--- title: "Christmas Markets 2026: France, Germany & Switzerland planner" description: "Free 2026 Christmas markets planner: opening dates for Strasbourg, Colmar, Nuremberg, Munich, Dresden, Basel and Montreux, two itineraries by train, where to…" url: "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/guides/christmas-markets-2026" image: "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/images/guides/christmas-markets-2026-cover.webp" --- 1. [Home](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/) 2. [Guides](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/guides) 3. Christmas markets 2026 guide Free guide · PDF · 17 pages # Christmas Markets 2026: France, Germany & Switzerland planner Expected 2026 dates for the markets worth the trip, two train itineraries (Alsace and Bavaria), the hotels to book by September, and the mistakes that ruin a Christmas trip. - Expected 2026 dates for 12 markets - Two itineraries by train, Alsace and Bavaria - Which hotels to book by September Rated 4.8/5 on Kimkim · 273 verified reviews Written by [Aurélie](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/team/aurelie), travel designer based in Villefranche-sur-Saône *Outil interactif disponible sur la page : https://www.mobeeinternational.com/guides/christmas-markets-2026* ## A look inside 17 pages, written and checked each season by our designers in France. - ![Page from Christmas Markets 2026: France, Germany & Switzerland planner: The 2026 market calendar](/images/guides/christmas-markets-2026-page-1.webp) The 2026 market calendar - ![Page from Christmas Markets 2026: France, Germany & Switzerland planner: Alsace by train in 5 days](/images/guides/christmas-markets-2026-page-2.webp) Alsace by train in 5 days - ![Page from Christmas Markets 2026: France, Germany & Switzerland planner: Where to stay, and when to book](/images/guides/christmas-markets-2026-page-3.webp) Where to stay, and when to book ## What you will find in it 1. The 2026 calendar: Strasbourg, Colmar, Nuremberg, Munich, Dresden, Cologne, Basel, Montreux 2. Alsace by train in 5 days 3. Bavaria and Saxony by train in 9 days 4. Where to stay, and why it must be booked by September 5. What to eat and drink at each market 6. Snow, ski and the Alps after the markets 7. Packing for 0 °C and cobblestones Christmas markets are the most seasonal trip we sell and the one most often booked too late. Hotels in Strasbourg and Nuremberg fill by early autumn for the first two weekends of December. This planner gives you the dates as cities publish them, two itineraries we run every year, and the booking order. Written by ### [Aurélie](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/team/aurelie) Travel Designer · Based in Villefranche-sur-Saône Born in Alsace, lived seven years in Belgium; designs our Christmas market, Alsace and Belgium itineraries. [More about Aurélie](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/team/aurelie) ## Travelers who planned with us Wonderful trip, handled expertly by Mathilde > Wonderful trip! Everything was handled expertly by Mathilda! Our guides in Nuremberg, Justina, and Munich, Renata, were absolutely fantastic. We had a fantastic time, enjoyed every place we visited. Hotels and arrangements were hassle free. Overall beautiful and care free experience. Will most assuredly do again!! **Sam H.**from Kansas City, MO October 2026 Germany · with Mathilde [Verified on Kimkim](https://www.kimkim.com/o/mobee-international#trip-reviews) Mathilde provided incredible service > Mathilda provided incredible service! The detailed itinerary was perfect. So easy to travel with this as our written guide. When we had a question, she was responsive. **Jolynn S.**from Denver, CO, USA October 2026 Germany · with Mathilde [Verified on Kimkim](https://www.kimkim.com/o/mobee-international#trip-reviews) ## Read next [All articles](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles) ![Salzburg](/_astro/01M5J4124G5VVC5A2V1M09TXP3.CF3-EdhH_ZUNgJf.webp) ### [The Best Christmas Markets in Europe: Germany, Alsace and Switzerland, 2026 Dates](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/most-beautiful-christmas-markets-in-germany-and-france) Confirmed 2026 dates and hours for Strasbourg, Colmar, Nuremberg, Munich, Dresden, Basel and Montreux, the best week to go, and three routes by train. ![Heidelberg 3](/_astro/01M5J4124S01VAC21MTXHY56K0.hERL5eL9_PwFVv.webp) ### [Neuschwanstein Day Trip from Munich: Train, Tickets and Tips](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/neuschwanstein-day-trip-from-munich) Neuschwanstein day trip from Munich: train vs private driver, timed tickets, Hohenschwangau, Marienbrücke and the best timing, from our Germany designer. ![Paris, Luxury France Honeymoon in 14 Days: Paris, Burgundy, Alps & Provence](/_astro/01M5J4124P7PY48RACVWQSBEXE.B9VV2pv1_Z2bQRUB.webp) ### [Best Time to Visit France: Seasons, Regions and Events](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/best-time-to-visit-france) The best time to visit France depends on where you go: Paris, the Riviera, lavender, harvest or Christmas markets. Our local designers explain each season. ## Frequently asked questions ### When do the Christmas markets open in 2026? Most open in the last week of November and close on December 23 or 24. Exact 2026 dates are confirmed by each city in late summer; the guide is updated as they are published and lists the usual pattern for each market. ### Which is better, Alsace or Germany? Alsace (Strasbourg, Colmar, the villages) for the setting and the food; Germany (Nuremberg, Dresden, Munich) for scale and tradition. Our 10-day German Christmas markets by train trip covers the big ones; the 7-day Magic of French Christmas combines Alsace with the Alps. ### Is it cold? Zero to five degrees Celsius (32 to 41 °F) in the afternoon, often below freezing after dark. Good shoes for cobblestones matter more than a thick coat. ## Itineraries built on this guide [All itineraries](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages) ![Germany : 10-day magical christmas markets by train](/_astro/01M5J4124GSFJJ9T0Q9TKJ288V.Bagh7cED_28Wa6B.webp) 9 days / 8 nights ### [Germany Christmas Markets by Train: Munich to Berlin in 9 Days](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/germany-10-day-magical-christmas-markets-by-train) Eight nights by first-class train from Munich to Berlin in December: a day in Salzburg, Rothenburg, Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt and Dresden's Striezelmarkt. Old-town 4-star hotels within walking distance of the stalls. From **€2,299** per person ![The magic of French Christmas](/_astro/01M5J4124JE1AS6FJX6HMX3VTN.Dyfvhrac_aIbiM.webp) 7 days / 6 nights ### [French Christmas in 7 Days: Alsace Markets, Lyon & Val d'Isère Skiing](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/the-magic-of-french-christmas) Six nights in December: two in Colmar for the markets and wine villages, one at the Hôtel-Dieu in Lyon with dinner at Paul Bocuse, three in Val d'Isère with two full ski days. First-class train, 4- and 5-star hotels. From **€2,099** per person ![Belgium, France and Switzerland : a taste of the three countries](/_astro/01M5J4124FNXXY7P1DBQDES34F.2fKLGj47_ZYyi9B.webp) 10 days / 9 nights ### [Belgium, Alsace & Switzerland by Train in 10 Days: Brussels to Zermatt](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/belgium-france-and-switzerland) Nine nights in three bases, Brussels, Strasbourg and Basel, with guided day trips to Ghent, Bruges, Colmar, Zermatt, Mount Pilatus and Bern. First-class trains and 3-star hotels by the station; a lot of ground covered in one trip. From **€2,999** per person ## More free guides [Guides](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/guides) Free guide · PDF · 25 pages ### [The 10-Day France & Switzerland Planner](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/guides/france-switzerland-10-day-planner) Paris, Lake Geneva, the Jungfrau region and Zermatt in ten days, with the trains, the hotel neighborhoods, the budget and the booking timeline. The plan our designers start from. Free guide · PDF · 19 pages ### [Europe by Train: the American traveler’s guide](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/guides/europe-by-train) How European trains actually work, from someone who takes them every week: booking windows, passes versus tickets, reservations, luggage, stations, and the scenic routes worth planning a trip around. Free tool ### [Swiss Travel Pass calculator](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/tools/swiss-travel-pass-calculator) Pick your train legs and mountain excursions: see whether the Swiss Travel Pass, a Half Fare Card or single tickets costs less. ## Contact Plan a tailor-made trip in Europe with Mobee International: https://tally.so/r/nWplRv — e-mail contact@mobeeinternational.com — phone +33 4 26 30 36 82 (Europe) or +1 607 354 8896 (US). ## Données structurées ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "TravelAgency", "@id": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/#organization", "name": "Mobee International", "url": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com", "logo": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/images/brand/mobee-international.png", "description": "Mobee International is a Destination Management Company (DMC) based in France: tailor-made trips and packages in France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy and Belgium, designed by local travel experts for travelers, travel agencies and tour operators.", "telephone": "+33426303682", "email": "contact@mobeeinternational.com", "areaServed": [ "US", "CA", "FR", "CH", "DE", "IT", "BE" ], "knowsLanguage": "en", "legalName": "MOBEE INTERNATIONAL", "vatID": "FR33824986947", "foundingDate": "2016", "sameAs": [ "https://www.kimkim.com/o/mobee-international", "https://www.linkedin.com/company/mobee-international", "https://www.instagram.com/mobeeinternational/", "https://www.youtube.com/@MobeeInternational", "https://www.trustpilot.com/review/mobeeinternational.com" ], "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "206 rue Alexandre Richetta", "postalCode": "69400", "addressLocality": "Villefranche-sur-Saône", "addressCountry": "FR" }, "contactPoint": [ { "@type": "ContactPoint", "contactType": "customer service", "telephone": "+16073548896", "areaServed": "US", "availableLanguage": [ "English" ] }, { "@type": "ContactPoint", "contactType": "customer service", "telephone": "+33426303682", "areaServed": "FR", "availableLanguage": [ "English", "French", "Spanish" ] } ], "parentOrganization": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "MOBEE INTERNATIONAL", "url": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com", "vatID": "FR33824986947", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "206 rue Alexandre Richetta", "postalCode": "69400", "addressLocality": "Villefranche-sur-Saône", "addressCountry": "FR" } } }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/#website", "url": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com", "name": "Mobee International", "inLanguage": "en", "publisher": { "@id": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/#organization" } }, { "@type": "WebPage", "name": "Christmas Markets 2026: France, Germany & Switzerland planner", "url": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/guides/christmas-markets-2026", "description": "Free 2026 Christmas markets planner: opening dates for Strasbourg, Colmar, Nuremberg, Munich, Dresden, Basel and Montreux, two itineraries by train, where to stay and what to book early.", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/#website" }, "inLanguage": "en" }, { "@type": "Book", "name": "Christmas Markets 2026: France, Germany & Switzerland planner", "url": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/guides/christmas-markets-2026", "bookFormat": "https://schema.org/EBook", "numberOfPages": 17, "inLanguage": "en", "isAccessibleForFree": true, "image": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/images/guides/christmas-markets-2026-cover.webp", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Aurélie", "@id": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/team/aurelie#person", "url": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/team/aurelie" }, "publisher": { "@id": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/#organization" } } ] } ```