The 10 commandments for surviving the Strasbourg Christmas market, 2024 edition

That's it, ring the bells and light the garlands, it's the big day: the Christmas market finally begins its 2024 edition this November 27. After a delay of a few days due to commemorations around the Liberation of Strasbourg, it is time for Strasbourg Capital of Christmas to shine brightly.

The chalets have gradually been erected on all the main squares of Strasbourg, while the tree has perfected its decoration and re-feathering since its arrival on October 21. The final touches are now ready, and from 2 p.m., the magic of the holidays will begin.

For the occasion, and because the Christmas market is always a big upheaval in the habits of Strasbourg residents, little survival guide with some tips to avoid bursting a pipe during the next month.

1. Practical information you will know

Already, the basics, so that you don't reject the magic of Christmas just because of lack of preparation. Hourly level, the Christmas market is open from November 27 at 2 p.m. to December 27 at 9 p.m., from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day, except December 24 and 25 (11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. for these two days). Be careful, however: as the 25th and 26th are public holidays in Alsace, it is possible that some chalets will be closed.

On the Off Market side, more ethical and responsible than the classic Christmas market, it is still located on Place Grimmeissen at Petite Franceand is open from November 27 to December 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

2. The inauguration you will experience

Due to the special edition, the inauguration is this time on a Wednesday, November 27. No more Amaury Vassili or lyrical singers who have a cover CD for salethe classic inaugurations are finite pipo, to avoid too large crowd gatherings.

Instead, you can stroll around the different markets of Strasbourg from 2 p.m., including activities for children planned at Square Louise-Weiss. If you think that opening during the week means fewer people, you don't really know Strasbourg, Capital of Christmas. Prepare to combat social phobia.

3. Check that the big tree does not have a garland of PQ you will go

This year, the decoration of the big tree is not unanimous among Strasbourg residents, and that is an understatement. Generally incriminated: the large white sheets in homage to Strasbourg, World Book Capital, sometimes confused with PQ sheets…

But like every year, the justice of the peace for the disgruntled spirits will be the illuminations of our favorite conifer. Every hour from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., you can discover the big tree with all its lights and music on Place Kléber [mais toujours pas avec des chansons lyriques, si tu n’avais pas suivi, ndlr]. We're just waiting for the concert of « ooooh » and of « aaaah ».

4. If you don't want to freak out in town, you'll use your feet

An organizational hell, the Christmas market is also a traffic hell. No need to talk about cars, they quickly understand (and paradoxically too late) the quagmire they have found themselves in.. To be preferred for die-hard motorists: park-and-ride facilities.

Tram level, the Broglie, Grand'Rue and Alt Winmarïk stations will be closed during the opening hours of the Christmas market, but not the Homme de Fer station. To be expected, however: a crowd that would make a Taylor Swift concert pale in comparison. For cyclists, if “clever” routes are proposed by the City, we must keep in mind that pedestrians will be kings and queens on the Grande-Île, from the opening of the Christmas market this November 27 and until the 27 December.

So you might as well put on comfortable sneakers, and prepare to walk more than necessary.. Enough to make room to enjoy the culinary specialties that the Christmas market has to offer.

5. The security system by heart you will integrate

As great a classic of the Christmas market as the mulled wine/baguette flambé combo, better to know the safety system so as not to struggle too much.

Unveiled yesterday, there are no big surprises: you will once again be able to admire the drones circulating overhead, and the 21 access bridges to the Big Island will still be places of control.e. It will also be possible to be checked randomly in the street, and in particular at the exit of Homme de Fer station.

6. If you don't like crowds, you won't venture out on weekends

The Strasbourg Christmas market is even more crowded on weekends than during the week. If as a tourist, this may be the ideal time to go there, for Strasbourg residents, it would be better to go to Meurthe-et-Moselle than to venture outside. However, this year, the City and the prefecture have put in place some tips to avoid overcrowding.

More places to eat and drink while standing on Place Kléber, various one-way streets and the closure of the “Place des Halles” exit on the M35 motorway, the aim is to reduce traffic. It is therefore better to think of being like a stork, and favor weekdays to enjoy the chalets and the Christmas atmosphere.

7. If you care about your stomach, you won't take baguettes flambéed in the afternoon

You can't spell Christmas market without baguette flambée, with its fat, its cheese and a few scattered pieces of bacon. Except that here again, to be cunning you will have to: displayed since early morning on stalls in the fresh air of almost winter, after a certain hour, the sweets will no longer be too fresh.

To try if you have an adventurous soul and a strong stomach, but as a general rule, to avoid. Unless of course, constipation is your worst enemy. In this case, you can go head on: we have probably never really found a better medicine.

8. You will try all the mulled wines in town (and you will respect moderation)

A great Christmas classic, Strasbourg mulled wine must be tried. Red, white, mirabelle plum or whatever: it has as many variations as Strasbourg has titles of capital ofe. Little advice: don't favor the chalets (except those at Marché Off), but the Strasbourg bars and restaurants offering their own versions.

Be careful though, because even the most accustomed to it couldn't resist it: mulled wine at the Christmas market is guaranteed to cause a headache. It must be said that in 25cl, you have as much sugar as the recommended weekly intake.. To prevent your legs from feeling tired, your lucidity from disappearing and your desire for flambéed baguettes from resurfacing in the evening [revenir au point précédent si le message n’est pas passé, ndlr]so you will be careful.

9. If you don't want to burn your wallet, be careful you will have to

Living in Strasbourg at Christmas means entering another monetary dimension: inflation disappears, giving way to giga-mega-super-inflation. Hotels, Airbnb, restaurants, everything costs an extra arm, and sometimes even both. Even worse [pour l’auteur de l’article qui en raffole, ndlr] : Stollen bites from Fortwenger for €7.50 on the internet cost €14 in a chalet! So be careful with your wallet.

10. If you love Strasbourg, you will favor other neighborhoods

The Grande-Île being blocked on all sides from November 27 to December 27, if you want to appreciate Strasbourg as it is the rest of the time, you might as well go to the other districts. You can discover the bustling life of Krutenau, the European institutions of Wacken, the calm in the green of the Orangerie, the botanical garden between Neustadt and Conseil des XV or the industrial charm of the Port du Rhine.

Besides, different Strasbourg neighborhoods will also be entitled to Christmas markets, over shorter periods. Enough to (re)find more authenticity, by following the program available here.

Bonus: escape the weird Santa Claus from Place Broglie you will have to

In your wanderings, you may find yourself at the original Christmas market on Place Broglie. At this time, pay close attention to your surroundings, because you could meet weird Santa Claus, one of Schlagbourg's mascots. Legend has it that if you meet its gaze, it will eat your soul and enter your worst nightmares. Might as well avoid it.

Here we go for a new edition of the Christmas market. As Strasbourg residents, we always like to complain about an event that invades the city center for a month, with all its bad sides. But it is also a great opportunity to get together and celebrate the spirit of the festival. Because Strasbourg remains the city of Christmas, in all its forms.

Happy Hunger Games to everyone and see you later!