Marseille Christmas 2026: market, santon fair, ice rink and drones

Marseille Christmas 2026 runs from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 around the Old Port (Vieux-Port). The santon fair opens first, then the Christmas market cabins arrive on 28 November along the Quai de la Fraternité. An ice rink, a sledging slope and free neighbourhood festivals complete the programme. Entry to the markets is free. Here are the dates, opening times and practical tips published by the city’s tourist office.

Marseille Christmas 2026: what are the key dates?

Marseille’s tourist office (office de tourisme, the city’s official visitor service) published the programme on 4 November 2026. First, the santon fair opens on Saturday 14 November 2026 on the Quai du Port. Next, the Christmas market, known locally as the « cabanons de Noël », opens on Saturday 28 November. Finally, the sledging slope and the ice rink arrive on 12 December on the J4 esplanade.

All these events end on Sunday 3 January 2027. However, the tourist office says the full programme is still « coming soon ».

The Old Port, heart of Marseille Christmas 2026 — The Old Port hosts the santon fair and the Christmas market. Photo: Elisa Schmidt / Unsplash

Where is the Marseille Christmas market?

The Christmas cabins stand on the Quai de la Fraternité, at the far end of the Old Port. They open every day from 10.30am to 8pm. On Fridays and Saturdays, however, they stay open until 9pm. Entry is also free.

In addition, free activities take place from 1pm to 5pm on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. During the French school holidays, they run every day. The tourist office has not yet said how many stalls there will be.

What is the santon fair?

Santons are small hand-painted clay figures used in Provençal nativity scenes. The Marseille fair celebrates its 224th edition this year. According to the tourist office, the first fair took place in 1803 on the Cours Saint-Louis. This year, around twenty santon makers set up their stalls on the Quai du Port, and entry is free.

The fair opens officially on Sunday 15 November at 10.30am, with a mass in the Provençal language followed by a costumed parade. In addition, santon workshops run every weekend, and children can enjoy donkey rides every day. For full details, read our guide to the santon fair.

Illuminated Christmas market cabins in the evening — The Christmas cabins open on 28 November on the Quai de la Fraternité. Illustrative photo: Jocelyn Allen / Unsplash

Marseille Christmas 2026: which neighbourhood festivals?

The city also organises free « village festivals » in its neighbourhoods, from 1pm to 5pm. Here are the first dates announced:

Saturday 28 November: the « Nexus » show outside the city hall and the switch-on of the Quai de la Fraternité lights.
Sunday 29 November: Belle de Mai, Saint-Marcel and Bon Secours.
Sunday 6 December: Les Chartreux and La Capelette.
Saturday 12 December: children’s village on Place Castellane and outside the Opera, 10am to 7pm.
Sunday 13 December: Saint-Just and Saint-Antoine.
Saturday 19 December: children’s village and a drone show with fireworks around the Old Port.
Sunday 20 December: Saint-Henri and Pointe-Rouge.

However, details of the drone show are still to come, so check the times before you travel.

Where can you skate and go sledging?

For families, a sledging slope and an ice rink open from 12 December to 3 January on the Gisèle-Halimi esplanade, at the J4. Food trucks will also be on site. However, the tourist office has not yet published the prices.

Boats moored in Marseille's Old Port — The Old Port is served by the metro, the tram and many bus routes. Photo: Boris Hadjur / Unsplash

How do you get there without a car?

The metro is the easiest option. For example, line 1 stops at Vieux-Port station, and tram line T2 serves the Canebière-Garibaldi stop. Many bus routes also run close to the port, including lines 21, 31, 32, 41s, 49, 55, 57, 60, 61, 70, 80, 81, 83, 89 and 97.

Alternatively, if you come by car, there are car parks nearby: Charles-de-Gaulle, Centre-Bourse, Vieux-Port and Estienne-d’Orves. Bear in mind that the centre gets very busy at weekends in December.

Why do these events matter for the city?

First, this calendar spreads visits over seven weeks. The santon fair draws visitors from mid-November, before the markets open. Then the neighbourhood festivals take activity beyond the city centre. As a result, it is a useful model for local councils that want to support local shops at the end of the year.

Planning more trips? See also the Aix-en-Provence Christmas market, or read this article in French.

Marseille Christmas 2026: key takeaways

Santon fair: 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, Quai du Port, free entry.
Christmas market (cabins): 28 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, Quai de la Fraternité, 10.30am to 8pm (9pm on Fridays and Saturdays).
Ice rink and sledging slope: 12 December to 3 January, J4 esplanade.
Drone show and fireworks: Saturday 19 December, details to come.
Getting there: metro line 1 (Vieux-Port) and tram T2 (Canebière-Garibaldi).

Sources: Marseille tourist office, « Le Noël Marseillais » (updated 4 November 2026); Marseille tourist office, santon fair (updated 3 November 2026), accessed 11 November 2026. Featured photo: Hongbin / Unsplash.