Strasbourg That Christmas season

Stunning night view of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, beautifully reflected in the water.

Strasbourg That Christmas season

March 11, 2025

Strasbourg

That Christmas season

Many years ago, I visited Strasbourg during the Christmas season and found that this city truly deserves the title “Capitale de Noel” – “Capital of Christmas.”

b68469ac 0f2d 4c64 8b8f d92cdba6bc2d — Strasbourg’s city center, with its charming half-timbered houses and historic cathedral, blends medieval beauty with vibrant modern life.

Strasbourg hosts quite a few Christmas markets. The locals here, of German origin, call it Christkindelsmärik. The Christmas market was first held in Strasbourg in 1570. Later, more markets were opened during this time, scattered throughout the city, making it difficult to visit them all. For more than 20 years, there have already been as many as 10 Christmas markets like that.

In the center of Strasbourg, Place Kléber is considered the oldest location for the Christmas market. Every year, the market opens here at the end of November and lasts until near the end of December. It’s understandable, just like the Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam, which also lasts for a month, mainly to sell seasonal cakes that are eaten all year round!

From the foyer of the Strasbourg Cathedral, the light and atmosphere remind us of the Christmas seasons of our childhood years.

Back then, in Da Nang on Doc Lap Street, the century-old church – the “rooster church” (because of a rooster perched on the roof), we, the youth, gathered to watch people, the nativity scene, and the manger along the church walls with the baby Jesus, Joseph and Mary, and the Virgin Mary standing nearby, along with shepherds surrounded by cows and donkeys. After that, we hopped on our motorbikes, revved the engines, and rode through the main streets of the city center until late at night, then returned to the church. Christmas is no longer a celebration with purely religious significance.

While thousands of parishioners gather in front of the church to pray, we, who do not follow the faith, also pray for the best for ourselves, our families, and our friends…

From the Strasbourg Cathedral, we followed the streets of the city center, having the chance to admire and marvel at the Christmas decorations from the twinkling lights outside, and then in the shops, where there were countless other items that only appear during the Christmas season—used to decorate the Christmas tree, for example—such as gold or red bells, tinsel, snowflakes, ribbons, baubles, wreaths, pine cones… And Christmas cards.

It seems that, despite the changing times, small Christmas cards with meaningful wishes are still a gift that many people prefer.

assorted table decors — A heartfelt Christmas card carries warm wishes, festive cheer, and the magic of the holiday season.

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