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Christmas in Marseille

All the festive events
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During the festive season, Marseille lights up with a host of events, including a Christmas market, santon fair, workshops, etc. Want to find out more about the Christmas events planned in Marseille this year? Then read on, and we’ll tell you all about it!

Published on 3 November 2025
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©Marche De Noel 2024massimomunicchi Bd|Massimo Municchi

    Christmas market

    The Christmas sheds are back! Like last year, you’ll find them at the foot of the Canebière from 22 November 2025 to 4 January 2026. Artisans and designers will be on hand to offer you a wide range of handcrafted creations for your Christmas gifts, or simply to treat yourself! Jewellery, sweets, decorations, fabrics, wooden toys… The Christmas market in Marseille is also a great place to stroll down the aisles sipping a glass of mulled wine or chocolate and enjoying the end-of-year entertainment to the strains of the Jingle Bell!

    Where: Down the Canebière
    When? Monday to Sunday, 10.30am to 8pm (Fridays and Saturdays until 9pm)
    Free admission

    The Santon Fair

    The legendary Foire aux Santons opens on 15 November and closes on 4 January. This year, the fair celebrates its 223rd anniversary and, as every year, the santon makers will be showcasing their traditional skills.
    The official opening will take place on Sunday 16 November at 10.30am, with a mass celebrated in Provençal at the Eglise Saint-Cannat les Prêcheurs. The fair is open every day.
    Santons are an integral part of Provencal traditions. You’ll find them in the Christmas cots that most Provencal families put up every Christmas.

    Where: Quai du Port – Vieux-Port
    When?     Sunday to Thursday, 10am to 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays, 10am to 8pm
    Free admission

    ©Santons Artera

      🎄Animations🎄

      Children’s Village
      from 29 November to 4 January
      Place Bargemon – Activities, face painting, workshops, Santa’s chalet

      Toboggan run and ice rink
      From December 13 to January 4
      Quai de la Fraternité – Every day
      Loan of equipment on site (remember to bring gloves!)

      ✨ Village nuclei in celebration✨

      Christmas in your neighbourhood

      Take advantage of free events near you during the festive season! Marseille comes alive on 23 November!

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        Sunday 23rd November

        Christmas in the neighbourhoods!
        Christmas decoration workshops, festive face painting, puppet and magic shows, story readings, photo booth, Father Christmas stand, food stalls, balloon distribution, all to the sound of a DJ set and brass band – 10am to 5pm

        • Quartier Saint-Henri – Place Raphel (boulodrome) (16th arrondissement)
        • La Capelette district – Jardin Guy Azaïs, 225 av de la Capelette (10ᵉ arrondissement)
        • Bon Secours – Place Léonard Dalmas (14ᵉ arrondissement)

        Saturday 29th November

        ⚠️Restrictions Quai du Port between Rue Bonneterie and Rue Pentecontore.

        Launch of the illuminations ✨
        Mini-concert by Anaïs Delva
        Place Bargemon at 5.30pm

        Entertainment in the Children’s Village
        Opening of the Children’s Village (from 29 November to 4 January)
        Place Bargemon – 10am > 1pm / 2pm > 8pm
        Face painting, Christmas decoration workshops, Santa’s chalet

        Toy collection
        Children’s Village, Place Bargemon – From 10am to 7pm
        Collection in aid of Restos du Coeur.

        Sunday 30th November

        Christmas in the neighbourhoods!
        Christmas decoration workshops, festive face painting, puppet and magic shows, story readings, photo booth, Father Christmas stand, food stalls, balloon distribution, all to the accompaniment of a DJ set and brass band – 10am to 5pm

        • Belle de Mai – Place Cadenat (3ᵉ arrondissement)
        • Saint-Marcel – Parc du CMA, 216 bd de Saint-Marcel (11ᵉ arrondissement)
        • Saint Antoine – Place Alphonse Canovas (15th arrondissement)

        Saturday 6th December

        Solidarity sale – Oil pump (traditional christmas cake)
        From 2.30 pm in front of the Tourist Office
        2€ a share
        (Organised by the Tourist Office in partnership with the Groupement des Artisans Boulangers, Pâtissiers des Bouches-du-Rhône, in aid of a children’s charity)

        Sunday 07 December

        🎉 Inauguration of the restored Notre-Dame de la Garde
        3.30pm – Celebration at Saint-Victor Abbey, followed by the climb up to Notre-Dame de la Garde
        6pm – Sound and light show – Illumination of the Good Mother.

        Christmas in the neighbourhoods!
        Christmas decoration workshops, festive face painting, puppet and magic shows, story readings, photo booth, Father Christmas stand, food stalls, balloon distribution, all to music with DJ set and brass band – 10am to 5pm

        • La Joliette – Place de la Joliette (2ᵉ arrondissement)
        • Saint-Just – Place de l’Église – Rue Alphonse Daudet (13ᵉ arrondissement)

        Saturday 13 December:

        ⚠️Centre pedestrian precinct – No traffic from 8.30am to 7.30pm

        Children’s village on Place Castellane and the Opéra forecourt
        Open from 10am to 7pm
        Face painting, Christmas decoration-making workshops, giant wooden games, bubble show and balloon sculptors.

        “Aria” aerial ballet show
        Town Hall at 6.30pm
        An aerial ballet to the rhythm of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. Between sky and music, the dancers create a weightless choreography, combining classical grace and symbolic power.

        Sunday 14th December

        Christmas in the neighbourhoods!
        Christmas decoration workshops, festive face painting, puppet and magic shows, story readings, photo booth, Father Christmas stand, food stalls, balloon distribution, all to music with DJ set and brass band – 10am to 5pm

        • Bonneveine/Littoral Sud – Escale Borély (8ᵉ arrondissement)
        • Les Chartreux – Place Edmond Audran (4ᵉ arrondissement)

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        ©Fougasses Provence Jdemeurs Provence Tourism|J. DEMEURS / Provence Tourisme
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            Saturday 20 December :

            ⚠️Centre pedestrian precinct – No traffic from 8.30am to 7.30pm

            Children’s village on Place Castellane and in front of the Opéra
            Open from 10am to 7pm
            Face painting, Christmas decoration workshops, giant wooden games, bubble show and balloon sculptors.

            Light projections on the façade of the Town Hall
            Projections and musical entertainment – From 5.30pm to 10pm

            Gospel Philharmonic Experience” concert
            Quai de la Fraternité – 7pm
            Live band and choir with almost 40 singers

            Illuminated route
            A journey between the Old Port and Place Castellane.
            The façades will be illuminated to music: the Tourist Office, the Opera House, the Félix Baret fountain (Préfecture) and the Cantini fountain (Castellane).

            🎉DRONE SHOW AND FIREWORKS DISPLAY
            From 8pm around the Old Port

            Sunday 21 December

            Light projections on the façade of the Town Hall
            Projections and musical entertainment – From 5.30pm to 10pm

            Lighted route
            A journey between the Old Port and Place Castellane.
            The façades are illuminated to music: the Tourist Office, the Opera House, the Félix Baret fountain (Préfecture) and the Cantini fountain (Castellane).