Lille Christmas Market with Kids
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With the holiday season just around the corner, it’s time to start planning some exciting activities for the whole family.
If you’re searching for a magical experience that your kids will love, look no further than the Christmas market in Lille, France.
This enchanting city becomes a winter wonderland during the festive season, complete with twinkling lights, traditional holiday treats, and a wide range of activities that are sure to delight kids of all ages.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the top things to do at the Lille Christmas market with your family, along with tips for making your visit as enjoyable and stress-free as possible.
Get ready to immerse yourself in the holiday spirit in one of the most charming cities in Europe!
Video
Here is a short video to see what it’s like:
Lille Christmas Market
All the Christmas market attractions are just a short walk from each other in the center. They take up three neighboring squares, Grand Place, Place du Théâtre and Place Rihour. The short distances make Lille the perfect Christmas market to enjoy with younger kids
The Grand Place is also named place du Général de Gaulle, as Charles de Gaulle was born in Lille in 1890.

There is a carousel at Place du Théâtre, in front of the Lille Opera, the Beffroi de la Chambre de Commerce de Lille and the Vieille Bourse. This square was called Petite-Place in contrast to the Grand-Place. Just a heads up, the carousel gets covered mid way!

You can also enter the Vieille Bourse and buy some books! Built in 1652, when the city was Spanish, the bourse is made up of 24 separate houses that enclose a courtyard

The Christmas village at Place Rihour has a bit of everything. There is raclette and Flammkuchen (the Alsace version of pizza), waffles and crêpes




Notre-Dame-de-la-Treille Cathedral is also worth a visit. Its construction started in 1854 and took almost 150 years (!) to finish. It was completed in 1999 with a modern facade. This is about 6 minutes walk from Grand Place
Practical Stuff
*When: 17.11-30.12.2023
Monday-Thursday: 11.00-20.30
Friday-Saturday: 10.00-22.00
Sunday: 11.00-20.30
24.12.2023: closing at 18.00
25.12.2023: closed
30.12.2023: closing at 20.00
*Where: Place Rihour 59000 Lille
*Cost: free entrance
*You can find more info on the official site of the Christmas market here
*Parking: there are several parking places around the center. This one is right at the Grand Place, so very convenient
Parking Indigo Lille Grand Place
33 Pl. du Général de Gaulle, 59000 Lille, France
https://goo.gl/maps/NfY6PTecB55CUdzMA
Address
About 1 hour 20 minutes from Schuman, Brussels (or about 1 hour 15 minutes by public transport and train)
Lille Christmas market
http://noel-a-lille.com/
Place Rihour 59000 Lille
https://goo.gl/maps/VjqJCE1Ts2pMCEkZ6
Recommended
- Lille with Kids | Best Things to Do | Where to Stay
- Cita Lille
- Zoo Lille
- 10 Best Christmas Markets near Brussels
- Best Christmas Markets in Europe
Lille with Kids | Best Things to Do | Where to Stay
Lille with Kids | Best Things to Do | Where to Stay
Read on for practical tips to plan ahead your visit with kids in Lille, what to do, where to stay and kids friendly restaurants
Here is our guide on what to do in Lille with lots of practical tips for families, like kids friendly restaurants and what to do with kids
Cita Lille
Cita Lille
Cita is a small and fun attraction park in Lille. It is situated right next to the Zoo Lille. As both are quite small, it is easy to visit both in one day
If you are spending the day or a weekend with kids in Lille, then Cita Parc is a good option. It is a small outdoor amusement park with mini roller coasters and more rides for kids. It is located at the Citadelle of Lille, about 15 minutes walk from Grand Place
Zoo Lille
Zoo Lille
Zoo Lille is situated right next to the Cita-Parc, a small and fun attraction park. As both are quite small, it is easy to visit both in one day
10 Best Christmas Markets near Brussels
Christmas markets are the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit. From twinkling lights to delicious treats, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
But when you’re travelling with children, it can be hard to know which markets are the best – and which ones make the most sense for your family. So, here are the 10 best Christmas markets near Brussels to visit with kids and practical tips to plan ahead
Best Christmas Markets in Europe
Best Christmas Markets in Europe
The best Christmas markets with kids in Europe with lots of practical details to enjoy with your family!
Lille is one of the best Christmas markets in Europe. Take a look here to see some more!
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Map
All places mentioned above are also gathered on the map!
Indoor and outdoor activities, kids friendly cafés/ restaurants, hotels and more all under separate layers