*Updated November 2026*
We visited both the Strasbourg and the Colmar Christmas markets in December 2025. This post compares Strasbourg’s and Colmar’s Christmas markets against one another so that you can decide which to visit with limited time.
Short answer: Colmar for atmosphere, food and drinks; Strasbourg for more markets, easier trains, bigger decorations, sightseeing, shopping and hotels.
Winner by category
- More Christmas markets: Strasbourg
- Easier to reach: Strasbourg
- Christmas vibes: Colmar
- Christmas decorations: Strasbourg
- Food: Colmar
- Drinks: Colmar
- Sightseeing beyond the markets: Strasbourg
- Christmas shopping: Strasbourg
- Where to stay: Strasbourg
- Crowds: Tie
Strasbourg wins more categories, but most of its wins are logistics and extras, while Colmar takes the vibes, food and drinks that make a Christmas market feel magical, so overall we call it a tie.
Colmar vs Strasbourg Christmas Markets 2026: Quick Answers
- Strasbourg: November 27 to December 24, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (2:00 p.m. opening on November 27, 6:00 p.m. close on December 24).
- Colmar: November 23 to December 29, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday to Sunday. The Gourmet Market and Place Rapp Christmas fair stay open through January 3, 2027.
- Number of markets: Strasbourg has 8; Colmar has 6, plus the Place Rapp Christmas fair.
- Train between them: About 30 minutes. We paid 30 euro per person round trip, second class, buying tickets the same day.
- Best day to go: A weekday. Monday and Tuesday were much more manageable than Saturday and Sunday.
Strasbourg’s Place Kléber market, with the Grand Sapin, Strasbourg’s largest Christmas tree, in the background.
