Colmar Illuminations
La magie des lumières de Colmar48°04′ N 7°21′ EColmarfrom Nov 23Seasonal
Colmar's illuminations suit anyone who wants to walk the old town after the stalls close, with 1,150 computer-driven light sources picking out the facades every night of the Christmas season. The 2026 nightly run follows the markets from 23 November to 29 December (confirmed).
Photo Tpe.g5.stan · Wikimedia Commons · CC0 and others, credited in the gallery
Colmar was the first town in France to light its heritage on this scale, the tourism office says, and the scheme won a special prize from the Académie des Arts de la Rue in 1997. Its 1,150 light sources run on a fibre-optic network and shift in intensity and colour around four themes: water, air, earth and fire. Street lamps use softer bulbs so the facades keep their natural colours.
At Christmas, garlands and the star-shaped lights that Colmar is known for run through the streets in tune with the scheme. The tourism office points to Petite Venise, rue des Marchands and Place de l'Ancienne Douane for the views, and it runs guided tours by night as well as by day.
Worth knowing
- Book the evening guided tour in English online with the Colmar tourism office.
Quick answers about Colmar Illuminations
Are the Colmar lights on every night at Christmas?
Yes. Colmar's illuminations run every night from 23 November to 29 December 2026, and on Friday and Saturday nights for the rest of the year.
When is Colmar Illuminations in 2026?
Colmar Illuminations runs from November 23, 2026 to December 29, 2026. Those dates are confirmed by the organizer.
Do you need a ticket for Colmar Illuminations?
No. Colmar Illuminations is free to walk.