For more than 400 years, the Strasbourg Christmas Market has been bringing people and visitors from all over the world into the friendly atmosphere of the end-of-year celebrations around the cathedral and the Big Tree.
For more than 400 years, the Strasbourg Christmas Market has been bringing people and visitors from all over the world into the friendly atmosphere of the end-of-year celebrations around the cathedral and the Big Tree.
The Strasbourg Christmas Market is an institution in Alsace throughout France and across Europe. The city even prides itself on being THE capital of Christmas! Which Alsatian has never been to Strasbourg during the festive period of Advent? Which European has never dreamed of visiting the capital of the old continent under its lights?
The origin of the Christmas market
Originally, the market was meant to provide supplies to celebrate the feast of St. Nicholas on December 6. Parents bought gifts and sweets for their children, gifts that were supposed to come from St. Nicholas. In 1570, a Protestant pastor challenged this practice, pointing out that the giver must be Jesus Christ.
The St. Nicholas market was then suppressed and was replaced by the market of the Christ child or the Christkindelsmärik in the Alsatian language, or more commonly, the Christmas market. The date for the delivery of gifts was also moved to Christmas Eve. Generally, the market is open on the first Saturday of Advent and ends on Christmas Eve. Two million tourists are expected to attend the Christmas market, which has expanded in the Grand Est.
The must-see markets
The major Christmas markets are located at:
- Place Broglie
- Place du Château
- Place Kléber
- Place de la Cathédrale
- Place Gutenberg
Don’t miss the small markets either:
- The Alsace Christmas Delight Market,
- Place du Temple Neuf
- Place Grimmeissen
- Place du Marché aux Poissons
- Place Saint-Thomas.
Products on sale
The Christmas market promotes local and regional products. Stands are set up for this purpose. In other words, products are put on sale during this event in order to promote the social and solidarity economy. Second-hand appliances, wines, chocolates, drinks, second-hand clothes, and other products are sold at the Christmas market in Strasbourg.
To highlight organic farming stands run by representatives of the association Les Jardins de la Montagne will be dedicated to gardening and green spaces. You will find aromatic and medicinal plants, fruits and vegetables, bottles of juice, and homemade food products.
The delights of the Strasbourg Christmas market
Several Alsatian specialties can be tasted during the Christmas market:
- The sweet or salty pretzel made of brioche dough
- Flammekueche which is a flambéed pie made with fresh cream, onion, and bacon
- Sauerkraut is a dish prepared with cabbage marinated in wine and served with meat.
The animation program
For the year 2021, the Christmas market of Strasbourg will be officially opened on Friday, November 26. The installation of 300 chalets is planned on the different squares of the Christmas capital. From the Porte des Lumières to the Place de l’Étoile shopping center, the streets will be decorated with illuminations, giant Männeles, red curtains, giant bears, a blue tree, a giant chandelier, a 10-meter-high fir tree, a 12-meter-high crystal tree, and light shows. A ceremony to inaugurate the illuminations, hosted by famous guests, is planned. Guided tours and concerts will also be organized during the Advent period.
Related activities
You can visit the large nativity scene located in the Strasbourg Cathedral. Miniature versions are displayed in some store windows in the Rue des Juifs. You can also admire the magnificent polar bear house after your visit to the Place du Château. You can also walk through the small streets to see the shop windows decorated with spotlights, tree branches, and teddy bears.
Sound off in the comments section below and tell us what you want to read next and if you want to read more about the Strasbourg Christmas Market.