Christmas
As is the case throughout Alsace, Christmas is a special moment in Mulhouse and its surrounding region. Conviviality and wonder are the key words. Let the sweet aromas of gingerbread and mulled wine whisk you away to this magical universe.
With its illuminations, unique in Alsace, its Christmas fabric, its Christmas market, music, storytelling, carol singalongs and Advent concert, Mulhouse is the ideal place to experience the magic of Christmas! Every year, local know-how comes together to create an exclusive fabric. Thousands of metres decorate the Christmas market, the monuments and streets and are used to create an array of objects and gifts for visitors to take home as a souvenir of Alsace.
Across the region, there are a host of delightful markets to discover: Rixheim and its medieval market, Pfastatt and its little elves, Riedisheim and its Saint Nicholas market, Ottmarsheim and its museums and designers market.
The Mulhouse Christmas market
Christmas in Mulhouse is a magical, authentic moment where traditions come alive at the Christmas market in the heart of the city centre.
The Christmas market stands out as unique by tipping its hat to the city’s rich textile heritage and honoring its fabrics each year.
Christmas fabric
Every year, the city of Mulhouse creates a new exclusive fabric pattern by commissioning a local designer to make a new design. Called “Ode boreal” in 2016, it decorated the city hall and the cabins at the Christmas market and was displayed in the streets of the historic city centre.
Each year, it is used in artisanal table and kitchen linen (napkins, tablecloths, table sets, aprons), produced locally and given the specific label of “Alsace terre textile”.
For six years, the fabric has also been entrusted to local designers who use it as the base for their inspirations. The result is a unique collection of accessories, clothes and festive decorations.
The land of carols and fabrics
Mulhouse is also the capital of the Land of Carols and Fabrics, which stretches from the foot of the Ballon des Vosges to the Alsatian Jura. It forms one of the seven Christmas lands which make up Alsace, each with its own specificities.
It is based on the textile tradition, deeply rooted in the territory, and on the presence of numerous choirs and musical ensembles. Alsace’s first choir was founded in Mulhouse!
To ensure this tradition is perpetuated, the region’s tourist offices organise various textile workshops including the “Textile Minute”, a short and original workshop, enabling visitors to create a postcard with fabrics, designed by a different local illustrator each year.
A few events not to be missed:
- The Enchanted Forest in Altkirch
- The Advent Windows in Uffholtz
- The Christmas market in Thann
- A blue Christmas in Guebwiller
- Christmas in the Garden at the Wesserling Park
Christmas in the garden - Wesserling park
Every year, the gardens of the Wesserling Park come alive with a thousand colours to transport visitors in a magical world. Follow your guide and discover a new tale every year. Meet with some strange characters, sometimes silly but always friendly. You will spend an enchanting evening to be lived and shared with friends and family, perfect for the holiday season.
Ecomusée d’Alsace, the land of gatherings
Christmas at the Écomusée d’Alsace is an authentic, traditional Christmas. In the village, the inhabitants are in the throes of preparing for Christmas, baking bredalas, little Christmas biscuits, decorating the Christmas trees as well as working in the elds and feeding the animals.
In their workshops, the craftsmen continue their activity. Hands-on workshops enable visitors to discover Christmas tales, bake bredalas or create pretty decorations using natural materials.
Every year, the Écomusée d’Alsace takes you on a discovery of a new Christmas story through an evening show: a magical moment where visitors discover the traditional village life of Christmases past.