Alsace sings Christmas

Beyond the Christmas chalets, twinkling lights, and aromas of cinnamon, listen for the song of simple and beautiful voices. In Alsace, the Advent season doesn't just shine, it resonates. The sounds of choirs rise in the churches, villages, and mountain chapels, reminding us that Christmas is not about decorations, it's a story to hear, celebrate, and share. Here are four not-to-be-missed experiences to join me in a beautiful Christmas song!

Feel the music with Les Noëlies, a unique experience

For more than twenty years, the Noëlies have travelled across Alsace with concerts to illuminate the Advent season. From children’s choirs to professional ensembles and amateurs, the concerts are often free or moderately priced, bringing together singers of all levels in a true celebration of the universal language of song. I always leave with a sense of having shared in something truly collective, especially since the performances take place in hidden venues, with little light but so much atmosphere.

My favourite experience: opt for a Noëlies concert in a village church and see how the place itself becomes an instrument. As for me, I'll be celebrating the opening of the season in Niederbronn-les-Bains with Un Noël so British, featuring the choir of the Mulhouse Conservatory alongside the vocal ensemble of the Pays de Thann.

Discover the Noëlies

Singing in the light of the vigils

The voices of Advent don't just sing, they keep watch. All throughout Alsace, concerts are held in cloisters, chapels, and temples, illuminated only by candles and lanterns.

I never miss a late-night vigil in a mountain church. The cold outside reminds us that the warmth comes from within: voices, an old organ, a silent audience. Don't forget to bring a scarf or blanket to stay warm! The damp air finds its way inside, but it's all part of the magic: you're both a spectator and a participant in a living tradition.

Join the voices of Christmas

Experience the magic of a Christmas concert

In Alsace, Christmas concerts are truly magical moments. Whether they feature classic tunes in a church, a theatre or an illuminated market. In Mutzig, on stage, around twenty musicians deliver an energetic concert, where swing meets the magic of the festive season. The classics — White Christmas, Silent Night — take on new accents, somewhere between Sinatra and Michael Bublé. I find myself humming, then clapping my hands, carried away by this groovy and festive wave. Everyone seems caught up in this infectious joy. The Big Bog, a jazz band founded in 1995, is Christmas dancing, shining and bringing people together. An evening to experience as much as to listen to.

Listen to Big Bog

Keeping vigil between devotion and warmth, as in days past

When night falls over the valleys of the Vosges Mountains, the villages light up with another kind of glow: candles and rising voices. In the valley of Saint-Amarin, Advent concerts feel like the vigils of yesteryear. They're reminiscent of midnight rehearsals, quiet gatherings when singers came together to prepare for Christmas in simplicity and devotion, often behind closed doors, among neighbours and friends.
Even today, families come together, mulled wine in hand, to listen to the timeless songs: The Divine Child, A Spotless Rose, and more. Between two songs, we exchange smiles, share some bredele, and bask in the warmth of the community.

Experience the songs of Advent

The golden thread of music weaves connection in Alsace. Here, we don't just wish each other “Merry Christmas”, we sing it together. Everywhere, children's choirs, brass bands, and impromptu ensembles enliven the markets, with each note carrying the warmth of the season. Venture out to our wineries or farms, and you might just hear songs echoing there too!

Liesel'stip

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