Christmas in Meisenthal: Glass, Art and Traditions
Meisenthal | Site Verrier - From 19 November 2026 to 3 January 2027
How about discovering the birthplace of glass Christmas baubles? In the heart of the Pays de Bitche, the Site Verrier de Meisenthal invites you to enjoy a unique experience combining industrial heritage, contemporary art and traditional craftsmanship.
Watch master glassblowers at work during live glassblowing demonstrations and explore the exhibition spaces of this former glassworks, now a must-visit cultural destination.
Extend your visit with a delicious break at the Guinguette d'Hiver (Winter Guinguette), before discovering Meisenthal's famous glass Christmas baubles. An unforgettable experience for lovers of art and tradition!
International Glass Art Centre
For lovers of glass art and exclusive creations, the CIAV in Meisenthal celebrates the perfect blend of tradition and contemporary design every year. Throughout the Christmas season in Moselle, visit the Site Verrier shop to discover the new 2026 Christmas bauble alongside iconic creations from previous years.
“Coming soon” (2026) by ??? —
Also worth (re)discovering:
• “Piaf” by Harmonie Begon & les mésanges (2021)
• “Extra” by Nicolas Verschaeve (2022)
• “Stella” by Jean-Simon Roch (2023)
• “Kaktus” by Mark Braun (2024)
• “Grip” by Lucas Lorigeon (2025)
• NEW: To avoid outdoor waiting lines, visitors can join a virtual queue, allowing them to spend their waiting time exploring the museum, CIAV exhibitions, and the Halle Verrière.
• ALSO: The CIAV offers a Click & Collect option for online purchases of the 2024 ornament, available for pickup in Meisenthal.
Sarreguemines: A Faience Christmas Full of Traditions and Festive Treats
Sarreguemines | Town Centre – From 21 November to 31 December 2026
Travel to Sarreguemines by train – Download the timetable
In Sarreguemines, Christmas comes alive with colour and exceptional craftsmanship! Famous for its rich faience pottery heritage, the town transforms its streets into a festive setting filled with Christmas chalets, handcrafted creations and delicious local specialities.
As you wander through the town centre, discover the Children's Village and Santa's House, before enjoying the shows and entertainment that bring the festive season to life.
The celebrations of Saint Nicholas and Saint Lucy, two traditions deeply rooted in local culture, add a unique touch to the Christmas festivities.
A perfect family outing to discover Sarreguemines through its heritage, craftsmanship and Christmas delights!
Faience Museum in Sarreguemines
In addition to showcasing iconic pieces from its collection, the Faience Museum in Sarreguemines offers a variety of holiday-themed activities, including a visitor choir, children’s activities, concerts featuring local students from the music conservatory, afternoon games, and guided tours.
Bitche: Christmas in a Charming Historic Town
Bitche | Pays de Bitche
Overlooked by its impressive Vauban Citadel, Bitche offers a remarkable setting for a winter getaway. With its fortified heritage, local traditions and cultural events, discover a town full of character nestled in the heart of the Northern Vosges.
During the festive season, take a stroll through the town centre and explore the traditional craftsmanship that makes the Pays de Bitche so special, particularly its rich glassmaking heritage.
A wonderful opportunity to combine cultural discoveries and Christmas traditions, just a stone's throw from Germany!
Volmunster: An Authentic Christmas in the Pays de Bitche
Volmunster | 28 November 2026
In the heart of the Pays de Bitche, Volmunster invites you to experience the charm of an authentic Christmas! The village comes alive with its Christmas market, a welcoming event celebrating local traditions and bringing people together.
Spend the day exploring the market stalls and enjoying warm, festive moments with family or friends. A wonderful opportunity to soak up the Christmas spirit in a charming, intimate setting, away from the hustle and bustle of larger Christmas markets.
New for 2026: Mulled Wine on the Maginot Line at Fort Casso
Rohrbach-lès-Bitche | 12 December 2026
How about celebrating Christmas 25 metres underground? At Fort Casso, step back in time to 1939 for an extraordinary evening in the heart of the Maginot Line! By the glow of storm lanterns, explore the underground tunnels and discover the daily lives of soldiers through immersive historical scenes.
From Christmas memories in the barracks to mulled wine tasting in the fort's kitchens, enjoy a truly unique experience. Outside, a Christmas market and food stalls keep the festive spirit alive!
Stay and Savor in the Moselle Region
Enjoy a selection of exceptional restaurants and accommodations in the Moselle, where great food and warm hospitality create an unforgettable experience.
The Christmas Counter in Sarreguemines
Visit the Sarreguemines Tourist Office and discover a selection of 100% Qualité MOSL gift ideas!
Dive into the world of the Christmas Counters and explore the unique creations of local artisans and producers. Give authentic gifts that capture the festive spirit of Moselle!
Sarreguemines Christmas Counter:
📅 From November 16 to December 31
📍 Sarreguemines Confluences Tourist Office
57200 Sarreguemines
Christmas in the Moselle
From November 20 to December 30, the magic of Christmas enchants young and old throughout the Moselle.
Bundle up, grab your favorite hot drink, and set out on a journey through the Christmas season in the Moselle. This year again, the entire region is lit up, offering you a festive winter escape like no other.
A Christmas celebration inspired by art and glassmaking
In the eastern part of the department, the Sarreguemines and Pays de Bitche area offers a unique Christmas identity in Moselle, deeply connected to its historical expertise: the ceramic art of Sarreguemines and the glassmaking traditions of Meisenthal and Goetzenbruck, the historic birthplace of the glass Christmas ornament.
The Christmas markets of this region combine restored industrial heritage, contemporary creation, and a cross-border atmosphere between Alsace Bossue and the German Saarland.
When does the Sarreguemines Christmas market open?
The Sarreguemines “Noël Faïencier” traditionally opens at the end of November and continues until the end of December.
The event brings together dozens of chalets featuring regional artisans and producers in a family-friendly atmosphere animated by the traditional Saint Nicholas and Saint Lucia parades, emblematic of local culture.
The Sarreguemines Christmas Counter also complements the experience with a selection of Qualité MOSL-certified creations.
Meisenthal and the glassmaking heritage of the Pays de Bitche
Meisenthal is one of the most important places in the history of the glass Christmas ornament.
Each year, the International Glass Art Center (CIAV) unveils a new ornament designed by a contemporary artist and mouth-blown according to the traditional techniques passed down by the glassmakers of Goetzenbruck.
The Halle Verrière, a former factory transformed into an art center, hosts contemporary exhibitions, glassblowing demonstrations, and a winter guinguette throughout Advent.
Christmas in Bitche: music and lights at the citadel
In the heart of the Northern Vosges Regional Natural Park, Bitche and its Vauban citadel offer a distinctive Christmas experience.
The Glass and Crystal Museum organizes Christmas lantern-making workshops for both children and adults.
Saint Catherine’s Church regularly hosts the Christmas concert of the Metz Cathedral Choir School, an exceptional musical moment in a remarkable heritage setting.
Illuminations and musical entertainment complete the festive program.
Village Christmas markets in the Pays de Bitche
Several villages in the Pays de Bitche organize their own community Christmas markets in a more intimate atmosphere.
Siersthal, for example, hosts a Christmas market on the church square in November, accompanied by an evening concert in the illuminated church.
Other villages of the Northern Vosges also contribute to the Advent season with their own festive events listed in the Moselle Christmas agenda.
Staying in the Pays de Bitche during the Moselle Christmas season
The Sarreguemines / Bitche area is perfectly suited for short themed stays.
Two or three days are enough to combine visits to Sarreguemines, Meisenthal, and Bitche.
Several accommodations certified with the Qualité MOSL label are available throughout the region, including lodges, guesthouses, and character properties.

