Things to Do in Strasbourg in December

December weather, activities, events & insider tips

December Weather in Strasbourg

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Is December Right for You?

Advantages

World's most famous Christmas market (Christkindelsmärik) runs November 25-December 30, transforming Grande Île into a medieval wonderland with 300+ wooden chalets
Perfect indoor museum weather - Strasbourg's 15+ world-class museums are uncrowded and atmospheric during December's short daylight hours (8:30am-5:15pm)
Cathedral light show 'Lumières de Noël' projects onto the Gothic facade nightly at 6:30pm, 7:30pm, and 8:30pm throughout December - free spectacular only available in winter
Authentic Alsatian winter cuisine season peaks in December with vin chaud (mulled wine), baeckeoffe stews, and fresh pain d'épices available at traditional winstubs

Considerations

Accommodation prices increase 40-60% during Christmas market season (November 25-December 30) with minimum 2-3 night stays required at most hotels
Christmas market crowds reach 2 million visitors in December - expect 30-45 minute waits for popular food stalls and difficulty moving through Grand Rue after 4pm
Daylight limited to 8.5 hours (8:30am-5:15pm) with frequent overcast skies reducing outdoor sightseeing time significantly

Best Activities in December

Strasbourg Cathedral and Christmas Market Walking Tours

December is the only month to experience Strasbourg's UNESCO World Heritage Christmas market in full swing. The 450-year-old Christkindelsmärik transforms the medieval city center with authentic Alsatian crafts and foods. Evening cathedral light shows only operate December-January. Cold weather makes mulled wine and indoor cathedral visits especially appealing.

Booking Tip: Book walking tours 2-3 weeks ahead for December dates. Tours typically cost €15-25 per person and last 2-3 hours. Look for guides certified by Strasbourg Tourism. Many include indoor tastings to escape the cold. See current tour options in the booking section below.

Alsace Wine Route and Village Tours

December is harvest season completion with new wine tastings available. Villages like Riquewihr and Colmar host Christmas markets without Strasbourg's crowds. Wineries offer cozy indoor tastings perfect for cold weather. Many villages are within 30-50 km (19-31 miles) of Strasbourg.

Booking Tip: Half-day wine tours typically cost €45-75 per person. Book 10-14 days ahead through licensed operators who provide heated transport. Tours include 3-4 wineries and often Christmas market stops. See current options in booking section below.

Rhine River Winter Cruises

December Rhine cruises offer unique perspectives of Strasbourg's Christmas lights and European Parliament buildings illuminated for winter. Cold weather means fewer crowds and clearer air for photography. Boats are heated and many include mulled wine service. Petite France district views are spectacular with Christmas decorations.

Booking Tip: Winter cruises run 2-3 times daily weather permitting. Typically €12-18 for 70-minute trips. Book day-of unless weekends near Christmas when advance booking recommended. Look for heated enclosed boats. See current schedules in booking section below.

Museum and Indoor Cultural Experiences

December's cold weather and short days make it ideal for Strasbourg's exceptional museums. Musée d'Art Moderne, Palais Rohan, and Musée Alsacien are uncrowded and atmospheric. Many offer special Christmas exhibitions. The Modern Art Museum's contemporary European collection is world-class but often overlooked by Christmas market visitors.

Booking Tip: Museum day passes cost €15-20 covering 3-4 venues. Most museums closed Tuesdays. Buy passes at first museum visited - no advance booking needed except for special exhibitions. Allow 2-3 hours per major museum. See current exhibition schedules in booking section below.

Traditional Alsatian Cooking Classes

December showcases peak Alsatian winter cuisine - perfect timing for learning baeckeoffe, choucroute, and Christmas cookie traditions. Indoor activities ideal for cold weather. Many classes include market tours for seasonal ingredients and wine pairings with local Riesling and Gewürztraminer.

Booking Tip: 3-4 hour cooking classes typically cost €65-95 per person including meal and wine. Book 1-2 weeks ahead as December classes fill with holiday visitors. Look for classes in traditional Alsatian homes or certified culinary schools. See current availability in booking section below.

Black Forest and German Christmas Market Day Trips

Strasbourg's border location allows easy access to German Christmas markets like Baden-Baden (60 km/37 miles) or Freiburg (85 km/53 miles). December weather is consistent across the region. German markets offer different traditions and foods compared to French Alsatian style, providing cultural contrast.

Booking Tip: Full-day cross-border tours typically cost €55-85 per person including transport and guide. Passport required for Germany visits. Book 2-3 weeks ahead for December dates. Look for tours combining 2-3 German Christmas markets. See current cross-border options in booking section below.

December Events & Festivals

November 25 - December 30, 2025

Christkindelsmärik de Strasbourg (Strasbourg Christmas Market)

France's oldest Christmas market dating to 1570, featuring 300+ wooden chalets selling Alsatian crafts, ornaments, and seasonal foods. The main market surrounds the cathedral with satellite markets in Place Kléber and Petite France. Unique atmosphere with medieval architecture backdrop.

December 1-31, shows at 6:30pm, 7:30pm, 8:30pm

Cathédrale de Strasbourg Light Show

Free nightly projection mapping onto the Gothic cathedral facade telling the nativity story through lights and music. Shows run 15 minutes each at three times nightly. Best viewed from Place de la Cathédrale - arrive 20 minutes early for good positioning.

December 6-24, 2025

Marché de la Saint-Nicolas

Traditional children's Christmas market in Place Benjamin Zix featuring carousel, puppet shows, and Saint Nicolas appearances. More family-focused than the main Christmas market with activities specifically for children under 12.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Waterproof insulated boots with good grip - cobblestone streets become slippery when wet, and you'll walk 5-8 km (3-5 miles) daily exploring Christmas markets

Layered clothing system: thermal base layer, warm sweater, waterproof outer shell - temperatures fluctuate 5°C (9°F) between morning and afternoon

Compact umbrella and lightweight rain jacket - December brings 10 rainy days with unpredictable timing, usually light drizzle lasting 1-2 hours

Warm waterproof gloves - essential for outdoor market browsing and holding hot mulled wine cups for extended periods

Thermal scarf and warm hat - Rhine Valley winds make 6°C (42°F) feel like -2°C (28°F) around the cathedral square

Portable phone charger - cold weather drains batteries 40% faster, and you'll use GPS constantly navigating Christmas market locations

Small crossbody bag or money belt - Christmas market crowds create pickpocket opportunities, especially around Place Kléber

Cash in small denominations - many Christmas market vendors don't accept cards, typical purchases €3-15

Comfortable walking shoes for indoors - you'll spend hours in heated museums and restaurants after cold outdoor sightseeing

Moisturizer and lip balm - 70% humidity combined with heated indoor air causes skin dryness

Insider Knowledge

Visit Christmas markets before 11am or after 7pm to avoid peak crowds - most tour groups arrive 11am-6pm, making movement through market aisles nearly impossible

Use Strasbourg's excellent tram system (Lines A, B, C, D) to reach outer Christmas markets in Hautepierre and Cronenbourg - locals avoid city center traffic during December

Restaurant reservations essential for December evenings - traditional winstubs like Maison Kammerzell book weeks ahead, but lunch spots remain available day-of

Many museums and attractions offer combined tickets with Christmas market discounts - ask at tourist office in Place de la Cathédrale for current promotions saving 15-20%