Rethel Christmas Market
Magical Christmas village in the heart of Rethel with chalets, ice rink, and entertainment
2026
About Rethel Christmas Market
Our team has not been able to confirm with an official source that this 2026 edition is taking place. The dates and program shown below may be outdated. We strongly recommend that you contact the organizer directly to verify before any travel or registration.
Rethel Christmas Market — edition 2026
Every year in mid-December, the Rethel Christmas Market takes over the area between the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville and the Place de l'Hôpital, featuring wooden chalets, local Ardennes products, an outdoor ice rink, Santa Claus, and festive carol concerts. The City of Rethel has not yet released the official dates for the 2026 edition; the December 18-21 dates listed here are based on the schedule of previous years (2024, 2025), which were held on the third weekend of December.
2026 edition not yet announced
As of August 20, 2026, the City of Rethel has not yet published the official dates or the program for the 2026 Christmas Market. The dates from December 18 to 21, 2026, listed here are based on the calendar of previous editions and remain unconfirmed at this time.
Highlights from the 2025 edition
The 2025 Christmas Market took place from December 19 to 22, featuring wooden chalets stretching from the Place de l'Hôpital to the town center, around fifty exhibitors showcasing Ardennes products and artisanal crafts, an outdoor ice rink, Santa Claus and his elves in a decorated pergola, mascots, a performance by "Nicolas and his barrel organ" on Saturday, and a Festi'Circus parade on Sunday. Admission was free for everyone.
The City typically issues a call for exhibitors in early November, announcing the event dates, followed by the detailed program in December.
Highlights Rethel Christmas Market 2026
- Decorated chalets and local exhibitors
- Outdoor ice rink
- Santa Claus, mascots, and entertainment
- Christmas carol concerts
- Free admission
Programme Rethel Christmas Market 2026
The dates and program for the 2026 edition have not yet been released by the City of Rethel (verified on August 20, 2026). Last year, the call for exhibitors including the event dates was published in early November, with the full program following in December; a similar schedule is expected this year.
Prices Rethel Christmas Market 2026
Practical information — Rethel Christmas Market
Practical information
Access
The Christmas Market takes place between Place de l'Hôtel de Ville and Place de l'Hôpital, Boulevard de la 4ème Armée, in the very center of Rethel (08300).
- By car: From Reims (40 km), take the A34 towards Charleville-Mézières, exit Rethel. Free parking in the town center.
- By train: Rethel SNCF station, a 10-minute walk from the market.
Opening Hours
- Friday: 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Monday: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Prices
Free admission.
Contact
- Organizer: Ville de Rethel
- Address: Hôtel de Ville, Place de la République, 08300 Rethel
- Phone: 03 24 39 51 40
- Website: villederethel.fr
A magical Christmas village in the streets of Rethel
Every year in mid-December, the town center of Rethel is adorned with its finest decorations to host its Christmas Market. For four days, magnificent decorated wooden chalets are set up between Place de l'Hôtel de Ville and Place de l'Hôpital, via Boulevard de la 4ème Armée. About fifty exhibitors offer local Ardennes products, artisanal creations, Christmas decorations, sweets, and gift ideas for the whole family.
Ice rink, Santa Claus, and mascots
The Rethel Christmas Market is not just about shopping: it's a true magical experience for young and old alike. An ice rink is set up outdoors for the enjoyment of families. Santa Claus and his elves welcome children under a pergola beautifully decorated by the association Un Rêve à Partager. Popular mascots — Chase, Marcus, and Stella from Paw Patrol, Angèle, and Olaf — walk among visitors and pose for souvenir photos.
Concerts, treats, and a warm atmosphere
Christmas carol concerts are scheduled in the late afternoon and evening, creating an enchanting musical atmosphere in the market aisles. Papy le Clown delights children with his balloon sculptures and magic tricks. Gourmet stands offer mulled wine, hot chocolate, roasted chestnuts, waffles, gingerbread, and Ardennes specialties to warm hearts and taste buds. The entire market is illuminated by fairy lights and sparkling decorations.
An unmissable event for the holiday season
The Rethel Christmas Market has become an unmissable event for the holiday season in the South of the Ardennes. Admission is free, and the market is open continuously from morning to evening. Families, friends, and neighbors gather in this warm and friendly atmosphere, in the heart of a town decorated in Christmas colors. The City of Rethel invites local artisans, creators, and producers each year to participate in this event that showcases the know-how and local produce of the Ardennes.
Where does it take place — Rethel Christmas Market
Rethel Christmas Market in brief
Other festivals near Rethel
Festival-goer reviews
No review yet. Be the first!
No rating yet — be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community
Have you spotted an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every suggestion is reviewed by our team before publication.
Festival-goer photos
No photo yet. Share yours!
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Published by Valentin Contard, festival listings writer. Reviewed, corrected and approved by Christophe Contard, editor-in-chief. .
A quick word
Find us more easily on Google
Add Festivals en France to your preferred sources: our line-ups and calendars will show up more often in your Google results. It’s free, it takes two seconds, and you can undo it whenever you want.
Add us to my sourcesYou stay on this page: Google opens a window, then brings you back here.