Joigny Christmas Market

The Joigny Christmas Market: enchantment in the heart of the medieval town

Every year on the first weekend of December, the town of Joigny (Yonne, 89300) — nicknamed the 'town of half-timbered houses' — transforms into a Christmas village to host its Christmas Market. Located on Place du 1er RVY and in the covered market, the event brings together about sixty exhibitors over two days in a festive and family atmosphere. The town is the main organizer, with the support of the local tourist office and merchants.

The official inauguration of the market is preceded, on Saturday evening at 5:30 PM, by the solemn lighting of the Christmas lights in town, in the presence of Santa Claus accompanied by his singing and musical elves — a moment eagerly awaited by the children and families of Joigny. The market opens immediately after, at 6:00 PM, for a festive and warm start to the evening.

About sixty exhibitors for all tastes

Each edition, the Joigny Christmas Market brings together about sixty carefully selected exhibitors, covering the entire spectrum of Christmas gifts and pleasures. Craft creators, local producers, and specialized exhibitors offer:

• Arts and crafts and gifts: handmade jewelry, carved wooden objects, leather creations, pottery and ceramics, artisanal Christmas decorations, illustrations and prints, resin jewelry, decorative objects.
• Textile creations: knitted clothing and accessories, scarves, hats, fabric bags, patchwork and embroidery.
• Gastronomy and Christmas flavors: artisanal foie gras, terrines and preserves, honey and honey products, homemade jams, spices and condiments, artisanal chocolates, gingerbread, macarons, nougat.
• Wines and spirits: Burgundy wines (Joigny also produces its own wines on the town's hillsides), crémants, ciders, and artisanal fruit juices.

Among the market's must-haves, the stalls offering fresh oysters and hot chestnuts are consistently popular with visitors who stop to taste these seasonal specialties in the festive atmosphere of the market.

Activities and Santa's House

The Joigny Christmas Market stands out for its rich activities, designed for all ages:

• Santa's House: located in a dedicated space, it welcomes children to meet Santa Claus and give him their wish letters. An essential moment of magic for the little ones.
• Santa Claus's presence: the great Saint Nicholas also roams the market accompanied by his singing and musical elves, distributing candy and smiles to the children he meets in the aisles.
• Carousels and attractions: traditional Christmas games and carousels occupy part of the square, allowing children to have fun while parents browse the chalets.
• Mulled wine and hot chocolate: several stalls offer these comforting hot drinks, essential for warming up while strolling through the market aisles.
• Concerts and musical entertainment: musical entertainment punctuates the weekend, helping to create the warm and festive atmosphere of the market.

The inauguration of the Christmas lights: a highlight

One of the highlights of the Joigny Christmas Market weekend is the official inauguration of the Christmas lights in town, which takes place every year on Saturday at 5:30 PM. The ceremony, attended by town officials and a large crowd, symbolically marks the beginning of the holiday season in Joigny. Santa Claus and his elves animate the ceremony, and as soon as the lights are turned on, the streets and squares of the town are adorned with garlands and illuminations that will remain in place until after New Year's Day.

At 6:00 PM, the market officially opens its doors, the chalets light up, and the music begins — the signal that the magic of Christmas has taken over the town for the weekend.

Joigny, a town of art and history in Burgundy

Joigny is a town of art and history in the Yonne region, famous for its 15th, 16th, and 17th-century half-timbered houses that line its streets and squares. These medieval residences with sculpted wooden frames, some bearing finely crafted human and animal figures, constitute one of the most beautiful ensembles of 'prud'homie' architecture in Burgundy.

The Saint-Jean church (16th century), with its original round tower, and the Saint-André church, which houses beautiful collections of sculptures and paintings, complete the town's remarkable architectural heritage. Joigny is also known for its local vineyard: Joigny wine, a Pinot noir grape variety, has obtained the AOC appellation and is distinguished by its lightness and finesse. The town is accessible from Paris in less than 1 hour and 45 minutes by road or train, making it an ideal winter getaway for Parisians seeking authenticity.

A free and family-friendly market, organized with the support of the tourist office

The Joigny Christmas Market is completely free. Organized by the Town of Joigny with the support of the tourist office and local associations, it embodies the conviviality and dynamism of a town that knows how to showcase its heritage and community life. For any information, the Joigny tourist office can be reached at 03 86 92 48 09.