From 13 November 2026 to 10 January 2027.
Late November, for our great delight, Aix-en-Provence adorns itself with Christmas clothes.
Christmas market on the Cours Mirabeau, 13 desserts market, clay figurines fair, bravado and vigils Calendale , Pastorale Maurel , kings’ walk, concerts, shows … Many events are planned for you to prepare and celebrate Christmas in Provence.
Illumination of Aix-en-Provence
28 November 2026 – 3 January 2027
During the festive season, the city’s streets and squares are adorned with lights, inviting you to take a leisurely stroll as night falls. Discover the sparkling canopy above the Cours Mirabeau and the Allées, beautifully decorated squares, and Provençal messages projected onto the city’s walls.
Christmas Festivities Kick-Off – 28 November 2026
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5.25 pm, at the Town Hall Square: a projection mapping show on the façade of the Halle aux Grains, followed by lighting of the Christmas tree and the streets
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6.00 pm, at the top of the cours Mirabeau – King René’s Fountain: illumination of the cours Mirabeau and Les Allées
Poetic Projections in the Provençal Language
The heart of the city centre is illuminated every evening throughout the Christmas season with delicate projections in the Provençal language. These messages celebrate the richness of a language to which Frédéric Mistral devoted his life and which earned him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1904. They invite visitors to rediscover a living heritage that brings people together through warmth, happiness and sharing across generations, in the spirit of what Mistral called Majo fèsto de Nouvè (the great Christmas celebration).
Projection locations: Rue Gibelin, Place Richelme, Rue de la Glacière, Rue Méjanes, Rue Aude, Rue de la Masse, Rue Entrecastreaux, Place Malherbe, Rue Chastel, Rue Émeric David, Rue Monclar, Place Ganay, Rue des Carmes, Rue Fabrot, Place Saint-Honoré, Rue d’Italie, Place Bellegarde, Place de l’Université and Forum des Cardeurs.
Advent Calendar Projection Show on the Halle aux Grains
1 to 24 December 2026 | Place de l’Hôtel de Ville
Every day at 6 pm, 7 pm and 8 pm (duration: 5 minutes)
Created by Hexalab, this show combines clockwork mechanisms, light effects and celestial imagery in four visual sequences, counting down the days until Christmas. Each day, a new date and quotation are revealed through an evolving visual display that brings together heritage, artistic innovation and a shared experience.
Fairs and Christmas markets
To taste all the Provence flavors during the holiday season, nothing’s better than the truffles, olive oil and 13 desserts markets.
Craftsmen and local producers present a multitude of products on their market’s stalls during Christmas
Do not miss the twin cities’ international market where the twin towns’ merchants , craftsmen and friends meet in Aix-en-Provence to discover their mutual cultural and gastronomic heritage.
Aix-en-Provence Christmas market • 13 November to 31 December 2026
Santons Fair • 13 November to 31 December 2026
International twin town market • 2 to 6 December 2026
Gourmet Winegrowers’ Market • 10 to 13 December 2026
13 desserts and local produce market • 17 to 24 December 2026
Truffle market • 16 December 2026
Activities and shows for children
Whether you want to entertain your children with a story or a show, have they meet Santa Claus or having fun on the rides, here is a program full of magic to spend Christmas.
The Christmas carousels • 8 November 2026 to 3 January 2027
Giant Christmas tree and Santa’s letterbox • 28 November 2026 to 3 January 2027
Nativity scenes and santons
What would be a Christmas in Provence without the Nativity figurines, these small clay figurines representing the Nativity scene in a Provencal village?
Do not miss our different Nativity scenes: the Santonniers ‘nativity scene on the Cours Mirabeau, as well as the one of the Oustau in the Parc Jourdan and the Fouque House.
Santons Fair • 13 Novembre to 31 December 2026
The great Aix’nativity scene • 14 November 2026 to 2 January 2027
Nativity scene of the Santonniers* • 18 November to 28 December 2026
Mass of the Santonniers* and Inauguration of the Fair • 29 November 2026
Traditional Provencal nativity scene • 3 December 2026 to 3 January 2027
Nativity scene and table of the 13 desserts of the Maison Fouque • all year round
*Santonniers = Santon makers
Christmas Provencal Traditions
Many rituals and customs punctuate the Provencal Christmas making it an authentic period full of wonder.
Calendal Show • 21 November 2026
La Pegoulado – Celebration of Lights • 12 December 2026
Christmas at the Chapel • 12 December 2026
La Bravade Calendale • 13 December 2026
Veillée Calendale • 19 December 2026
Christmas concert of the Tambourine Academy • 19 December 2026
March of the Kings • 10 January 2027
The Pastorale Maurel • 17 January 2027
Christmas concerts and events
Christmas concerts, a giant Christmas tree, merry-go-rounds and traditional shows are just some of the reasons to come and spend some time with family and friends in Aix-en-Provence.
