Strasbourg, capitale de Noël - Christmas in Alsace (2024)

FAQs

Why is Strasbourg considered the capital of Christmas? ›

Strasbourg's annual Christmas market is the oldest in the country, first popping up over 400 years ago. Since the 1570s, the city has embraced the holiday season, now stretching over 300 market stalls across the city.

Christmas markets in Strasbourg are excellent. Multiple markets (including this one) situated in a beautiful city. What more could you ask for to get in the festive mood! Massive range of stalls selling all kinds of food and drink as well as stalls offering a range of Christmas decorations, local crafts etc etc.

From 27th November to 27th December 2024

Visit Strasbourg Christmas Market, one of the Best Christmas Markets in France with Colmar. Now set up in the heart of the Grande Île in Strasbourg, a UNESCO world heritage site, the Strasbourg Christmas market.

Christmas, like nowhere else

“Strasbourg, capital of Christmas” is exceptionally renowned. Every year, close to two million visitors flock to the Alsatian capital to experience its enchanting market. For over a month, Strasbourg is imbued with a festive, spiritual ambiance with few parallels anywhere else in Europe.

Strasbourg plays a major role as a business, commercial, and cultural centre. Besides its traditional role as the chief city of Alsace, Strasbourg is also the seat of a number of European institutions and bodies including the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, and the European Court of Human Rights.

Named Bethlehem on Christmas Eve in 1741, this quaint city of Bethlehem, PA in eastern Pennsylvania is rooted in holiday charm. And since 1937, the city has appropriately been recognized as Christmas City USA.

From around the magnificent Cathedral to the city's most beautiful squares, Strasbourg, Capital of Christmas, invites you to share in the most marvellous of all the holidays.

The Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany, is one of the most famous Christmas markets in the world. Christmas markets date to the Late Middle Ages in the German-speaking part of Europe and in many parts of the former Holy Roman Empire, which included many eastern regions of modern France.

I recommend spending 1-2 days in Strasbourg. If possible, stay for at least one night so you can experience the twinkling Christmas lights and lively Christmas market at its peak popularity! While Strasbourg is seriously beautiful during the day, nothing can compare to seeing the lights at night.

This Christmas market is the most popular and traditional Christmas market in Strasbourg and can get very busy due to its international acclaim. Here you'll find the best food markets, selling fresh pretzels, spaetzle, knack sausage and crepes and craftsmen demonstrate their skills and sell their wares.

Why is Strasbourg so German? ›

The Prussians brought Strasbourg into the new German Empire in 1871 following the Franco-Prussian War; it was then taken back by the French at the Treaty of Versailles, and then again by the Germans in 1940, before finally assuming its current position as an important city in eastern France in 1945.

Dresden, Germany takes its holiday spirit very seriously. No wonder, it has what is called the oldest Christmas Market in the world with the “Striezelmarket” dating back to the 1400s.

Based on this date, it is officially the oldest Christmas market in all of France. The market grew over the years, expanding to add more stalls in more city squares and more days to allow visitors to peruse all the kiosks. In 1992, the deputy mayor of Strasbourg officially named Strasbourg “The Capital of Christmas.”

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, known as "Christmas City USA," embodies a unique holiday spirit, blending rich history with festive traditions. During the Christmas season, this historic town, founded by Moravians, sparkles with thousands of lights, enhancing its colonial architecture and charming streets.

The symbol of Franco-German reconciliation after the Second World War, Strasbourg has become the headquarters of multiple European and international institutions, notably the Council of Europe since 1949, to which the European Court of Human Rights and the European Pharmacopoeia are attached, the European Parliament ...

Indiana, Pennsylvania: Christmas Tree Capital of the World.

Bethlehem, PA

It's not just the name Bethlehem that led this community to adopt the moniker Christmas City; the quaint Pennsylvania town is known for getting dressed to the nines each holiday season.