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Christmas in Alsace is like entering a Christmas tale. Full of lights and fairytale towns, our trip through Alsace at Christmas was so exciting that we still remember it with emotion today. In fact, we liked it so much that it is already our second time in Alsace.
In our guide to travel to Alsace at Christmas, we detail our last trip and we introduce you to all the details that you will like to know if you are planning your route through Alsace at Christmas.
Before moving on to the route and the must-sees and things to do in Alsace at Christmas, which you can find in the Alsace at Christmas guide, here are some tips to keep in mind before you go.
Video Alsace at Christmas with route, curiosities and tips
1 In Alsace it is cold and it usually snows: winter wheels or chains are compulsory from November 1 to March 31
As mentioned, if you are traveling to Alsace at Christmas with your vehicle, from November 1st to March 31st in this area of France it is mandatory to carry winter tires or chains.
2 Documents needed to travel to Alsace at Christmas
For this trip, don't forget to bring your valid ID card or passport for both adults and children, and also, in case of any health problems, the European Health Insurance Card , which you can get on the social security website and receive at home.
Furthermore, we've been using Iati Escapadas travel insurance for years now . Its affordability gives us peace of mind when traveling with the children, and we know we'll avoid any co-payments that are common in French healthcare. Here's a link with a discount; if you book through this link, you'll also be helping us keep writing on the blog.
3 You should know that Alsace at Christmas has different celebrations than the Spanish ones
In Alsace Christmas starts earlier than here. That is probably why you will see that the Christmas markets here start the third week of November already.
They begin with Saint Nicholas, on December 6th , and around the weekend before you can start to see their parades.
Saint Nicholas was a bishop with a long white beard of wealthy Turkish origin, who is said to have done charity work for families with needy children by throwing coins down his chimney.
This is where the tradition comes from that on the night of December 5 to 6, children in Alsace, and in many other places in Europe such as Germany, Belgium or Switzerland, leave boots near the fireplace or a front door and Saint Nicholas leaves them money, sweets or gifts.
Now you are surely thinking…but Pilar, isn't this Santa Claus? Well… bingo! That's where Santa Claus comes from.
Some European emigrants began to celebrate Saint Nicholas on the 25th in the United States, and that's where everything arose... that plus the Coca-cola that surely disguised it as red hehehehe
Incidentally, in Alsace Saint Nicholas is accompanied by his faithful donkey Peckeresel and Hans Trapp (which translates to "Father Whip"), a somewhat mean monk who hands out punishments to naughty children.
The next question you're probably wondering is whether Santa Claus comes to Alsace, right? Well, no. Santa Claus doesn't come on the night of December 24th. But instead, Kristkindel brings presents to the children that night!
Kristkindel is depicted as a kind little angel with curly golden hair, who is actually the baby Jesus.
4 Alsace is the French Christmas spirit but of German origin
You might not know this, but Alsace has been a territory of continuous disputes and wars between Germans and French. At different times in history, Alsace has belonged to Germany . It was during one of these later German periods, from 1875 to 1919, when it became French, that Alsace at Christmas became what it is today, adopting German Christmas markets and traditions.
Many Alsatians call the Christmas markets the German markets.
5 In Alsace they speak Alsatian and it is not exactly a French dialect
This is precisely what I mentioned earlier, which explains why Alsatian is spoken in Alsace, a German dialect and not French as some may think.
On some town signs, you can even see the name of the town in two forms, with its Alsatian dialect.
6 Travel to Alsace at Christmas to see Christmas markets: they start the second last weekend of November and last until December 23
Thus, Christmas markets, with the exception of some large ones in Strasbourg or Colmar, in most small towns close before Christmas Day, December 25th. Therefore, the best time to see Alsace at Christmas is from the end of November to the beginning of December.
7 To see all the Christmas markets you have to plan your trip, not all of them are open every day or at all hours
Every town and market is different. Most of them, with the rise of tourism, open daily, especially in the afternoon, but not all.
If you want to see the villages of Alsace at Christmas with their open markets, you should plan your route . Check the official website where you'll find all the villages, markets, opening hours, and days: https://www.noel.alsace/
And remember that we can organize the entire route for you, saving you time and making your route a trip of 10.
8 The Christmas tree in Alsace is traditionally hung first from the beam of the house
This Alsatian tradition of hanging the Christmas tree from the beam is still practiced in many places. In Séléstat, you can still see the trees hanging from the church.
In addition, traditionally red apples , representing temptation, and sacred wafers , representing repentance for sins committed, were placed on the tree .
It was during a drought when there were no apples that they began to make glass spheres to replace them, or so they say.
9 What to eat and drink during the trip to Alsace at Christmas
At Christmas markets, stalls selling hot food and drinks are a must. As you travel this route, we recommend sampling all the flavors of Alsace at Christmas, from its gingerbread, pretzels, manalas (little man-shaped brioches), and Christmas cookies like bredeles , to its crêpes . Enjoy them all with a good mulled wine , either white or red, spiced with citrus notes.
10 The best, how beautiful the towns are. The worst, the mass tourism and few local people
Exactly. The best thing is its beautiful , fairytale villages . The worst thing is the overwhelming amount of tourism in Alsace at Christmas. You hardly see any French people or authentic local Christmas life.
11 Alsace, a department in the Grand Est region until recently ghost
Since 2021, the French department in this region we call Alsace has officially incorporated the word Alsace, becoming the European Collectivity of Alsace . Previously, it was comprised of two French departments: Haut-Rhin and Bas-Rhin. As you can see, we used to call it Alsace, but it wasn't officially called that!
