December 2023
What to Expect: Guide to Navigating the Christmas Markets of the Capital of Christmas – Strasbourg, France
There is no better way to dive into the holiday spirit than visiting the various Christmas Markets in Europe! Countries throughout Europe participate in their own traditions and hundreds of towns sparkle for several weeks a year in celebration of the holiday season. We selected Strasbourg, France for our Christmas Market adventure where these markets date back to 1570 making it the oldest in France and one of the oldest in Europe. Lovingly known as the “Capital of Christmas”, Strasbourg’s Christmas Markets are very popular welcoming over 3 million people over the holiday season where the markets are open from Thanksgiving to Christmas. There are 12 market sites throughout the city that host over 300 stalls filled with food, crafts, decorations, treats, and more.
Advanced Planning
Your Christmas Market vacation is going to require some advanced planning. This season is peak tourist season in Strasbourg, and the city and markets are even more busy on the weekends when local crowds flood in. For a smooth trip, consider booking portions of your trip as soon as you commit to this vacation:
- Accommodations: Overnight accommodations fill up very fast so when you think you are going on this trip, book an Airbnb with a generous cancellation policy. The good ones will go fast and even with us booking several months in advance, availability was slim.
- Transit: Subscribe to SNCF so you know when the routes you need become available to book if you need to purchase train tickets. Booking early ensures you have a seat and also have the lowest price – the price of the tickets only increases as people book up the train. We booked our trains in Oct 4 for the mid December trip shortly after the release of the train tickets for our Paris to Strasbourg journey.
- Dining: With the influx of people into the city, dining reservations are essential and also book up months in advance. Many popular restaurants even have dining time limits – a very uncommon concept in Europe – to serve as many people as possible. Additionally, restaurants also had signs posted indicating they were full not just for the night but for the rest of the Christmas Market season. Because of this, restaurants are equipped to accept reservations and it is easy to make abroad. Do not overbook your meals with reservations though – make sure leave plenty of time to enjoy the food at the Christmas Markets.
Christmas Markets
- There are 12 markets and over 300 stalls throughout the city of Strasbourg. I would allocate at least two days to explore all of them – mostly because you do not have the stomach capacity to do it in one day. This also allows you to browse and pick out the best souvenir.
- Grab a map so you do not miss any of the markets – we almost missed one and was glad we stopped and checked out a map so we did not miss one. Each market is different and while some things do repeat, they are different enough that each should be visited.
- Check dates of operation ahead of booking your trip but a general rule is the markets are open Thanksgiving to Christmas and from late morning to evening.
- Do not be alarmed when you see security around – it has been in place for several years to help control traffic, crowds, and surveillance of the markets.
- English vs French – This is an international destination for the Christmas Markets so we did not have any issues with the language barrier at the stalls. That being said, it is best to learn basic French to be polite. The markets are great as they have signs up with price so really all you have to do is point and give them the money.
Christmas Market Stalls
- There are so many food options at these markets so definitely keep an eye out and start making your wish list early to make sure you have enough time and stomach space for everything you want to try.
- You are going to want to have more cash on hand than normal on a European trip. While some stalls take credit cards, there is often a minimum so it is best to have ample euro in hand to pay for market goodies.
- When ordering your cup of mulled wine, you have a few options when it comes to drinkware. There is a plastic cup – often decorated with holiday cheer – and are a euro each. The goal is that you hold onto your cup for the entire use of your visit and then if you do not want it, you return it to any vendor in exchange for that euro back. This was a pretty good scheme for peddlers to take people’s cups to get that euro out of it. What was nice is if you were swapping beverages – mulled wine to hot chocolate – the stalls gave you a fresh cup. Some stalls sell a heartier mug that you can purchase as a souvenir.
- Make sure you carry cash as many stalls do not take credit cards and some of those that do have a minimum spending to use the credit card.
Must Try Foods
- Flambee Baguette – Warm baguette with melted cheese of choice and the option of adding “lardons” or bacon.
- Poulet a la creme et champignons – Rich, creamy, savory sauce with mushrooms swimming around often served over spaetzle.
- Spaetzle with munster cheese – The best French mac and cheese.
- Foie gras sandwich – Fresh French baguette and with slices of foie gras, and though it is simple, it was one of our favorites.
- Boules Mousses – Creamy, marshmallow domes covered in various types of chocolate. I loved these so much and wish I got more.
- Saucisse – Sausages of all kinds are served – by itself, with sauerkraut, sliced up with potatoes, and more – but our absolute favorite was a smoked sausage in a fresh baguette doused in raclette – this was our favorite item of the entire Christmas Market!
- Christmas Bredele – Alsatian cookies that come in all shapes and sizes. These make for great gifts and snacks for later as well.
- Crepes – sweet or savory, these are a comforting treat.
- Flammekueche / Tarte Flambée – Alsatian pizza but a thin, crispy bread topped with cream, onions, and lardons (bacon).
