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Visit Nancy and its Christmas market

Advent is punctuated by the Christmas markets in Nancy, known here as the villages of Saint Nicolas. Get into the Christmas spirit with a visit to Nancy's legendary Place Stanislas, wonderfully illuminated as 24 December approaches...

Discover Nancy's Christmas market

Throughout December, the city comes alive with wooden chalets set up from Place Charles III to Place Vaudémont, via the Porte Saint-Nicolas. The Nancy Christmas market, with its villages and hamlets, brightens up the streets with its lights and spreads the delicious scent of cinnamon, much to the delight of young and old alike.

Our Christmas offers in Nancy

    The great Saint Nicholas market

    Saint Nicolas, patron saint of children and of Lorraine, is particularly celebrated in Nancy. Nancy's biggest Christmas market bears his name, and is held on Place Charles III. The sixty or so chalets invite local craftspeople to display their unique products and creations. Looking for gift ideas or a tasty treat to savour on Christmas Day? Nancy's Christmas markets have plenty of enchanting surprises in store for you this festive season!

    Plan your stay in Nancy during the Christmas markets

      A gourmet break

      What would Christmas be without the delicious aromas of spices and mulled wine? Place Vaudémont is the perfect place to enjoy a tasty interlude during your visit to Nancy's Christmas markets. Sweet treats, soup, hot drinks and gingerbread bearing the image of Saint Nicolas: there's something for everyone in one of the city's 5 gourmet hamlets.

      Parade de la saint nicolas

      The great Saint Nicholas parade

      On the first weekend in December, Nancy is set ablaze by the great St Nicholas parade. Brightly lit floats, brass bands and performers take to the streets in a magical atmosphere. Before the amazed eyes of thousands of spectators, the patron saint of the Lorraine region brings the parade to a close, before a spectacular firework display sets the winter sky ablaze.

      Défilé de la Saint Nicolas

      Let yourself be carried away by the magic of Place Stanislas in Nancy this Christmas

      One of the most beautiful squares in Europe

      Surrounded by the Town Hall, the Opera House, the Grand Hôtel de la Reine and the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Place Stanislas is considered one of the most beautiful squares in France and Europe. Every evening, a video mapping show is projected onto the façade of the town hall. This splendid light and sound show recounts the legend of Saint Nicholas.

      During the great Saint Nicholas parade , Place Stanislas becomes the heart of the festivities! It serves as a majestic backdrop for the floats and visitors who wander around and gather before the grand final fireworks display.

      Activities in Nancy

        The big Christmas tree on Place Stanislas

        The famous square also boasts a large Christmas tree. Twenty metres high, it stands proudly with its garlands and sparkling decorations.

        Défilé de la Saint Nicolas
        Defilé de la Saint-Nicolas à Nancy

        Our ideas for activities during your stay in Nancy at Christmas

        The ancient torchlight procession

        A historic tradition, the torchlight procession is held every year in December at the Basilica of Saint-Nicolas-de-Port. Situated a few kilometres from Nancy, the basilica is one of the most important buildings of the Gothic period. On Saint-Nicolas Day, thousands of people gather to celebrate the patron saint of the Lorraine region and illuminate the basilica by candlelight alone. A breathtaking moment.

        The Musée des Beaux-Arts

        During your visit to Nancy, make a point of stopping off at the city' s Musée des Beaux-Arts. Located on Place Stanislas, it's a must-see in the region's cultural life. Over several floors, the building houses some of Europe's most illustrious painters, as well as a magnificent collection of Daum glassware, around the remains of the city's ancient fortifications.

        The Parc de la Pépinière

        Take a stroll through the Parc de la Pépinière, right in the heart of Nancy's historic centre. A haven of greenery in the city, it offers 21 hectares of wooded areas and leisure and entertainment facilities for children.

        Procession aux flambeaux

        All your questions about Nancy's Christmas markets!

        This year, the Nancy Christmas market runs from 21 November 2025 to 4 January 2026. Opening times vary according to the location of the Christmas markets. The Saint-Nicolas parade will take place on Saturday 6 December.

        The 3 villages and 5 gourmet hamlets that make up Nancy's Christmas market are located in the city centre:

        - Saint-Nicolas village: place Charles III
        - Le bois des 3 petits enfants" village: place Simone Veil
        - Ferris wheel and ice rink village:         place de la Carrière

        - Saint-Nicolas gourmet hamlet: place Vaudémont
        - Hameau de la Craffe: porte de la Craffe
        - Hameau gourmand des Vosges: place des Vosges
        - Hameau des bons vivants: place Saint-Epvre
        - Petit hameau de Nico et Mouja:         rue du pont Mouja

        The city centre is difficult to reach by car over the Christmas and New Year period. You can reach it from the station in ten minutes on foot. It is advisable to use free public transport (buses) at weekends.

        If you're travelling by car, you can park in one of the city's eleven park-and-ride facilities (Vandoeuvre CHU Brabois (lines A, 10 and 100); Essey Mouzimpré (lines A, T3 and 31); Nancy Deux Rives (lines A and 13); Nancy Gentilly (line T2); Laxou Sapinière (lines T2, T4 and Corol); Laneuveville Montaigu (line T2); Laneuveville Centre (lines T2, 23, 24 and 30); Seichamps (lines T3 and 15); Jarville Gare (line 21 and TER Fluo Grand Est); Houdemont Gare (line T4 and TER Fluo Grand Est); Parc Expo Vandoeuvre (line 33, Corol lines C2, 11 and 14Ex).

        The Saint Nicholas Weekend takes place every year on the first weekend in December. This year, it takes place on 6 and 7 December 2025. This is the first time since 2009 that the parade falls on the same day as St Nicholas Day. A unique event not to be missed!

        Saint Nicholas is considered to be the ancestor of Father Christmas. Father Christmas is a mythical creature, whereas Saint Nicholas actually existed, as he was bishop of Myra, a trading city in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) in the 3rd-4th centuries. He is considered to be the patron saint of Lorraine.

        From the end of November onwards, the Christmas markets and their magical atmosphere take hold in the Grand Est!

        In Metz, the Christmas markets and their activities for all the family will make you feel like a child again. In Champagne, the Reims Christmas market is the 3rd largest in France, with 150 chalets! In Alsace, the Christmas markets in Strasbourg and Colmar will plunge you into a real picture-postcard setting, with their typical narrow streets, half-timbered houses and canals decorated with glittering garlands. Finally, discover the tradition of fabrics decorating streets, trees and buildings at the Mulhouse Christmas market!

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        During the Christmas period, traffic in the town centre is severely disrupted. Parking in one of the city's car parks is highly recommended for access to every Saint-Nicolas village.

        Find out more about all the car parks in Nancy with recharging points. We recommend the following car parks: Parking Indigo Joffre Saint-Thiébaut (4 minutes' walk to Place Charles III), Parking Indigo Nancy Carnot (7 minutes' walk), Parking Relais 2 Rives (17 minutes by public transport).

        Need some inspiration?