12 best things to do in Colmar in winter

Are you planning to visit Colmar in winter and wondering what it’s like in the colder months? Keep reading for the latest updates on what to expect during winter in Colmar this year!

Visiting Colmar in winter is honestly one of the best decisions you can make. The town feels straight out of a fairytale, with its pastel half-timbered houses, canals, and Christmas lights reflecting on cobblestones.

It’s cozy, festive, and full of character—whether you’re here for the Christmas markets or just want a quieter, more atmospheric experience.

In this guide, I’ll share the 12 best things to do in Colmar in winter so you can plan your trip and know exactly what to expect.

Reasons to visit Colmar in the winter

• It looks like a snow-globe. December turns the old town into a glowing set of tiny villages, with six themed Christmas markets spread across historic squares. The vibe is intimate and walkable.
• January and February are quiet. After New Year, the crowds thin. You get those canal reflections and empty cobbles almost to yourself.
• Real cold-weather food. Baeckeoffe, choucroute, tarte flambée… Yum. Alsatian whites (Riesling, Gewürztraminer) and local crémant pair perfectly with frost on the windows.
• Easy day trips. Vine-draped villages like Eguisheim and Riquewihr stay charming in winter—often still twinkly in early January.
• A drier microclimate. Colmar sits in the rain shadow of the Vosges Mountains, making it one of France’s driest, sunniest corners—handy when you’re planning lots of outdoor wandering.

When is it winter in Colmar?

Meteorological winter is December–February. In practice, the festive season kicks off in late November and runs through late December (with some lights and events lingering into early January). Expect short days, average highs around the low single digits °C, and crisp evenings perfect for mulled wine.

The official Christmas program typically spans late November to about December 29, with six markets across town; lights and regional events continue into early January around Alsace.

If you’re choosing between months:

• December: peak Christmas energy, busiest.
• January: quieter, good museum time, restaurant reservations are easier.
• February: calm and often cold; great for day trips without the crowds.

Does it snow in Colmar?

Sometimes—snow is occasional rather than heavy in town. Colmar’s dry microclimate means you’ll more often get cold, clear days or light flurries that melt quickly.

The most likely window for snow is December–January (with December showing the highest odds in many datasets), while April–September are typically snow-free. For deeper snow, head into the nearby Vosges.

Best things to do in Colmar in winter

While Colmar is filled with activities during the summer months, definitely don’t count out the winter months. There are lots of things to do in Colmar in winter and I have highlighted some of the best activities below.

1. Explore the famous Christmas markets

Colmar’s Christmas markets are the heart of the season. There are six different markets scattered around the old town, each with its own charm.

Go to Place des Dominicains for its glowing stained-glass backdrop, and Place Jeanne d’Arc for the Alsatian specialties—think steaming kugelhopf and gooey Munster cheese.

The whole city smells like cinnamon, mulled wine, and gingerbread. Even if you’ve visited other European markets, Colmar feels more intimate and whimsical.

2. Wander through Petite Venise

Petite Venise is probably the most photographed corner of Colmar, and for good reason. In winter, with twinkling lights strung across the canals, it looks like a Christmas card.

The streets here are quieter once the summer tourists are gone, so you can actually stop and take it all in—reflections of half-timbered houses in the water, frozen flower boxes, and maybe even a dusting of snow.

3. Step inside the Unterlinden Museum

When your fingers are too cold to keep strolling, duck into the Unterlinden Museum. Housed in a 13th-century convent, it’s one of the most impressive museums in France outside Paris.

The star is the Isenheim Altarpiece, but you’ll also find everything from medieval artifacts to Picasso works. It’s a great way to spend a frosty afternoon while still soaking up Colmar’s history.

4. Warm up with Alsatian Christmas food

Winter in Colmar calls for sweet traditions and festive treats. Alsatian specialities made for this season include:

• Bredele (bite-sized Christmas biscuits in dozens of flavors, from cinnamon stars to almond crescents)
• Gingerbread (pain d’épices, glazed, filled, or decorated for the tree)
• Manalas de Saint-Nicolas (buttery brioche men, often enjoyed with hot chocolate)
• Christstollen (a rich brioche with candied fruits, almond cream, and a snowy coat of icing sugar).

Order a steaming mug of mulled wine — spiced with cinnamon, cloves, and star anise — or try its apple, orange, or strawberry versions at the markets. It’s Christmas in Colmar in a cup.

5. Visit the Bartholdi Museum

Did you know the creator of the Statue of Liberty was born here? Auguste Bartholdi grew up in Colmar, and his old family home is now a small museum dedicated to his work.

It’s not huge, but it’s fascinating to see the models and sketches that led to one of the world’s most famous landmarks. And it’s a quiet escape from the bustling streets outside.

6. Take a day trip along the Alsace wine route

Even in winter, Alsace’s vineyards are worth exploring. Villages like Eguisheim, Ribeauvillé, and Riquewihr are ridiculously charming—half-timbered houses, cobblestones, and sometimes festive decorations still up in January.

Many wineries stay open year-round, so you can sip local Riesling or Crémant d’Alsace while chatting with winemakers. There’s something special about drinking crisp white wine while wrapped in a scarf with snow outside.

🍷 Book here: Alsace Half Day Wine Tour from Colmar

7. Stroll through Place de la Cathédrale

This square, with St. Martin’s Church at its center, becomes a festive hub in December. The Gothic church is stunning inside, with its soaring arches and stained glass, but the square itself is where you’ll want to linger.

Grab roasted chestnuts or gingerbread from a stall, listen to street musicians, and just soak up the scene.

8. Ride the Colmar tourist train (yes, even in winter)

I know, a tourist train might sound cheesy—but hear me out. In winter, it’s actually a really cozy way to see the town without freezing. The little green train loops through all the main areas, and with the lights glowing after dark, it feels surprisingly magical.

9. Discover the covered market (Marché Couvert)

For a local experience, head to Colmar’s Covered Market. It’s tucked in Petite Venise and packed with stalls selling cheeses, bread, pastries, and wine.

I recommend grabbing a hot coffee and a pastry here before heading out to explore. It’s a mix of locals doing their shopping and travelers sampling Alsatian specialties.

10. Follow the winter illumination trails

Colmar doesn’t stop at Christmas decorations. The city organizes special lighting trails in winter, where historic buildings are bathed in colored lights. Walking these routes at night feels a bit surreal—like stepping into a living painting.

The city offers guided tours at €7. Read more about it here.

11. Go ice skating

If you’re visiting during December, Colmar usually sets up outdoor ice rinks, often in Place Rapp or Champ de Mars park. Skating under twinkling lights with holiday music in the background is as festive as it gets.

Whether you’re graceful on skates or more of a cling-to-the-rail type, it’s pure winter fun.

12. Stay overnight in a timber-framed guesthouse

To really experience winter in Colmar, spend a night in one of its half-timbered houses turned guesthouse. Many of them have creaky wooden floors, low-beamed ceilings, and windows looking out onto cobbled streets or canals.

There’s nothing like waking up on a quiet winter morning here, especially if there’s snow outside.

🇫🇷 Like this one: Relais & Châteaux La Maison Des Têtes (⭐9.1)

Practical tips for Colmar in winter

• Weather + packing: Expect cold days and freezing nights; bring a warm coat, waterproof shoes, hat, and gloves. Colmar is relatively dry by French standards—great for walking—but it still feels chilly on stone streets.
• Snow expectations: Flurries happen, a lot of snow is rare in town; December–January are your best odds, and April–September are typically snow-free. For “snow day” photos, hop into the Vosges.
• Crowds: December is busy thanks to the markets, but January and February are much quieter.
• Timing: For Christmas markets, plan late November–late December; for calm streets and lower prices, January–February. The official Christmas site publishes exact dates every year.
• Getting around: The old town is walkable. Trains and regional buses make wine-route villages simple day trips.
• Language + menus: You’ll see French and German influences everywhere. Don’t overthink it—point, smile, bonjour, and you’re golden.

Excellent restaurants in Colmar (make a reservation)

• Kuifhus restaurant (next to the former guard house)
• L’Epicurien (Michelin)
• Restaurant La Soi (try the tarte flambée with local white wine)
• La Nouvelle Auberge (Michelin-starred upstairs, cozy bistrot downstairs)
• Le Stam (Hearty Alsatian classics in a rustic setting)
• Les Racines (Creative farm-to-table cuisine)
• Le Petit Bidon (Modern French plates in a relaxed vibe)
• Le Comptoir de Georges (Try the choucroute or baked Munster cheese)

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