marche-noel-chalets

Lille lights up: the Christmas village opens its doors

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The Editor

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Until December 30th, Lille is reigniting its grand winter ritual: the Christmas market, with its 90 chalets and an atmosphere that transforms Place Rihour into a mini enchanted village. This year, a few new additions are here to spice up this classic that the people of Lille love to flock to.

A return that sounds like the real beginning of winter

There are signals that are hard to miss: the icy wind, the twinkling shop windows of Old Lille… and the Christmas market is back at Rihour. For 35 years, it’s almost a must-do: we go for the hot wine, the melting raclette, last-minute gifts, or just to get into the mood. And 2025 follows suit: wooden chalets, a sparkling atmosphere, artisans all around, the decor is ready.

What Awaits Visitors This Year

We know the script: jewelry, candles, chocolates, local creations, but this edition has some new surprises waiting to be discovered between the stands. Magic workshops, fairy-tale makeovers, photobooths, and dazzling parades… the City is all set with regular animations to bring a lively rhythm to the Christmas Village. Enough to entice the regulars to come back multiple times this season: we can already see you planning a weekly hot wine outing.

You’ll also find the famous RTL2 contests, strolling artists, and even a glowing juggler who is sure to catch the eye of every smartphone in the market.

90 Chalets, a Magical Atmosphere, and the “I Could Buy Everything” Feeling That Comes Back Every Year

Place Rihour will transform back into what it knows best every winter: a concentration of temptations. You’ll hop from a stand of handcrafted decorations to a chalet of seasonal treats, bump into an artisan who traveled from the other end of France, and before you know it, you’ll be negotiating which delicious little treat to take home.

We're attempting mulled wine this time.

Even though the products generally stay in line with previous years, the vibe (always the real strong point) retains that little something that makes it a great place to be with family, friends, or even solo with a warm waffle.

An event that's a part of Lille's DNA

The Christmas market is a bit like the trailer for December in Lille. You always bump into the same folks: parents on the hunt for the handmade gift, amazed tourists snapping pictures of everything, and Lille residents who come “just to have a look” and leave with three bags of treats.

And maybe that’s the real excitement each year, the way the whole city reclaims this event: from the center to the neighboring districts, everyone finds something to enjoy.

Christmas Market
Place Rihour – Lille
From November 19 to December 30, 2025