Fêtes de la Saint-Nicolas d'Épinal

A month of magic in the heart of the Cité des Images

Épinal, prefecture of the Vosges and Cité des Images, famous for its centuries-old imagery heritage, adorns itself each year with its most beautiful lights for the Fêtes de la Saint-Nicolas. From late November to early January, the city transforms into a true winter kingdom, offering families a full month of magical entertainment, live shows, and popular traditions deeply rooted in Lorraine's heritage.

The Saint Nicholas Village

Set up around the majestic Saint-Maurice basilica, Épinal's Christmas market — named the Saint Nicholas Village — features over forty wooden chalets where local artisans and producers offer their creations and seasonal specialties. The air is filled with the scent of crispy waffles, melting gingerbread, golden pretzels, and mulled wine flavored with Vosges spices. The traditional oyster chalet, which has become a must-visit during the Épinal festivities, completes this unique gourmet offering.

The legendary Saint Nicholas parade

The most anticipated moment of the year in Épinal, the grand Saint Nicholas procession perpetuates a tradition born in the 1950s. More than sixty floats and brass bands make up a spectacular three-kilometer parade that takes over the illuminated streets of the city. The floats, designed and built by local associations and municipalities, compete in inventiveness and creativity. The procession traditionally starts from the Place des Vieux Moulins and ends at the Sadi Carnot bridge, where a fireworks display concludes the evening. Saint Nicholas closes the procession, applauded by the crowd, just ahead of Père Fouettard (Father Whipper) and his bell, booed by the spectators in the purest Lorraine tradition.

The Rendez-vous Givrés and festive entertainment

Since 2025, the festivities have been enhanced by the Rendez-vous Givrés (Chilly Encounters), a program of live shows and street entertainment offered every weekend. Fairground attractions, clowning parades, musical processions, and circus shows transform the city center into a huge playground. The Maison du Bailli hosts participatory workshops where young and old create objects from recycled materials. Carriage rides through the illuminated streets, the Jules Verne Carousel, and a traditional carousel in the Place de l'Âtre complete a program designed to delight all generations.

An essential Lorraine tradition

In the heart of every Vosges resident, Saint Nicholas in Épinal holds a special place. This festive event, which attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year, is one of the most important Christmas markets in the Grand Est region and contributes to the city's tourism appeal far beyond its regional borders. The Cité des Images revives the legend of the patron saint of children with a fervor and authenticity that make it a unique event in Lorraine.