Christmas in Avignon 2026: market on Place de l’Horloge, parade and ice palace

🇫🇷 Lire cet article en français →

Christmas in Avignon 2026 begins on Saturday 28 November, when the festive lights are switched on along Cours Jean-Jaurès. The Christmas market returns to Place de l’Horloge until 2 January 2027. In addition, the city is staging an ice sculpture exhibition, a funfair on Place Pie and a large parade. Here are the dates, opening hours and prices published by the town hall.

Avignon is a historic city in Provence, in the south of France, best known for its medieval Palace of the Popes. Every winter, the town council (the mairie) runs more than a month of festivities. In fact, most of them are free. This guide is based on the official 2026 Christmas programme and on the local tourist office.

Christmas in Avignon 2026: what are the key dates?

Festivities start on Saturday 28 November 2026 at 6pm, with the lights ceremony on Cours Jean-Jaurès, the main avenue leading from the station. On the same day, the market stalls open. The programme then runs into early January.

• 28 November 2026: lights switch-on, Cours Jean-Jaurès, 6pm;
• 28 November 2026 to 2 January 2027: Christmas market, Place de l’Horloge;
• 28 November to 3 January: Palais des Glaces ice exhibition, Place du Palais des Papes;
• 28 November to 3 January: funfair and food village, Place Pie;
• 30 November to 3 January: Christmas on Place Crillon;
• Saturday 19 December 2026, 5.30pm: Christmas parade from Cours Jean-Jaurès.

One detail is worth checking. Some tourism websites mention an opening on the evening of Friday 27 November. However, the town hall’s programme gives 28 November. If in doubt, rely on the city’s own website.

Where is the Avignon Christmas market?

This year, the market is back on Place de l’Horloge, the central square by the town hall. Entry is free. Furthermore, the stalls open from Sunday to Thursday, 11am to 8pm. On Fridays and Saturdays, however, they close at 9pm.

Father Christmas welcomes children in his chalet on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, and every day during the French school holidays. Moreover, local Côtes du Rhône wine producers have their own area on the same market, with slightly shorter hours.

Free parking on some days

To help shoppers, on-street parking is free on Saturday 28 November and on Saturdays 5 and 12 December. It is also free from 18 December to 3 January inclusive, according to the official programme.

What else is on for Christmas in Avignon 2026?

The Palais des Glaces stands on the square in front of the Palace of the Popes. According to the programme, it is a temporary exhibition of more than twenty ice sculptures kept at -10°C. For example, a full-price ticket costs €8. Meanwhile, children aged 3 to 11 pay €5, and under-threes go free. Avignon residents get a reduced rate with proof of address.

On Place Pie, the funfair runs from 28 November to 3 January. There, rides cost €3 to €5 and are half price on 2 and 3 January. In addition, the food village is open every day from 11am to 11pm.

A parade and choirs

The big parade leaves Cours Jean-Jaurès on Saturday 19 December at 5.30pm, as announced by both the town hall and the tourist office. Besides, choirs sing on the steps of the Opera House on Saturdays 5, 12 and 19 December, from 3pm to 4pm.

The little tourist train is free on 9, 12, 16 and 19 December. Then, from 26 December to 2 January, it leaves from the Palace of the Popes square. At that point, tickets cost €11 for adults and €6 for children.

Beyond the historic centre

The Montfavet district hosts a Christmas village on Place de l’Église from 5 December to 2 January. A synthetic ice rink and curling run there from 12 December to 2 January. Finally, the Célestins church hosts a Provençal nativity scene with more than 600 santons, the traditional clay figurines of Provence. Read our guide to the santon fair and nativity scene.

How to plan your visit

Avignon’s tourist office is at 41 Cours Jean-Jaurès. Also, it is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm, and on Saturdays from 9am to 5pm. However, it closes on 25 December and 1 January. Its Christmas page lists all events. To compare with other cities, see our guide to French Christmas markets 2026 and our page on Christmas in Marseille.

Christmas in Avignon 2026: key takeaways

• The lights are switched on on 28 November at 6pm on Cours Jean-Jaurès.
• The Christmas market runs on Place de l’Horloge from 28 November to 2 January, with free entry.
• The Palais des Glaces costs €8 for adults.
• The parade takes place on Saturday 19 December at 5.30pm.
• On-street parking is free on certain days in December.

Sources: City of Avignon, 2026 Christmas programme and Christmas market news; Avignon tourist office. Featured photo: Piermario Eva / Unsplash.