ADVENT 2026 · ARRAS · HAUTS-DE-FRANCE
Arras Christmas market 2026: dates, place and opening times
The Ville de Noël on Grand Place runs from 27 November to 27 December 2026, according to the city and the tourism office's detailed listing. It opens at noon every day and stays open later on Fridays and Saturdays. Here is what has been published and what still needs checking.
When is the Arras Christmas market 2026 open?
The Ville de Noël on Grand Place in Arras is announced for 27 November to 27 December 2026 by the city website and the tourism office's detailed event page. Published hours are noon to 9 pm from Sunday to Thursday and noon to 10.30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. On 24 December the market closes at 5 pm, and on 25 December it is closed. The tourism office's general events list ends on 24 December instead, so check the seasonal announcement again if you plan to come after Christmas.
- Dates
- 27 Nov – 27 Dec 2026
- Place
- Grand Place
- Hours
- Sun–Thu 12:00–21:00, Fri–Sat 12:00–22:30
- 24 / 25 Dec
- 12:00–17:00 / closed
Where is the Christmas market in Arras?
The published address of the Ville de Noël is Grand Place. Two other places help you find your way, but they are not separate markets.
Grand Place
Grand Place is the confirmed location of the Ville de Noël in 2026. Entrances, stalls and structures can change, so follow the signs when you arrive. Take a few minutes on your first circuit to note a meeting point and somewhere you might pause later. The gabled façades around the square are part of the visit, both in daylight and after dark.
Place des Héros
The town hall, its belfry and the entrance to the Boves are on Place des Héros. It is a cultural and architectural stop rather than an additional Christmas market. Without a current seasonal announcement, the guide does not treat it as one. Shops and cafés on the square keep their own hours, which may differ from the market's.
Rue de la Taillerie
This short street links Grand Place with Place des Héros. Walking it gives you a change of view, from an open square into a narrower street and back out again. Save both square names before you go so that you do not need to check your phone at every corner. Seasonal barriers and surfaces should be checked on the day.
Are there other Christmas markets in Arras in 2026?
The central market is the only one with confirmed 2026 dates in the guide. Neighbourhood events and weekly markets are a different matter.
Rietz and Place Verlaine
City reports from 2025 describe Christmas activities in the Rietz neighbourhood and on Place Verlaine, with local associations taking part. No confirmed dates for 2026 were available at the time of research. Search for 'Noël Rietz Arras 2026' or 'Noël Place Verlaine Arras 2026' and check the year inside the article before planning an extra trip.
Wednesday and Saturday mornings
City information lists weekly markets in the centre on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. They are everyday food markets, not Christmas markets. In 2024 the city moved them to neighbouring streets because of the Christmas installations, so their usual location may not apply in Advent. Look for a current notice mentioning 'déplacement' for your dates.
A view from above
The tourism office says the belfry ascent is unavailable from 2 to 27 November, so it is not an option on opening day. Later in the season, check reopening and visiting times. The visit involves a lift followed by stairs, takes about 20 minutes and can be interrupted by bad weather. The last ascent is half an hour before closing.
Arras Christmas market 2026 at a glance
Key dates from the published listings, in order. Check the official pages again shortly before your trip.
-
2 – 27 Nov
Belfry ascent unavailable
The tourism office lists a closure of the belfry ascent for this period, including the market's opening day.
-
Fri 27 Nov
The Ville de Noël opens
The market on Grand Place opens at noon. On Fridays it stays open until 10.30 pm.
-
27 Nov – 23 Dec
Regular hours
Noon to 9 pm from Sunday to Thursday, noon to 10.30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
-
Thu 24 Dec
Christmas Eve
Published hours are noon to 5 pm. The tourism office's general events list ends on this day.
-
Fri 25 Dec
Christmas Day
The market is closed. The Boves are also closed on 25 December.
-
26 – 27 Dec
Final days
According to the city and the detailed tourism listing, the season ends on 27 December. Confirm before travelling after Christmas.
Before you go: what to check
The Arras Christmas market guide
Our 50-page PDF brings the published dates and hours together with orientation, transport and six suggested routes. It shows where sources disagree and what you should confirm before travelling.
- Dates, hours and the 24/25 December rules
- Six car-free routes from the station
- Boves, belfry and Wellington with access notes
Frequently asked questions
Is the Arras Christmas market open on Christmas Day?
No. According to the tourism office's detailed listing, the market is closed on 25 December. On 24 December it opens from noon to 5 pm. The Boves are also closed on 25 December, so plan that day without market stalls or an underground tour. Shops and restaurants keep their own hours, which you need to check separately.
What time does the Arras Christmas market close?
The published closing time is 9 pm from Sunday to Thursday and 10.30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Opening is at noon every day. These hours apply to the Christmas event itself, not automatically to shops, restaurants or cultural sites nearby. Remember that the regular Citadine shuttle stops at 8 pm, so plan your way back separately.
Does the Arras Christmas market end on 24 or 27 December?
The city website and the tourism office's detailed event page give 27 December 2026 as the last day. The tourism office's general events list ends on 24 December. The guide follows the specific seasonal announcements, but if your trip falls between 26 and 27 December, check the official pages again shortly before you travel.
Where exactly is the Christmas market in Arras?
The Ville de Noël is on Grand Place, which is the published event address. Place des Héros, with the town hall and belfry, is a short walk away along Rue de la Taillerie. It is a useful part of a city walk, but the guide does not describe it as a separate Christmas market for 2026.
Can I climb the Arras belfry during the Christmas market?
Not at the very start. The tourism office says the ascent is unavailable from 2 to 27 November. For later dates, check reopening and visiting times before you go. The visit uses a lift followed by stairs, so step-free access is not continuous, and bad weather can interrupt visits.
More for your Advent trip
Research status 28 October 2026. Tabiara is an independent guide, not the organiser; check the official sources before travelling.