Christmas in Strasbourg: 15 of the Best Things to Do and See

Celebrate Christmas in Strasbourg, France and the surrounding area in Alsace. Find out things to do in Strasbourg at Christmas.

We'd heard that Strasbourg was a magical destination for Christmas. Every year, we like to rent an apartment (often using Airbnb) and pretend to be locals for a week or two. 

Situated in France, Strasbourg has changed hands between France and Germany a number of times over the centuries and thus showcases a curious cultural mix. In contrast to Germany, the Christmas markets generally stay open between Christmas and New Year's Day. 

With this in mind, we booked an apartment in Strasbourg for five days. Here are some things that make Strasbourg at Christmas special when you see it through the eyes of a short-term local!

1. Magical Christmas Markets

Because of the German influences, Alsace features some amazing Christmas markets. In addition to the premier market in Strasbourg itself the markets in the smaller towns of Colmar and Obernai were abuzz with Christmas cheer. 

Colmar (above) features a fairy tale mix of half-timbered architecture and at least five different markets to explore. We also really liked Obernai (below). 

Obernai is a quaint small town about half an hour by train from Strasbourg. Their market featured a real live nativity scene and hot wine served from a steaming metal barrel. 

My only disappointment with the French Christmas markets is that they don't do Christmas mugs. Instead, you pay a 1 EUR deposit for a cheap plastic cup. The cup is festively decorated but it's not the same as the Christmas market mugs that I know and love in Germany.

When are the Strasbourg Christmas Markets in 2023?  You can find critical information about the 2023 Strasbourg Christmas Markets and 2023 Alsace Christmas Markets more broadly on the Noel Alsace website. The Strasbourg Christmas Market is scheduled to run from November 24th to December 24th, 2023.  When Will Other 2023 Alsace Christmas Markets be Open? Six different 2023 Colmar Christmas Markets will be on from November 23rd to December 29th. Consult the website for exact opening dates and hours.  Some of the local Christmas markets are open for a limited time only.  The 2023 Obernai Christmas Market will be held from November 24th to December 31st from 10:00 am to 7 pm each day.

2. An Impressive Dom 

Back to Strasbourg! Life in the city centers around the cathedral. Surrounding the cathedral is a bustling square with shops and restaurants. 

You can see the spire and orient yourself nearly everywhere in the city. The tower was the tallest building in the world for over 200 years and only gave up the mantle in 1874. 

Needless to say, it's an impressive building both inside and out.

3. Sparkling Lights

There is just something about sparkling Christmas lights that fuel holiday spirit. Strasbourg was aglow on many of its streets with twinkling lights after dark creating an amazing atmosphere.

4. Chocolate Gingerbread Men and Mini Kougelhopf

I mentioned in my post about Christmas in nearby Stuttgart that we are not traditional people. Why else would we be on holiday thousands of miles away from our families for Christmas. 

There are some traditions that we subscribe to, however. Exercising my sweet tooth is definitely one of them! Chocolate gingerbread men were one of our favorite festive treats in Strasbourg. 

Kougelhopf, like a distant relative of an Italian panettone, comes in a variety of sizes. These kougelhopf were just flying off the shelf so we had to try one. 

Thank goodness for my waistline; they come in 'small' sizes too. 

5. When in France...Escargot

I often think of that famous saying: when in Rome... do as the Romans do. That was definitely our attitude in Strasbourg: when in France...  

Strasbourg is famous for escargot: snails! This is not something we'd normally gravitate to back home in Dublin or the U.S., but when in France. 

Our order of escargot came in a savory garlic oil. We used the special snail picker-upper that they gave us and extracted the delicate meat. 

Escargot has the texture of a mussel and the sauce was simply fantastic. We actually enjoyed our culinary adventure quite a bit!

6. Warm Winter Comfort Food - Choucroute and Baekeoffe

At Christmas time, filling comfort food is always in order. Strasbourg definitely delivered on that front. Baekeoffe (above) is a cheesy, potato-y, meat filled casserole. It's very hot and very filling.

Choucroute is essentially a giant dish of meat on a large bed of sauerkraut. Neither of these dishes are something I would eat every day (so heavy...) but when in France.

7. Dainty Wine Glasses

Contrasting with the food, the wine glasses were tiny and delicate with green stems. They were the perfect vehicle for delivering fine, floral Alsatian white wines to my palate.

8. Watchful gargoyles

Walking around town, Strasbourg has great atmosphere both for the Christmas season and year round. I loved spotting the ornate gargoyles peeking out from various nooks and crannies.

9. Half-timbered architecture

What really makes Strasbourg special is the half-timbered architecture. Walking through the city is like taking a step back in time to a Medieval village.

10. The Covered Bridges 

Strasbourg is also known for its iconic 'covered bridges'. Built in the 13th century, they were part of a defensive structure around the city. 

Today, the bridges are no longer covered but make for stunning viewing on a crisp, cold winter's day.

SIDEWALK SAFARI SPOTLIGHT: Looking for other ideas for places to visit in France? Have you thought about: Celebrating Valentine's Day in Paris or going on a romantic day trip from Paris to Reims to sip champagne at the source?  Catching a French festival like Nice Carnaval or the Fete du Citron in Menton?  Going to see the Camargue flamingos on a Languedoc road trip?  Discovering French Basque country and fun things to do in St. Jean de Luz? Driving the Loire Valley and seeing some of the best chateaux in the world?  Booking 3 days in Bordeaux and deciding for yourself which wine region is better: Medoc or St. Emilion?  Visiting Lyon for 3 days and eating some of the best food in France?  Enjoying a weekend in Carcassonne?  Exploring World War II history on a Paris to Normandy road trip? Seeing Annecy's annual fireworks, the largest pyrotechnic display in Europe?

11. Petite France 

A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Petite France area of Strasbourg just drips with ambiance from the Middle Ages. The area was once home to millers, tanners, and fishermen. 

Today Petite France is the most touristy part of Strasbourg. The streets are lined with quaint shops and restaurants where you can even dine al fresco along the riverbank. 

12. Musee Historique de la Ville de Strasbourg

The Musee Historique de la Ville de Strasbourg is a fun diversion for a hour or two and a great spot to warm up from cold outdoor exploration. 

The museum is super high tech and features a touch free headset that starts and stops on its own as you walk from exhibit to exhibit. There are also a number of hands-on activities. 

I got to try on a knight's metal helmet (yes, this was meant for kids, but I'm a kid at heart!) and we got to practice the Medieval art of printing and folding paper into a book.

SIDEWALK SAFARI SPOTLIGHT: Looking for ideas of destinations that are easy to combine with Strasbourg? Consider spending a week in Stuttgart, visiting Strasbourg, and then finishing out the trip by celebrating New Year's Eve in Basel Switzerland.

13. The Wine Caves at Strasbourg Hospital

When I think France, I immediately think of wine and Strasbourg is no exception. Strasbourg hospital even has a wine cellar that is free and open to the public. 

The pièce de résistance is a barrel full of wine dating back to 1472! You can also buy local wines for reasonable prices in the gift shop. The hospital wine cellar is off the beaten track but definitely worth taking the detour.

14. Seats of Government 

Strasbourg feels like a Medieval city through and through but it definitely has a modern side. Strasbourg is the seat of the European Parliament and hosts a number of EU government buildings (think a 1970s style interpretation of futuristic architecture). 

We live in Ireland but seeing the parliament just drives home how we are part of something bigger.

15. Storks in the Park

Staying in town for longer than our usual 2-3 day weekend allowed us to explore Strasbourg in a bit more depth. Not far from the European Parliament, we took a stroll through Parc de l'Orangerie. 

The trees in the park are an ideal size and shape for welcoming storks and their nests. It was pretty quiet when we visited, but we did spot one stork atop the chateau in the center of the park.

SIDEWALK SAFARI SPOTLIGHT: The Christmas season in Europe is a great time to plan a trip. Here are some of my other favorite Christmas travel destinations around Europe. Have you considered visiting some of the best Christmas markets in Europe?  How about spending Christmas in Belgium (or more specifically Christmas in Bruges)?   Visit Germany and eat your way through the Berlin Christmas Markets; the Berlin Christmas Markets are also especially photogenic so make time for a photowalk.  Why not explore the most popular Christmas Market in Germany: Christkindlmarkt in Nuremberg.  Alternatively, get off the beaten track at nearby Regensburg Christmas Markets. Have you been to the Christmas Markets of North-Rhine Westphalia? They are both close to Dusseldorf and Cologne and perfect for a winter Ryanair weekend. Discover things to do in Mainz on a winter break. Want to know the best place to celebrate in Spain for Christmas? Discover all the amazing places to eat in Bilbao Spend Christmas in Granada Celebrate the New Year in Malaga Eat thirteen desserts while celebrating Christmas in Provence.

We discovered that Strasbourg is a fantastic home base for a Christmas trip. Between the regional Christmas markets, magical architecture, hearty food and amazing wines, we definitely felt right at home.

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