Festivals & traditions · Colmar old-town markets — Ancienne Douane — Kaysersberg or Riquewihr by Christmas shuttle
Experience Christmas traditions in Colmar and nearby villages
Explore Colmar's illuminated old-town markets early, then use the official Christmas shuttle to compare a smaller wine village after dusk.
Begin while Colmar's lanes are still passable and move between craft stalls at the Dominican church, the Koïfhus and the old customs square. Warm food and local decoration matter more when there is time to talk with makers. Later, a shuttle carries the day into the vineyards, where a smaller village frames Advent through timber houses, courtyards and local ritual.
Use the official annual calendar rather than copied dates, reserve accommodation months ahead and avoid peak Saturday evening if possible. The 2026 village shuttles operate on specified dates and routes rather than continuously. Dress for prolonged outdoor cold, carry minimal luggage, return reusable cups correctly and choose one village well instead of rushing through several crowded stops.