Every winter, La Bresse sets up its Christmas village on Place du Champtel, at the foot of the big fir tree: producers’ and artisans’ chalets, Norwegian torches after dark, free workshops for children, and the ESF torchlit descent on the snow front during the holidays. Here are the 2026 dates published by the Tourist Office and what is known of the programme, a short walk from the rental chalets.
The 2026 dates of the Christmas market
The Tourist Office lists four opening periods on Place du Champtel:
- Friday 4 to Sunday 6 December 2026
- Friday 11 to Sunday 13 December 2026
- Friday 18 to Sunday 20 December 2026
- Every day from 21 December 2026 to 4 January 2027
So the market runs on weekends for the first three weeks of December, then continuously through the Christmas holidays. The 2026 opening hours are not yet published. In 2025, for its tenth edition, the market opened from 10.30am to 7.30pm, and until 8pm on 31 December. Entry is free. Information from the town hall on +33 3 29 25 40 21 or at labresse.fr.
The Christmas village on Place du Champtel
The market sits in the village centre, on Place du Champtel. Producers and artisans fill the wooden chalets around the tree, and Norwegian torches are lit after dark. The programme announced for 2026 repeats the free activities of previous editions:
- Advent decoration workshops
- treats workshops
- photos with Saint-Nicolas and Father Christmas
- Father Christmas letter box in an illuminated forest
- magical show at the ice rink
The dates and times of each activity are published by the town hall closer to the event.
The ESF torchlit descent
During the winter school holidays, the French Ski School of La Bresse runs a torchlit descent on the Hohneck slopes every Wednesday: at 7.15pm as a rule, and at 6.15pm during the Christmas holidays. It is done on skis or on foot depending on snow; the torch is bought on site or reused from one year to the next. Details are on the ESF page.
It is not limited to the Christmas period: it takes place every holiday Wednesday, February included. But seeing it under the December lights remains the most sought-after moment.
The ice rink over the holidays
The La Bresse ice rink, under its wooden hall, opens every winter from mid-December to mid-March: it is therefore running throughout the continuous period of the market. The magical show announced in the programme takes place there. Hours, prices and skate hire are on the town hall’s official page.
Seasonal specialities to taste
The producers’ chalets are a chance to taste what you find on Hautes Vosges markets:
- Spiced mulled wine, the winter evening drink
- Hot pretzel and munster, the Lorraine-Alsace pairing
- Gingerbread, denser than the industrial version
- Vosges blueberries in jam or tart form
- Valley cheeses, farmhouse munster first
The producers present change from one edition to the next: what exactly is on offer is discovered on site.
Combining La Bresse and Gérardmer
Both towns animate their centres over the holidays, with different atmospheres. The Gérardmer Christmas market is larger and better known, by the lake. La Bresse’s is more intimate, at the foot of the slopes. On a week’s stay, alternating the two in the evenings is easy: the two towns are neighbours along the D417.
Practical tips
- Dress warmly: in December, evenings easily drop below 0°C on the square. Hat, gloves and waterproof jacket.
- Aim for weekday evenings during the continuous period, quieter than weekends.
- Combine skiing and the market: the market opens during the day, which leaves time to ski first.
- Check before leaving: the 2026 hours and detailed programme will be published by the town hall and the Tourist Office closer to the event.
Also worth reading
- Gérardmer Christmas market: the full guide to the neighbour
- La Bresse ice rink: hours and prices
- Chalets in La Bresse: sleeping at the foot of the slopes over Christmas
- La Bresse in winter without skiing: ideas for non-skiers
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Frequently asked questions
What are the dates of the La Bresse Christmas market in 2026?
The Tourist Office lists four periods on Place du Champtel: 4 to 6 December, 11 to 13 December, 18 to 20 December, then daily from 21 December 2026 to 4 January 2027. The 2026 opening hours are not yet published; in 2025 the market opened from 10.30am to 7.30pm.
Is the La Bresse Christmas market free?
Yes, entry to the Christmas village and to the announced workshops (Advent decorations, treats, ice rink show) is free. Information from the town hall on +33 3 29 25 40 21.
What is the La Bresse torchlit descent?
ESF La Bresse runs a torchlit descent on the Hohneck slopes every Wednesday of the winter school holidays, at 7.15pm as a rule and at 6.15pm during the Christmas holidays. It is done on skis or on foot depending on snow, with a torch bought on site or kept from the previous year.
La Bresse or Gérardmer for Christmas?
Both fit in one stay. The Gérardmer market is larger and better known; La Bresse is more intimate, at the foot of the slopes, with its Norwegian torches.
Is there an ice rink during the Christmas market?
Yes, the La Bresse ice rink opens every winter from mid-December to mid-March, and the market programme announces a magical show on the ice. Hours and prices are on the town hall's official page.