Kaysersberg Christmas Market Ultimate Guide (2023 Dates)

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Perhaps you’ve already explored the enchanting Christmas markets in Strasbourg and Colmar and want to visit a smaller town for its market. Or maybe you love tiny towns and their charming Christmas markets instead. Either way, you’ll want to add the Kaysersberg Christmas Market to your list!

Located in the heart of the Alsace Wine Route, this dreamy village is surrounded by vineyards. Combine that with its half-timbered houses and adorable Christmas markets, and you’ve got a recipe for a dreamy Alsace Christmas market getaway!

To help you plan your visit, I have all the details you need including Kaysersberg Marche de Noel dates, how to get there, what to expect, and more! 

Ultimate Kaysersberg Christmas Market Guide

To organize this guide, we’re breaking it down into sections including dates, times, information about the markets, what to eat/drink, other things to do in Kaysersberg, where to stay, how to get there, when to visit, and other tips! 

Kaysersberg Christmas Market 2023 Dates

The dates for the Kaysersberg France Christmas Market include every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday starting from November 24-December 17, 2023. It is also open on December 18-19, 2023. 

Kaysersberg Marche de Noel Opening Hours

The Christmas market in Kaysersberg is open from 10 am-8 pm on the days in which it is running. 

Being a smaller town with only a couple of tiny markets, you can certainly see most of it in a couple of hours! 

Kaysersberg Christmas Markets & Events to See

Kayserberg only has 2 small Christmas markets, each oozing with charm and tradition. 

The first market to visit is the Authentic Christmas Market in Kaysersberg. This market only has about 30 chalets selling handcrafted gifts and toys, decor, treats, and mulled wine! It sits at the heart of the town with the gorgeous chateau ruins overlooking the market. 

This is a great place to find the Kaysersberg Christmas Market mug! Last year it was a lovely glass mug decorated with the village of Kaysersberg on it. 

The address to this market is 39 Rue du General de Gaulle, Cour de l‘Arsenal, and the passage behind the church. 

The other Christmas market is the Farmer’s Christmas Market. Think of this market as a regular farmer’s market but with a holiday kick! 

Enjoy local and regional products including pain d’epices, honey, cheeses, jams, and more edible delights to gift to others or indulge in yourself. 

This is located at the Place de la Mairie. 

Aside from the Christmas markets in Kaysersberg, there are a few other smaller events to enjoy. The first is the Christmas Exhibition. This is located in the Arsenal Room next to the Tourism Office. 

In 2022 when I visited, the display included toys of yesteryear, in 2023, the theme is all about the artisanal professions of yesteryear!

This takes place from November 24, 2023-January 7, 2024, and is open during the Christmas market hours. However, it is open daily, and on non-Christmas market days, it is open from 2-6 pm. 

There is also the Mulhouse Boys Choir Christmas Concert on December 10, 2023, at 4 pm at the Eglise Sainte-Croix.

There is also the Christmas Concert by the Choir of 3 Abbeys of Senones. This takes place on November 26, 2023, at 4 pm at Eglise Sainte-Croix. 

And for those who love to get creative and make their own Advent decor, there is also an Advent Wreath Workshop. It occurs on Wednesdays from November 22-December 20, 2023 from 10 am-12 pm and 3-5 pm at Brindille et Pom de Pin. 

Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance and can be made through the Kaysersberg Valley Tourist Office. The cost is €30 for 2 people. It is in French so you may want to know French for this.

There are a lot of fun events and markets around the holidays in Kaysersberg! 

What to Eat at the Kaysersberg Christmas Market

The Christmas market in Kaysersberg may be small, but there are some delicious treats to be had! Here is what to eat at the Kaysersberg Christmas Market!

• Bredele: These are adorable little cookies that can be made with almonds, hazelnuts, chocolate, anise, and more! Grab a bag of these tasty delights to enjoy with friends and family!

• Kougelhofs: These bundt-shaped cakes are made with yeast and can have things like dried fruit or nuts inside of them. Sometimes, you’ll find them dusted with powdered sugar. 

• Mannele: These are little people-shaped brioche buns that can be plain or have chocolate chips in them. 

• Pain d’Epices: This is gingerbread but in actual bread form, not the cookies. It can have all kinds of holiday spices as well as nuts or fruit in it. 

• Locally Made Products: You’ll also likely find local products such as jams, honey, cheeses, and more, especially at the Farmer’s Christmas Market.

What to Drink at the Kaysersberg Christmas Market

There are a couple of great drinks to try at the Christmas market!

• Vin Chaud: Also known as mulled wine or gluhwein, this hot spiced wine is a must-try for any Christmas market you visit in the Alsace. Like many other Alsatian Christmas markets, you can get this in both red and white, or in French, vin chaud rouge or vin chaud blanc, respectively. Both have lovely spices added including anise, cinnamon, nutmeg, etc. 

• Chocolat Chaud: Who doesn’t love French hot chocolate? You can also find this at the markets in Kaysersberg! This is perfect for the kiddos and those who don’t want to drink alcohol. 
• Sirops: Yes, they even have a stand that sells different syrups to flavor your water!

Other Things to Do in Kaysersberg

As this is a smaller town, and the Christmas markets are not extensive, you may want to explore other things to do here! 

Between wandering around the city itself and admiring the Christmas lights as the sun goes down, here are some other attractions in Kaysersberg. 

• Chateau de Kaysersberg: Built in 1227 AD, this former chateau now lies in ruins overlooking the town of Kaysersberg. It was restored and classified as a historic monument in the 19th century, and you can walk up to the ruins and enjoy them yourself. Also, from its position on the hill, you have a great view of the village.

• Eglise Sainte-Croix: This church is in the heart of the city and is where the Christmas concerts take place during the holiday season. It was built in the 13th century and holds many great pieces of art including the Altarpiece of the Passion by Hans Bongart as well as the Lamentation of Christ made in 1521. 

• Constantine Fountain: This charming fountain sits in the heart of the city in front of the Eglise Sainte-Croix and features Constantine holding a large cross. It was built by Hans Bongart, the same sculptor who made the altarpiece in the church. 

• Musee Historique de Kaysersberg: Learn a brief history of the town and nearby area at this small museum. 

• Centre Schweitzer: This museum focuses on the Nobel Peace Prize winner and former local resident of the town, Albert Schweitzer. It also discusses the concept of peace and more.

• Musee du Vignoble et des Vins d’Alsace: Want to learn more about Alsatian wine? Then head to this museum to discover its history, terroir, grapes, and more! This is located in the town over called Kientzheim.

• Wine Tasting: You’re in the heart of the Alsace Wine Route, so why not taste some delightful wines in Kaysersberg and nearby? Head to wineries like Bernard HAAS & Fils, Vins d’Alsace Famille Ancel, Vins d’Alsace Jean Dietrich, Domaine Weinbach, and more! Just be sure to contact them in advance to see if reservations for tastings are required. 

Where to Stay in Kaysersberg

While you could easily explore Kaysersberg as a day trip from a city like Colmar or Strasbourg, if you want to beat the crowds for the Christmas markets and spend the night ahead of time, here is where to stay: 

Chambard: This is a 5-star hotel located in an 18th-century residence. Complete with a 2-star Michelin restaurant, a spa, and lovely rooms that either have views of the village or vineyard, you will have quite a comfortable stay here. 

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Hotel KLE: This lovely little boutique hotel is located in the heart of the village and is perfect for visiting the Christmas markets. Enjoy the 20 fully renovated rooms in comfort and style. 

Book it here!

Hostellerie Schwendi: Located nearby in the town of Kientzheim, this boutique hotel has charming and Alsatian-classically designed rooms and a lovely restaurant. 

Book it here!

Getting to Kaysersberg and Getting Around

Much like visiting other smaller towns in the Alsace, you can’t just fly in and take the train here. If you want to visit Kaysersberg, you’ll have to either fly into Strasbourg, Basel/Mulhouse, Frankfurt, or even Paris and take the train to Colmar. 

From Colmar, there is a bus you can take to Kaysersberg. The bus number is 68R013 and takes about 30-40 minutes to get from the Colmar train station to the bus stop in Kaysersberg. 

However, during the holiday season, you can also take a day trip from Colmar using the Navettes de Noel, or the Christmas shuttle. This bus takes you to nearby villages from Colmar including Kaysersberg, Ribeauville, Riquewihr, Eguisheim, Turckheim, Gunsbach, and Munster depending on the line you choose. 

To get to Kaysersberg, you’ll take either line 1 or 2. Line 1 goes from Colmar to Kaysersberg, Riquewihr, and Ribeauville before going back to Colmar. Line 2 goes in reverse. On Fridays, the shuttle departs every 2 hours, and on Saturday and Sunday, every 30 minutes. 

If you choose to do this, be sure to get to the booth by the Colmar Gare (train station) early on to get your tickets, as these buses fill up quickly. It is €10 for the day. You will also get your schedule here too.

And for those who want to be on their own time, you can also just rent a car from Strasbourg or Colmar and drive to Kaysersberg. 

Once you’re in Kaysersberg, it is a pretty walkable city. You can walk around the town, visit the markets, and explore the riverside. 

When to Visit the Kaysersberg Christmas Market

While the market only occurs a few days a week, luckily, unlike the Ribeauville Christmas Market, you can visit on Friday. 

So while the Ribeauille Christmas Market is insanely crowded on the 2 weekends it is open a year, you can visit the Kaysersberg Christmas Market on Friday morning and avoid most of the crowds. 

I will note that if you are taking the Navettes de Noel, you’ll want to catch the first shuttle to Kaysersberg to really enjoy it without insane crowds. 

We had a solid hour or so at the markets on a Saturday morning before the crowds rolled in. But it can get super crowded as the day goes on. Therefore, earlier in the day is better, but going during the day on a Friday is probably best. 

At least on Friday, you won’t have as many people there as the Navettes de Noel runs less frequently that day and locals will likely be working during the day. 

Or you can choose to rent a car and stay Thursday night to catch the markets as they open or you can even show up as soon as they open on Friday. 

As always, the markets are usually less crowded at the beginning of the Christmas market season as opposed to later in the season. 

Other Tips For Exploring the Kaysersberg Marche de Noel

Here are some other tips you’ll want to know before visiting Kaysersberg for the Christmas market. 

• Toilets: There are public toilets located right by the Authentic Christmas Market near the Townhall, Badhus, and Place Gourard. 

• Parking: The main parking lots in the city center are available during the Christmas markets. These are Place Gouraud, Chateau Car Park, Porte Basse Car Park, Police Car Park, Parking Rue de la Flieh, Erlenbad Car Park, and Parking Rue du 18 Decembre. 

• Learn a little French: As always when you’re visiting smaller towns in France, you’ll want to know a little French. I mean you could probably get by with pointing at what you want, but an effort is always appreciated. I have a great guide with 17 useful French phrases to know. But Bonjour/Bonsoir really helps!

• What to wear: You’ll want to wear things like gloves, a hat or earmuffs, a scarf, warm socks, and water-resistant boots. Pair that with a warm jacket (like this one from The Northface), jeans, and a sweater and you’ll be good to go! It definitely is chilly during the holiday season in the Alsace.

• Be sure to visit other Christmas markets: You’ll have a great time exploring markets in cities like Strasbourg and Colmar as well as markets in smaller towns like Ribeauville, Riquewihr, and Obernai!

Between its stunningly beautiful vineyards, historic castle ruins, and charming Christmas markets, you’ll absolutely fall in love with Kaysersberg around the holiday season! 

Want more France travel ideas? Check out these posts!

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