Bulletin des Communes Le portail National des Collectivités locales et territoriales
🇫🇷 Lire cet article en français →
The Aix Christmas market 2026 opens on Friday 13 November on the Cours Mirabeau and runs until 31 December. Around fifty craftspeople and traders sell gift ideas, mulled wine and seasonal treats. It kicks off a festive programme that lasts until 10 January 2027, according to the town hall. Late openings, closing days, santons, lights and neighbourhood markets: here is the practical information confirmed so far.
Aix Christmas market: what are the 2026 dates?
The « Les Chalets » Christmas market takes place from 13 November to 31 December 2026, according to the official website of the City of Aix-en-Provence. It sets up on the Cours Mirabeau, the wide plane-tree-lined avenue in the town centre.
The market is part of a wider programme. In fact, the town’s Christmas festivities run from 13 November 2026 to 10 January 2027. Both the town hall (the mairie, or local council) and the tourist office give the same dates. The full calendar is online on the Christmas Festivities 2026-2027 page.
Aix Christmas market: what are the opening hours?
The town has published several special opening times. First, there are late openings until 9.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Second, on 24 and 31 December the market opens from 10am to 7pm. Finally, it closes on Christmas Day, 25 December.
However, the council’s page does not give the usual hours for other days. So it is wise to check the town’s website before visiting early in the morning or on a weekday evening.
What can you find in the chalets?
The town hall announces around fifty craftspeople and traders. You will find gift ideas, mulled wine and treats to enjoy on the spot. In addition, the town runs a competition for the best-decorated chalet. Visitors can vote using the QR code displayed on each chalet. The criterion is how well the chalet follows the Christmas theme.
Santons, lights and fairground rides
Aix keeps a very Provençal Christmas. According to the tourist office, the santon fair also opens on 13 November. Santons are small clay figurines that fill traditional Provençal nativity scenes.
The tourist office also announces the official launch of the festivities and the Christmas lights on 28 November 2026. This date appears in a tourist office post rather than on a town hall page, so it still needs to be confirmed. The fairground rides operate from 8 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, according to the town’s website.
Are there other Christmas markets around Aix?
Yes. The town’s website lists a Christmas market in the Celony district on Saturday 6 December 2026. It also mentions a traditional Provençal Christmas show in Puyricard on 22 November 2026. Lastly, the town presents a Provençal nativity scene and the traditional table of thirteen desserts from 1 to 25 December 2026.
To compare with other towns in the South of France, read our guides to the Montpellier Christmas market and the Marseille santon fair. Our calendar of French Christmas markets 2026 lists opening dates across the country.
How to plan your visit to the Aix Christmas market
Pedestrian streets cover much of the centre of Aix. At weekends, the market gets busy in the evening, especially during late openings. So it is better to come on a weekday if you want a quieter visit. The town groups access and parking details in the « Practical information » section of its festivities pages.
Aix Christmas market: key takeaways
- « Les Chalets » market from 13 November to 31 December 2026 on the Cours Mirabeau;
- Around fifty craftspeople and traders;
- Late openings until 9.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays;
- Shorter hours on 24 and 31 December (10am-7pm), closed on 25 December;
- Christmas festivities until 10 January 2027;
- Launch of the lights announced for 28 November by the tourist office, still to be confirmed.
Sources: City of Aix-en-Provence, « Marché de Noël Les Chalets » and « Festivités de Noël 2026-2027 » pages; Aix-en-Provence Tourist Office; accessed 9 November 2026. Featured photo: Jocelyn Allen / Unsplash. Read this article in French.
