Festivals and events in Alsace: must-see events accessible without a car
Music in the forest, street arts, wine tasting, steaming sauerkraut, Christmas crafts… Each season, Alsace draws the crowds with its festive energy and strong local roots! And the good news is: all these events are easily accessible by train or public transport. Perfect for discovering Alsatian culture car-free — in a more sustainable, simpler, and (often) more fun way, by hopping on a TER train instead of getting stuck in traffic.
Here are 13 must-see festivals and celebrations in Alsace, to (re)discover throughout the year.
Cinema: Festival Augenblick (March–April or November)
The Augenblick festival is the traveling festival of German-language films in their original version. Screened in over 40 cinemas across Alsace, it gathers every year (in spring or autumn, depending on the edition) cinephiles, Germanophiles, and fans of arthouse cinema.
Access: Train or bus to Strasbourg, Mulhouse, Colmar…
Wine & Cycling: SlowUp Alsace (first Sunday in June)
A car-free Sunday on the Wine Route! Each year, the SlowUp Alsace transforms over 30 km of road between Sélestat, Dambach-la-Ville, and Bergheim into a giant cycling and walking festival.
SlowUp Alsace © D. LETT - ADT
Expect wine tastings, live music, kids’ workshops, bike rentals, and open-air fun in a friendly atmosphere. Perfect for families, cyclists, and wine tourism lovers!
Access: TER train to Sélestat, then set off directly by bike or on foot.
🎶 Music: Colmar Classical Music Festival (July)
A major rendezvous for classical music, featuring concerts in Colmar’s churches and cloisters with world-renowned soloists and orchestras. Each Colmar festival edition pays tribute to a great composer or performer, with the program unveiled each spring. A must for music lovers and heritage enthusiasts!
Perfect for classical music lovers!
Access: TER/TGV to Colmar, venues within walking distance.
Music: Décibulles Festival (July)
The go-to event for fans of contemporary music. For 3 days, Décibulles blends rock, electro, reggae, and craft beer, with camping in the heart of nature and local brews in a laid-back countryside vibe.
Festival Décibulles - © N. Bronner - ADT
Expect a wide range of music (pop, electro, reggae…) and over 30 breweries showcasing local beer!
Access: TER to Sélestat, then “Décibulles Express” shuttle.
Wine: Mittelbergheim Wine Festival (July)
La fête du vin, an authentic village celebration with open cellars in one of France’s “Most Beautiful Villages”!
Les vignes devant Mittelbergheim, sur la Via Romea Francigena de la Véloroute du vignoble © C.FLEITH - ADT
On the program: local produce market, intimate concerts, and a village dance among the vineyards in a bucolic setting.
Access: TER to Barr, then bus (line 541) or walk.
Street Arts: Altkirch FarSe Festival (July)
Circus, theater, music… Each July, Altkirch’s streets turn into open-air stages with free shows, poetic parades, and street performers from across Europe.
Access: TER to Altkirch (Festival FarSe in the city center, just a 5-min walk from the station).
Alsatian Folklore: Summerlied Festival (August)
A festival celebrating Alsatian folklore, music, and traditions. Songs, storytelling, folk music, and local gastronomy in the Ohlungen forest… Summerlied festiva brings together nature lovers and folk enthusiasts every two years in a poetic, intergenerational atmosphere.
Access: TER to Haguenau, then bus from Haguenau station.
Wine Folklore: Harvest Festival (September)
A highlight for folklore lovers, the "fête des vendanges" celebrates the grape harvest with music and joy, blending wine traditions and craft stalls.
Ottrott - Vendanges © B. Salmanski - ADT - ARTGE
Expect flower-decorated floats, folk groups, live music, and of course… Alsace wines.
Access: TER to Barr (festival in the city center).
Gastronomy: Sauerkraut Festival (September)
Every year, sauerkraut takes the spotlight in Krautergersheim (nicknamed the “sauerkraut capital”) for one weekend. Perfect for foodies and those curious about rural traditions, in a rustic village setting.
La choucroute : a great classic dish of Alsatian cuisinec © Klaudia IGA - ADT
On the program: local market, tastings, farm demonstrations, humorous parades… and sauerkraut in every form imaginable.
Access: Bus line 257 from Strasbourg’s central bus station (approx. 40 minutes).
Wine Folklore: Turckheim New Wine Festival (end of September)
A must for fans of new wine! With stalls, musicians, and a cozy autumn vibe, the Turckheim festival captures the conviviality of a village fête.
Expect concerts, tastings of freshly fermented wine, wood-fired tarte flambée, and roasted chestnuts.
Access: TER to Colmar or TGV from Paris + TER to Turckheim (about 10 minutes).
Jazz: Jazzdor Festival, Strasbourg (October)
A festival that attracts both jazz enthusiasts and the curious! Each year, Jazzdor gathers international artists in Strasbourg, offering original creations across indoor and outdoor stages.
Expect contemporary European jazz, innovative concerts, cross-residencies, and intimate performances.
Access: Strasbourg central station (TGV/TER).
Christmas Markets (late November to December)
Alsace is famously known as the “Land of Christmas.” With its dazzling festivities, traditions, and illuminated markets, it’s easy to see why! To explore the region’s Christmas markets, check here.
Marché de Noël d’Obernai © Lois Moreno - ADT - ARTGE
For foodies, don’t miss Obernai’s Christmas Market, renowned as the “gourmet Christmas market.” For small-town charm, the Blue Christmas in Guebwiller pays tribute to artist Théodore Deck’s signature color, with illuminations, concerts, and cultural tours of the town’s heritage sites.
Comics & Christmas: Colmar Comics Festival & Christmas Market (early December)
Each year in early December, Colmar’s Comics Festival brings together graphic novel lovers in a festive holiday atmosphere.
Expect 5 Christmas markets, book signings, entertainment, and a magical winter vibe.
Access: TER/TGV to Colmar (pedestrian city center).
This article was written in collaboration with Visit.Alsace. For more inspiration, head over to visit.alsace!
Issue du monde de la communication et des médias, Sophie est Responsable éditoriale chez HOURRAIL ! depuis août 2024. Elle est notamment derrière le contenu éditorial du site ainsi que La Locomissive (de l'inspiration voyage bas carbone et des bons plans, un jeudi sur deux, gratuitement dans ta boîte mail !).
Convaincue que les changements d’habitude passent par la transformation de nos imaginaires, elle s’attache à montrer qu’il est possible de voyager autrement, de manière plus consciente, plus lente et plus joyeuse. Son objectif : rendre le slow travel accessible à toutes et tous, à travers des astuces, des décryptages et surtout, de nouveaux récits.
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