For 2026, we confirmed 19 Christmas events for kids in Nancy. The season opens on November 20 with Ferris Wheel Village, Ice Rink and Rides, Place de la Carrière and runs until January 3 with Grand Saint Nicholas Village, Place Charles III. Of these, 16 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 Nancy: 19
- First: Ferris Wheel Village, Ice Rink and Rides, Place de la Carrière, Nancy, November 20
- Free events: Grand Saint Nicholas Village, Place Charles III, 3rd Saint Nicholas Market, Saint Nicholas at Olry Park, Rouge gorge (Robin Redbreast), Saint Nicholas in the Neighborhoods: The Genius of the Great Clock (Le génie de la grande horloge), Tale: Winter Whispers (Chuchotis d’hiver…) 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 Nancy
- Kids’ Christmas events
- 19 confirmed for 2026
- Towns
- Nancy
- Season
- November 20 to January 3
- Free events
- 16
- Last checked
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Free Christmas events for kids in Nancy
Visit with SantaFree
Grand Saint Nicholas Village, Place Charles III
- When: Fri, Nov 20, 2026 to Sun, Jan 3, 2027
- Where: Place Charles III, 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Cost: Free entry
- Ages: All ages
Expand to see the parent tip
The Grand Saint Nicholas Village fills Place Charles III with more than 65 chalets of crafts, gifts, treats and Saint Nicholas souvenirs. Entry is free.
It opens on Nov 20, 2026 and closes on Jan 3, 2027, except Dec 25. The announced hours are subject to change: 11 am to 8 pm on weekdays, until 9 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 10 am to 8 pm on Sundays. Meetings with Saint Nicholas and his donkey are planned.
Parent tip: Saint Nicholas weekend, Dec 5 and 6, is the busiest: come early with the kids.
- Host
- Saint Nicholas Festivities (Fêtes de Saint-Nicolas), City of Nancy (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Place Charles III, 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
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Rally’s Christmas research
Rally the corgi has 18 more Nancy 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 Nancy.
- Exclusive access to free events Be first to hear about new free events in Nancy.
- 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
- 11 Santa
- 8 Shows
- 6 Story time
- 3 Markets
- 16 Free
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Christmas marketFree
3rd Saint Nicholas Market
- When: Sat, Nov 28, 10 am to 5 pm (Saint Nicholas at 4 pm)
- Where: Salle Donop, 29 rue du Colonel Grandval, 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Cost: Free entry
- Ages: All audiences
Expand to see the parent tip
Salle Donop hosts twelve vendors with handmade creations and local treats: honey, ceramics, jewelry, wooden items, candles. A refreshment stand and light food are on site.
For children, the highlight is the visit from Saint Nicholas at 4 pm, preceded at 3 pm by the Schepfer choir. The raffle is drawn at 5 pm. Entry is free, with no booking, and the hall is accessible to people with reduced mobility through the side entrance.
Parent tip: Arrive before 4 pm to see Saint Nicholas.
- Host
- Saint Nicholas Festivities (Fêtes de Saint-Nicolas), City of Nancy (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Salle Donop, 29 rue du Colonel Grandval, 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
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Santa Claus paradeFree
Saint Nicholas at Olry Park
- When: Sat, Nov 28, 2 to 5 pm
- Where: Parc Olry, 83 avenue de Strasbourg, 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Cost: Free
- Ages: Children up to age 12
Expand to see the parent tip
On Saturday, Nov 28, Olry Park turns into a playground for Saint Nicholas Day. Families are welcomed by Saint Nicholas (saint Nicolas) and Père Fouettard, his stern companion, who then explain the rules of the game to children up to age 12.
The children then go off to look for a clementine hidden in the park. When they return, the organizing committee rewards them with a chocolate, and then a snack is offered to the whole family to end the afternoon in a friendly atmosphere. The activity is free and requires no booking.
Parent tip: Bring warm clothes, the activity takes place in the park.
- Host
- Saint Nicholas Festivities (Fêtes de Saint-Nicolas), City of Nancy (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Parc Olry, 83 avenue de Strasbourg, 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
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Christmas story timeFree
Rouge gorge (Robin Redbreast)
- When: Wed, Dec 2, 10 am (30 minutes)
- Where: Médiathèque Saint-Pierre, 1 rue du docteur Heydenreich, 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Cost: Free
- Ages 0 to 36 months
Expand to see the parent tip
The show Rouge gorge gathers the youngest children around winter stories. Winter lays its big white gown on the earth, little lights come on and stories are told around the fire.
You meet a bird that brought fire to the world and a little girl who ventured fearlessly into the forest. Storyteller Léa Pellerin performs for children from 0 to 36 months. The session lasts 30 minutes. It is free and has no booking.
Parent tip: A short session made for babies. Come with one adult per child. Expect it to be in French.
- Host
- Saint Nicholas Festivities (Fêtes de Saint-Nicolas), City of Nancy (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Médiathèque Saint-Pierre, 1 rue du docteur Heydenreich, 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
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Visit with SantaFree
Saint Nicholas in the Neighborhoods: The Genius of the Great Clock (Le génie de la grande horloge)
- When: Wed, Dec 2, 3:30 to 5:30 pm
- Where: Salle Sainte-Anne, rue Ropartz, 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Cost: Free
- Ages: Children
Expand to see the parent tip
As part of Saint Nicholas in the Neighborhoods, Salle Sainte-Anne hosts “Le génie de la grande horloge” (The Genius of the Great Clock), a theater show presented by the company ALZA Prod.
The show and the snack are offered to neighborhood children, and Saint Nicholas is there to hand out treats. The afternoon lasts two hours, with no booking.
Parent tip: Free entry, no booking. Expect it to be in French.
- Host
- Saint Nicholas Festivities (Fêtes de Saint-Nicolas), City of Nancy (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Salle Sainte-Anne, rue Ropartz, 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
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Christmas story timeFree
Tale: Winter Whispers (Chuchotis d’hiver…)
- When: Wed, Dec 2, 4 pm (30 minutes)
- Where: Médiathèque Manufacture, 10 rue Baron Louis, 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Cost: Free
- Ages 4 to 6
Expand to see the parent tip
This event of the Saint Nicholas Festivities takes little ones on a discovery of winter through stories and songs. The program promises the magic of Christmas and invites everyone to put on their hat.
The session lasts 30 minutes and is for children ages 4 to 6. Entry to the media library is free, and no booking is required for this tale.
Parent tip: Come a little early, the session has no booking. Expect it to be in French.
- Host
- Saint Nicholas Festivities (Fêtes de Saint-Nicolas), City of Nancy (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Médiathèque Manufacture, 10 rue Baron Louis, 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
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Story time with SantaFree
The Legends of Saint Nicholas (Les légendes de Saint Nicolas)
- When: Wed, Dec 2, 3 to 5 pm
- Where: Médiathèque Haut-du-Lièvre, 325 avenue Pinchard, 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Cost: Free
- Ages: All audiences
Expand to see the parent tip
The Haut-du-Lièvre media library invites you to discover or rediscover the legends of Saint Nicholas for two hours. Games, stories and creative workshops follow one another all afternoon.
Children are warned: a surprise visit is planned for them. The activity is free and open to all, with no booking, so you can drop in whenever you like during the time slot.
Parent tip: No booking: you can arrive at any time in the afternoon. Expect it to be in French.
- Host
- Saint Nicholas Festivities (Fêtes de Saint-Nicolas), City of Nancy (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Médiathèque Haut-du-Lièvre, 325 avenue Pinchard, 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
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Santa Claus paradeFree
Grand Saint Nicholas Parade (Grand défilé de Saint-Nicolas)
- When: Sat, Dec 5, late afternoon
- Where: Centre-ville de Nancy (place Stanislas), 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Cost: Free
- Ages: All audiences
Expand to see the parent tip
The Saint Nicholas Festivities run from Nov 20, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027, and their big weekend falls on Dec 5 and 6. The parade takes place on Saturday, Dec 5.
Also on the program: lights over the city, shows and roving performances. The start time and route of the parade have not been published yet: check the City website before heading out.
Parent tip: Check the time and route on the official website, and come early to get a good spot.
- Host
- Saint Nicholas Festivities (Fêtes de Saint-Nicolas), City of Nancy (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Centre-ville de Nancy (place Stanislas), 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
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Christmas story timeFree
Waiting for Saint Nicholas (En attendant Saint Nicolas)
- When: Sat, Dec 5, 2 to 5 pm
- Where: Bibliothèque Stanislas, 43 rue Stanislas, 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Cost: Free
- Ages: All audiences
Expand to see the parent tip
On the Saturday of the big parade, the Stanislas library invites families to an afternoon full of magic. The program includes a roving show with the artist Mourad Frik and the EPO brass band for a festive mood.
The game library (ludothèque) also presents its latest creation, “Chiméria”, with a signing by author Jean-François Hamm, illustrator Louise and the young people of the Saint-Nicolas club. All afternoon, games, stories of chimeras and hot chocolate are offered. Free entry.
Parent tip: The library is on Place Stanislas, steps from the parade route.
- Host
- Saint Nicholas Festivities (Fêtes de Saint-Nicolas), City of Nancy (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Bibliothèque Stanislas, 43 rue Stanislas, 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
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Visit with SantaFree
Saint Nicholas at Haussonville
- When: Wed, Dec 9, 3:30 to 5 pm
- Where: Centre social OHS Jolibois, 4 avenue du Général Mangin, 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Cost: Free
- Ages: Children
Expand to see the parent tip
The OHS Jolibois community center hosts a show by the troupe Les Fées du Logis with Bouclette, titled “On n'est pas des robots” (We're Not Robots). It is a poetic, funny and interactive one-hour concert, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm.
From 4:30 to 5 pm, a snack is offered and Saint Nicholas hands out gifts to the children. The afternoon is free with no booking.
Parent tip: The show starts at 3:30 pm, the snack follows at 4:30 pm. Expect it to be in French.
- Host
- Saint Nicholas Festivities (Fêtes de Saint-Nicolas), City of Nancy (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Centre social OHS Jolibois, 4 avenue du Général Mangin, 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
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Visit with SantaFree
Saint Nicholas in the Old Town (Saint Nicolas en Vieille Ville)
- When: Wed, Dec 9, 3 to 5:30 pm
- Where: MJC Lillebonne, 14 rue du Cheval Blanc, 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Cost: Free
- Ages: Children
Expand to see the parent tip
In the entrance hall of the MJC Lillebonne, Saint Nicholas receives the children of the Old Town (Vieille Ville) on Wednesday afternoon. Treats, drinks and books are handed out for more than two hours.
The activity is free with no booking, which makes it easy to fit into an outing downtown.
Parent tip: Drop in any time during the time slot, no registration.
- Host
- Saint Nicholas Festivities (Fêtes de Saint-Nicolas), City of Nancy (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- MJC Lillebonne, 14 rue du Cheval Blanc, 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
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Visit with SantaFree
Saint Nicholas in the Poincaré-Foch Neighborhood: Bidouille, Magouille & Cie
- When: Wed, Dec 9, 3 to 5 pm
- Where: Salle Aloysia Martinelle, 129 rue Gabriel Mouilleron, 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Cost: Free, booking required
- Ages: Children
Expand to see the parent tip
To celebrate Saint Nicholas as a family, the Poincaré-Foch neighborhood offers a festive afternoon. Children are welcomed by Saint Nicholas, then watch the show “Bidouille et Magouille & Cie” (45 minutes).
Bidouille and Magouille are two Christmas elves who make toys for the whole world. When evening comes, they tell each other lovely Christmas stories. A snack is offered by the Atelier de Vie des quartiers. Online booking is required.
Parent tip: Book online before coming, participation is free. Expect the show to be in French.
- Host
- Saint Nicholas Festivities (Fêtes de Saint-Nicolas), City of Nancy (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Salle Aloysia Martinelle, 129 rue Gabriel Mouilleron, 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Registration
- Required
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
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Christmas story timeFree
Tales: There Were Three Little Children… (Contes : Ils étaient trois petits enfants…)
- When: Wed, Dec 9, 10 am and 10:45 am
- Where: Médiathèque Saint-Pierre, 1 rue du docteur Heydenreich, 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Cost: Free
- Ages: Children
Expand to see the parent tip
During the Saint Nicholas Festivities, the Saint-Pierre media library offers a tale session titled “Ils étaient trois petits enfants…” (There Were Three Little Children), a reference to the famous legend of the saint.
Two 30-minute sessions are planned on Wednesday morning, at 10 am and 10:45 am. The activity is free, with no booking, and is for children.
Parent tip: Two times to choose from, no registration. Expect it to be in French.
- Host
- Saint Nicholas Festivities (Fêtes de Saint-Nicolas), City of Nancy (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Médiathèque Saint-Pierre, 1 rue du docteur Heydenreich, 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
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Christmas showFree
ALO & RICO: Magic, Music and Laughter (ALO & RICO : magie, musique et éclats de rire)
- When: Sat, Dec 12, 3 to 5 pm
- Where: Salle municipale Gabriel Mouilleron, 129 rue Gabriel Mouilleron, 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Cost: Free
- Ages 3 to 12
Expand to see the parent tip
As part of the Saint Nicholas Festivities, a professional troupe presents “La Magie des Clowns” (The Magic of the Clowns). ALO, a comic magician, has more than one trick up her sleeve, while RICO, a singer and dancer, gets the children involved.
The show lasts over an hour. Each child goes home with a bag of treats, and drinks are offered to young and old. The hall is accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Parent tip: Free entry, no booking. Expect it to be in French.
- Host
- Saint Nicholas Festivities (Fêtes de Saint-Nicolas), City of Nancy (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Salle municipale Gabriel Mouilleron, 129 rue Gabriel Mouilleron, 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
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Visit with SantaFree
Saint Nicholas at the Club Saint Nicolas
- When: Sat, Dec 12, 3 to 5 pm
- Where: Maison de Quartier (EVS Club Saint Nicolas), 8 rue Jeannot, 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Cost: Free
- Ages: All audiences
Expand to see the parent tip
The EVS Club Saint Nicolas invites young and old to celebrate Saint Nicholas. A family show, full of humor, poetry and surprises, opens the afternoon.
Saint Nicholas then comes in person to meet the children, takes the time to greet them and hands out small treats. Spaces for people with reduced mobility are provided on rue Jeannot. Free, no booking.
Parent tip: Accessible parking on rue Jeannot. Expect the show to be in French.
- Host
- Saint Nicholas Festivities (Fêtes de Saint-Nicolas), City of Nancy (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Maison de Quartier (EVS Club Saint Nicolas), 8 rue Jeannot, 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
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Christmas showFree
The Magic of the Clowns (La Magie des Clowns)
- When: Sat, Dec 12, 2026, 3 to 5 pm
- Where: Salle municipale Gabriel Mouilleron, Rue Gabriel Mouilleron, 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Cost: Free
- Ages 3 to 12
Expand to see the parent tip
La Magie des Clowns (The Magic of the Clowns) is a show offered on Saturday, Dec 12, 2026, from 3 to 5 pm, at the Gabriel Mouilleron municipal hall. It is for children ages 3 to 12.
Entry is free and no booking is required. It is one of the neighborhood events of the City of Nancy's Saint Nicholas Festivities.
Parent tip: Arrive a little before 3 pm to get good seats. Expect it to be in French.
- Host
- Saint Nicholas Festivities (Fêtes de Saint-Nicolas), City of Nancy (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Salle municipale Gabriel Mouilleron, Rue Gabriel Mouilleron, 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
New events in Nancy every week
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Ticketed and paid Christmas events for kids in Nancy
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
Ferris Wheel Village, Ice Rink and Rides, Place de la Carrière
- When: Fri, Nov 20, 2026 to Sun, Jan 3, 2027
- Where: Place de la Carrière, 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Cost: Free access, paid attractions
- Ages: All ages
Expand to see the parent tip
The Ferris Wheel Village (Village de la Grande Roue) sets up on Place de la Carrière, with a 33-meter wheel and a 60-meter ice rink. For the youngest, there are old-fashioned carousels, a little Paris-Méditerranée train, trampolines and the Pouss Pouss, an area reserved for toddlers.
Access to the village is free, but the wheel, the rink and the rides are paid. The announced hours are subject to change.
Parent tip: Prices had not yet been published in early November.
- Host
- Saint Nicholas Festivities (Fêtes de Saint-Nicolas), City of Nancy (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Place de la Carrière, 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
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Visit with Santa
Green Christmas of Greater Nancy (Noël Vert du Grand Nancy)
- When: Sat, Nov 28 and Sun, Nov 29, 2026, 10 am to 6 pm
- Where: Salle des fêtes de Gentilly, 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Cost: Price not stated
- Ages: All ages
Expand to see the parent tip
The Noël Vert (Green Christmas) brings together nearly 60 vendors at the Gentilly community hall: natural candles, ceramics, clothing, jewelry and local products, often made with reclaimed materials. A food area is planned.
For children, Santa Claus is there both afternoons, and workshops on candle making and zero-waste Christmas cooking are announced. The time slots and registration details are still to be confirmed.
Parent tip: Ask the Métropole about the workshop time slots.
- Host
- Métropole du Grand Nancy (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Salle des fêtes de Gentilly, 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
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Christmas show
Micheline, Cie l’aéronef
- When: Tue, Dec 29 and Wed, Dec 30, 10 am and 4:30 pm
- Where: Le LEM, 11 Grande rue, 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Cost: Pay what you wish: €5, €10, €15 or more
- Ages 18 months and up
Expand to see the parent tip
Between Christmas and New Year, the LEM presents “Micheline” by the company l'aéronef, for ages 18 months and up. Micheline is going on a trip and waits for the train with her suitcase. On stage, there is a little train.
From this simple situation, the dancer invites objects and animals into her dream. The show lasts 25 minutes. There are two performances a day, at 10 am and 4:30 pm, on Dec 29 and 30. The price is pay what you wish (€5, €10, €15 or more) and booking is online.
Parent tip: Book online on Billetweb, the hall is small. Expect it to be in French.
- Host
- Saint Nicholas Festivities (Fêtes de Saint-Nicolas), City of Nancy (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Le LEM, 11 Grande rue, 54000 Nancy (opens in maps)
- Registration
- Required
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
New events in Nancy every week
Rally looks for new Christmas events in Nancy every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.
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More Christmas events for kids in France
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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.
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 Nancy: questions parents ask
What are the 2026 Christmas events for kids in Nancy?
For 2026, we confirmed 19 Christmas events for kids in Nancy, each on its host’s own page: Saint Nicholas at Olry Park, Waiting for Saint Nicholas (En attendant Saint Nicolas), Micheline, Cie l’aéronef and 16 more. Each one is listed above with times, cost and a link to the host.
Are there free Christmas events for kids in Nancy?
Yes, 16 of the 19 events here are free: Saint Nicholas at Olry Park, Waiting for Saint Nicholas (En attendant Saint Nicolas), Saint Nicholas in the Poincaré-Foch Neighborhood: Bidouille, Magouille & Cie and 13 more. Some free events still ask you to register, so check each listing.
Where can kids see Santa this year in Nancy?
Where to see Santa: Saint Nicholas at Olry Park, Saint Nicholas in the Poincaré-Foch Neighborhood: Bidouille, Magouille & Cie, 3rd Saint Nicholas Market and 8 more. Check the listings above for times and booking.
Where are there Christmas story times for kids in Nancy?
Christmas story times on this page: Waiting for Saint Nicholas (En attendant Saint Nicolas), Saint Nicholas in the Poincaré-Foch Neighborhood: Bidouille, Magouille & Cie, Rouge gorge (Robin Redbreast) and 3 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 Nancy
In Nancy, the star of the season is Saint Nicholas, not Santa. Every December the saint rides through the city on a float, followed by a butcher and three children from a very old legend, and families line the streets for sweets. Here is how Nancy celebrates, and how to plan a family visit.
How Nancy celebrates Christmas
Christmas in Nancy begins with Saint Nicholas Day, which falls on December 6. The whole city turns the season into one long festival: in 2025 it ran for six weeks, from November 21 to January 4, with a budget of 1.4 million euros and the theme "Art and Follies." It opened with the lighting of the tree on Place Stanislas, an 18 meter Nordmann fir weighing 3.6 tons.
The highlight is the big Saint Nicholas parade. In 2026 it takes place on Saturday, December 5, through the city center. For a visiting family, that is the day to plan around. Come for the parade, then stay for the villages, the ferris wheel and the neighborhood parties that fill the weeks around it.
Saint Nicholas, his legend and his sidekick
If your kids only know Santa, here is the short version. Saint Nicholas is a kind saint who is the patron of schoolchildren, and he visits children in early December with sweets. In the legend, three lost children knock on a butcher's door. The butcher shuts them in his brine tub, a big barrel for salting meat, and Saint Nicholas frees them after seven years. Since 1933, the butcher and the three children have walked in the Nancy parade.
Saint Nicholas has a companion dressed in black, Père Fouettard (roughly "Father Whipper"), who plays the stern one. One explanation says he was born in Metz in 1552, when a resident dressed all in black to mock the emperor Charles V.
The local sweet is gingerbread shaped like the saint. Nancy pastry makers have made it since 1840, and in 1902 Joseph Eidel drew the saint's face that still decorates it.
Planning a Christmas visit to Nancy with kids
This page lists the confirmed events, and most of them are free. The season starts on November 20, 2026 and runs to January 3, 2027. The Grand Saint Nicholas Village on Place Charles III has more than 65 chalets, free to enter, for the whole stretch. On Place de la Carrière, a village with a Ferris wheel, ice rink, small train and toddler play area is free to enter, with paid attractions.
Most of the rest happens on Wednesdays and Saturdays in neighborhoods and libraries: Saint Nicholas visits, shows with a snack, storytimes about the legend and a clementine hunt at Parc Olry on November 28. For toddlers, there is a dance and theater show between Christmas and New Year.
Most events are in French, so check with the host if you need English.
Floats, fireworks and tons of sweets
A Nancy newspaper described a "Saint Nicholas procession" on December 6, 1897. The saint rode in a car in 1909, got his first float from the shopkeepers' federation in 1924, and the first fireworks were fired in 1925. In 2017 the parade handed out more than 2 tons of sweets in one evening. In 2025 Saint Nicholas had a brand new float, built over almost a year by the city's decor workshop.
Traditions today
- The Saint Nicholas parade: The saint crosses the city center on his float, surrounded by floats and performers. In 2025, 19 floats were announced.
- The tree on Place Stanislas: Lighting it opens the holidays. In 2025 it was an 18 meter Nordmann fir, lit on November 21.
- Saint Nicholas gingerbread: Nancy pastry makers have shaped the saint in gingerbread since 1840.
- The legend of the three children: Told and sung every December, it stars the butcher, his brine tub and Saint Nicholas, patron of schoolchildren.
- The Ferris wheel and ice rink on Place de la Carrière: In 2025 a Ferris wheel and a real ice rink stood there for the whole holiday season.
A fact for kids
The Nancy parade once handed out more than 2 tons of sweets in a single evening, in 2017. And the saint himself has ridden a float since 1924.
Questions about Christmas in Nancy
Is Nancy worth visiting at Christmas with kids?
Yes, especially if you want something different from a usual Santa visit. Nancy celebrates Saint Nicholas with a big parade, free villages and many free neighborhood events. This page lists the confirmed events, most of them free.
When is the Saint Nicholas parade in Nancy in 2026?
On Saturday, December 5, 2026, in the late afternoon, through the center of Nancy around Place Stanislas. It is free, with the saint on his float and a children's brass band. The 2026 start time and route were not published, so check the city website. In 2025 the program announced 19 floats and 19 shows, with 100,000 spectators expected.
Who is Saint Nicholas?
Saint Nicholas is a kind saint who visits children in early December and gives them sweets. In Lorraine he is the patron of schoolchildren. He is a different figure from Father Christmas, and in Nancy his day, December 6, is the big celebration of the season.
What is the legend of the three children and the butcher?
Three lost children take shelter with a wicked butcher, who puts them in his brine tub, a barrel for salting meat. Seven years later Saint Nicholas comes by, exposes the butcher and frees the children. Since 1933, the butcher and the three children have walked in the Nancy parade.
How can I tell the butcher legend to a young child without scaring them?
Focus on the ending: Saint Nicholas finds the three children and brings them home safe, which is why he is called the patron of schoolchildren. You can keep the butcher vague. At the Nancy parade the children from the tub walk happily behind the saint.
Where does the story of the brine tub come from?
It may come from a misunderstanding in the West of a Byzantine miracle. Three officers imprisoned by Emperor Constantine were mistaken for children, and the tower of their prison for a barrel.
Who is Père Fouettard?
He is Saint Nicholas's companion, dressed all in black and present at the parade. One explanation says he was born in Metz in 1552, when a resident dressed up to mock Emperor Charles V. Another says the tanners' guild created him.
Since when has Saint Nicholas paraded in Nancy?
At least since the late 19th century. On December 6, 1897, a Nancy newspaper already described a "Saint Nicholas procession." In 1909 the saint rode in a car, he got his first float in 1924, and the first fireworks were fired in 1925.
Who builds the floats for the Nancy parade?
Participating towns build their own floats. In 2025 the city's decor workshop spent almost a year building a brand new float for the saint. Each float takes 500 to 900 hours of work.
How many sweets does the Nancy parade hand out?
In 2017 it handed out more than 2 tons in one evening. That year the route was 1.3 km long, with more than 50 elements, and close to 100,000 people came to watch.
Why is gingerbread part of Saint Nicholas Day in Nancy?
Nancy pastry makers have shaped the saint in gingerbread for a long time. By 1840, the Maison Lefèvre-Lemoine was making gingerbread and chocolate saints. In 1902 Joseph Eidel drew the saint's face that decorates the gingerbread.
What did Saint Nicholas look like on old prints?
On a print by the publisher Pinot dated at least 1875, he appears with his donkey and Père Fouettard, the trio Lorraine kids still meet at the parade. The first Saint Nicholas print published in Épinal dates from 1664.
How long do the Saint Nicholas festivities last in Nancy?
About six weeks. In 2025 they ran from November 21 to January 4, with the parade on December 6 as the highlight. In 2026 the villages on Place Charles III and Place de la Carrière run from November 20 to January 3, 2027.
What is on Place Stanislas at Christmas?
In 2025 the season opened with the lighting of an 18 meter Nordmann fir weighing 3.6 tons, on November 21. The parade passes through the city center around the square.
What is the Grand Saint Nicholas Village on Place Charles III?
It is a village of more than 65 chalets on Place Charles III. In 2026 it is open from Friday, November 20 to Sunday, January 3, 2027, with free entry.
Is there a Ferris wheel or ice rink in Nancy at Christmas?
Yes. On Place de la Carrière, a village with a Ferris wheel, an ice rink, a small train and a toddler play area runs from November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027. Entry to the area is free, and the attractions are paid. In 2025 the rink was real ice.
Where can kids meet Saint Nicholas in Nancy in 2026?
Many places. On November 28 he is at Parc Olry for a clementine hunt for kids up to 12, and at the Saint Nicholas market at Salle Donop at 4 pm. On Wednesdays in December he visits neighborhoods, such as the Old Town on December 9. All the events mentioned are free.
Are there free Christmas events in Nancy?
Yes, most of the events are free. They include the parade, the Saint Nicholas village, storytimes at libraries, neighborhood visits from the saint with a snack or show, and a free clown show for ages 3 to 12 on December 12.
Are there Christmas storytimes in Nancy?
Yes, all free. On December 2, there are winter tales for ages 4 to 6, Saint Nicholas legends with games and crafts, and tales for babies and toddlers up to 36 months. On December 9 two sessions are inspired by the legend of the three children. On December 5 a roaming show and hot chocolate come before the parade.
Are there Christmas shows for toddlers in Nancy?
Yes. Micheline, a 25 minute dance and theater show for toddlers with a toy train on stage, plays on December 29 and 30 at 10 am and 4:30 pm, at a pay-what-you-wish price of 5, 10 or 15 euros and up.
Are Christmas events in Nancy in English?
Most events here are in the local language, which is French. Shows and storytimes are usually in French, so check with the host if you need English. The parade, the villages and the Ferris wheel need no language.
Sources
- Les fêtes de Saint-Nicolas à Nancy (fiche d'inventaire du patrimoine culturel immatériel), Ministère de la Culture
- Les fêtes de Saint-Nicolas à Nancy : plus d'un million d'euros de budget pour six semaines de festivités, La Gazette France
- La légende de saint Nicolas, Ville de Nancy
- Basilique de Saint-Nicolas-de-Port, Wikipédia
- Animations du défilé Saint-Nicolas 2025, Destination Nancy (Office de tourisme)