New Year’s Eve has been celebrated in Strasbourg on a grand scale and with great enthusiasm since 1570, when the first Christmas market named after Saint Nicholas (the future Santa Claus) opened here. All New Year’s gifts were presented to children in his name. But due to the Reformation, the veneration of saints became unpopular, and the baby Jesus became the New Year’s gift-giver. Strasbourg’s main Christmas market began to bear his name – Christkindelsmärik – literally, the market of the baby Christ.
Audio guide: sightseeing tour of StrasbourgThe baby Jesus turned out to be a good organiser and businessman – every year, 2 million guests come to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Strasbourg. And everyone can walk around the city with an audio guide in different languages. Download our author’s tour here!
We almost forgot – there is a discount on everything with the promo code PARIS10!
» READ MORE – Paris Christmas markets on the map!
Christmas markets in Strasbourg
It’s no surprise that Strasbourg is called the «Christmas capital»: who could doubt it when they see the giant illuminated arch with the city’s name on it on Rue du Vieux? It invites you to the fair! You can learn even more stories and interesting facts from our audio guide.
In 2025, the Christmas market in Strasbourg will open at the end of November. We recommend booking accommodation and excursions now – don’t delay.
The market will close before New Year’s Eve – the last pavilions will finish trading on 24 December.
The whole of Strasbourg turns into a fair at Christmas: more than 300 wooden chalets are set up in all the squares, selling Christmas decorations, delicacies and gifts.
» READ MORE – How to save money in Strasbourg: Travel passes and the City Pass
Here’s how to find your way around these squares:
Try the onion tart (tarte à l’oignon) or the Alsatian tarte flambée (a pizza-like tart with cream or soft cheese instead of tomato paste). You can wash it all down with vin chaud (mulled wine), which is sold by the mug. And for dessert, try a buche de Noel, or «Christmas log». This is a rolled cake with delicate cream cheese filling, covered with various glazes and decorated with nuts or fresh berries.
What to bring back from Christmas in Strasbourg?
If you are looking for a typical Strasbourg souvenir, buy a stork – the symbol of the city, prosperity, family harmony and good luck. You will see storks in all shapes and sizes, the most charming ones being soft toys.
Book a hotel in Strasbourg at ChristmasUseful purchases
What to buy at the fair and bring back from Strasbourg so that the item serves not only decorative purposes but also reminds you of your trip:
- Ceramics from Betsdorf or Soufflenheim (pottery villages near the city) – the former distinguished by blue painting on a grey background, the latter by multicoloured painting
Beer mugs, flower pots, oven pots, but the most typical are turban-shaped moulds for baking Kougelhopf cake and embossed moulds for printing Springerle aniseed gingerbread.
- Textiles – tablecloths, cushions, scarves and neckerchiefs with Alsatian symbols and traditional patterns
- Wooden toys for children – Strasbourg craftsmen make them beautifully, and they are reliable and environmentally friendly
- Decorations for the home or office – beautiful wood inlays and paintings, glass paintings
Strasbourg delicacies
What tasty treats can you bring home? There is a wide selection:
- Traditional baeckeoffe made from three types of meat, also sold in glass jars
- Foie gras – specially packaged for transport in tin or glass jars
- Sausages with various additives, including authentic Alsatian ones – made from local cheeses and even wines (it’s hard to find a simple sausage without anything added)
- Cheeses – Gruyère, Gérôme
» READ MORE – Traditional Christmas dishes from 10 European countries
But be careful with the famous Munster – don’t make the same mistake as with Thai durian. Munster can impregnate your luggage with a strong smell. Be sure to check the packaging for leaks and the expiry date (the «unfit» ones start to stink!).
- Pastries – bredele, springerle – can easily be transported home without spoiling
- Chocolate – it’s wonderful here, real dark chocolate with raisins, nuts and dried fruit, sold by weight
- Wines worth bringing back include Pinot, Muscat, Riesling and Sylvaner – all local white wines that are very pleasant to the taste
Among them is a specific, very Alsatian wine – Gewurztraminer. It can be dry or sweet. It has a distinctive taste –spicy and sharp. You either fall in love with this wine at first sip, or you categorically dislike it. In Strasbourg, they sell a special convenient «wine for mulled wine» (vin chaud) – you just need to heat it up, all the spices are already added.
» READ MORE – The Alsace Wine Road: a day among half-timbered houses, castles and Riesling
Excursions in Strasbourg at Christmas
Unfortunately, the boats are no longer running at this time of year, but there is still plenty of entertainment in the city. It’s best to choose a city tour with a local guide – they’re available at any time of the year. You will hear medieval legends of Strasbourg, see the sights, admire the gingerbread half-timbered houses… For detailed information and tour options, follow this link.
And, of course, don’t forget about our unique audio guide, which you can quickly and easily download to your smartphone to enjoy Strasbourg inexpensively but tastefully!
Merry Christmas!
» READ MORE – Christmas in Dresden with Saxony’s most delicious tradition
Hugues de BUYER-MIMEURE / Unsplash 
Chan Lee / Unsplash 
Bonat / Pixabay 
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