New Year’s Eve in Strasbourg: Practical Tips for the Big Night
Seeing in the New Year in Strasbourg means the last of the Christmas lights, a good Alsatian dinner and perhaps a concert. But on 31 December the city works differently: public transport stops for part of the night, safety rules are tighter, and taxis are in high demand.
Here’s what you need to know to enjoy the evening and get back to your hotel without stress. In 2026, New Year’s Eve falls on a Thursday.
Good to know The 2026 arrangements (transport, safety, parking) haven’t been published yet. Below are the 2025 measures, which give a good idea of what to expect. Check the official sites in December.
What to do on 31 December
The New Year concert
The Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra traditionally gives its New Year concert on 31 December and 1 January at the Palais de la Musique et des Congrès. Check the 2026 programme on the orchestra’s website, philharmonique.strasbourg.eu.
A New Year’s Eve dinner
Many restaurants offer a special menu on the 31st. Book your table well ahead, and think about your ride home at the same time.
Christmas markets
The Strasbourg Christmas market usually ends before Christmas: in 2025 it closed on 24 December (2026 closing date to be confirmed). If you’d like a last taste of Christmas on the 31st:
- Obernai is open until 31 December 2026, from 10am to 4pm that day;
- in Colmar, the food market and the big wheel stay open until 3 January 2027, but close at 5pm on 31 December.
See our Alsace Christmas markets guide.
Transport: trams stop for part of the night
This is the most important point. In 2025, according to the local press:
- CTS trams and buses stopped running between 10:30pm and 2:30am on the night of 31 December to 1 January;
- before that, diversions started in the afternoon, trams ran less often in the evening and some stations were closed.
In practice, if you go out for dinner or to join the celebrations, you can’t count on a tram home just after midnight. Taxis are also in very high demand that night.
Good to know CTS will publish its 2026 arrangements on cts-strasbourg.eu in December. Check them before your evening out.
Safety rules to know
Every year, the authorities bring in special measures. In 2025:
- Fireworks and firecrackers: buying, selling and using them was banned throughout the Bas-Rhin from 1 December (except category F1, which have no fuse).
- Alcohol: drinking and selling alcohol in public places was banned in the Bas-Rhin from noon on 31 December, for 24 hours.
- Minors: a curfew for unaccompanied under-16s from 9pm to 6am, in Strasbourg and several neighbouring towns.
- Parking: banned on a number of streets on the night of the 31st; some park-and-ride car parks were free and supervised.
If you’re travelling by car, leave it in a secure car park for the evening.
New Year’s Day: what’s open
1 January is quiet in the city. A few ideas:
- Europa-Park is in its winter season until 9 January 2027 (closed only on 24 and 25 December).
- The Caracalla spa in Baden-Baden opens on 1 January from 10am to 10pm (and on 31 December from 8am to 8pm).
- In Colmar, the food market and big wheel are open until 3 January.
Note that some sites close on 1 January, such as Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle. More ideas in our post on things to do in Alsace in winter.
Getting back to your hotel: book your van
On New Year’s Eve, the easiest option is to book your ride in advance. Your driver drops you at the restaurant or concert hall, then comes back for you at the agreed time, even after midnight. No taxi queue, no waiting in the cold for a tram.
- Mercedes van for up to 8 passengers, sedan for up to 3: ideal for a group of friends or a family.
- Our drivers speak English, French and Arabic.
- Message us on WhatsApp if the party runs late.
Arriving just in time for the celebrations? We also pick up from the railway station and the airports. See our guide to getting to Strasbourg from the airports.
Good to know New Year’s Eve is a very busy night for drivers. Book as soon as you know your plans, ideally several weeks ahead.
Book your New Year’s Eve ride
- Get your price in 30 seconds with the simulator
- Phone or WhatsApp: +33 3 88 26 13 13 — message us on WhatsApp
- Or book online.