EasyTicket A December itinerary for couples can start with a walk through Strasbourg before heading down to Colmar’s evening market. In 2026, Colmar Christmas Market runs from November 23 through December 29, while Strasbourg Market is open from 2:00 p.m. on November 26 through 6:00 p.m. on December 24, making it possible to combine both cities in one day.
How to plan around the 2026 opening dates and light-up times
Comparing the dates and opening hours of the two markets
| Category | Opening dates | Regular hours | December 24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strasbourg | November 26, 14:00~December 24, 18:00 | Daily, 11:30~21:00 | All areas close at 18:00 |
| Colmar Christmas Market | November 23~December 29 | Mon~Thu 11:00~19:00, Fri~Sun 10:00~20:00 | 11:00~17:00 |
| Colmar gourmet market and Ferris wheel | Through January 3 | Daily, 11:00~22:00 | Closes at 17:00 on December 31 |
Strasbourg’s city lights are on view from November 26 through January 5. However, the fixed time for any separate 2026 light-up show has not yet been confirmed in the official daily program, so it’s best to check again as your travel date approaches.
Why it’s best to avoid December 24 and weekends
Both cities close early on December 24. Strasbourg Market is especially unsuitable for a one-day, two-city itinerary because it ends at 6:00 p.m. According to the official crowd-level guidance, Strasbourg is relatively less busy on Mondays and Tuesdays and during weekday daytime hours.
How to get from Strasbourg to Colmar
See Strasbourg Cathedral in the morning
Strasbourg Market stalls open at 11:30 a.m. Couples can use that time to walk around Strasbourg Cathedral and the market first, then head to the station after lunch. During market hours, use the Porte de l’Hôpital stop to access the cathedral.
Allow 26~32 minutes each way by train
According to SNCF, the fastest trip from Strasbourg station to Colmar station takes 26 minutes, with an average of 32 minutes. Looking at the official schedules side by side, a train around 2:30 p.m. seems to leave enough time for Colmar’s lanes before sunset and its evening market.
Recommended December itinerary for couples visiting two cities in one day
11:30~14:20 Strasbourg Cathedral and the market
Enter the cathedral area at 11:30 and start exploring the stalls; finish lunch around 13:00 and head to the station. Strasbourg Market is spread across several squares, so it’s less complicated to link the cathedral area with the central squares on foot than to spend too long in any one place.
15:00~19:00 Colmar’s lanes and evening market
After arriving by train, explore the old town’s lanes first, then visit Colmar Christmas Market from 5:00 p.m. On weekdays, the regular market closes at 7:00 p.m., so it’s safer to choose your final stall before 6:30. From Friday~Sunday, it stays open until 8:00 p.m., giving you a little more flexibility for dinner.
Should you add villages along the Alsace Wine Route?
Leave Riquewihr out of a two-city day
The Riquewihr market along the Alsace Wine Route runs from November 27 to December 20. With hours of 10:00~18:30 on weekdays and 10:00~19:00 on weekends, adding it to Colmar and Strasbourg on the same day would cut into your evening market time.
Make it a separate day on weekends
The Christmas shuttle departing Colmar runs only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from November 27~December 20, at €17 per person per day. If you take the route linking Kaysersberg, Riquewihr, and Ribeauvillé, keeping the wine-route villages separate from the two-city itinerary will help you maintain a comfortable pace as a couple.
Cost and practical checklist
Separate transport and food-and-drink budgets rather than focusing on admission fees
The market at Place de l’Ancienne Douane in Colmar’s old town is free. Your actual budget, however, goes toward the round-trip train fare, market food and drinks, and accommodation. Train fares vary by departure date and time, so enter your December date on SNCF and check first.
During Strasbourg Market hours, 11:30~21:00, large bags are checked at the entrance. Avoid planning to walk through the cathedral area with a suitcase; arrange storage at your accommodation or the station first.
What to check before departure
- Confirm that your travel date falls within Strasbourg Market’s operating period, November 26~December 24.
- If you’re traveling after the regular Colmar market closes on December 29, check separately whether the gourmet market is operating.
- Recheck the actual first and last train times from Strasbourg to Colmar for your travel date.
- For the Alsace Wine Route shuttle, confirm the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday operating schedule and its December 20 end date.
FAQ and final notes
Can I still visit Colmar on December 25, after Strasbourg Market has ended?
Yes. Colmar Christmas Market runs through December 29 and operates from 10:00~20:00 on December 25. Strasbourg Market, however, closes at 6:00 p.m. on December 24, so a one-day, two-city itinerary isn’t possible.
Does the Colmar gourmet market run on a different schedule from the regular market?
Yes. Colmar’s gourmet market and Ferris wheel operate daily from 11:00~22:00 through January 3. If you’re planning a Colmar trip after the regular market ends, be sure to account for this difference.
Can I add the Alsace Wine Route to the same day?
Even if the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday shuttle schedule works for you, we don’t recommend adding it on a day when you’re visiting both Strasbourg and Colmar. The illumination hours, the highlight of a European winter trip, are easy to miss, so you’re likely to enjoy the trip more if you give the wine-route villages their own day.
To see both cities, spend a weekday morning in December at Strasbourg Cathedral and move on to Colmar Christmas Market around sunset. Line up the opening hours and train times first, and you can enjoy the storybook atmosphere without rushing.
Image credits2
- 📷 Kankan / Unsplash
- 📷 Thomas Dorgler / Unsplash