Christmas Events for Kids in Lille (2026)

Christmas Events for Kids
Written by Kelsey Cecil

12 min read · Lire en français

For 2026, we confirmed 22 Christmas events for kids in Lille. The season opens on November 14 with Workshop: My Letter to Santa Claus (Atelier: Ma lettre au Père Noël) and runs until January 16 with Lille Ferris Wheel (Grande Roue de Lille). Of these, 17 are free. Every listing links straight to the host. This page is part of our guide to Christmas events for kids in France.

The short version

  • Kids’ Christmas events confirmed for 2026 in Lille, Tourcoing, Wambrechies, Carnin, Loos and more: 22
  • First: Workshop: My Letter to Santa Claus (Atelier: Ma lettre au Père Noël), Carnin, November 14
  • Free events: Lille Christmas Market 2026, Stories: Waiting for Christmas (Histoires: En attendant Noël), Christmas Craft Workshop, Salomé Christmas Market, Local and Sustainable Christmas Market: Mairie Christmas, Make Your Own Christmas Decoration (Fabrique ta décoration de Noël) and more

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).

At a glance: Christmas events for kids in Lille

Kids’ Christmas events
22 confirmed for 2026
Towns
Lille, Tourcoing, Wambrechies, Carnin, Loos and Salomé
Season
November 14 to January 16
Free events
17
Last checked

Free 17Ticketed and paid 5

Free Christmas events for kids in Lille

Christmas marketFree

Lille Christmas Market 2026

Expand to see the parent tip

The Christmas village sets up on Place Rihour, next to the Grand'Place, with nearly 90 chalets according to the organizer: food, crafts, decorations and family games. Santa's Shop (Échoppe du Père Noël) is also there. Entry is free.

The market is open from 11 am to 8:30 pm Sunday to Thursday and until 10 pm on Friday and Saturday. On Dec 24, the chalets close at 6 pm, and the market is closed on Dec 25. The Rihour metro stop (line 1) is right next door, and the Lille-Flandres and Lille-Europe train stations are about a five-minute walk away. The program of activities for children had not been published yet in early November.

Parent tip: The dates may still be changed by the organizer. Come in the late afternoon to see the market lit up.

Host
Fédération lilloise du commerce, Noël à Lille (opens in a new tab)
Where
Place Rihour, 59000 Lille (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Fédération lilloise du commerce, Noël à Lille (opens in a new tab)

New events in Lille every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Lille every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Rally’s Christmas research

Rally the corgi has 21 more Lille events researched for you.

  • New events every week We research new events daily and send you one email a week with the new ones we find in Lille.
  • Exclusive access to free events Be first to hear about new free events in Lille.
  • Unlock the filters Find Santa visits, free events and weekend plans in one tap.
  • Rally’s Christmas Eve Express and a free advent calendar Get early access to Rally the corgi’s Christmas Eve tracker, plus a free digital advent calendar to count down to Christmas.
  • One-tap add to calendar Save any event to your Google, Apple or Outlook calendar so you never miss it.

Coming up on this page

  • 10 Crafts
  • 7 Santa
  • 5 Shows
  • 4 Story time
  • 17 Free

Enter your email to get new Christmas events in Lille every week.

Free. One email a week with new events in Lille. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy

Christmas marketFree

Local and Sustainable Christmas Market: Mairie Christmas

Expand to see the parent tip

The City of Lille sets up its local and sustainable Christmas market inside the City Hall building. More than thirty Lille-area vendors offer gift ideas made locally or secondhand: toys, books, clothing, jewelry, illustrations, candles and local products, as well as more responsible alternatives for meals, decorations or festive outfits.

The atmosphere is meant to be musical and festive, with many free activities throughout the afternoon. The City says young and old will find activities suited to their age. Come on Saturday, November 28 from 1 pm to 7 pm, free entry through the Porte de Paris. The venue is accessible to people with reduced mobility.

Parent tip: Enter through the Porte de Paris. A good chance to find secondhand toys and books before Christmas.

Host
Ville de Lille (opens in a new tab)
Where
Hôtel de ville de Lille, Place Augustin Laurent, 59800 Lille (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Ville de Lille (opens in a new tab)

New events in Lille every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Lille every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas craftsFree

Make Your Own Christmas Decoration (Fabrique ta décoration de Noël)

Expand to see the parent tip

The Saint-Maurice Pellevoisin media library offers children a creative afternoon to get ready for the holidays. On the program of the “Fabrique ta décoration” (Make Your Own Decoration) workshop: snowmen, trees and even Santa hats, to make yourself and decorate the house.

The workshop takes place on Wednesday, December 2, from 3 pm to 5 pm, and is for children age 6 and up. Admission is free, but registration is required through the Lille media library network. The venue is accessible to people with reduced mobility. The same media library also holds a workshop on Saturday, December 5 to make your own Christmas stocking. The small decorations made at the workshop can then brighten the home throughout the holiday season.

Parent tip: Register through the Lille media libraries calendar (bm-lille.fr). Expect it to be in French.

Host
Médiathèques de Lille (opens in a new tab)
Where
Médiathèque Saint-Maurice Pellevoisin, 205 bis rue du Faubourg de Roubaix, 59800 Lille (opens in maps)
Registration
Required
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Médiathèques de Lille (opens in a new tab)

New events in Lille every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Lille every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas showFree

Noël des Waz'ins (Wazemmes Neighbors' Christmas)

Expand to see the parent tip

The Maison Folie Wazemmes organizes its Noël des Waz'ins, the neighborhood's year-end party. On the program: a show by the Joker company, created from the testimonies of Wazemmes residents, face painting stands, creative and eco-friendly workshops, and board games.

Hot drinks and a snack are also planned. The afternoon is free and open to all, on Saturday, December 12 from 2 pm to 6 pm. The venue is accessible to people with reduced mobility. The organizer says more information will be shared: it is best to look at the page just before leaving. The creative workshops have an ecological side, in the spirit of a simpler Christmas shared among neighbors.

Parent tip: Information at 03 20 78 20 23. The detailed program may still grow. Check the page before you come.

Host
Maison Folie Wazemmes, Ville de Lille (opens in a new tab)
Where
Maison Folie Wazemmes, 70 rue des Sarrazins, 59000 Lille (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Maison Folie Wazemmes, Ville de Lille (opens in a new tab)

New events in Lille every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Lille every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas craftsFree

A Snowman Card for the Holidays (Un bonhomme de neige en carte pour les fêtes)

Expand to see the parent tip

To get ready for the holidays, a Lille media library offers a workshop making snowman-shaped greeting cards. Parents and children make a pretty card together to give, in a friendly, creative moment suitable for little ones and older ones alike.

The workshop takes place on Wednesday, December 16, from 4 pm to 5 pm, at 8 allée de la Filature. Registration is required, as a parent and child pair, through the online calendar of the Lille media libraries. It is a good chance to make homemade greetings for the family, a few days before the vacation, without spending anything. Just come with your child and your desire to create; the finished card can then be sent to a loved one.

Parent tip: Registration required. One adult accompanies each child. Expect it to be in French.

Host
Médiathèques de Lille (opens in a new tab)
Where
Médiathèque de Lille, allée de la Filature, 8 allée de la Filature, 59000 Lille (opens in maps)
Registration
Required
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Médiathèques de Lille (opens in a new tab)

New events in Lille every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Lille every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas craftsFree

Winter Decorations (Décoration d'hiver)

Expand to see the parent tip

The Marcel Dhénin educational farm (ferme pédagogique) holds two workshops in December, on Wednesdays, Dec 16 and Dec 30, from 10:30 am to 12 pm. Participants make winter decorations from natural materials.

The workshop is open from age 5 and free, but registration is required through the City of Lille ticketing site. For any questions, you can write to fermelille@mairie-lille.fr.

Parent tip: Register at billetterie.lille.fr/event/nature2026. Dress the kids warmly. The farm is outdoors. Expect it to be in French.

Host
Ferme pédagogique Marcel Dhénin (educational farm), City of Lille (opens in a new tab)
Where
Ferme pédagogique Marcel Dhénin, 14 rue Eugène Jacquet, 59800 Lille (opens in maps)
Registration
Required
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Ferme pédagogique Marcel Dhénin (educational farm), City of Lille (opens in a new tab)

New events in Lille every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Lille every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas story timeFree

Kilikili de Noël (Christmas Kilikili Story Time)

Expand to see the parent tip

The Kilikili are the story sessions of the Lille media libraries, and the one on December 19 takes on Christmas colors. The librarians invite families to share a magical moment around enchanted tales, with laughter and discoveries, in a warm, friendly atmosphere.

The session lasts half an hour, from 4:30 pm to 5 pm, on the first Saturday of the Christmas vacation. Entry is free and open, with no registration, and the venue is accessible to people with reduced mobility. It is a short format, ideal for young children discovering read-aloud stories, and a gentle way into Christmas week. The Kilikili are a regular event at the Lille media libraries, and this special edition has a festive air.

Parent tip: Drop-in: arrive a little early to find the children a seat. Expect it to be in French.

Host
Médiathèques de Lille (opens in a new tab)
Where
Médiathèque de Lille, rue de l'Asie, 11 rue de l'Asie, 59000 Lille (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Médiathèques de Lille (opens in a new tab)

New events in Lille every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Lille every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas events for kids in Tourcoing

Christmas craftsFree

Christmas Craft Workshop (Tourcoing)

Expand to see the parent tip

As the holidays approach, the André Malraux media library (médiathèque) offers a chance to make paper Christmas decorations. The workshop takes place on Saturday, Nov 21 from 2:30 to 4:30 pm, in a friendly atmosphere.

Materials are provided and everyone leaves with what they made, to keep or to give. The workshop is for everyone ages 10 and up, it is free, and booking is recommended.

Parent tip: Booking recommended with the library, at 03 59 63 42 50. Expect it to be in French.

Host
Médiathèques de Tourcoing (opens in a new tab)
Where
Médiathèque André Malraux, 26 rue Famelart, 59200 Tourcoing (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Médiathèques de Tourcoing (opens in a new tab)

New events in Lille every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Lille every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Visit with SantaFree

Christmas Show: Gribouille et la lettre du Père Noël (Gribouille and Santa's Letter) (Tourcoing)

Expand to see the parent tip

Gribouille works in Santa's secretariat: every day he sorts and answers letters from all over the world. But he no longer likes the job. One morning, he receives a letter from Santa offering him a change of position.

With the help of the young audience, Gribouille tries various tasks, with more or less success: keeper of the magic sack, reindeer driver, tailor. Will this grumpy elf find his happiness and rediscover the joy of Christmas? The show is interactive and for everyone age 2 and up. It takes place on Wednesday, December 9 at 9:45 am, at the Colette media library in Tourcoing. Admission is free and reservation is recommended.

Parent tip: Reservation recommended at 03 59 63 43 00 or mediathequecolette@ville-tourcoing.fr. Expect it to be in French.

Host
Médiathèques de Tourcoing (opens in a new tab)
Where
Médiathèque Colette, 27 avenue Roger Salengro, 59200 Tourcoing (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Médiathèques de Tourcoing (opens in a new tab)

New events in Lille every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Lille every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas story timeFree

Noël, joyeux Noël (Merry Christmas) (Tourcoing)

Expand to see the parent tip

The Aimé Césaire media library in Tourcoing devotes an entire Wednesday afternoon to Christmas. On the program: creative and decoration workshops, stories, a Christmas snack workshop and a shared tasting to finish.

This afternoon is part of the media library's screen-free half-days: no video games, and everyone is invited to put their phone aside. The event runs from 2 pm to 6 pm on Wednesday, December 16. It is free and open to all, with reservation recommended. Families can spend part of the afternoon or stay until the snack, depending on the children's age and energy. The media library is on boulevard Descat, in Tourcoing, and its team answers questions by phone or email.

Parent tip: Reservation recommended at 03 20 25 61 19. Plan to put phones away: it is a screen-free half-day. Expect it to be in French.

Host
Médiathèques de Tourcoing (opens in a new tab)
Where
Médiathèque Aimé Césaire, 285 boulevard Descat, 59200 Tourcoing (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Médiathèques de Tourcoing (opens in a new tab)

New events in Lille every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Lille every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Family Christmas eventFree

Screening: Christmas Mystery Film (Tourcoing)

Expand to see the parent tip

For the first Saturday of the school break, the Andrée Chedid media library (médiathèque) in Tourcoing offers a Christmas mystery film: a children's animation program of two short films, made to delight young and old. The title stays a surprise until the day itself.

Expect adventure and lovable characters in a family moment to laugh, dream and feel moved together during the holidays. The screening lasts one hour, from 3 to 4 pm on Saturday, Dec 19. It is free and open to everyone ages 3 and up, with booking recommended. The venue is accessible to people with reduced mobility. The Andrée Chedid library is on avenue Fin de la Guerre in Tourcoing, and the team answers questions by phone or email.

Parent tip: Booking recommended at 03 59 63 44 00 or mediathequechedid@ville-tourcoing.fr.

Host
Médiathèques de Tourcoing (opens in a new tab)
Where
Médiathèque Andrée Chedid, 156 avenue Fin de la Guerre, 59200 Tourcoing (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Médiathèques de Tourcoing (opens in a new tab)

New events in Lille every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Lille every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas craftsFree

Digital Snacks: Create a One-of-a-Kind Mug for the Holidays (Goûters numériques) (Tourcoing)

Expand to see the parent tip

At the Numérithèque in Tourcoing, parents and children personalize a Christmas-themed mug together, with festive patterns and winter colors. Participants learn several personalization techniques and go home with their creation, a nice idea for a gift.

The sessions are on Tuesday, Dec 22 and Wednesday, Dec 23, from 2 to 4:30 pm. Attendance is expected at all sessions: check the exact schedule with the Numérithèque.

Parent tip: Booking recommended at 03 59 63 43 00. Confirm the session dates before coming. Expect it to be in French.

Host
Numéritheque de Tourcoing (opens in a new tab)
Where
Numérithèque, 27 avenue Roger Salengro, 59200 Tourcoing (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Numéritheque de Tourcoing (opens in a new tab)

New events in Lille every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Lille every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas events for kids in Wambrechies

Visit with SantaFree

Meet Saint Nicholas and Père Fouettard (Wambrechies)

Expand to see the parent tip

Every year, Saint Nicholas (saint Nicolas) delights young and old in Wambrechies, and the town says 2026 will be no exception. On Saint Nicholas Day, he meets the children at Robersart Park. He may look impressive with his long white beard, but kindness and sharing are what define him.

Children go home with arms full of papillotes (wrapped sweets) and clementines, unless Père Fouettard, the stern companion of Saint Nicholas, decides to take them back, as tradition goes. The gathering is on Sunday, Dec 6, from 4:30 to 5:30 pm, with free entry. The site is accessible to people with reduced mobility. A nice way to introduce children to this tradition of northern France.

Parent tip: It is outdoors at the end of the day, so dress the kids warmly.

Host
Ville de Wambrechies (opens in a new tab)
Where
Parc de Robersart, Avenue de Robersart, 59118 Wambrechies (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Ville de Wambrechies (opens in a new tab)

New events in Lille every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Lille every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas marketFree

Christmas Market and Arrival of Santa Claus (Père Noël) (Wambrechies)

Expand to see the parent tip

The Wambrechies Christmas market brings together more than thirty vendors in the rooms of the Château de Robersart, a good place to find a small treat or a gift for someone close. It is open Friday, Dec 11 from 6:30 to 9 pm, Saturday, Dec 12 from 11 am to 8 pm and Sunday, Dec 13 from 10 am to 6 pm.

The highlight for children comes on Sunday: Santa Claus (Père Noël) comes to meet the people of Wambrechies. At 4:30 pm, take a spot at the foot of Saint-Vaast church, where a surprise awaits the crowd. Entry is free and the château is accessible to people with reduced mobility. Wambrechies is about fifteen minutes north of Lille.

Parent tip: For Santa's arrival, be at the foot of Saint-Vaast church a little before 4:30 pm on Sunday.

Host
Ville de Wambrechies (opens in a new tab)
Where
Château de Robersart, Avenue de Robersart, 59118 Wambrechies (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Ville de Wambrechies (opens in a new tab)

New events in Lille every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Lille every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas events for kids in Carnin

Christmas story timeFree

Stories: Waiting for Christmas (Histoires: En attendant Noël) (Carnin)

Expand to see the parent tip

Head to the Carnin media library (médiathèque) for a reading session about waiting for Christmas. It takes place on Wednesday, Nov 18, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm, and entry is free.

It is a simple way to start the holiday season, with picture books read aloud.

Parent tip: If you are unsure about the recommended age, call the library. Expect it to be in French.

Host
Médiathèque de Carnin (opens in a new tab)
Where
Médiathèque de Carnin, Place du 27 mai 1940, 59112 Carnin (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Médiathèque de Carnin (opens in a new tab)

New events in Lille every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Lille every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas events for kids in Loos

Santa Claus paradeFree

Saint Nicholas Festival / Allumoirs Festival (Fête de la Saint-Nicolas / Fête les Allumoirs) (Loos)

Expand to see the parent tip

This big neighborhood festival combines Saint Nicholas (saint Nicolas) with the tradition of the allumoirs, the lanterns of the parade. In the afternoon, the forecourt of La Fileuse hosts Saint Nicholas's house, a photo booth, photos with Galopin the donkey, giants, a workshop to make your own allumoir, face painting, and hot chocolate and soup offered by the town.

At 3 pm, the show “Le magicien d'Oz” (The Wizard of Oz) is offered for ages 3 and up in the hall at La Fileuse. At 5 pm, the allumoir parade sets off with a brass band toward the town hall, where the list of naughty children is read in the presence of Père Fouettard, Saint Nicholas's stern companion, followed by a candy toss. The evening ends in the public garden with a fire show and fireworks.

Parent tip: Tickets for the 3 pm show are held until 10 minutes before the start, then given to others. Access to the hall closes once the show has begun. Expect the show to be in French.

Host
Ville de Loos (opens in a new tab)
Where
La Fileuse (parvis) et jardin public, 81 rue du Maréchal Foch, 59120 Loos (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Ville de Loos (opens in a new tab)

New events in Lille every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Lille every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas events for kids in Salomé

Christmas marketFree

Salomé Christmas Market

Expand to see the parent tip

The Salomé Christmas market sets up at the R. Nowacki complex for three days, with many vendors indoors and outdoors. It opens Friday, Nov 27 from 4 to 8 pm, Saturday, Nov 28 from 10 am to 7 pm and Sunday, Nov 29 from 10 am to 6 pm.

For children, the weekend program includes a photo with Santa Claus, a kids' carousel and mascots, plus a face painting stand on Saturday and Sunday afternoon. A bar and light food are available on site. Entry is free. Salomé is southwest of the Lille area, near La Bassée.

Parent tip: Face painting is only offered on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

Host
Ville de Salomé (opens in a new tab)
Where
Complexe R. Nowacki, Avenue Louis Romon, 59496 Salomé (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Ville de Salomé (opens in a new tab)

New events in Lille every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Lille every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Ticketed and paid Christmas events for kids in Lille

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

The #1 spot Event hosts: free events are listed first. One featured spot puts your event at the very top of this page.Ask about the #1 spot

Christmas lights

Lille Ferris Wheel (Grande Roue de Lille)

Expand to see the parent tip

The Ferris wheel opens at the same time as the Christmas village, on Nov 18, 2026, on Place du Général de Gaulle, between the Flemish facades and the Vieille Bourse. It stays in place until Jan 16, 2027.

It is open from noon to midnight on weekdays, and from 10 am on weekends and during school vacations. The fare is about €7 for an adult and €5 for a child under 1.40 m (about 4 ft 7 in), with no booking. The wheel is a few steps from the Christmas market on Place Rihour, so you can do both in one outing.

Parent tip: No booking needed. Prices are approximate, so check them on site.

Host
Office de tourisme de Lille (opens in a new tab)
Where
Place du Général de Gaulle (Grand'Place), 59800 Lille (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Office de tourisme de Lille (opens in a new tab)

New events in Lille every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Lille every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Family Christmas event

The Birthplace House in Christmas Colors (La Maison natale aux couleurs de Noël)

Expand to see the parent tip

In the Belle Époque, for Saint Nicholas (Saint-Nicolas) and Christmas, the house teemed with children: Charles, his brothers and sisters, and cousins gathered at their grandmother's to celebrate the holidays. From December 2, the Maison natale puts on its festive dress to recreate the atmosphere of a 19th-century Christmas, with decoration by the Lille antiques dealer Johan Hennart.

Old decorations, period toys, a traditional tree and a festive table recreate the atmosphere of holidays past, for young and old. The house is open from 10 am to 6 pm until January 11. It is closed on Tuesdays, as well as on December 25 and January 1. Admission costs €8, €6 reduced.

Parent tip: Closed Tuesdays. Information at 03 59 73 00 30.

Host
Maison natale Charles de Gaulle, Département du Nord (opens in a new tab)
Where
Maison natale Charles de Gaulle, 9 rue Princesse, 59800 Lille (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Maison natale Charles de Gaulle, Département du Nord (opens in a new tab)

New events in Lille every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Lille every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas show

Casse-Noisette (The Nutcracker)

Expand to see the parent tip

The famous ballet by Marius Petipa, set to Tchaikovsky's music, is presented at the Grand Théâtre of Lille Grand Palais on Sunday, Jan 3, 2027 at 1:30 pm. On Christmas Eve, young Marie receives a nutcracker from her uncle, and the toys come to life for a night of adventures.

The show suits the whole family, but the organizer advises against bringing children under 3, for their safety, their comfort and to protect their hearing. Doors open at 12 pm and tickets cost €35 to €65.

Parent tip: Plan to arrive as soon as doors open at 12 pm. The show is not recommended for children under 3.

Host
Lille Grand Palais (opens in a new tab)
Where
Grand Théâtre, Lille Grand Palais, Avenue des Cités Unies, 59777 Lille (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Lille Grand Palais (opens in a new tab)

New events in Lille every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Lille every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas events for kids in Wambrechies

Christmas show

Tales and Snowballs (Tour de contes & boules de neige) (Wambrechies)

Expand to see the parent tip

“Tour de contes et boules de neige” (Tales and Snowballs) is an interactive Christmas show created and performed by storyteller Thierry Moral of the company In Illo Tempore. All the stories come from cold countries, are about snow, and sometimes mention a certain father figure whose identity must not be given away.

Along the way you meet a crow and an owl in a story to color in, a little blue bear cub in a juggling tale, a certain Thibaut on a participatory hike and a very clever fox, all under the eye of Boniface the two-faced magician, a rod puppet who shows his true face at the end. Mixing poetry and humor, the show lasts about 45 minutes. Price: €3 for Wambrechies residents, €5 for everyone else.

Parent tip: Tickets are sold online on Billetweb, so get them in advance. Expect it to be in French.

Host
Ville de Wambrechies (opens in a new tab)
Where
Wambrechies, 33 rue du Général Leclerc, 59118 Wambrechies (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Ville de Wambrechies (opens in a new tab)

New events in Lille every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Lille every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas events for kids in Carnin

Visit with Santa

Workshop: My Letter to Santa Claus (Atelier: Ma lettre au Père Noël) (Carnin)

Expand to see the parent tip

The Carnin media library (médiathèque) opens the Christmas season with a workshop on the letter to Santa Claus. The magic of Christmas comes to the library on a Saturday morning from 10 to 11:30 am.

The workshop is by registration. For the price and recommended age, contact the library before coming with young children.

Parent tip: Registration is required. Ask the library about the price and age. Expect it to be in French.

Host
Médiathèque de Carnin (opens in a new tab)
Where
Médiathèque de Carnin, Place du 27 mai 1940, 59112 Carnin (opens in maps)
Registration
Required
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Médiathèque de Carnin (opens in a new tab)

New events in Lille every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Lille every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

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 Lille: questions parents ask

What are the 2026 Christmas events for kids in Lille?

For 2026, we confirmed 22 Christmas events for kids in Lille, each on its host’s own page: Saint Nicholas Festival / Allumoirs Festival (Fête de la Saint-Nicolas / Fête les Allumoirs) (Loos), Make Your Own Christmas Decoration (Fabrique ta décoration de Noël), Tales and Snowballs (Tour de contes & boules de neige) (Wambrechies) and 19 more. Each one is listed above with times, cost and a link to the host.

Are there free Christmas events for kids in Lille?

Yes, 17 of the 22 events here are free: Saint Nicholas Festival / Allumoirs Festival (Fête de la Saint-Nicolas / Fête les Allumoirs) (Loos), Make Your Own Christmas Decoration (Fabrique ta décoration de Noël), Screening: Christmas Mystery Film (Tourcoing) and 14 more. Some free events still ask you to register, so check each listing.

Where can kids see Santa this year in Lille?

Where to see Santa: Saint Nicholas Festival / Allumoirs Festival (Fête de la Saint-Nicolas / Fête les Allumoirs) (Loos), Meet Saint Nicholas and Père Fouettard (Wambrechies), Christmas Show: Gribouille et la lettre du Père Noël (Gribouille and Santa's Letter) (Tourcoing) and 4 more. Check the listings above for times and booking.

Where are there Christmas story times for kids in Lille?

Christmas story times on this page: Tales and Snowballs (Tour de contes & boules de neige) (Wambrechies), Kilikili de Noël (Christmas Kilikili Story Time), Noël, joyeux Noël (Merry Christmas) (Tourcoing) and 1 more. Library story times are usually free; ones with a meal or show are ticketed.

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 Lille

Lille has had a 50 meter Ferris wheel on its main square every winter since 1990. But in northern France, Saint Nicholas, his sidekick Père Fouettard and a sweet brioche shaped like a swaddled baby were already part of the season long before the wheel. Here is how Lille does Christmas, for families visiting from abroad.

How Lille celebrates Christmas

In northern France, the Christmas season starts with Saint Nicholas Day, and Lille is no exception. Around December 6, children hear the legend of the saint who rescued three little children shut in a butcher's brine tub. He arrives with Père Fouettard, a grumpy companion who keeps the list of naughty children.

Downtown Lille has newer landmarks too. The Christmas market has been around since 1989 and moved to Place Rihour in 1996. Since 1990, the Ferris wheel has come back every winter to the Grand'Place.

For a visiting family, that means two seasons in one: the early December Saint Nicholas parties, then the market and the wheel through the holidays.

Saint Nicholas, Père Fouettard and the Christmas brioche

If your kids only know Santa, Saint Nicholas will be new. In the north he visits children around December 6 and brings treats, and Père Fouettard (roughly "Father Whipper") plays the grouch who scolds. It is more of a game than a scare. At the big Saint Nicholas parade in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, in the Lille area, Père Fouettard pulls out a list of naughty children more than six meters long, and the children end up tearing it up.

The local treat is the coquille de Noël, a sweet brioche shaped like a swaddled baby. It is often given to children with hot chocolate, and some are filled with raisins or chocolate chips. In other places the same bread has other names: quéniole in the Cambrésis, folarts in Dunkirk and cougnou in Brussels.

Then there are the allumoirs, a northern lantern parade. Children used to carve their lanterns from a beet or a pumpkin. Today they are mostly Venetian-style paper lanterns.

Planning a Christmas visit to Lille with kids

This page lists the confirmed events, and most of them are free. The season runs from mid-November to mid-January: the Christmas market on Place Rihour is open from November 18 to December 30, 2026, with free entry. The Ferris wheel on the Grand'Place turns every day from November 18, 2026 to January 16, 2027, at about 7 euros per adult and 5 euros per child under 1.40 meters.

Many of the free events are at libraries in Lille and Tourcoing: Christmas crafts, storytimes and film screenings, often with registration. There are also local Christmas markets in Wambrechies, Salomé and Lille City Hall, and Saint Nicholas parties in Loos on December 5 and in Wambrechies on December 6. A Nutcracker ballet for families is on January 3, 2027.

Most events are in French, so check with the host if you need English.

A Dutch wheel and a famous lullaby

The Ferris wheel on the Grand'Place was built in the Netherlands in 1980. It has 36 gondolas and more than 10,000 LED lights, and Lille was the first city to put a wheel right in its center, with the approval of Mayor Pierre Mauroy.

Another curiosity: "P'tit Quinquin," a lullaby written in 1853 by Alexandre Desrousseaux and now the unofficial anthem of Lille, is about Saint Nicholas. The mother promises the baby that the saint will come in the evening with a basket of treats, and a switch to punish too.

Traditions today

  • Saint Nicholas and Père Fouettard: Around December 6, Saint Nicholas visits children in the north, always with Père Fouettard, who keeps the list of naughty children.
  • The giants' parade in Villeneuve-d'Ascq: On the Saturday after December 6, a giant Saint Nicholas made in 1996 parades through the Flers-Bourg area with Père Fouettard and about thirty elves, in front of around 5,000 people.
  • The coquille de Noël: A brioche shaped like a swaddled baby, sometimes filled with raisins or chocolate chips, offered to children with hot chocolate.
  • The Christmas market on Place Rihour: More than 90 chalets in 2025 in the center of Lille, on Place Rihour since 1996, with a Father Christmas cabin and kids' workshops.
  • The Ferris wheel on the Grand'Place: A 50 meter wheel with 36 gondolas, set up every winter on the Grand'Place since 1990, with a 360 degree view of the city.
  • The allumoirs: A northern festival where children walk with lanterns. They used to be carved from a beet or a pumpkin. Today they are mostly Venetian lanterns.

A fact for kids

At the Saint Nicholas parade in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, Père Fouettard pulls out a list of naughty children more than six meters long. Then the kids tear it up.

Questions about Christmas in Lille

Is Lille worth visiting at Christmas with kids?

Yes. Lille has a free Christmas market, a Ferris wheel that runs into January and Saint Nicholas celebrations in early December. This page lists the confirmed family events, and most of them are free.

When does the Christmas market in Lille open in 2026?

The Lille Christmas market on Place Rihour runs from Wednesday, November 18 to Wednesday, December 30, 2026, with free entry. It opens at 11 am, stays open until 8:30 pm Sunday to Thursday and 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, closes at 6 pm on December 24 and is closed on December 25.

How long has the Lille Christmas market been going?

The Christmas market has been held in the city center since 1989, and it moved to Place Rihour, very close to the Grand'Place, in 1996. It draws about a million visitors a year.

How big is the Christmas market in Lille?

In 2025 there were more than 90 chalets on Place Rihour, selling crafts, decorations, jewelry, local products and food. Kids found a Father Christmas cabin, creative workshops and weekend music and light parades, plus a retro carousel called the Idéal Chenille 1922.

When is the Ferris wheel open in Lille in 2026?

The Lille Ferris wheel on the Grand'Place runs every day from November 18, 2026 to January 16, 2027. It is open from noon to midnight, and from 10 am on weekends and school holidays. A ride is about 7 euros per adult and 5 euros per child under 1.40 meters.

How tall is the Ferris wheel in Lille?

It is 50 meters high, with 36 gondolas and more than 10,000 low-energy LED lights that light it up at night. From the top you get a 360 degree view of the city. It was built in the Netherlands in 1980.

Since when is there a Ferris wheel in Lille?

It has been on the Grand'Place since 1990. It first came to Lille in 1988 for a winter fair at the Grand Palais, and two years later was set up on the Grand'Place with Mayor Pierre Mauroy's approval. Lille was the first city to put a wheel in its center.

Who is Saint Nicholas and why do kids in northern France celebrate him?

In the north, Saint Nicholas is the saint of children. Around December 6, kids hear his legend: he saved three little children shut in a butcher's brine tub. At the Villeneuve-d'Ascq parade the story is read out, then three volunteer children play the kids in the tub and receive a chocolate Saint Nicholas.

Who is Père Fouettard?

He is Saint Nicholas's companion, the one who deals with naughty children. At the Villeneuve-d'Ascq parade, near Lille, he unrolls a list of naughty children more than six meters long, and the kids end up tearing it up. It is a tradition across the region, not just in Lille.

How do I explain Saint Nicholas and Père Fouettard to my kids?

Say that Saint Nicholas is a kind old man who loves children and brings treats in early December. Père Fouettard plays the grumpy one who scolds. In the north it is a game, and at parades the kids win by ripping up his naughty list.

Where can kids meet Saint Nicholas near Lille in 2026?

On Saturday, December 5, 2026, Loos celebrates Saint Nicholas with his house, a children's show, a lantern parade, fireworks and Père Fouettard's list. On Sunday, December 6, Saint Nicholas and Père Fouettard visit Robersart park in Wambrechies from 4:30 to 5:30 pm. Both are free.

Where can kids meet Santa near Lille in 2026?

Wambrechies has a Christmas market from December 11 to 13 at the Château de Robersart, with a surprise Santa descent on Sunday, December 13 at 4:30 pm. In 2025 the Place Rihour market had a Father Christmas cabin. Salomé's market on November 27 to 29 also lists photos with Santa.

What are the allumoirs?

They are a northern festival, very much alive in Roubaix. In the 19th century, in textile towns, they marked the return of evening work by lamplight. Children walked with a lantern made from a hollowed beet or pumpkin, or a clay pot. Today most lanterns are Venetian-style. Loos combines the allumoirs with its Saint Nicholas party on December 5, 2026.

What is a coquille de Noël?

It is a sweet brioche typical of northern France and Belgium, shaped like a swaddled baby. People eat it around Saint Nicholas and Christmas, often giving it to children on Christmas morning with hot chocolate. Some have raisins, chocolate chips or sugar grains.

Why is the Christmas brioche called coquille in Lille?

Nobody really knows. A Lille dictionary says the origin of the word is unknown. The same book says the coquille was slipped under the pillows of good children on Christmas Day. Elsewhere the bread is called cougnou in Brussels, quéniole in the Cambrésis and folarts in Dunkirk.

Is P'tit Quinquin a Christmas song?

Not quite. It is a lullaby written in 1853 by Alexandre Desrousseaux in the local Picard dialect, and it became the unofficial anthem of Lille. It is about Saint Nicholas: the mother promises the baby the saint will pass by in the evening with a basket of treats and a switch to punish.

Are there free Christmas events in Lille?

Yes, most of the events are free. They include the Christmas market and many library events in Lille and Tourcoing, such as crafts, storytimes and Christmas film screenings, plus neighborhood parties like the Noël des Waz'ins at Maison Folie Wazemmes on December 12.

Are there Christmas workshops for kids in Lille?

Yes. Free workshops include Christmas decorations for ages 6 and up on December 2, a parent-child snowman card workshop on December 16, winter decorations from natural materials at the educational farm on December 16 and 30, and a Christmas mug workshop for ages 10 and up in Tourcoing on December 22 and 23. Most need registration.

Are there Christmas shows and storytimes for young kids near Lille?

Yes. A free interactive show for ages 2 and up about a grumpy elf in Santa's mailroom is on December 9 in Tourcoing. A free drop-in storytime is on December 19 at a Lille media library, and a 45 minute storytelling show for young children is on December 16 in Wambrechies, at 3 euros for residents and 5 euros for visitors.

Can we visit Charles de Gaulle's birthplace at Christmas?

The museum at his birthplace in Lille is decorated for a 19th century style Christmas with antique toys and a traditional tree, from December 2 to January 11. It is open 10 am to 6 pm, closed Tuesdays, December 25 and January 1, and costs 8 euros, or 6 reduced.

Are Christmas events in Lille in English?

Most events here are in the local language, which is French. Shows, workshops and library sessions are usually in French, so check with the host if you need English. The market, the wheel and the lights need no language.

Are there other Christmas markets near Lille?

Yes. In 2025 Roubaix had a market of about sixty exhibitors in front of the La Piscine museum over four December weekends. In 2026 listings include markets in Wambrechies (December 11 to 13), Salomé (November 27 to 29) and Lille City Hall (November 28, a local, eco-friendly market).

Sources

  1. Pourquoi la grande roue de Lille est devenue le symbole des fêtes de Noël, Le Bonbon Lille
  2. Un Noël à Lille 2025, Hello Lille (Lille Attractivité)
  3. Fiche d’inventaire du patrimoine culturel immatériel : les géants et le cortège de la Saint-Nicolas à Villeneuve-d’Ascq, Ministère de la Culture
  4. « Viv’ les allumoirs ! », RoubaixXL
  5. Coquille de Noël, fr-academic (reprise de Wikipédia)
  6. Lille Christmas Market, French Moments
  7. Lille s’illumine : le village de Noël ouvre ses portes, Le Bonbon Lille
  8. P’tit Quinquin (song), Wikipedia (copie IPFS)
  9. Le P’tit Quinquin (L’canchon dormoire), paroles, Paroles.cc
Kelsey Cecil
Previous

Christmas Events for Kids in Linz (2026)
Next

Christmas Events for Kids in Liege (2026)