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13/11/2026
Christmas Market 2026

Festive Weekends Near Calais: Christmas Markets in Lille, Arras and Amiens 2026

You don't have to drive across the whole of France to find a magical Christmas market. Just an hour or two from Calais, the cities of northern France fill their grand squares with wooden chalets, twinkling lights and the smell of mulled wine. That makes them perfect for a festive weekend, or even a long day trip from the south of England.

With an Emovis Tag on the windscreen, the toll motorways south of Calais are quick and easy. Here are three of the best Christmas markets within easy reach of the tunnel and the ferry port, and how to make the most of them.

1. Lille – Flemish Charm and a Giant Big Wheel

Drive time from Calais: about 1 hour 15 minutes (around 110 km) Market dates: 20 November to 26 December 2026 Where: Place Rihour, with a big wheel on the Grand-Place

Lille's Christmas market is one of the most popular in northern France. The chalets on Place Rihour sell decorations, crafts and seasonal treats, while the big wheel on the neighbouring Grand-Place gives a wonderful view over the Flemish-style rooftops of the old town. The market is closed on Christmas Day and closes early on Christmas Eve.

Event to Catch: a ride on the big wheel at dusk, as the city lights come on. Top Tip: The old town (Vieux-Lille) is perfect for a wander between market visits, with cobbled streets, cosy cafés and independent shops. Toll Tip: The motorways from Calais to Lille are toll-free, so your tag comes into its own if you carry on to Arras or Amiens.

2. Arras – A Market Framed by Baroque Squares

Drive time from Calais: about 1 hour 15 minutes (around 115 km on the A26) Market dates: 28 November to 27 December 2026 Where: the Grand-Place

Arras is home to one of the most beautiful settings for a Christmas market anywhere in France. Dozens of chalets fill the Grand-Place, surrounded by tall Flemish Baroque facades. A big wheel, craft stalls and festive entertainment make it a lovely stop for families. 2026 is the market's 37th year.

3. Amiens – A Christmas Walk Through the City

Drive time from Calais: about 1 hour 45 minutes (around 160 km on the A16) Market dates: 20 November to 30 December 2026 Where: the city centre, from Place René-Goblet to Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville

Amiens hosts one of the largest Christmas markets in northern France. Rather than filling a single square, its chalets line an illuminated route of around 2 kilometres through the city centre. It's a festive walk with something new around every corner.

Best For: anyone who wants a full day of browsing. Top Tip: Leave time to see the city's magnificent Gothic cathedral, one of the largest in France, just a few minutes from the market. Toll Tip: The A16 south of Boulogne-sur-Mer is a toll motorway, so your liber-t tag saves you stopping at the barriers.

Closer to the Coast

If you're short on time, Calais holds its own Christmas market on Place Albert-Ier from 5 to 20 December, with a festive village, an ice rink and a carousel on Place d'Armes. It's ideal for a stop on the way home.

Planning Your Festive Trip

  • Allow time at the border: the EU's Entry/Exit System means first-time travellers register their fingerprints and photo at the border, so allow a little extra time.

  • Park and walk: city centres get busy on market weekends. Park outside the centre or in a car park, then walk or take public transport. Many French car parks accept the liber-t tag. Look for the orange "t" sign.

  • Visit midweek if you can: weekday mornings and early evenings are calmer than Saturday afternoons.

  • Book early: hotels in market cities fill up quickly on December weekends.

  • Make a loop: Calais to Lille, Arras and Amiens and back to the coast makes a relaxed two- or three-night festive tour.

  • Check your kit: make sure your car has everything it needs for driving in France. See the Emovis guide to winter driving in France.

Why Use Your Emovis Tag

  • Drive through the orange "t" lanes at motorway tolls without stopping to pay

  • No fumbling for cards or coins at the barrier in a right-hand-drive car

  • Use it in car parks displaying the orange "t" sign

  • All your tolls on one monthly invoice

Ready to Hit the Road?

Twinkling squares, warm waffles and a car boot full of festive finds: a Christmas market trip to northern France is one of the easiest winter breaks from the UK. Order your tag in good time, and it'll be ready for your trip.

Order your Emovis Tag here: https://www.emovis-tag.co.uk/subscription