you’ll likely have seen in photos. It is simply stunning. The canal runs through the centre, and pastel coloured timber houses that look like they belong on a postcard line each side.

At Christmas, this area is just filled with decorations. Giant teddy bears sit posed outside cafes, festive decorations adorn the edge of the canals, and most of the houses also have their own Christmas displays.

If you arrive in Colmar by train, as we did, this is one of the first areas of Colmar you’ll come to. It’s definitely a beautiful area to have a little wander. We arrived here at around 9 am, and it wasn’t too crowded; by 11 it was really busy. So get there early if you can, especially if you want crowd-free photos!

2. Take a Christmas Boat Trip

Adorable flat-bottomed boats run along Colmar’s canals and Christmas in particular is a lovely time to enjoy a tour. You’ll get to see the canal’s decorations from a unique perspective, while avoiding the crowded streets.

If you plan to do this, make sure to wrap up warm; the boats do have blankets, but it can get cold!

Tickets for these cost €9 for adults and €4 for children, with under-4s sailing for free. Note: the boats are cash payments only.

3. Visit The Colmar Alsace Christmas Markets

Colmar has six wonderful, themed Christmas markets scattered through the Old Town (see the locations on the map below). Each square feels like its own mini Christmas village, and they’re close together, so you can wander easily between them.

Unfortunately, we visited in early January, and although all the Christmas decorations were still on display, some of the markets had already closed for the season. We enjoyed the ones that were still open, and I have done thorough research to support this post; here are the different markets and what to expect.

I have also pinned all the locations on my Google Map, which you can see further down in this guide.

• Place des Dominicains Market. Set against a stunning Gothic church, this market focuses on regional arts and crafts. It’s one of the most atmospheric spots after dark.
• Place de l’Ancienne Douane Market. Located in the heart of the Old Town, this is one of the largest markets and a great place for traditional Alsatian treats and gifts.
• Koïfhus (Old Customs House) Indoor Market. Perfect if the weather turns cold or rainy. This indoor space highlights local artisans and handmade goods.
• Place Jeanne d’Arc Market. This market is dedicated to traditional food, including foie gras, charcuterie, wine, brandies, Christmas cakes, and gingerbread.
• Children’s Christmas Market (Petite Venise). If you’re visiting with kids, this is the one they’ll love most. Think carousel rides, storytelling, and stalls designed just for little ones.

4. Explore Colmar’s Old Town

Like La Petite Venice, Colmar’s Old Town goes all out with the festive decor. One of my favourite things to do in any new destination is just to wander the streets. This is certainly something to do in Colmar at Christmas.

The Old Town is small and easy to navigate on foot. Around every corner is something magical to see. I especially loved the life-sized reindeer on the rooftops!

Make sure you dont miss Pfister House, a building that looks like it belongs to Rapunzel! You’ll also come across plenty of shops selling delicious sweet treats and touristy souvenirs.

5. Visit Colmar’s Christmas Shop

There are multiple Christmas-themed shops in Colmar, as well as the pop-up markets which sell Christmas decorations. However, we came across a stunning shop called La Magie de Noël, which I thought deserved a special mention.

When I came to pin this shop on my Google Map, I noticed they actually have two locations. I pinned them both for convenience!

If you’re looking to take home a little (or big) Christmas souvenir from your trip to Colmar, this is certainly a must-visit. Even if you’re not looking to purchase, it’s worth stopping by for a little browse around.

Map of Colmar at Christmas

Below is my map of all the best things to do in Colmar; the green pins show all the Christmas activities in Colmar we have discussed in this post.

This is an interactive map; simply click the top right-hand corner to open it in Google Maps.

Visiting Colmar at Christmas With Kids

If you’re a regular reader, you’ll know most of my guides are family travel. However, my husband and I visited Colmar without our children for our 10-year wedding anniversary. While it was nice to explore just the two of us, we did miss the boys, especially as they would have loved Colmar at Christmas!

While our children would have loved looking at all the decorations just as much as we did, if you are visiting Colmar at Christmas as a family, here are some additional things you won’t want to miss:

• The Children’s Christmas Market – Located in La Petite Venise, there is a specific market aimed at children. This one was closed when we visited, but from my research, they sell wooden toys and games, as well as cute cuddly stuffies. There is also a carousel and a post box to send a letter to Santa. My kids always love to pick out a little souvenir from our trips.
• Ride the Carousel – there is another great carousel located in Parc du Champ de Mars. This is the oldest wooden carousel in the Alsace region and only costs €2.50 a turn!
• Visit a Playground – Playgrounds are life for our children, and we walked past some they would have loved! Firstly, two that were right next to each other: Aire de Jeux and Montagne Verte (the second looking more suited to older kids). There is also a playground in Parc du Champ de Mars.

Tips for Visiting Colmar at Christmas

Colmar is a place that feels almost like it was made for Christmas, but there are a few things worth knowing before you visit. Due to how incredible Colmar is, it’s a really popular Christmas destination, so a little planning will make your visit much more enjoyable.

Visit During the Week if You Can

If your dates are flexible, I’d recommend visiting Colmar during the week rather than at the weekend. The Christmas markets can get extremely busy on Saturdays and Sundays, especially in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

Early mornings are also a good time to explore the old town before the biggest crowds arrive. You can then return to the markets later in the day when the lights are on, and the atmosphere is at its best.

Book Your Accommodation Early

Colmar is a very popular Christmas destination, and the best-located accommodation can book up months in advance. If you know you want to visit during December, I’d recommend booking your accommodation as early as possible.

Staying within walking distance of the old town is particularly convenient, as you’ll be able to explore the markets and return to your accommodation easily without needing to worry about parking or public transport.

We actually visited Colmar as a day trip from Basel, Switzerland. This was a really easy train ride; you can read all about taking the train from Basel to Colmar here or read our full Basel guide here.

👉See current Christmas in Colmar accommodation availability here.

Visit After Dark

Colmar is beautiful during the day, but I’m really sad we didnt get to see it at night. The Christmas lights and decorations will completely transform the old town and make Colmar feel extra magical.

If you can, I’d recommend exploring during daylight so you can see the architecture and markets properly, then staying into the evening to see the lights.

Make Restaurant Reservations

Restaurants in Colmar can get very busy during the Christmas market season, particularly at weekends. If there are specific restaurants you’d like to try, it’s worth making a reservation rather than relying on finding a table when you arrive.

It’s also a good opportunity to try some traditional Alsatian food while you’re there, including tarte flambée, choucroute and other regional specialities.

Plan Around the Crowds if You’re Visiting With Kids

If you’re visiting Colmar with children, I’d try to explore the busiest parts of the Christmas markets earlier in the day. Some of the narrower streets around the old town can become very crowded in the afternoon and evening.

I always like the quieter early mornings for exploring, followed by a break back at our accommodation as we have younger children. Then you can head back out to enjoy the Christmas lights in the evening when most of the day trippers have gone.

FAQ’s About Colmar at Christmas

Final Thoughts on Spending Christmas in Colmar

Colmar at Christmas really is as magical as you imagine it will be. The beautiful half-timbered buildings, winding canals, twinkling lights and charming Christmas markets make the whole historic centre feel like you’ve stepped into a Christmas story.

While the markets are the main attraction for many people, for me, the main joy of visiting Colmar is simply wandering through the old town, admiring the decorations, stopping for something warm to eat and discovering the different markets as you go.

If you’re planning a Christmas trip to France, I’d definitely put Colmar high on your list. It’s beautiful, festive and compact enough to explore easily, making it a particularly lovely choice for a couple or family Christmas break!

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Thank you so much for reading our guide on Colmar at Christmas. We hope you have a wonderful trip.

Happy Exploring,