from 19 November to 30 December
Lille’s Christmas Market is the first to open in France each year!
In December, Lille is a winter fairytale…
With the wave of a magical wand, Lille is once again wrapped up in the Christmas spirit ! The entire city sparkles and its beautiful façades disappear beneath lavish decorations.
Ambiance
Take rue Faidherbe or rue Nationale towards the city centre. Here, you’ll be dazzled by thousands of twinkling lights !
When you reach the Grand’Place, the wonder will overwhelm you ! Christmas carols fill the air as the 50-metre high Big Wheel turns majestically, providing its guests with an incredible view of the city. At its base, the reproduction of a snow-covered village, complete with cottages, a chapel, and even a frozen pond where children ice-skate, fills the entire square !
Next, head towards Old Lille where each street is uniquely decorated, from the elegant rue de la Grande Chaussée and rue de la Monnaie with their countless evergreen garlands embellished with red and gold ribbons, to the trendy rue Esquermoise where huge disco balls dance overhead !
Follow the irresistible aroma of cinnamon and roasted chestnuts to Place Rihour where, for over a month, the 80 chalets of the Christmas Market reside. Here, merchants and craftspeople offer original and delightful gift ideas: regional products, gingerbread and other delicacies to try on the spot or take away, nativity figurines and Christmas decorations, traditional toys, German, Canadian and Polish specialties, and much more.
After enjoying a glass of mulled wine at the market or at one of the cafés nearby, let your dream continue by accepting the invitation to indulge in other enchanting pleasures. Indeed, numerous events highlight this festive month. Of course, one of the most long-awaited events is the arrival of Father Christmas, and for good reason! Wrapped up in his warm red coat and carrying his precious sack, he descends the 76-metre-tall belfry of the Chamber of Commerce every year to distribute sweets. What a sight to see ! Children can also meet and have their picture taken with him at the Christmas Market whereas children at heart will enjoy the choral concerts that take place in the different churches in the city centre.
Shopping
The holiday spirit touches every district, with shop windows each vying to be the most original. Shopping becomes an immense pleasure in a city glowing with joie de vivre.
Old Lille is the ideal place to discover the great names in fashion and design.
Numerous antique shops and art galleries line the streets and a pleasant market enlivens the Place du Concert every Sunday morning.
In the centre and pedestrian streets, you’ll find the department stores* and international chain stores. On the Grand Place, the Furet du Nord is one of the biggest bookshops in Europe!
In the station district, the Euralille shopping centre, designed by Jean Nouvel, houses a hundred shops, restaurants and a hypermarket beneath its futuristic lines.
The multi-ethnic Wazemmes district is the place to come bargain hunting in the bazaars and discount shops of the Rue Gambetta district. In the Place de la Nouvelle Aventure, you’ll find flavours from all over the world at the great bustling Sunday morning market.
Regardless of the neighbourhood, each shop is a reflection of the city: lively and friendly. The variety of the shops will satisfy every budget and every desire in a festive, colourful atmosphere !
In order to take full advantage of Lille shopping, please note that all shops are open on the three Sundays preceding Christmas!
*Le Printemps, 39/45 rue Nationale and Les Galeries Lafayette, 31 rue de Béthune.
The Christmas Market is located on Place Rihour, across from the Tourist Office.
The chalets are open daily, from 19 November to 30 December:
- Sunday to Thursday, 11:00am – 8:00pm
- Friday and Saturday, 11:00am – 9:00pm
Special opening hours:
- until 10:00 PM on Saturday 29 November and 6 & 13 December
- from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on 24 & 30 December
- Closed on 25 December |
LILLE CHRISTMAS MARKET
