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The Bordeaux Christmas market 2026 will run from Friday 27 November to Sunday 27 December on Place des Quinconces, according to the Bordeaux Métropole tourist office. More than a hundred exhibitors, craftspeople and traders will sell decorations, local produce and treats. The site is easy to reach by tram. Here are the dates, opening hours, activities and our tips for planning your visit.
Bordeaux Christmas market 2026: what are the dates?
The market opens on Friday 27 November 2026 and closes on Sunday 27 December 2026. It therefore lasts a full month, weekends included. These dates are published by the Bordeaux Métropole tourist office, the official visitor information body for the city and its surrounding area.
The period also covers the start of the French school holidays. For more detail, read our original article in French.
Where is the market and when is it open?
The chalets stand on Place des Quinconces, right in the city centre. The tourist office gives the address as Allées de Tourny, 33000 Bordeaux. The Grand Théâtre and Rue Sainte-Catherine, a long shopping street, are a few minutes away on foot.
According to the tourist office, the market is open from 11am to 9.30pm. However, the office has not yet given hours for public holidays such as 24 or 25 December. It is therefore wise to check just before your visit.
Is the market accessible?
Yes. The tourist office states that the market is accessible to people with disabilities. Entry is also free: you only pay for what you buy.
What can you find at the market?
More than a hundred exhibitors trade from small wooden chalets. You will find scented candles, Christmas decorations and local produce, for example. It is a good place to shop for gifts.
As for food, the tourist office mentions aligot (cheesy mashed potato from central France), flammekueche (an Alsatian flatbread), roasted chestnuts and pretzels. Hot chocolate and mulled wine are also on offer. Most products come from the region, and the stalls also serve vegetarian dishes.
What is on for children?
Families are well catered for. According to the tourist office, the programme includes:
- carol singers, acrobats, stilt walkers and elves;
- a chalet with animated reindeer;
- gift-wrapping workshops;
- face painting for children;
- workshops to make eco-friendly Christmas decorations;
- photos with Father Christmas;
- an illuminated carousel opposite the Grand Théâtre.
The office has not published detailed times for these activities. So check the official programme before coming with young children.
Bordeaux Christmas market: how do you get there?
The tram is the simplest option. Lines B, C and D all stop at Quinconces, right next to the chalets. The tourist office also mentions a dedicated Christmas market ticket from TBM, the local transport network.
By bike, three V3 bike-share stations are nearby: Les Quinconces, Place Tourny and Grands Hommes. Driving into the centre on a Saturday is not recommended, though. If you are touring other markets, see also our French guide to the Reims Christmas market.
Tips for making the most of your visit
First, choose a weekday in late morning, when crowds are often smaller. Next, combine your visit with a walk along the river or around the Grand Théâtre. Finally, keep an eye on the official programme, which may change before opening day.
For the city, the market also matters economically, since it draws people into the centre throughout December. However, as far as we know, the city council has not published detailed figures for the 2025 edition.
Bordeaux Christmas market: key takeaways
- The market runs from 27 November to 27 December 2026.
- It is held on Place des Quinconces, in the city centre.
- It opens from 11am to 9.30pm, according to the tourist office.
- The office announces more than a hundred exhibitors.
- Trams B, C and D stop at Quinconces.
- Entry is free and the site is accessible to disabled visitors.
Sources: Bordeaux Métropole tourist and convention office, Christmas market page, checked on 28 October 2026. Featured photo: Árpád Czapp / Unsplash.
