Last updated: November 22, 2024
Discover the festive season in Tours with our comprehensive holiday guide. For Tours residents and visitors alike, this guide brings together the must-see events that bring our beautiful Loire city to life during the holiday season.
From Place Jean Jaurès to Old Tours, the city comes alive with its traditional Christmas market, enchanting illuminations, and cultural events. Wooden chalets line the historic streets, offering artisanal products and regional specialties, while Saint-Gatien Cathedral provides a majestic setting for Christmas concerts. Along the Loire, the illuminated riverbanks invite winter strolls.
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Tours Holiday Light Displays
Langeais Castle - A Box of Lights
- What to Expect
- Lantern-making workshop inspired by the château's decorations.
- Description
- The Château de Langeais immerses visitors in the magic of Christmas by reinterpreting the tradition of light. Candles, lanterns, garlands, and lamps illuminate each room, revealing the enchanting atmosphere of this medieval residence.
- Where
- Langeais | More Info : Langeais Castle - A Box of Lights
Tours Holiday Markets and Shopping
Tours Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- A dozen stalls spread across three distinct locations.
- Description
- The Christmas market in Tours welcomes you to three distinct locations with a dozen stalls each at Boulevard Heurteloup, Place de la Résistance, and Place Anatole France. You will find in the stalls local products, handmade objects, jewelry, and other gift ideas.
- Where
- Tours | More Info : Tours Christmas Market
Gourmet Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Food village with local food products.
- Description
- The Tours Christmas Food Market offers a unique culinary experience with food stalls dedicated to local products, gourmet stands, and a festive atmosphere.
- Where
- Tours | More Info : Gourmet Christmas Market
Creators and Artisans Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- A wide range of handmade and local products.
- Description
- The creators and artisans markets in Tours offer a unique experience with a total of thirty wooden stalls spread across the Boulevard Heurteloup and Place de la Résistance. You will find local products, handmade items, jewelry, and other gift ideas.
- Where
- Tours | More Info : Creators and Artisans Christmas Market
Val d’Amboise Christmas Magic
- What to Expect
- Discover the Christmas traditions in the châteaux and villages of Val d'Amboise.
- Description
- The Val d'Amboise transforms into a festive universe in December, featuring Christmas markets, illuminations, light parades, magic shows, Christmas carols, and family activities. The châteaux and villages adorn themselves with their finest decorations to offer gourmet tastings and specialties from Touraine.
- Where
- Amboise | More Info : Val d’Amboise Christmas Magic
Tours Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas Carols
- What to Expect
- Solidarity Christmas concert with profits donated to a charitable association.
- Description
- The Popular Chorale, the Popular Choir, the Adolescent Choir, and the Choir of the Regional Conservatory of Tours come together at the Cathedral of Saint-Gatien to offer a concert dedicated to Christmas songs from around the world. The profits of this concert will be donated to the La Table de Jeanne-Marie association.
- Where
- Tours | More Info : Christmas Carols
December 28 Nocturne
- What to Expect
- Christmas trail with medieval musical strolls.
- Description
- Discover the Forteresse at night on December 28 with a Christmas trail and musical strolls by the Ménestriers de Diabolus in Musica. This instrumental formation reprises the polyphonies of the 14th and 15th centuries to accompany medieval processions and festivities.
- Where
- Tours | More Info : December 28 Nocturne
Tours Other Holiday Activities
Christmas in the Castle Country
- What to Expect
- Festive decorations and thematic animations in seven iconic châteaux.
- Description
- Seven of the most famous châteaux of the Loire Valley celebrate the end-of-year festivities with fully decorated visit paths and animations.
- Where
- Tours | More Info : Christmas in the Castle Country
Castle Nocturne
- What to Expect
- Nighttime visit to castles with special activities and historical themes.
- Description
- The Night of the Castles is a unique nighttime experience that allows visitors to discover the châteaux of Touraine in a new way. Six historical monuments are open, each offering a unique atmosphere and special activities.
- Where
- Tours | More Info : Castle Nocturne
Cooking Workshops
- What to Expect
- Uncomplicated cooking classes with friendly chefs.
- Description
- The Cook&Go cooking classes in Tours offer a convivial and uncomplicated culinary experience, where you can learn to cook with experienced chefs and share moments of gastronomy.
- Where
- Tours | More Info : Cooking Workshops
Christmas Trail
- What to Expect
- Visit seven châteaux with unique decorations and animations for each location.
- Description
- Seven châteaux of the Loire Valley, Amboise, Azay-le-Rideau, Chenonceau, Chinon, Langeais, and Villandry, celebrate the end-of-year festivities with festive decorations and unique animations.
- Where
- Tours | More Info : Christmas Trail
Christmas Ice Rink
- What to Expect
- 1000m² outdoor ice rink
- Description
- The Patinoire de Noël in Tours offers a 1000m² outdoor ice rink, perfect for sliding and sharing a convivial moment with friends or family.
- Where
- Tours | More Info : Christmas Ice Rink
Children's Workshops
- What to Expect
- A variety of creative and sports activities for children.
- Description
- During the holidays, children can participate in numerous creative workshops and sports stages offered by the châteaux of Touraine and the museums of Indre-et-Loire. These activities include special family visits, children's workshops, and activities reserved for children.
- Where
- Tours | More Info : Children's Workshops
Photo with Santa Claus
- What to Expect
- VR sleigh ride with Rudolph and other reindeer.
- Description
- Santa Claus will be present with many attractions, allowing visitors to meet him in his festively decorated parlor and take a unique photo with him.
- Where
- Tours | More Info : Photo with Santa Claus
Montbazon Santa's Village
- What to Expect
- Creative workshops to make Christmas balls and wreaths.
- Description
- The Santa Claus Village at Montbazon Fortress offers enchanting light displays, creative workshops, and activities for all ages. Visitors can enjoy seasonal specialties in the gourmet stalls and complete their holiday shopping in the specially themed boutique.
- Where
- Montbazon | More Info : Montbazon Santa's Village
Christmas at Montpoupon Castle
- What to Expect
- Christmas decoration and candle-making workshops
- Description
- The Château de Montpoupon invites you to experience Christmas in fully decorated rooms by the owner. The event features Christmas story readings, decoration and candle-making workshops, and the presence of Santa Claus. A continuous gourmet break is offered in the hunting lodge with crepes, chocolate, and hot wine.
- Where
- Montpoupon | More Info : Christmas at Montpoupon Castle
Montbazon Fortress
- What to Expect
- Creative workshops to make Christmas balls and wreaths.
- Description
- The Forteresse de Montbazon welcomes Santa Claus and his band of elves for a festive celebration with family or friends. Discover many creative workshops and activities in a winter atmosphere. Make your own Christmas balls and wreaths, enjoy the illuminated ice rink, stories, and magic shows, as well as gourmet specialties.
- Where
- Montbazon | More Info : Montbazon Fortress
Chenonceau Castle - Porcelain Christmas
- What to Expect
- A unique association of porcelain and floral art.
- Description
- The Château de Chenonceau celebrates Christmas with a unique event, "Porcelain Christmas," where the Bernardaud house presents its porcelain collections created according to a unique craftsmanship transmitted for five generations. Visitors can admire the floral compositions of the famous atelier of the castle and its floral MOF. A nighttime opening on Thursday, December 26, allows for an extended experience.
- Where
- Chenonceau | More Info : Chenonceau Castle - Porcelain Christmas