Saint-Quentin Christmas market 2026: I always check the closing time first

Start with the end of the day

Before I look at what time anything opens, I look at what time it shuts. My nephews call it gloomy. I call it planning.

So: 19:30 from Sunday to Thursday, 21:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. Opening is 14:30 every day, from Friday 27 November to Sunday 27 December. That is 31 days, which I mention for anyone already saying "we'll go on the last weekend".

Now picture your Saturday. I will keep the time.

14:30: the children run, your wallet stays put

Rue Saint-André, 14:30. There are 38 chalets between the street and the basilica forecourt. The children have spotted the sledge run on the forecourt; you are looking for a ticket desk. There isn't one: entry is free, and so are the ice rink, the sledge run and Father Christmas's house.

Keep the wallet within reach, though: the fairground rides are €5, one price for all. No prices are published for the chalets.

One trap for regulars: the ice rink has moved. This year it is on square Winston Churchill, and Father Christmas's house is on place de l'Hôtel de Ville. Chalets on rue Saint-André and the forecourt, ice in the square, Father Christmas at the town hall: three addresses, one afternoon, and a short walk that keeps everyone warm.

17:30: look up, on the right side of the square

17:30, and it is dark, because it is December. From 11 to 27 December, this is when the Christmas light show starts. Not where you remember it: last year it was on the basilica. This year it is projected onto the façade of the Hôtel de Ville, every day from 17:30 to 21:00.

Except Saturdays, when it starts at 18:30. Yes, the very day most families will come. My advice: skating late in the afternoon, the façade afterwards. On Saturdays the market closes at 21:00, like the light show, so everything goes dark together.

On the very first evening, Friday 27 November, the opening ceremony is at 17:30. As for Christmas itself: last year the market closed at 18:00 on 24 December and stayed closed on the 25th. Nothing has been published for 2026, so call +33 3 23 06 94 67 before setting off on the 24th.

If someone in your group would rather run: on Sunday 13 December, the Father Christmas run and walk leaves the parc des Champs-Élysées at 14:00 (meet from 13:00) for 7 km to the forecourt of the basilica. €5 per adult, free for under-12s. The organiser asks for a hat and a Father or Mother Christmas outfit.

Saturday, 21:00. The town hall façade goes dark and the chalets close. You knew the time from the first line.

The practical bit

• Dates

  Friday 27 November to Sunday 27 December 2026 (32nd edition); opening ceremony on 27 November at 17:30.

• Hours

  14:30 to 19:30 Sunday to Thursday, 14:30 to 21:00 Fridays and Saturdays. 24 and 25 December: not published, call +33 3 23 06 94 67.

• Where

  Chalets on rue Saint-André and the basilica forecourt; ice rink on square Winston Churchill; sledge run on the forecourt; Father Christmas's house on place de l'Hôtel de Ville.

• Prices

  Entry, ice rink, sledge run and Father Christmas's house free; fairground rides €5 (single price).

• Light show

  Hôtel de Ville façade, 11 to 27 December, 17:30 to 21:00 (Saturdays 18:30 to 21:00).

• Getting there

  The station is a 15-minute walk from the centre, with daily trains from Paris Gare du Nord (1 h 15) and Lille (1 h 30). By road, the A26 and A29 serve the town; from Brussels, allow about 2 hours via the A26 and E429. More ideas: Saint-Quentin area and this weekend.

Questions I already get

Tata Nadège, the aunt who knows everything, for NLocale.