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Christmas in Germany and Alsace Region

Posted by (USA) on

Planning a December 2026 trip and would love some feedback 😊

We’re focusing more on scenery and overall vibe (quaint villages, winter atmosphere) rather than Christmas markets.

Current plan:

Fly into Frankfurt → base in Nuremberg for 4 nights
(day trips to Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Bamberg)
Then head to Strasbourg for 4 nights
(day trips to Colmar, Obernai, Riquewihr, and Ribeauvillé)
Final night in Basel before flying out

For Alsace, I’m thinking:

One day: Obernai + Colmar (with Colmar at dusk)
Another day: Ribeauvillé + Riquewihr

We’ll be there Dec 19–28, with Strasbourg/Alsace portion covering Dec 24–26 (staying in Strasbourg on Christmas Day).

Questions:

Does this overall route and pacing make sense, or would you tweak anything?
Is my split for the Alsace villages logical, or would you rearrange it?
How “alive” are the Alsace villages on Dec 24 and 26 (not expecting markets, just want to make sure it won’t feel completely shut down)?

Appreciate any insight, especially from those who’ve traveled around Christmas time!

Posted by
2650 posts

Basically you're going to miss the Christmas markets in the Alsace with your timeline. Christmas this year is on a Friday. Nothing will be open that day, anywhere. The 24th everything will close around noon, and most of the markets won't open at all. They will close on the 23rd. The 26th is a national holiday in Germany, and while all the dates for the markets have not finalized, I expect they will follow suite in most of the Alsace-Lorraine, as the German influence is still strong in this region. The 27th is Sunday, and Strasbourg may have some booths open, but most of the smaller towns will not.

You also need to understand that the locals will be taking this as a long holiday, and expect absolute minimal services to be open. Places to eat; maybe, but reservations will be required. Shops, not at all. For fuel you'll have to use the places on the autobahns. Even the trains will be on a holiday schedule.

Posted by
62 posts

KGC, thank you.

I would be ok with visiting some markets in Strasbourg and Colmar on the 23rd and 24th. We would rather sightsee than spend the whole trip Christmas
Market hopping. I know part of the whole charm would be the markets but I hope the villages will also not “feel dead” because the markets are closed?

Posted by
12030 posts

Then head to Strasbourg for 4 nights
(day trips to Colmar, Obernai, Riquewihr, and Ribeauvillé)

Are you planning on traveling by train or car? Regardless, the above schedule will be very tight. Four nights in Strasbourg will really only give you a full 3 days, so trying to see 4 different towns, plus the city of Strasbourg itself during 3 days is asking a lot. I would either reduce your day trips or add to your nights there.

Also, once you get it resolved, start booking now. The closer you get to Christmas, the tighter lodging accommodations will be.

Posted by
2650 posts

As far as i know the dates for Colmar and Strasbourg for 2026 are not confirmed. DON'T expect them to follow the same kind of timeline as last year. Christmas is on a different day of the week and that's going to impact markets all over Europe. Frankfurt and Cologne have already said their markets will end on 22 DEC in 2026, and I expect a lot of other places will follow suite. Those are major venues, and if they close that early so will a lot of other places, especially the smaller towns.

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