Riquewihr Christmas Market 2026: dates, hours and how to get there without the stress
Updated 16 October 2026, from the official tourist office website (noel-colmar.com).
Riquewihr is the postcard village of the Alsace Wine Route: an intact medieval wall, a single cobbled main street climbing to the Dolder gate tower, half-timbered houses that light up as dusk falls. In December the Christmas market chalets take over this setting, and the village becomes one of the most visited in Alsace.
The catch is getting there. No train serves Riquewihr, at weekends visitors are sent to a paid park-and-ride, and the Christmas shuttles from Colmar only run Friday to Sunday. This page gives you the official 2026 dates and hours, the real access options with their prices, and what a private van changes for a family or a group.
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2026 dates and opening hours
| Dates | Days | Hours | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday 27 November to Sunday 20 December 2026 | Every day | Monday to Friday 10:00–18:30; Saturday and Sunday 10:00–19:00 | No closing days during the season; the market ends after 20 December |
Source: noel-colmar.com, “Marché de Noël de Riquewihr” page, checked on 16 October 2026.
Riquewihr is open every day, weekdays included, but finishes on 20 December: it is not open at Christmas. Between 21 and 31 December, head for Eguisheim (until 30 December, closed 24, 25 and 26), Colmar (until 29 December, open on the 25th) or Obernai (until 31 December, closed on the 25th).
The market at a glance
The chalets line the main street, from the town hall up to the Dolder, and the small squares off it: decorations, Alsatian crafts, bredele biscuits, gingerbread, mulled wine and the wines of the village’s own growers, many of whom open their cellars in December.
The village is pedestrian only; allow 1.5 to 2 hours with the market, a break and the climb to the Dolder for the view over the vineyards. The lights come on around 16:30 or 17:00. The best time to come is on a weekday, at the 10:00 opening, when the street is still almost empty; Saturday and Sunday afternoons are very crowded.
Getting there: car, shuttle or private van
By car. Riquewihr is about twenty minutes from Colmar and about an hour from Strasbourg without traffic. At weekends visitors are directed to the Naturoparc park-and-ride (€10 per vehicle, shuttle every 30 minutes from 9:45 to 18:30). The stadium car park is reserved for motorhomes (€15 per day).
By Christmas shuttle. From 27 November to 20 December 2026, the Christmas shuttles of the Colmar area link Colmar station with Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé and Kaysersberg, Friday to Sunday only, for €17 per person per day (free under 12). Tickets are sold online only, with a daily quota, from 12 November 2026 at noon. On weekdays there is the regular bus line 16 from Colmar.
By private van with driver. Pickup at your hotel in Strasbourg, at the station, in Colmar or along the Wine Route, in a Mercedes V-Class van for up to 8 passengers (saloon car for up to 3). In Riquewihr, the driver drops you off and waits for you at the edge of the town centre, then picks you up at the same spot at the time you choose. Fixed price for the whole vehicle, confirmed before departure. Child seats on request; a pushchair fits even with 8 passengers.
Combining with other markets
Riquewihr, open every day, is the backbone of any day in the villages. Three realistic combinations:
- Riquewihr + Kaysersberg + Colmar (Friday to Sunday): Kaysersberg is 10 to 15 minutes away by road, Colmar 20 minutes. The classic day, laid out hour by hour on our Alsace wine-village Christmas tour page.
- Riquewihr + Eguisheim + Colmar (Monday to Thursday): Riquewihr at opening time, Eguisheim, 10 minutes from Colmar, for lunch, then Colmar for the lights.
- Riquewihr + Ribeauvillé (5–6 and 12–13 December): the Ribeauvillé medieval market is about ten minutes away by road.
Outside the Christmas season, see our Alsace Wine Route private driver tour and the Colmar day trip guide.
2027 dates
The 2027 dates of the Riquewihr Christmas market have not been published yet. The village usually follows the Advent calendar: opening on the last weekend of November, closing on the weekend before Christmas, open every day in between. We will update this page as soon as the official dates are published.
How much does a private van cost?
Price for the whole vehicle (up to 8 passengers), fixed and confirmed before departure:
- Strasbourg to Riquewihr, one way or return: price on request
- Full day Riquewihr + villages + Colmar, with the driver waiting: price on request
Your exact price in 30 seconds with the simulator, or call +33 3 88 26 13 13 (WhatsApp). Entrance fees, tastings and meals not included.
Book your day in Riquewihr
Tell us the date, your starting point and the number of passengers: we will suggest a realistic schedule, with or without a stop in Kaysersberg, Eguisheim or Colmar. Service 24/7, English-speaking drivers.
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