Christmas in Strasbourg, France

December 23rd – 25th, 2025

We arrived in Frankfurt early in the morning. Between waiting for the rest of our travel group and making a stop in Heidelberg, the day stretched on, and we did not reach Strasbourg until well into the evening.

By then, the city was glowing. We checked into Hôtel Régent Contades, a boutique hotel perfectly located within easy walking distance of the prettiest Christmas market stalls. The moment we stepped inside, it felt like Christmas had already started. The decorations were thoughtful and warm, and the entire hotel had a cozy, festive charm that made the long journey instantly fade into the background.

The next morning followed a script so familiar it might as well be tradition. Despite all intentions to “push through,” jet lag reminded us who was in charge. Every trip from the U.S. to Europe comes with the same rule: day one does not count. We slept until noon with absolute commitment, convincing ourselves this was not laziness, but cultural acclimation.

It was Christmas Eve, and Strasbourg was fully in its element. We eased into the day with a very French late brunch that quietly turned into afternoon tea, the kind of meal where you stop checking the time and just accept your fate. Then we wandered through the city, weaving past cobblestone streets and glowing façades, straight into one of the most spirited Christmas markets I have ever seen. Mulled wine was sampled, lights were admired, and I was completely smitten. I loved it. My mom even declared that she wants to come here every single Christmas, which is a bold family tradition to announce on day one, but I support it.

After a full day of walking, browsing, and pretending we might still have energy, we ended the night at the iconic Le Tire Bouchon, also known as the restaurant entirely covered in teddy bears. Cozy, chaotic, and very Alsatian. A note to other visitors, reserve extremely early unless standing outside in the cold builds character. We ordered classic Alsace dishes, paired them with a surprisingly good pecan beer and some excellent Rieslings, and left very full, very warm, and extremely convinced that Strasbourg knows exactly what it is doing at Christmas. 🎄✨