Ribeauvillé Christmas market 2026: dates, opening hours, parking and shuttles

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The Ribeauvillé Christmas market, a medieval-themed event in Alsace, returns in 2026 for just two weekends: 5-6 and 12-13 December. In this small town in the Haut-Rhin département (the French equivalent of a county), street performers, dancers and craftspeople recreate the atmosphere of the Middle Ages. The local tourist office advises visitors to take the Christmas shuttle or use the park-and-ride at nearby Bergheim, which costs €10 per car. Here are the dates, opening hours, prices and practical tips.

Ribeauvillé is a small town on the Alsace Wine Route, in north-eastern France, close to Colmar and the German border. Its market is unusual because it only runs for four days. As a result, crowds are concentrated on a handful of dates, so planning ahead really helps. All the information below comes from the official Christmas in Colmar and its region website, run by the area’s tourist offices, including the Pays de Ribeauvillé et Riquewihr office.

When is the Ribeauvillé Christmas market in 2026?

The medieval Christmas market opens on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December 2026, then again on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December 2026. However, it does not open on weekdays, nor on the weekend just before Christmas.

• Saturdays 5 and 12 December 2026: 10am to 7pm;
• Sundays 6 and 13 December 2026: 10am to 6pm;
• Location: Ribeauvillé’s historic town centre (Haut-Rhin);
• Admission: the official website does not mention any entry fee; only the park-and-ride and shuttles are charged.

What is there to see: street performers, wild boar and crafts

The tourist office describes a market that will « transport you to another world ». Indeed, beggars, peasants, dancers and street performers fill the lanes. Food stalls serve spit-roasted wild boar with cervoise (a medieval-style ale) and wine. Meanwhile, decoration stalls sell Advent wreaths, handmade nativity scenes and candles.

This setting is what sets it apart from the big city markets. If you are planning a multi-day trip, you can combine it with the Kaysersberg Christmas market or other Christmas markets across France.

Where to park and how much does it cost?

This is the number one practical question. According to the tourist office’s practical page, the main park-and-ride is Cordon-Schmidt, at 22 route de Colmar in Bergheim, in the Muehlbach business park (exit 20 of the A35 motorway).

• Cordon-Schmidt park-and-ride: 430 spaces, €10 per vehicle, shuttle included for all occupants; open on 5, 6, 12 and 13 December 2026;
• Shuttle from Cordon-Schmidt: every 20 minutes, 9.30am to 8.40pm on Saturdays and 9.30am to 7.40pm on Sundays (2026 timetable still to be confirmed, says the tourist office);
• Jardin de Ville car park: open to all, no price listed;
• Rotenberg school courtyard: reserved for people with reduced mobility, once the Jardin de Ville is full.

What about motorhomes?

• Route de Colmar motorhome area: 27 spaces, €15 per 24 hours;
• Camping Pierre de Coubertin: 60 spaces, open from 27 November to 21 December, from €23 for two people, with no toilets or showers open on site.

How to get there without a car from Colmar

Christmas shuttle buses link Colmar with the Wine Route villages from Friday 27 November to Sunday 20 December 2026, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only. In addition, they run hourly on Fridays and every 30 minutes at weekends.

• Line 1: Colmar, Kaysersberg, Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé, then back to Colmar;
• Line 2: Colmar, Ribeauvillé, Riquewihr, Kaysersberg, then back to Colmar;
• Fare: €17 per person per day, unlimited travel;
• Free for children under 12;
• Tickets are sold online through the official Christmas shuttle ticket office.

So, in a single day, the shuttle lets you visit two or three villages without hunting for a parking space. It is also a good option for international visitors arriving by train in Colmar.

Ribeauvillé Christmas market: our tips for a good visit

With only four opening days, crowds build up quickly. For example, arriving at 10am on Saturday or choosing the Sunday often makes it easier to get around. Also, bring warm clothes and shoes suited to cobbled streets. Finally, book accommodation early if you are staying overnight: rooms go fast during Advent all along the Wine Route.

For the French-language version of this guide, see our article in French.

Ribeauvillé Christmas market: key takeaways

• Dates: 5, 6, 12 and 13 December 2026;
• Opening hours: 10am-7pm on Saturdays, 10am-6pm on Sundays;
• Bergheim park-and-ride: €10 per car, shuttle included;
• Christmas shuttles from Colmar: €17 per day, free for under-12s;
• Medieval entertainment, spit-roasted wild boar, Christmas crafts.

Sources: Christmas in Colmar and its region – Ribeauvillé medieval Christmas market, practical information on car parks and shuttles, accessed on 4 November 2026. Featured photo: Jocelyn Allen / Unsplash.