Christmas in Moselle: All the Christmas Markets in the Department

What is the most beautiful Christmas market in Moselle?

There is no single answer: Moselle is home to several remarkable Christmas markets, each with its own strong identity.

The Metz Christmas Market, voted the third most beautiful Christmas market in Europe in 2024, features 130 chalets and more than 200 exhibitors spread across five iconic city-center squares: République, Saint-Jacques, Saint-Louis, d’Armes, and Comédie.

In Forbach, “Noël aux Merveilles” is considered the second-largest Christmas market in Moselle, spread over three different sites including Schlossberg Park. Sarreguemines highlights local artistic heritage with its “Noël Faïencier,” while Sarrebourg’s “Magic Forest” offers an immersive fairy-tale atmosphere in the heart of nature.

When do the Moselle Christmas celebrations take place?

The Moselle Christmas celebrations traditionally run from mid-November to the end of December, with a coordinated opening around the last weekend of November and peak attendance during the holiday season.

Some illuminated attractions, such as Sainte-Croix Wildlife Park in Rhodes and Amnéville Zoo, continue into January and beyond. Each area has its own schedule.

Festive regions across Moselle

The Moselle Christmas celebrations are organized around five complementary territories, supported by the Moselle Department and its partners.

The Metz area hosts the region’s largest Christmas market and nearby village events. Northern Moselle features the Christmas Lights of Thionville. The Forbach / Saint-Avold / Freyming-Merlebach area offers lively cross-border markets, including the Christmas festivities of Hombourg-Haut and the Qualité MOSL Christmas counters.

The Sarreguemines / Bitche / Meisenthal area showcases glassmaking arts and local traditions. Sarrebourg / Château-Salins / Saulnois combines the Magic Forest, wildlife parks, and village Christmas markets, including the famous Foie Gras Festival in Phalsbourg.

A unique tradition: the Moselle Christmas ornament

Moselle is considered the historical birthplace of the blown-glass Christmas ornament. According to tradition, it was created in 1858 in Goetzenbruck, in the Pays de Bitche area, before being produced on a large scale until 1964.

The International Glass Art Center (CIAV) in Meisenthal revived this tradition in 1998 by launching a new designer Christmas ornament every year.

The Lehrer Crystal Factory also continues this glassmaking heritage with its own annual collection since 2010. Each winter, collectors and art enthusiasts visit the CIAV, the crystal factory, and partner shops including the Chalet Qualité MOSL in Metz to discover the year’s creations.

Staying in Moselle during the holiday season

Extend a weekend in Metz with a getaway to the Saulnois region, explore the Pays de Bitche Christmas markets after a day in Sarreguemines, combine Forbach and Amnéville for a festive thermal escape, or discover the Three Borders area from Sierck-les-Bains: Moselle is perfectly suited for multi-day Advent stays.

Charming hotels, guesthouses, rural cottages, and unusual accommodations all offer special Moselle Christmas packages.

The Destination Moselle gift boxes also include many winter experiences, ideal for offering a memorable stay for couples or families.