Saint-Étienne Christmas Market
Magical Christmas Village in the heart of Saint-Étienne
About Christmas Market
The Saint-Étienne Christmas Market, created in 1995, is one of the most important Christmas markets in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Every year, from late November to late December, the city center of Saint-Étienne transforms into a truly magical Christmas village. Set up on the Hôtel-de-Ville, Jean-Jaurès, and Dorian squares, the market brings together about sixty decorated chalets offering local crafts, original creations, local Forez products, and gourmet specialties. Visitors stroll among the illuminated chalets amidst sparkling lights, enjoying a 30-meter panoramic Ferris wheel, an outdoor ice rink, a Belle Époque carousel, and an 18-meter giant Christmas tree. Organized by the City of Saint-Étienne with the support of downtown merchant associations, the market also features "Féeries de Noël" (Christmas Magic) – street performances, parades of dancers, musicians, and circus artists – every weekend. The event attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year and is a must-attend family and friendly gathering for the holiday season in the Loire department.
Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Christmas Market at the best price.
Sponsored link
The Saint-Étienne Christmas Market: Magic in the Heart of the Stéphanois City
Since 1995, the Saint-Étienne Christmas Market has enchanted the city center of the Loire capital every winter. As one of the most important Christmas markets in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region after Lyon's, it transforms the city's central squares into a warm and sparkling Christmas village, attracting tens of thousands of visitors for over a month.
A Christmas Village in the Heart of the City
The market is set up on three emblematic city center squares: Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville, Place Jean-Jaurès, and Place Dorian. About sixty decorated and illuminated wooden chalets host local artisans, creators, and producers, offering a wide range of products: jewelry, decorative items, toys, handmade clothing and accessories, Forez, Alsatian, Italian, and Quebec specialties, as well as the essential mulled wine, pretzels, roasted chestnuts, waffles, and Christmas sweets.
Magical Attractions for the Whole Family
Beyond the chalets, the Saint-Étienne Christmas Market offers a range of attractions that delight young and old alike:
- 30-meter panoramic Ferris wheel overlooking Place Jean-Jaurès, offering a spectacular view of the illuminated city
- Outdoor ice rink and ice trail on Place Jean-Jaurès
- Belle Époque Carousel for children
- 18-meter giant Christmas tree (natural) on Place Jean-Jaurès
- Santa Claus's House on Place Dorian
- Santa Claus's Sleigh for souvenir photos
- Tourist mini-train and sledding
- "Tabobine" vintage photo booth
"Féeries de Noël": Shows and Entertainment
Every weekend during Advent, the "Féeries de Noël" animate the streets of Saint-Étienne's city center. Companies of dancers, musicians, and circus artists offer free parades and street performances between 2 PM and 5 PM on Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville and Place Jean-Jaurès. On Friday evenings, "Afterwork" concerts warm up the atmosphere. Creative workshops for children and meet-and-greets with Santa Claus complete the festive program. All entertainment is free to access.
A Generous Gourmet Area
The market's gourmet area invites you for a friendly break with seasonal specialties: mulled wine, hot chocolate, roasted chestnuts, waffles, pretzels, raclette, and traditional Forez dishes. Themed chalets – Italian, Forez, Alsatian – offer a tour of France's winter flavors. A giant standing bar allows for tasting in a convivial atmosphere.
Practical information — Christmas Market
Practical Information
Access and Transport
By tram: Lines T1 and T2, "Hôtel-de-Ville" stop. The market is directly accessible from the tram stop.
By car: Saint-Étienne is accessible via the A72 highway from Lyon (approx. 1 hour) and the A89 from Clermont-Ferrand. Centre Deux and Hôtel-de-Ville parking lots are in the immediate vicinity of the market.
By train: Saint-Étienne-Châteaucreux station, then tram T1 or T2 (15 minutes walk). TER from Lyon (approx. 50 min), TGV from Paris (approx. 3 hours via Lyon).
Opening Hours
Usual hours:
- Monday to Thursday and Sunday: 10:30 AM – 8:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 10:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Special hours:
- December 24 and 31: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM
- December 25: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Prices
Access to the Christmas market and entertainment is free.
Paid attractions:
- Ferris wheel: €5 adult / €4 child
- Carousel: €2.50 per ride
- Ice rink: variable price
Contact
Saint-Étienne City Hall – Commerce & Crafts Department
Phone: 04 77 48 77 48
Official website: www.saint-etienne.fr
Festival-goer photos
No photo yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No review yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community
Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Christmas Market at the best price.
Sponsored link
Where does it take place — Christmas Market
Places de l'Hôtel-de-Ville, Jean-Jaurès et Dorian
Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville, 42000 Saint-Étienne