What's on in Avignon & Aix Christmas 2018

Avignon turns into a magical Christmas wonderland during the festive season and the fact that they're calling their programme of events 'Noël Magique' just highlights this fact. Probably the most popular place to be is the Christmas market, which takes place until December 30th between the Cours Jean-Jaurès and the Place des Corps-Saints from 10:00 and 19:30.

A traditional Christmas crèche will be on display at the Célestians Church where you can also go to watch traditional and contemporary Christmas 'santons' (small figurines) being made by local artists. In fact, you'll be able to find displays like this in pretty much all of Avignon's churches. Another crèche will be on display at the Palais du Roure, where local historians will explain the significance of the display, the 'table calendale' with its 'gros souper de Noël' and other Provençal traditions.

On December 17th, a 250m² ice rink will open at the Place de l'Horloge and will be available until January 6th. Open from 10:00 to 19:00 (until 21:00 some days), it will have a smaller area reserved for children under six years old so that they can learn to ice skate. Santa Claus comes to Avignon on December 22nd accompanied by street parades from 14:00 all over town.

There will also be lots of activities for children, from workshops and games to an Elves Village on Place Saint-Jean le Vieux, a carousel on Place des Corps-Saints and pony rides at the Parvis Sud des Halles. Parking will be free in the town centre on December 15th, 22nd, 24th, 29th and 31st.

Aix also celebrates the traditional Christmas markets, parades, exhibitions and 'santons' fairs, which all take place around the Cours Mirabeau, Place François Villon, Espace Cézanne and Place des Prêcheurs from now until January 13th 2019. There will be several Christmas markets throughout December, the main one on the Cours Mirabeau, open from 10:00 to 20:00 until the end of the month. Aix's main street will also have a small funfair with rides for children, open until January 6th.

The Place des Prêcheurs will be taken over by Father Christmas and his elves with a giant Christmas tree, an ephemeral garden, the all-important magical post box and Santa's workshop where the little ones will be able to take pictures with the man of the moment.

If you’re interested in more Christmas events, including what's happening in the surrounding villages, then make sure you check out the details in our events calendar.