Things to Do in Alsace in Winter (November to February)
Winter in Alsace is about much more than the Christmas market. The days are short, but there’s plenty to enjoy: villages full of lights, warm museums, a giant theme park, thermal spas just across the Rhine and, with a bit of luck, snow in the Vosges mountains.
Here are our favourite ideas, with verified dates for the 2026–2027 season.
1. The Christmas markets (late November to late December)
The number one reason to come in winter. In 2026:
- Strasbourg opens on Friday 27 November (closing date to be confirmed; in 2025 it was 24 December);
- Colmar runs from 23 November to 29 December, and is even open on Christmas Day;
- most Wine Route villages open on 27 November: Riquewihr, Eguisheim, Obernai, and Kaysersberg at weekends.
All the details are in our Alsace Christmas markets guide and our pages on Strasbourg and Colmar.
Good to know It gets dark early in December. To enjoy the lights without a late night, visit the villages in the afternoon and save the city for the evening.
2. Europa-Park’s winter season
The theme park in Rust, just over the border in Germany, runs a winter season from 28 November 2026 to 9 January 2027, daily from 11am until at least 7pm. It is closed on 24 and 25 December. Expect decorations, shows and a Christmas market; some rides may close depending on the weather.
The Rulantica water park is also open during this period, except 24 and 25 December.
→ See our guide to Europa-Park from Strasbourg.
3. Museums and exhibitions, nice and warm
When it’s cold outside, Strasbourg has plenty to fill a day indoors. This winter:
- “Cardinal de Rohan and the Affair of the Necklace” at the Palais Rohan, 20 November 2026 to 15 March 2027;
- “800 years of the Œuvre Notre-Dame Foundation” at the Musée de l’Œuvre Notre-Dame, until 11 April 2027;
- “Martin Luther King – The Right to Freedom” at the BNU library, until 17 January 2027;
- during Advent, the 17th-century tapestries hung in the cathedral nave.
4. Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle
Perched high above the Alsace plain, the castle stays open in winter, with shorter hours. It is closed on 25 and 26 December and 1 January; in winter it opens 9:30am–12pm and 1pm–5pm. Check the day’s opening hours on the official website before you set off, especially in January.
You can easily pair it with a Wine Route Christmas market on the same day. Our Alsace Wine Route guide has more ideas.
Good to know Up at the castle it’s often colder and windier than down in the plain. Bring a hat and sturdy shoes.
5. The spas of Baden-Baden
Across the Rhine, Baden-Baden is the classic spa town. The Caracalla thermal baths are open daily from 8am to 10pm (last entry 90 minutes before closing). They are closed on 24 and 25 December; on 31 December they open 8am–8pm, and on 1 January 10am–10pm.
Entry is for ages 7 and over, and under-14s must be accompanied by an adult.
See also our guide to the Black Forest from Strasbourg.
6. Snow in the Vosges
Le Champ du Feu is the main ski area in the Bas-Rhin. Cross-country skiing and sledging are also possible, depending on snow. Snow is never guaranteed, so check conditions on the resort website the day before.
No need for winter tyres or snow chains on your own car: we drop you at the resort (road conditions permitting) and come back for you at the agreed time.
7. Valentine’s Day in Strasbourg
In February, the Strasbourg mon amour festival offers about ten days of concerts, unusual tours and dinners around Valentine’s Day. The 2027 dates haven’t been published yet; in 2026 it ran from 6 to 15 February.
More dates in our Alsace events calendar.
Getting around in winter, stress-free
Mountain roads can be icy, market car parks fill up, and darkness falls early. With Strasbourg Van, a driver takes you door to door, in a Mercedes van for up to 8 passengers or a sedan for up to 3. Our drivers speak English, French and Arabic.
Prices already published on our site, for the whole vehicle: an evening at the Strasbourg Christmas market from €105; Strasbourg → Colmar about €190. For anything else, the simulator gives you a price in 30 seconds.
Plan your winter outings
- Get your price in 30 seconds with the simulator
- Phone or WhatsApp: +33 3 88 26 13 13 — message us on WhatsApp