The Metz Christmas market 2026 runs from 20 November to 30 December on five central squares and is closed on 25 December. Saint-Louis, Saint-Jacques, République and Place d'Armes open daily from 11:00, until 21:00 from Sunday to Thursday and until 22:00 on Friday and Saturday. Place de la Comédie opens at 17:00 on weekdays and at 11:00 at weekends, and stays open until 23:00. Our Metz Christmas markets guide (PDF) sets out these times next to museum hours and holiday rules.
Which squares belong to the Metz Christmas market?
The announced market offer covers five squares in the city centre. Together they form the Christmas market, and each suits a slightly different part of the day.
Saint-Louis: on the old-town walk from Metz-Ville station towards the cathedral, a natural first stop.
Saint-Jacques: a central location where the city's 2026 call for exhibitors mentions attractions and chalets for younger visitors.
République: home to the Chalet Qualité MOSL with products and crafts from Moselle, the solidarity chalets and a panoramic tower.
Place d'Armes J.-F. Blondel: the market beside Saint-Étienne Cathedral, with an announced Ferris wheel.
Place de la Comédie: the square with its own timetable, best kept for the evening on weekdays.
The guide's comparison table helps you choose an order. It is not a ranking, and traders and attractions can differ from square to square.
Opening hours for each square in 2026
Metz runs two timetables side by side. If you know which one applies, the rest of the day is easy to plan.
Saint-Louis, Saint-Jacques, République, Armes: Sunday to Thursday 11:00 to 21:00, Friday and Saturday 11:00 to 22:00.
Place de la Comédie: Monday to Friday 17:00 to 23:00, Saturday and Sunday 11:00 to 23:00.
On a weekday, Comédie is not a lunch option. Have your first food break at one of the four other squares and save Comédie for later. At weekends it opens with the others, which gives you more freedom. If you arrive before 11:00, the cathedral normally opens at 08:00 in the winter months, so an early indoor visit can fill the gap.
Opening times do not predict crowds. An early visit may suit your rhythm, but it is no guarantee of a quiet square.
The December exceptions: 24, 25 and 30 December
Check special dates before the normal weekly timetable. The general published exceptions are:
24 December (Thursday): general finish at 16:00.
25 December (Friday): the market is closed.
30 December (Wednesday): the last day, with a finish at 20:00.
Some details remain unresolved. The Chalet Qualité MOSL publishes an 18:00 closing on Christmas Eve, while the general market page says 16:00. Comédie's normal weekday start at 17:00 cannot be combined with a 16:00 finish, so that square needs separate confirmation for 24 December. The guide does not choose between these versions, and neither should you without checking.
Other Advent dates in Metz to note
A few activities run on their own calendars and are worth knowing about when you pick your day.
Céleste at the Temple Neuf: a light-and-sound programme from 18 November 2026 to 7 February 2027, booked separately.
Meisenthal bauble sales: 21, 22 and 28 November 2026, from 11:00 while stock lasts.
Guided lantern walk: 27 November and 11 and 18 December 2026, 17:30 to 19:00, with registration.
Sentier des Lanternes: the free lantern trail at Square Boufflers. Its start date conflicted between sources (20, 21 or 22 November), and final times were still to come.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Metz Christmas market open in 2026?
The announced opening date is Friday 20 November 2026. On that day the four-square group opens at 11:00 and Place de la Comédie, as on every weekday, at 17:00. The season ends on Wednesday 30 December with a 20:00 finish.
Is the Metz Christmas market open on Sundays?
Yes. On Sundays the four squares open 11:00 to 21:00 and Place de la Comédie 11:00 to 23:00. Sunday is also a normal opening day for the Cour d'Or and the Centre Pompidou-Metz, which both close on Tuesdays instead.
Do I need a ticket for the Christmas market in Metz?
No. General market access is free. Rides, food, shopping and booked events such as Céleste or the guided lantern walk are separate costs.
Research status: 28 October 2026, as stated in the guide. Dates, opening times and prices are planning information and can change, so check the official sources before you travel.
