Strasbourg Christmas Market - Christkindelsmärik

The Oldest Christmas Market in France

The Christkindelsmärik — literally "Christ Child Market" — was born in 1570 by a decision of Strasbourg's Council of Twenty-One. At the time, Pastor Flinner advocated replacing the Saint Nicholas festival with a celebration centered on the Christ Child. Merchants were then authorized to hold their market a few days before Christmas. For over four and a half centuries, this tradition has never been interrupted, making Strasbourg's market one of the oldest in the world.

Strasbourg, Capital of Christmas

It was in 1871 that the market moved to Place Broglie, its current historic location. But since the 1990s, Strasbourg has officially taken the title of "Capital of Christmas" and extended its chalets far beyond just Place Broglie. Today, no fewer than eight themed markets occupy the historic center: the Carré d'Or around the cathedral, Petite France with its picturesque chalets on Place Benjamin Zix and Place Saint Thomas, the Rohan Terrace for food lovers, the foot of the Great Fir Tree on Place Kléber, and the OFF market on Place Grimmeissen, showcasing independent creators.

A Spectacle for All Senses

The experience is not limited to shopping. The market is a total sensory journey: the scent of cinnamon and mulled wine, the sparkling lights of the half-timbered facades, the Christmas carols echoing in the cobbled streets, and the flavors of bredele, mannele, and other Flammekueche. The Great Fir Tree, standing 30 meters tall on Place Kléber, is the focal point of all the Strasbourg magic. The illuminations, switched on from November 21st, transform the city into a luminous setting until January 5th.

Over 300 Chalets and Millions of Visitors

With over 300 chalets spread across a dozen sites, the Christkindelsmärik welcomes three million visitors from around the world each year. Alsatian artisans, glassblowers, potters, decoration creators, winemakers, and pastry chefs gather in a warm and authentic atmosphere. The market is also a formidable economic driver for the region, attracting considerable international tourism.

A Deeply Alsatian Root

Beyond the spectacle, the Christkindelsmärik is the living expression of Alsatian identity. It perpetuates age-old traditions — Advent, fir wreaths, Christmas cookies — while reinventing them each year with contemporary events, concerts, children's shows, and gourmet tours. It is this blend of heritage and creativity that makes Strasbourg an unmissable destination during the holiday season.