Bulletin des Communes Le portail National des Collectivités locales et territoriales
🇫🇷 Lire cet article en français →
The Avignon santon fair runs from 28 November to 31 December 2026 in the Célestins church. Visitors will find a Provençal nativity scene with more than 600 santons, craft stalls and free workshops for children. In addition, a small petting farm opens on certain days. Here are the dates, opening hours and practical tips.
Santons are small hand-painted clay figurines. They fill the Provençal nativity scene, or crèche, a strong Christmas tradition in the south of France. Each year, the City of Avignon dedicates a fair to them. The details below come from the official 2026 Christmas programme and the city website.
When is the Avignon santon fair open?
The fair runs from Saturday 28 November to Thursday 31 December 2026. However, it is closed on Christmas Day. Moreover, opening hours change from 19 December.
- 28 November to 18 December: Monday to Thursday, 11am to 7pm;
- 28 November to 18 December: Friday to Sunday, 10am to 8pm;
- 19 to 31 December: every day, 10am to 8pm;
- closed on Friday 25 December.
Where is the santon fair held?
It takes place in the Célestins church and on Place des Corps-Saints, in the historic centre. The venue is within walking distance of Avignon Centre station. Furthermore, the main Christmas market on Place de l’Horloge is a few minutes away on foot.
A nativity scene with more than 600 santons
The Provençal nativity scene is the highlight. The town hall announces more than 600 santons. One tourism listing gives a lower figure, but the official programme keeps the figure of 600. In addition, craftspeople sell their work on site. The fair is therefore also a good place to buy a santon to take home.
Among the exhibitors, the local website Evous mentions the santon makers Santons Lambert et fils, present throughout the fair. The programme does not publish the full list of craftspeople.
Is the Avignon santon fair free?
The children’s workshops are free, according to the city’s programme. Likewise, the Provence Guide listing states that entry is free. On the other hand, no price is given for the merry-go-round on site.
Workshops for children
- Christmas crafts: 2, 9, 12, 13, 19, 20, 21 and 22 December;
- Mosaics: 5 and 6 December;
- Brick building: 28 and 29 November, 16, 23 and 24 December.
The petting farm opens from 10am to 7pm on 28 and 29 November, then on 2, 5, 9, 12, 13, 16, 19 and 23 December. It is therefore worth checking these days before coming with young children.
Why santons matter in Provence
Santon fairs support a network of local craftspeople. They also bring visitors outside the summer season. For French towns, they are a way to keep the centre lively in December. In addition, our guide to Christmas in Avignon 2026 covers the other events in the city, while our page on the Aix-en-Provence Christmas market covers a nearby alternative.
Practical tips for your visit
At weekends, the fair is popular with families. It is therefore better to come on a weekday, late in the morning, to enjoy the nativity scene in peace. For children, workshop and farm days are the liveliest. Moreover, the longer hours after 19 December allow an evening visit until 8pm. Finally, Place des Corps-Saints combines easily with a walk to the Palace of the Popes and Place de l’Horloge. If you are travelling from abroad, check the opening days before you set off, as the fair is closed on Christmas Day. The Avignon tourist office, at 41 Cours Jean-Jaurès, can also help.
Avignon santon fair: key takeaways
- The fair runs from 28 November to 31 December 2026, except 25 December.
- It takes place in the Célestins church, Place des Corps-Saints.
- The nativity scene has more than 600 santons, according to the town hall.
- Children’s workshops are free.
- Opening hours are longer from 19 December.
Sources: City of Avignon, 2026 Christmas programme and Christmas on Place des Corps-Saints; Provence Guide; Evous. Featured photo: Miguel A Amutio / Unsplash.
