Alsace in December works well for families, but only if you plan around three things: cold, crowds and short daylight. This page covers which markets suit children, how to structure a day so nobody melts down at 5pm, what kids actually eat at a Christmas market, and where to warm up indoors when the weather turns. Everything here is written for parents travelling with children roughly aged 2 to 12.
In short
- Colmar and the small villages suit young children better than Strasbourg: shorter walking distances, fewer crushes, easier pushchair access on the main streets.
- Weekday visits, especially Monday to Thursday, are dramatically calmer than weekends. If you have any flexibility, use it.
- Markets are typically open from late November to just before or just after Christmas, with a few running into early January. Always confirm dates for the village you want before booking.
- Aim for two windows: late morning (quiet, daylight, good for photos) and 4.30–6.30pm (lights on, still manageable). Avoid 7pm onwards with under-sixes.
- Book accommodation early. December weekends in Colmar, Strasbourg and Riquewihr fill months ahead, and family rooms sell out first.
- A car gives you far more control with kids, but the Strasbourg–Colmar corridor and several villages are reachable by train and bus if you’d rather not drive.
Which Alsace Christmas markets are best with children?
Not all markets suit the same age group. The difference is mostly density: how many people per square metre on the main street, and how far you have to walk between the car park and the stalls.
| Market | Best for | Crowd level | Pushchair-friendly | Notes for families |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colmar | Ages 2–10 | Busy, but spread over several squares | Mostly yes | Several small markets rather than one crush; a dedicated children’s market area is a long-running feature |
| Strasbourg | Ages 7+ | Very busy at weekends | Difficult in the old town at peak times | Big scale, big tree, security checkpoints; better on a weekday morning |
| Riquewihr | Ages 4+ | Busy on weekends, calm midweek | Cobbles, hard work with a pushchair | Very compact; easy to do in 90 minutes |
| Kaysersberg | Ages 4+ | Weekends can be intense for its size | Cobbles, narrow lanes | Charming but small; go early or midweek |
| Eguisheim | Ages 2–8 | Gentler than most | Cobbles, but short distances | Circular village layout, hard to get lost |
| Mulhouse | All ages | Noticeably calmer | Generally good | Underrated with kids; fewer tourists, easier parking |
If you only have one day and a child under five, choose Colmar’s Christmas markets or Mulhouse over Strasbourg. If your children are older and you want scale, Strasbourg’s market delivers it, but plan a weekday.
For a broader comparison across all the towns and villages, the best Christmas markets in Alsace page ranks them by atmosphere and practicality.
Village markets that work for small children
Small villages have an advantage parents underestimate: you can see the whole thing in an hour, and the walk from car to stalls is short. Eguisheim in December is a good example, with its ring-shaped streets. Riquewihr and Kaysersberg are more atmospheric but busier per square metre.
The trade-off: cobblestones. A pushchair is genuinely awkward in these villages. A carrier or a hip seat works better for toddlers.
How to structure a December day with kids
Daylight in Alsace in late December is short. It’s properly light from roughly 8.30am and dark by around 5pm. That compresses everything, so the day needs shape.
A pattern that works:
- 9.30–11.30am — Arrive at a village market before the coaches. Stalls are open, streets are empty, children can actually run about.
- 11.30am–1pm — Sit-down lunch indoors. This is the non-negotiable warm-up. Book if it’s a weekend.
- 1–3pm — Indoor activity: a museum, a castle, a swimming pool, or a nap in the car or hotel.
- 4–6pm — Second market, this time for the lights. Hot drinks, a carousel if there is one, then leave before the evening crush.
- 6.30pm onwards — Dinner early, back to the accommodation.
Two markets a day is the ceiling with young children. Three is a mistake parents make once.
If you’re planning a longer stay, the 3-day Alsace itinerary and the 4-day version both adapt easily to this rhythm — just replace one village per day with an indoor stop.
Getting around with children in December
A car is the simplest option with kids: you control timing, you have somewhere warm to retreat to, and you can carry the extra layers, snacks and spare gloves that December demands. The catch is parking. Village car parks fill by late morning on December weekends, and some villages close their centres to traffic during market hours, so you park on the edge and walk in.
If you’d rather drive, book the vehicle well in advance for December — demand around the Christmas period is high across Strasbourg, Colmar and the Basel airport desks, and larger cars with room for child seats go first.
[AFF-SLOT | car-rental | family car with child seats, December pick-up Strasbourg or Basel]
Without a car, you’re not stuck. Strasbourg, Colmar, Sélestat, Mulhouse and Obernai are all on the rail network, and shuttle buses run to some villages during the market season. The dedicated guide to Christmas markets without a car covers the routes in detail, and travelling around Alsace by train explains ticketing and regional lines.
Practical note on trains with kids: regional TER trains have steps and no reserved seating, so a folding pushchair is far easier than a large travel system. The Strasbourg to Colmar run takes well under an hour and is the easiest journey of the trip.
Pushchair or carrier?
For under-twos, a carrier wins almost everywhere. For two to four year olds, a compact folding pushchair with decent wheels is fine in Colmar, Strasbourg and Mulhouse, and painful in the cobbled villages. Bring a rain cover — it doubles as a wind shield.
What kids actually eat at an Alsace Christmas market
Market food skews adult: mulled wine, cheese, charcuterie, spiced sausage. But there’s plenty that works for children, and knowing the names saves a lot of queuing at the wrong stall.
- Bretzel — the soft pretzel, plain or with cheese. The most reliable child food at any market.
- Tarte flambée — thin, crisp, mild. Ask for the plain version without lardons if your child avoids bacon. More on tarte flambée and where to eat it.
- Chichis or beignets — fried dough with sugar, usually near the carousel.
- Bredele — small Christmas biscuits sold by weight. Buying a mixed bag keeps children occupied for a surprisingly long time.
- Hot chocolate and hot apple juice — the non-alcoholic equivalents of mulled wine, sold at most drink stalls. Ask for jus de pomme chaud.
- Crêpes — plain sugar or chocolate, widely available.
Beware serving temperatures: hot drinks at market stalls come out very hot in thick cups. Ask for a splash of cold, or let it stand for five minutes.
For a fuller picture of what’s on offer, see Christmas market food and drink, and for sit-down meals, what to expect in an Alsatian winstub — most serve early enough for children and are warm, which matters more than the menu at 5pm in December.
Indoor escapes when the cold wins
You will need at least one indoor block per day. These are the reliable options within easy reach of the market towns.
- Écomusée d’Alsace, near Ungersheim — an open-air village museum that runs a substantial winter programme with fires, workshops and traditional crafts. Partly outdoors, but with plenty of heated buildings. See the Écomusée d’Alsace visitor guide.
- Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg — dramatic in winter and a genuine hit with children who like castles. Cold and exposed on the ramparts, so dress for it. Details on the Haut-Kœnigsbourg guide.
- Museums in Mulhouse and Colmar — Mulhouse has large transport-related collections that suit children well. The Alsace museums overview sets out what’s suitable for which age.
- Swimming pools — most towns of any size have one, and it’s the best-value way to burn off an hour of energy.
For more of these, the rainy day activities in Alsace page applies almost word for word to cold days, and family attractions across the region lists the indoor options by area.
Where to stay with children at Christmas
Base matters more in December than at any other time of year, because you’ll want to get back to a warm room quickly and often.
- Colmar — the strongest all-round family base. Walkable, several markets, good rail links, plenty of places to eat early.
- Strasbourg — best if you want city amenities and are happy with crowds. Choose accommodation you can reach without crossing the busiest market streets with a pushchair.
- A Wine Route village — quieter evenings, more atmosphere, but you’ll drive everywhere and dining options thin out.
- Mulhouse — cheaper, calmer, well connected, and closer to the Écomusée and to Basel airport.
Family rooms and apartments with a kitchen are the scarcest category in December, and they’re booked far ahead for the weeks before Christmas. An apartment solves breakfast, early dinners and the 5am jet-lag wake-up in one go, which is why they go first.
[AFF-SLOT | accommodation | family rooms and apartments in Colmar for December]
Compare the areas in detail with the guide to where to stay during the Christmas markets and the broader where to base yourself in Alsace page. If you’re travelling with children year-round, family-friendly accommodation in Alsace sets out what to look for.
Should you book a Christmas market tour with kids?
Guided tours split families. A half-day small-group tour that covers two or three villages removes the driving, the parking and the navigation, which is a real gain in December. But fixed departure times and a set pace suit older children far better than toddlers.
Rough guidance:
- Under 5 — skip organised group tours. Self-drive or stay local.
- 5 to 9 — a half-day village tour works if it’s genuinely half a day and includes a food stop.
- 10 and up — a full-day tour is fine, and children often engage well with a guide.
If you do book, look for small-group departures rather than coach tours, an afternoon slot so you’re back for dinner, and confirmation that child seats are provided if it’s a minivan. December slots on the better-run tours sell out weeks ahead.
[AFF-SLOT | tours | small-group half-day Christmas market tour from Colmar]
Weigh the options against driving yourself with the guided versus self-guided comparison, and see Christmas market tours for the formats available.
What to pack for children in Alsace in December
Cold in Alsace in December is damp rather than extreme. Temperatures often hover a few degrees either side of freezing, and it can rain as easily as snow. That combination — wet and cold — is what makes children miserable.
| Item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Waterproof outer layer | Rain is more likely than snow in the valleys |
| Thermal base layer | Far more effective than one thick coat |
| Two pairs of gloves | One pair will get soaked in the first hot chocolate |
| Waterproof boots with grip | Cobbles get slippery when wet |
| Hat covering the ears | Wind funnels through the narrow streets |
| Reflective element or light | It’s dark by around 5pm |
| Small torch | Handy in unlit village lanes |
Layers beat bulk: a child in three thin layers is warmer and less restricted than one in a single padded coat. Buy any missing kit before you travel — village shops won’t stock children’s thermals in the sizes you need.
[AFF-SLOT | gear | children’s thermal layers and waterproof boots for December]
The full Alsace packing list covers the adult equivalent, and weather and seasons in Alsace gives realistic December conditions.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Attempting Strasbourg on a December Saturday afternoon with a pushchair. The old town becomes genuinely difficult to move through. Go on a weekday morning instead, or choose a smaller market.
- Planning three or more markets in one day. Two is the working maximum with under-tens, including travel and a proper indoor break.
- Assuming every market runs to Christmas Eve. Some village markets only open on certain weekends, and closing dates vary. Check the Christmas market dates and opening times page and confirm with the local tourist office before you commit to a date.
- Underestimating parking. Village car parks fill by late morning at weekends, and some centres close to traffic during market hours. Arrive before 10.30am or take the shuttle where one runs.
- Skipping lunch bookings. Warm indoor tables are the scarcest resource in December. Reserve, even for a casual place.
- Dressing children in one big coat instead of layers. They overheat indoors, then chill outside. Layers you can strip off solve both.
- Leaving the market at 7pm with tired children. The evening crush plus the walk back to the car is the classic end-of-day disaster. Leave at 6.30 and you’ll all enjoy the day more.
Frequently asked questions
Are Alsace Christmas markets suitable for toddlers?
Yes, with the right choice of market. Small village markets and Colmar’s spread-out squares work well for toddlers because distances are short and crowds are less dense than in Strasbourg. Go in the late morning or before 6pm, use a carrier rather than a pushchair on cobbles, and plan an indoor warm-up after roughly 90 minutes outdoors.
When do Alsace Christmas markets open and close?
Most markets typically run from the last weekend of November until shortly before or just after Christmas Day, with a small number continuing into early January. Some village markets open only on specific weekends. Opening hours generally run from late morning until evening, longer at weekends. Always check the current dates for your chosen town before booking travel.
Is Colmar or Strasbourg better with children?
Colmar for younger children, Strasbourg for older ones. Colmar’s markets are split across several squares, so crowds disperse and walking distances stay manageable. Strasbourg offers greater scale, more stalls and a bigger sense of occasion, but the old town gets extremely congested at weekends and includes security checkpoints. Both are easy to combine by train.
Do we need a car to visit the Christmas markets with kids?
No, but it helps. Strasbourg, Colmar, Sélestat, Mulhouse and Obernai are all reachable by train, and seasonal shuttle buses serve some villages. A car gives you more control over timings and a warm base between stops, which matters with young children. Weigh the parking difficulties in December against that flexibility.
Is there anything specifically for children at the markets?
Yes. Colmar has long run a children’s market area, and carousels, small fairground rides and craft workshops appear in several towns. Nativity scenes, illuminated displays and animated shop windows keep younger children engaged. Programmes change each year, so check the local tourist office listings shortly before you travel.
How cold does it actually get?
Expect temperatures around or slightly above freezing during the day in the valleys, colder in the evenings and higher up. Rain is at least as likely as snow. Snow is more common in the Vosges foothills than in Colmar or Strasbourg. Dress children in layers with a waterproof outer shell rather than a single heavy coat.
How many days do we need for a family Christmas trip?
Three to four days is the sweet spot. That allows one city market, two or three villages, one indoor attraction and a day with nothing scheduled. Two days is workable if you stay in Colmar and don’t try to cover Strasbourg as well. See the guide to how many days you need in Alsace for longer options.
Are the markets buggy accessible?
Partly. Colmar, Mulhouse and Strasbourg’s wider squares are manageable outside peak hours. The cobbled Wine Route villages are hard work with a pushchair, and the main streets get too crowded to push through on December weekends. A carrier or hip seat is the more practical choice for those.