Travel Tips

European Christmas Markets with Kids: 10 Family Tips

European Christmas Markets with Kids: 10 Family Tips

Our family’s Riquewihr Christmas market visit in France · Full film (5 min 41 sec)

▶Watch full film 5 min 41 sec

As a full-time traveling family, Christmas has changed shape for us. I miss a few traditions from home, but I love the new ones we have collected along the way. After visiting six Christmas markets in France and Germany, I learned that the best plan leaves room to wander, warm up, and let the kids choose a small adventure of their own. Strasbourg kept appearing on our lists as the “Capital of Christmas,” and our family ended up loving both the atmosphere there and the handmade crafts we found in Stuttgart.

Choose a time that lets you see the market change

We liked arriving around 3 p.m. That gave us a little daylight to notice the buildings and stalls, then time to watch the lights come on as evening settled in. If your schedule only allows one visit, I love the glow after dark—but daylight can make it easier to get your bearings and look around with children.

Dress for standing outside

Cold feels colder when you are strolling slowly or waiting for a snack. We layered the kids in warm base layers, sweaters, coats, hats, gloves, and thick socks. Markets often have vendors selling hats and gloves, but it is easier to arrive ready than to shop for warmth after someone’s fingers are already cold.

Make a warm drink stop part of the plan

We are not wine drinkers, but the smell of mulled wine is part of the atmosphere. We looked for hot chocolate, cider, and warm spiced juice for the kids. Drinks can be very hot, so give little hands a moment before they take a sip. Some markets use keepsake mugs, which make a fun souvenir—check whether there is a deposit or return option.

Try the food, and pace the treats

Food varied from market to market. We found sausages, potatoes with cheese, pretzels, sweets, and other local dishes, alongside familiar options. We also tried escargot in pesto-style sauce, hot cheese over bread, creamy mushroom soup, and the chocolate-covered marshmallow treats we nicknamed “mouse domes.” The menus could be very German even when we were in France. We sampled these as we went, and the children had plenty of options beyond the adult dishes. Follow the stalls that smell good and try something new together.

Food stalls and the walk back in Riquewihr · Scene from our family film (49 sec)

▶Watch scene from our family film 49 sec

Give the kids something to do

Shopping can lose its sparkle for children after a while. We often found carousels or small rides, and some markets had ice skating or larger fairground attractions. Availability and prices vary by location and season, so think of these as possibilities rather than guarantees. If skating is on your list, check equipment and glove requirements before you go.

Shop with a little intention

Crafts were different at every market. Some places had plenty of handmade pieces; elsewhere we saw more of the same souvenirs. Stuttgart stood out to us for original crafts, and we found ornaments, village houses, candles, leather and wood pieces. We bought ornaments for our tree in France, a wooden decoration, and a hand-carved, hand-painted nativity in Frankfurt. One shop quoted us a flat 99-euro fee to ship internationally at that time, while most small stalls did not ship at all—so ask before buying anything bulky and leave room in your bag.

Leave time to look up and look around

The market is only part of the outing. We loved seeing the decorated squares, churches, and city streets around them. In Riquewihr, the approach was part of the adventure: parking was busy and muddy, and getting everyone out of the car took a little doing. Grace was bundled in her unicorn coat as we arrived. Then the tower entrance opened onto cobblestone streets, a stone gateway, and half-timbered houses that made the village feel storybook-pretty. The cobblestones were tough with a stroller, but the market felt worth the effort. We wandered past decorated buildings while Chris filmed the village street. Food stalls included a stand marked “Spätzle Grillée,” and we walked back after dark. Strasbourg’s tree was my favorite, and the kids still remember the rink. We loved seeing the tree lit up after dark; the market and the city square felt different once the lights came on.

A walk through Riquewihr’s Christmas village · Scene from our family film (2 min 11 sec)

▶Watch scene from our family film 2 min 11 sec

Notice the local security arrangements

At some larger markets we encountered police presence and security checks. In Strasbourg, visitors passed through a bag check to enter the city center. These were the arrangements during our visits; follow instructions and check each city’s current information.

Prepare for crowds

Weekends and popular city centers can be packed. Colmar on a weeknight felt manageable to us, while parts of Stuttgart were wall-to-wall people and pushing a stroller took real patience. A carrier or a quieter weekday may suit your family better.

Arriving in Riquewihr with the kids · Scene from our family film (1 min 48 sec)

▶Watch scene from our family film 1 min 48 sec

How long should you stay?

We usually spent two to five hours at a market, depending on the size, the crowd, and how many kid activities caught our eye. The children especially liked ice skating in Strasbourg, including the wobbly first attempts that entertained the rest of us. We also found carousels, small rides, and in Paris a larger carnival area near the Louvre. For skating, gloves were required at the rink we visited; some places had training supports for new skaters. Build in a warm-up break and let the visit end while everyone is still having fun.

Our family’s market favorites

Chris picked Stuttgart for its local crafts, Leslie’s favorites were Strasbourg and Mulhouse for the Christmas atmosphere, and the kids chose Strasbourg for the skating rink. We did not all pick the same “best” market, which is part of the fun of visiting several.

These markets became one of our favorite ways to make new holiday memories. A warm drink, a twinkly square, and one tiny ride can be plenty for a lovely family evening.