Christmas Events for Kids in Colmar (2026)

Christmas Events for Kids
Written by Kelsey Cecil

13 min read · Lire en français

Rally the corgi has sniffed out the best Christmas events for kids in Colmar for 2026, and here is what he found: 28 family events across Colmar and 11 nearby towns, 20 of them free. The magic runs from November 20 (Meet Saint Nicholas in Munster) through January 4, with Saint Nicholas Visits Ammerschwihr (November 22), Petite Venise Christmas Market (from November 23) and Christmas Parade of Lights in Guémar (from December 19) along the way. Every listing links straight to the host. This page is part of our guide to Christmas events for kids in France.

What Rally found in Colmar

  • 28 Christmas events for kids in Colmar and 11 nearby towns, including Turckheim, Ammerschwihr and Munster
  • 20 free events, including Meet Saint Nicholas in Munster, Saint Nicholas Visits Ammerschwihr and Christmas Parade of Lights in Guémar
  • Meet Santa: 11 chances, including Petite Venise Christmas Market (Children's Market), from November 23 and Santa's Giant Mailbox (from November 23)
  • Parades: Children Sing Christmas Carols on the Boats (from November 25), Saint Nicholas (Saint Nicolas) Visits the Place de la Cathédrale (December 6) and Saint Lucy's Day (Sainte Lucie), the Festival of Light (December 13)
  • Also on the list: 3 Christmas shows, 12 Christmas light displays, 10 Christmas markets and 2 story times
  • Season: November 20 (Meet Saint Nicholas in Munster) to January 4 (Little Elf Trail: A Magical Discovery of the Village)

Below is every event we could confirm, grouped by town, with the date, time, cost and the small things parents ask about (registration, ages, what is included).

Free 20Ticketed and paid 8

Free Christmas events for kids in Colmar

Christmas lightsFree

Christmas Treasure Hunt: Discovering the Éclat (Spark) of Colmar, a Sweet Christmas

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This treasure hunt is part of a game offered in 57 towns and villages in Alsace around the Flame of Alsatian Christmas. In Colmar, the theme is "a sweet Christmas": at each stop, you write your clue into the fill-in-the-blank word on the back of the leaflet, which slowly fills in and lets you find the Spark (Éclat).

The leaflet is available at the Colmar tourist office, place Unterlinden, and the game is free. It is only available in French. You can do the hunt at your own pace from Nov 23 to Jan 3, 2027, so it can be combined with a visit to the Christmas markets, including during school vacations.

Parent tip: Stop by the tourist office to pick up the leaflet before you set out. Bring a pencil.

Host
Office de Tourisme de Colmar et sa région (opens in a new tab)
Where
Office de Tourisme de Colmar (départ), Place Unterlinden, 68000 Colmar (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Office de Tourisme de Colmar et sa région (opens in a new tab)

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Rally’s Christmas research

Rally the corgi has 27 more Colmar events researched for you.

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Coming up on this page

  • 12 Lights
  • 11 Santa
  • 10 Markets
  • 7 Crafts
  • 20 Free

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Christmas marketFree

Petite Venise Christmas Market (Children's Market)

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At Christmas, the Petite Venise district becomes a route lined with small chalets, with the facades standing side by side along both banks of the Lauch. It is hard to leave without a ride on the carousel horses and a letter posted in Santa's giant mailbox.

Entry is free and you can stroll at your own pace among the chalets. The market is open every day from Nov 23 to Dec 29, with slightly shorter hours on Dec 24 (11 am to 5 pm). It is the most family-oriented market in Colmar, best visited in the early afternoon if the children are small.

Parent tip: The market is very busy in the evening and on weekends. The free weekend park-and-ride lots are listed on the tourist office website.

Host
Office de Tourisme de Colmar et sa région (opens in a new tab)
Where
Petite Venise, Place des 6 Montagnes Noires, 68000 Colmar (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Office de Tourisme de Colmar et sa région (opens in a new tab)

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Visit with SantaFree

Santa's Giant Mailbox

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Santa's giant mailbox stands at the Petite Venise Christmas market in Colmar. Each child can come and drop off a letter, a lovely chance to write the wish list down together as a family.

If the address is written clearly on the back of the envelope, the tourist office says every letter posted gets a reply. Access is free and no booking is needed. The Petite Venise district is also known for its carousel and its little houses along the Lauch river, which makes it a nice outing for young and old. Bring warm clothes, because the activity is outdoors.

Parent tip: Write your address clearly on the back of the envelope to receive a reply. In the evening and on weekends, when the market is very busy, plan to arrive early.

Host
Office de Tourisme de Colmar et sa région (opens in a new tab)
Where
Marché de Noël de la Petite Venise, Parking des 6 Montagnes Noires, 68000 Colmar (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Office de Tourisme de Colmar et sa région (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas marketFree

The Colmar Christmas Markets

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The Colmar Christmas markets are set up in the historic center: place des Dominicains, place de l'Ancienne Douane, place Jeanne-d'Arc, Koïfhus and Petite Venise. Entry is free everywhere.

Hours are 11 am to 7 pm Monday to Thursday and 10 am to 8 pm Friday to Sunday. On Dec 24, the chalets close at 5 pm. The lights come on every evening, and Petite Venise keeps the carousel and Santa's mailbox for the children.

Parent tip: Park-and-ride lots with a shuttle are offered on weekends at €5 a day, and children under 12 ride the Christmas shuttles for free with a ticket that must be reserved.

Host
Office de Tourisme de Colmar et sa région (opens in a new tab)
Where
Centre historique (places des Dominicains, de l'Ancienne Douane, Jeanne-d'Arc), Place des Dominicains, 68000 Colmar (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Office de Tourisme de Colmar et sa région (opens in a new tab)

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Santa Claus paradeFree

Children Sing Christmas Carols on the Boats

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Between Nov 25 and Dec 19, children's choirs perform on illuminated boats that glide over the water in the Petite Venise district. It is a moving pause, with traditional Christmas carols sung by schools and groups from the region.

The show is free and is watched from the Pont Turenne and the quai de la Poissonnerie. Performances depend on good weather and good technical conditions for the children, so it is best to check which choir is singing that day before you go.

Parent tip: Dress the children warmly, it gets cold quickly by the water. Check the day's choir and time in the tourist office calendar. Expect it to be in French.

Host
Office de Tourisme de Colmar et sa région (opens in a new tab)
Where
Pont Turenne, quai de la Poissonnerie, 68000 Colmar (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Office de Tourisme de Colmar et sa région (opens in a new tab)

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Family Christmas eventFree

Mechanical Nativity Scene and Path of Nativity Scenes of the World

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Sainte-Marie church in Colmar presents a mechanical nativity scene and the Chemin des Crèches du Monde, a child-height route to discover Nativity scenes from several countries.

Entry is free from 3 to 6 pm. The site opens on Nov 28 and 29, Dec 5, 6, 12 and 13, then every day from Dec 19 to 31 except Dec 25, and finally some weekends in January 2027.

Parent tip: Closed Dec 25 and Jan 1. Confirm the exact dates with the tourist office.

Host
Église Sainte-Marie de Colmar (opens in a new tab)
Where
Église Sainte-Marie, 14 rue Maimbourg, 68000 Colmar (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Église Sainte-Marie de Colmar (opens in a new tab)

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Santa Claus paradeFree

Saint Nicholas (Saint Nicolas) Visits the Place de la Cathédrale

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On Sunday, Dec 6, Saint Nicholas Day, young and old gather on the Place de la Cathédrale to cheer the patron saint of children. Wearing his bishop's mitre, holding his crook and dressed in a long red or purple coat, he rewards the most deserving children.

The tourist office also recalls the Alsatian legend that Saint Nicholas is the only one who ever tamed the fearsome Hans Trapp. The meeting takes place on the south side of the square, near the nativity scene, from 2 to 5 pm. Entry is free and there is nothing to book, which makes it an easy addition to a day of Christmas markets.

Parent tip: The event is outdoors: bring gloves and a hat. Hans Trapp, a traditional character, can be scary for the youngest children.

Host
Office de Tourisme de Colmar et sa région (opens in a new tab)
Where
Place de la Cathédrale (côté sud, près de la crèche), 68000 Colmar (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Office de Tourisme de Colmar et sa région (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas events for kids in Turckheim

Christmas craftsFree

Christmas Treasure Hunt in Turckheim: In the Land of the Elves (Lutins)

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In Turckheim, the treasure hunt invites families to walk through the town and see where the elves (lutins) are hiding. The tourist office explains that a Spark of the Flame has awakened the elves' magic, and their little world comes alive again in the streets.

At each stop, you write your clue into the fill-in-the-blank word on the back of the leaflet to find the Spark. The leaflet is available at the Turckheim welcome office, rue Wickram, and the game is free. It exists only in French. You can do it all day until Jan 3, 2027, for example before or after a visit to the Elves' Christmas Market on the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville.

Parent tip: Pick up the leaflet at the welcome office before you start. Wear good shoes for walking on the cobbled streets.

Host
Office de Tourisme de Colmar et sa région (opens in a new tab)
Where
Bureau d'accueil de Turckheim (départ), Rue Wickram, 68230 Turckheim (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Office de Tourisme de Colmar et sa région (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas marketFree

The Elves' Christmas Market (Turckheim)

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On the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville in Turckheim, the Elves' Christmas Market welcomes young and old in original, crooked little houses. You can wander among the stalls of local craftspeople, and children can go meet the animals of the Bassette farm along the Goat Trail.

The market is open every day from Nov 27 to Dec 30, from 10 am to 7 pm (8 pm on Saturdays, 6 pm on Dec 24). Four late evenings with entertainment extend the mood, with the round of the Night Watchman (Veilleur de Nuit). Access is free. It is a good choice for a family outing in a small fortified town on the Alsace wine route, smaller than Colmar.

Parent tip: Come during the day with young children, the late evenings are busier. The weekend park-and-ride lot is shown on the tourist office website.

Host
Office de Tourisme de Colmar et sa région (opens in a new tab)
Where
Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, 68230 Turckheim (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Office de Tourisme de Colmar et sa région (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas showFree

Turckheim Advent Calendar with the Little Light Bearers (Petits Porteurs de Lumière)

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From Dec 1 to 24, Turckheim enlivens its Place de l'Hôtel de Ville with a daily Advent calendar. The Little Light Bearers share each day an image of local heritage and legends of the region.

The event runs from 5 to 6 pm and is free. You can combine it with the elves' Christmas market, open from Nov 27 to Dec 30, and with the town's free treasure hunt.

Parent tip: The train ride from Colmar to Turckheim takes 8 to 12 minutes, and the town is small: dress the children warmly.

Host
Ville de Turckheim (opens in a new tab)
Where
Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, 68230 Turckheim (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Ville de Turckheim (opens in a new tab)

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Santa Claus paradeFree

Saint Lucy's Day (Sainte Lucie), the Festival of Light (Turckheim)

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On Sunday, Dec 13, the town of Turckheim celebrates Saint Lucy's Day (Sainte Lucie), the festival of light, with a procession through the streets. Young girls in white dresses and crowns of light accompany the lamplighter and the little light bearers.

The ceremony is inspired by the tradition still observed in Sweden on Saint Lucy's Day. The meeting point is the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville from 5 to 6 pm, at nightfall, and entry is free. It is a gentle, visual event, well suited to children, and it adds to the Elves' Christmas Market open on the same square. The calendar page gives a length of one hour, which suits school-age children as well as the younger ones.

Parent tip: Bring warm clothes, the procession is outdoors in the early evening.

Host
Ville de Turckheim (opens in a new tab)
Where
Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, Rue du Conseil, 68230 Turckheim (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Ville de Turckheim (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas events for kids in Ammerschwihr

Christmas story timeFree

Lantern Storytelling Walk (Ammerschwihr)

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On Saturday, Nov 21, in the late afternoon, ACFA offers a lantern walk on the heights of the village of Ammerschwihr, designed for young and old. It starts from the salle polyvalente (community hall), route de Labaroche.

Along the way, there is a pause to listen to a story told by a storyteller. At the end of the walk, a snack is offered to the children. It lasts about three quarters of an hour, from 5 to 5:45 pm, and is free. Since night falls early at this time of year, the lanterns give the walk all its charm. Bring your own if you have one, children love it. The event is outdoors, at night, in a village on the wine route.

Parent tip: Wear shoes suited to a sloping path and bring a lantern or a flashlight for the children. Information at 03 89 27 12 24. Expect it to be in French.

Host
ACFA Ammerschwihr (opens in a new tab)
Where
Salle polyvalente (départ), Route de Labaroche, 68770 Ammerschwihr (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with ACFA Ammerschwihr (opens in a new tab)

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Santa Claus paradeFree

Saint Nicholas Visits Ammerschwihr

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On Sunday, Nov 22, Saint Nicholas, patron saint of schoolchildren, in his long red coat and mitre, walks through Ammerschwihr to hand out candy and sweets to well-behaved children. The meeting point is the salle polyvalente (community hall), route de Labaroche.

The organizing association, ACFA, warns that the saint will be accompanied by the dreadful Hans Trapp, the character who plays the bogeyman in Alsatian tradition. The event lasts about half an hour, from 3 to 3:30 pm, and is free. Families and friends are invited to come in numbers, to share a moment of emotion and warmth. The same village offers a lantern storytelling walk the Saturday before.

Parent tip: Hans Trapp can frighten the little ones: stay close to them. Information at 03 89 27 12 24.

Host
ACFA Ammerschwihr (opens in a new tab)
Where
Salle polyvalente, Route de Labaroche, 68770 Ammerschwihr (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with ACFA Ammerschwihr (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas events for kids in Munster

Visit with SantaFree

Meet Saint Nicholas in Munster

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In Munster, you can meet Saint Nicholas on the Place du Marché, in his bishop's robes, with his long white beard. He welcomes young and old kindly, and well-behaved children can tell him their wishes before leaving with a souvenir photo beside him.

Eight meetings are planned: Fridays, Nov 20 and 27 and Dec 4 (4:15 to 6 pm), Saturdays, Nov 21 and 28 (4 to 6 pm), and Sundays, Nov 22 and 29 and Dec 6 (4 to 6 pm). The visit is free, but the photo is not provided, so bring your own camera or phone.

Parent tip: Bring your phone for the photo, it is not provided. Information from the tourist office at 03 89 77 31 80.

Host
Office de Tourisme de la Vallée de Munster (opens in a new tab)
Where
Place du Marché, 68140 Munster (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Office de Tourisme de la Vallée de Munster (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas events for kids in Bergheim

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Saint Nicholas Festival in Bergheim

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On the evening of Wednesday, Dec 9, Bergheim's festival committee invites children and parents to meet the patron saint of schoolchildren on the place du Docteur Pierre Walter. Saint Nicholas gives manalas, clementines and chocolates to well-behaved children.

The festival runs from 6 to 8 pm and entry is free. The manala is the little brioche man traditional in Alsace. The evening is outdoors, in the middle of winter: dress the children warmly. Bergheim, a former fortified town, also has a Christmas market and a nativity trail (chemin des crèches), which lets you extend the outing. The festival is on a Wednesday evening: the evening is short, which suits the youngest well.

Parent tip: Bring warm clothes, the festival is outside in the evening. Information: tourist office, 03 89 73 23 23.

Host
Comité des fêtes de Bergheim (opens in a new tab)
Where
Place du Docteur Pierre Walter, 68750 Bergheim (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Comité des fêtes de Bergheim (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas events for kids in Guémar

Santa Claus paradeFree

Christmas Parade of Lights in Guémar

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As part of the Guémar Christmas market, a big parade of lights gathers about 80 participants who walk down the main street on Saturday, Dec 19 and Sunday, Dec 20, around 5:15 pm. Santa and Mrs. Claus are also there for the occasion.

The information point is on the place de la mairie (town hall square), and entry is free. The parade takes place at nightfall: the lights look their best, but it is cold, and little ones may get tired if you stay until the end of the market. The village, between Colmar and Ribeauvillé, is easy to reach by car. The Guémar Christmas market runs at the same time, so you can eat and stroll there before the parade.

Parent tip: Arrive a little before 5 pm to see the parade up close. Bring warm clothes.

Host
Office de Tourisme du Pays de Ribeauvillé et Riquewihr (opens in a new tab)
Where
Place de la mairie, 68970 Guémar (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Office de Tourisme du Pays de Ribeauvillé et Riquewihr (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas events for kids in Ingersheim

Visit with SantaFree

Saint Nicholas in Ingersheim

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The municipality of Ingersheim, next to Colmar, welcomes Saint Nicholas on Saturday, Dec 5, 2026 at 3 pm. Entry is free.

The source does not give the exact location or the program. It is the traditional visit of the patron saint of children, whom families come to meet.

Parent tip: The exact location is not given: ask the Ingersheim town hall before you go.

Host
Commune d'Ingersheim (opens in a new tab)
Where
Ingersheim (village center), 68040 Ingersheim (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Commune d'Ingersheim (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas events for kids in Mittelwihr

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Little Elf Trail: A Magical Discovery of the Village (Mittelwihr)

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From the first Sunday of Advent to Jan 4, 2027, the winegrowing village of Mittelwihr dresses up in its finest decorations. You can discover the Teddy Bear Wonderland around the town hall, then push open the doors of Santa's Workshop on the route du Vin, with free parking nearby.

On the place des Fêtes, the village of little elves delights children. The Little Elf Trail then takes families through the lanes to discover various enchanted displays, up to the Univers des Manalas at the top of the rue de Riquewihr. Access is free and you can go at any time, preferably at nightfall to enjoy the lights.

Parent tip: Park at the free lot near Santa's Workshop. The displays are outdoors: warm clothing recommended.

Host
Office de Tourisme du Pays de Ribeauvillé et Riquewihr (opens in a new tab)
Where
Village de Mittelwihr, Place de la Salle des Fêtes, 68630 Mittelwihr (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Office de Tourisme du Pays de Ribeauvillé et Riquewihr (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas events for kids in Neuf-Brisach

Christmas craftsFree

Investigation at the Vauban Museum (Neuf-Brisach)

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On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in December, the Vauban Museum in Neuf-Brisach offers an investigation for children ages 8 to 12. The game takes the young detectives through the museum's exhibits, where intriguing riddles and hidden clues guide them to a mysterious treasure.

The time slots are Fridays and Sundays from 1 to 5 pm and Saturdays from 10 am to noon, from Dec 4 to 20. The activity is free for children. Neuf-Brisach is a town fortified by Vauban, and the museum offers an indoor outing if the weather is cold.

Parent tip: Information from the museum at 03 89 72 03 93. Ask about the admission price for accompanying adults too.

Host
Musée Vauban de Neuf-Brisach (opens in a new tab)
Where
Musée Vauban, 7 place de Belfort, 68600 Neuf-Brisach (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Musée Vauban de Neuf-Brisach (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas events for kids in Obermorschwihr

Christmas story timeFree

Christmas Storytelling Walk in Obermorschwihr

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The winegrowing village of Obermorschwihr offers a storytelling walk for children on Saturday, Nov 28, 2026 at 5 pm. Entry is free.

The source does not give the meeting point or the length. Since evening comes early in late November, the walk takes place at dusk.

Parent tip: Bring warm clothes and a flashlight, and ask the town hall for the starting point. Expect it to be in French.

Host
Obermorschwihr (opens in a new tab)
Where
Obermorschwihr (village), 68420 Obermorschwihr (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Obermorschwihr (opens in a new tab)

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Ticketed and paid Christmas events for kids in Colmar

Admission, tickets or a fee apply. Where a host has not posted a price yet, the listing says so.

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Christmas lights

Magical Christmas and the 1900 Carousel (Carrousel 1900)

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Every year, Place Rapp hosts the Carrousel 1900, presented as the largest wooden-horse carousel set up in France, with several other attractions for young and old.

The mood is that of a Christmas fairground, with a treat stand, Les Délices du Carrousel, right next to the rides. The attraction is open every day until Jan 3, 2027. Ride prices had not yet been published in early November.

Parent tip: Hours and ride prices are not announced: bring small change and check on site.

Host
Ville de Colmar (opens in a new tab)
Where
Place Rapp, 68000 Colmar (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Ville de Colmar (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas market

Ferris Wheel and Gourmet Market at the Montagne Verte

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On the Montagne Verte sports ground, the Ferris wheel towers over the Gourmet Market (Marché gourmand), where nine chefs offer dishes to take away or enjoy standing up. Entry to the market is free.

A ride on the Ferris wheel costs €10, and €8 for children under 1.20 m. Everything is open every day from 11 am to 10 pm, except Dec 31, when it closes at 5 pm. It is the only market still open between Dec 30 and Jan 3.

Parent tip: Check the boarding conditions with the operator for the smallest children.

Host
Ville de Colmar (opens in a new tab)
Where
Plateau sportif de la Montagne Verte, Rue de la Montagne-Verte, 68000 Colmar (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
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New events in Colmar every week

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Christmas lights

Once Upon a Night, Sound and Light Show at the Unterlinden Museum

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The Unterlinden Museum offers a 10-minute show in its cloister every evening, repeated every 15 minutes between 5 and 6:30 pm. The ticket gives access to the museum and to all the shows on the chosen day.

The price starts at €8 and children under 12 get in free. There is no show on Tuesdays, nor on Dec 24, 25 and 31 and Jan 1. Booking is done on the museum's online ticket office.

Parent tip: Arrive five minutes before the last show to see it in full. The museum's closing times are listed differently in different sections, so check when you book.

Host
Musée Unterlinden (opens in a new tab)
Where
Musée Unterlinden (cloître), 1 place Unterlinden, 68000 Colmar (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Musée Unterlinden (opens in a new tab)

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Visit with Santa

Saint Nicholas Visits the Colmar Ice Rink

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On Sunday, Dec 6, Saint Nicholas comes to meet the children at the Colmar ice rink, in his traditional costume. Well-behaved children can receive treats from his basket, and families can have their photo taken with him.

No booking is needed. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. The listing gives two times, 9:30 to 11:30 am and 10 to 11 am: the safest is to arrive by 10 am.

Parent tip: Call the rink at 03 89 80 09 05 to confirm the time and the admission price.

Host
Patinoire de Colmar (opens in a new tab)
Where
Patinoire de Colmar, 15 rue Robert Schuman, 68000 Colmar (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
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Visit with Santa

Santa Visits the Colmar Ice Rink

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On Wednesday, Dec 23, the Colmar ice rink holds a session with Christmas music. Santa (Père Noël) comes onto the ice at 3 pm to meet the children, give them treats and pose for photos.

Children are invited to bring a drawing to give him. No booking is needed and you can eat on site. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Parent tip: Remember a drawing for Santa. Confirm the admission price at 03 89 80 09 05.

Host
Patinoire de Colmar (opens in a new tab)
Where
Patinoire de Colmar, 15 rue Robert Schuman, 68000 Colmar (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Patinoire de Colmar (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas events for kids in Munster

Christmas crafts

Gingerbread Decorating Workshop (Munster)

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On Saturday, Dec 12, from 3 to 5 pm, a Munster association runs a workshop for children, who can decorate their own gingerbread. The workshop takes place on the Place du Marché, in the center of Munster.

The workshop is free. The gingerbread to decorate is sold at the association's chalet on the day itself, and you need to pick it up there (ask about the price). No booking is needed, but it is wise to stop by the chalet beforehand. It is a simple creative activity for children that you can combine with a visit to the market.

Parent tip: Buy the gingerbread at the association's chalet before the workshop. Information: Munster tourist office, 03 89 77 31 80. Expect it to be in French.

Host
Office de Tourisme de la Vallée de Munster (opens in a new tab)
Where
Place du Marché, 68140 Munster (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Office de Tourisme de la Vallée de Munster (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas events for kids in Ribeauvillé

Christmas crafts

Parent-Child Advent Wreath Workshop (Ribeauvillé)

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At Fleurs Wurtz in Ribeauvillé, parents and children make their own flowered, decorative Advent wreath together. It is a playful, creative and friendly time to share, on Saturday, Nov 28, from 2 to 4 pm.

A snack is offered at the end of the making. Booking is required. Prices are €38 per adult, €35 per child and €33 for a second child. This paid workshop suits families who want to go home with a creation for the table, the weekend before the first Sunday of Advent. It is a creative leisure workshop run at the florist's shop.

Parent tip: Book ahead at 03 89 73 61 83 or 03 89 73 38 85. Expect it to be in French.

Host
Fleurs Wurtz (opens in a new tab)
Where
Fleurs Wurtz, 2 rue de Landau, 68150 Ribeauvillé (opens in maps)
Registration
Required
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
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Christmas events for kids in Wintzenheim

Christmas market

Wintzenheim Christmas Market

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The Wintzenheim Christmas market brings together 83 exhibitors: decorations, wood, wool or fabric crafts, jewelry and local products to taste on site. It takes place on Friday, Dec 4, from 2 to 7 pm, and on Saturday, Dec 5.

Children can write to Santa and slip their letter into one of the town's three mailboxes. Each one receives a personal reply. Drawing, writing and craft activities are also planned, and music fills the market.

Parent tip: Saturday's hours are not given: call the town hall at 03 89 27 94 89 to confirm them.

Host
Mairie de Wintzenheim (opens in a new tab)
Where
Marché de Noël de Wintzenheim, 28 rue Clémenceau, 68920 Wintzenheim (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
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More Christmas events for kids in France

A story for the trip home

Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents. It is a cozy story to share on the way home after a big day out.

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolour corgi peeking from a red train

A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor. Ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon.fr (opens in a new tab)

Christmas events for kids in Colmar: questions parents ask

What are the 2026 Christmas events for kids in Colmar?

For 2026, we confirmed 28 Christmas events for kids in Colmar, each on its host’s own page: Saint Nicholas Festival in Bergheim (Bergheim), Saint Lucy's Day (Sainte Lucie), the Festival of Light (Turckheim), Saint Nicholas Visits Ammerschwihr (Ammerschwihr) and 25 more. Each one is listed above with times, cost and a link to the host.

Are there free Christmas events for kids in Colmar?

Yes, 20 of the 28 events here are free: Saint Nicholas Festival in Bergheim (Bergheim), Saint Lucy's Day (Sainte Lucie), the Festival of Light (Turckheim), Saint Nicholas Visits Ammerschwihr (Ammerschwihr) and 17 more. Some free events still ask you to register, so check each listing.

Where can kids see Santa this year in Colmar?

Where to see Santa: Saint Nicholas Festival in Bergheim (Bergheim), Saint Nicholas Visits Ammerschwihr (Ammerschwihr), Christmas Parade of Lights in Guémar (Guémar) and 8 more. Check the listings above for times and booking.

Where are there Christmas story times for kids in Colmar?

Christmas story times on this page: Lantern Storytelling Walk (Ammerschwihr) and Christmas Storytelling Walk in Obermorschwihr (Obermorschwihr).

How do you confirm these events?

We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city, library or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on November 9, 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.

Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.

The story of Christmas in Colmar

In Colmar, the children do the caroling. They stand on lit-up boats gliding along the Lauch canal while the old town glows with stars. Here is what a visiting family can see, taste and do, and how the season is laid out in 2026.

How Colmar celebrates Christmas, and what makes it special for visitors

Colmar is a small Alsatian town, and at Christmas it feels like a storybook. Six markets fill the squares of the old town. One is tucked inside the Koïfhus, the old customs house built in 1480 to store taxed goods. Another sits beside a church with stained-glass windows from the 14th century.

What sets Colmar apart for families is how much is made for children. The Petite Venise children's market has an animated nativity scene, a wooden horse carousel and a giant yellow mailbox for letters to Santa. Late in the afternoon, children's choirs sing carols from lit-up boats on the canal. Over 2 million visitors came in 2025, so the town is lively, and the walkable center makes it easy to hop between markets.

Local traditions your child will meet in Alsace

Colmar's signature is the shining star. The town hangs luminous stars in its streets, strings garlands in the trees and sets out white birches and fir trees. Kids love turning the walk into a game of spotting and counting them. The lighting plan was one of the first of its size in France and won a special prize from the Académie des Arts de la Rue in 1997.

Saint Nicholas, whose feast day is December 6, visits children in early December and rewards the well-behaved. The treat of the season is the manala, a buttery brioche shaped like a little man. Alsace is also famous for bredele, small Christmas cookies flavored with cinnamon, vanilla or almond. In the villages around Colmar you may also meet Hans Trapp, a traditional companion who walks with Saint Nicholas.

Planning a Christmas visit to Colmar with kids

In 2026 the season starts early. The children's market opens on November 23 and stays until December 29. The five central markets run November 23 to December 29, with free entry. The Ferris wheel and gourmet market on the Montagne Verte stay open until January 3, 2027. The Christmas funfair and Carrousel 1900 on place Rapp run from November 21 to January 3.

The children's choirs on the boats begin on November 25, and Saint Nicholas appears on Cathedral Square on Sunday, December 6, from 2 to 5 pm. This page lists the confirmed events, and most are free, from treasure hunts and storytelling walks to village festivals around Colmar. A few are paid, such as the Ferris wheel and the sound and light show at the Unterlinden museum. Most events are in French, so check with the host if you need English.

A fun fact to share on the walk

The giant yellow mailbox at the children's market is one of the best stops for little ones. Kids drop in a letter to Santa, and if they write their return address on the back of the envelope, a reply comes back. On this page the mailbox is open daily from November 23 to December 29, with hours that change by day.

Traditions today

  • The Petite Venise children's market: On place des Six-Montagnes-Noires you will find stalls, an animated nativity scene and a wooden horse carousel for the youngest visitors. Entry is free.
  • Children's choirs on the boats: Kids sing Christmas carols from lit-up boats on the canal in Petite Venise, from 5 to 6 pm and free to watch. In 2026 the first outing is November 25.
  • Santa's giant mailbox: A big yellow mailbox at the children's market takes letters to Santa. Write your address on the back of the envelope to get a reply.
  • The starry old town: Luminous stars, lit-up facades and garlands in the trees, part of a lighting plan that won a prize in 1997.
  • Bredele and manala: Bredele are small Christmas cookies flavored with cinnamon, vanilla or almond. The manala is a buttery brioche shaped like a little man, eaten for Saint Nicholas.
  • Saint Nicholas on Cathedral Square: Saint Nicholas greets children on the south side of the square, near the nativity scene, on Sunday, December 6, 2026, from 2 to 5 pm. It is free.

A fact for kids

In Colmar, children sing Christmas carols while standing on lit-up boats that glide along the canal. And Santa writes back to letters dropped in his giant yellow mailbox.

Questions about Christmas in Colmar

Is Colmar worth visiting at Christmas with kids?

Yes. Colmar has a children's market, singing boats, a giant Santa mailbox and a Christmas funfair, and the old town is easy to cover on foot. Many events are free, including the five central markets and the boat choirs. Over 2 million people visited the markets in 2025, so expect crowds at busy times.

When do the Christmas markets in Colmar open in 2026?

The five central markets run from Monday, November 23 to Tuesday, December 29, 2026, and entry is free. The Petite Venise children's market follows the same dates. The Ferris wheel and gourmet market on the Montagne Verte stay open until January 3, 2027.

How many Christmas markets are there in Colmar?

Colmar has six markets in its old town. They include the markets at place des Dominicains, the old customs house square, the Koïfhus indoor market, an Alsatian products market, the gourmet market and the children's market in Petite Venise. You can walk between them in a few minutes.

Where is the children's Christmas market in Colmar?

It is in Petite Venise, on place des Six-Montagnes-Noires, beside the canal. You will find small chalets, an animated nativity scene, a wooden horse carousel and Santa's giant mailbox. It is open every day from November 23 to December 29, 2026, and entry is free.

Where can kids meet Santa in Colmar?

Saint Nicholas greets children on Cathedral Square on Sunday, December 6, 2026, from 2 to 5 pm, next to the nativity scene. Father Christmas visits the Colmar ice rink on December 23, from 3 to 4 pm, and Saint Nicholas visits the rink on December 6, from 10 to 11 am. Rink visits depend on the usual rink entry, whose price is not given.

Can kids write a letter to Santa in Colmar?

Yes. Drop it in the giant yellow mailbox at the Petite Venise children's market. Write your return address on the back of the envelope so Santa can answer. The mailbox is free to use and stays open from November 23 to December 29, 2026.

When do the children sing on the boats in Colmar?

The first outing in 2026 is Wednesday, November 25, near the Turenne bridge on the fish market quay. An event listing says the choirs then sing on Wednesdays and Saturdays until December 19, from 5 to 6 pm, and it is free. Boat outings depend on weather and technical conditions, so check the same day.

Are there free Christmas events in Colmar?

Yes, a lot of them. The five central markets, the children's market, the boat choirs, the Saint Nicholas visit, the mechanical nativity scenes in Sainte-Marie church and the treasure hunt from the tourist office are all free. Rides, the Ferris wheel and the Unterlinden show are paid.

Are Christmas events in Colmar in English?

Most events are in French, the local language. Browsing the markets, hearing the carols and seeing the lights needs no language at all. For workshops, shows and storytelling walks, check with the host about English.

What is the Petite Venise district in Colmar?

Petite Venise is a canal area of the old town along the Lauch river. At Christmas it hosts the children's market and the boat choirs. It is one of the most photographed corners of Colmar when lit up in the evening.

What is the Koïfhus in Colmar?

The Koïfhus is the old customs house, built in 1480 to store goods that were taxed when they came into town. At Christmas it holds an indoor market with craftspeople. In the evening its facade and Renaissance staircase are lit up.

What are bredele?

Bredele (also spelled bredala) are the small Christmas cookies of Alsace. They come flavored with cinnamon, vanilla or almond, and you will find them at the market stalls during Advent. They make a good snack for kids on a market walk.

What is a manala?

The manala is a buttery brioche shaped like a little man. In Alsace it is eaten for Saint Nicholas, in early December, and you can find it at the Christmas markets. Bergheim's Saint Nicholas festival on December 9, 2026, hands them out to good children.

Who is Saint Nicholas, and what is Hans Trapp?

Saint Nicholas, whose feast day is December 6, visits children in early December and rewards the well-behaved. Hans Trapp is a traditional companion who walks with him, for example at the Saint Nicholas visit in Ammerschwihr on November 22, 2026.

Where can kids see Saint Nicholas near Colmar in 2026?

Ammerschwihr welcomes him on Sunday, November 22, from 3 to 3:30 pm. Munster has him on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from November 20 to December 6, late in the afternoon. Ingersheim has him on Saturday, December 5, at 3 pm, and Bergheim on Wednesday, December 9, from 6 to 8 pm.

Why are there so many stars in Colmar at Christmas?

Luminous stars are the signature of Colmar's Christmas lights. The town hangs them in the streets, along with garlands in the trees and fir and white birch trees across the old town. Kids can play a game of counting stars as they walk.

What is special about the lights in Colmar?

Colmar was the first town in France to launch a lighting plan of this size. It uses 1,150 computer-controlled light points linked by fiber optics, around four themes: water, air, earth and fire. It received a special prize from the Académie des Arts de la Rue in 1997.

Is there a Ferris wheel in Colmar at Christmas?

Yes. The Ferris wheel and gourmet market are on the Montagne Verte sports ground, open every day from November 23, 2026, to January 3, 2027, from 11 am to 10 pm. Entry to the site is free, and a ride costs 10 euros, or 8 euros for children under 1.20 m.

Is there a sound and light show at the Unterlinden museum?

Yes. The show "Once Upon a Night" plays in the museum cloister from November 25, 2026, to January 3, 2027, from 5 to 6:30 pm. Tickets start at 8 euros, and children under 12 get in free.

Can kids see nativity scenes in Colmar?

Yes. Sainte-Marie church has a mechanical nativity scene and the Path of the World's Cribs, free to visit. It is open on weekends from November 28, and daily from December 19 to 31, except December 25, from 3 to 6 pm.

What can we do near Colmar with kids at Christmas?

Turckheim has a free elf market from November 27 to December 30 and a daily live Advent calendar at 5 pm from December 1 to 24. Mittelwihr has a little elf trail until January 4, 2027. Guémar holds a light parade on December 19 and 20 with about 80 participants, around 5:15 pm.

Can older kids do something different in Colmar?

Children aged 8 to 12 can investigate the Vauban Museum in Neuf-Brisach with riddles and clues, on Fridays, Sundays and Saturday mornings from December 4 to 20, free for kids. A free treasure hunt also starts at the tourist office and runs until January 3, 2027.

Is there an ice rink in Colmar at Christmas?

Yes, Colmar has an ice rink, where Saint Nicholas visits on December 6, 2026, and Father Christmas on December 23. The price is the normal rink entry, which this page does not list. Place Rapp has had a rink or a toboggan track in past years, but the 2026 place Rapp attraction is a funfair with Carrousel 1900.

Sources

  1. Colmar, the magic of lights, Noël à Colmar (noel-colmar.com)
  2. The heritage, Noël à Colmar (noel-colmar.com)
  3. Colmar Christmas Market, French Moments
  4. Noël à Colmar (e-book), French Moments / Mon Grand Est
  5. Marché de Noël de Colmar 2025, Festival en France
  6. Marché de Noël de Colmar 2025 : guide complet et avis, Chéri fais tes valises
  7. Les marchés de Noël de Colmar, evous
  8. Colmar, le plus scintillant marché de Noël, SNCF Connect
  9. Marchés de Noël de Colmar, France Guide
  10. Noël à Colmar et dans ses environs, Noël à Colmar (noel-colmar.com)

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