Start with the right programme
The first thing to do is to check the official festivities website, then the page for each location. A general opening date guarantees neither that every village stays open until the last day, nor identical times between weekdays and weekends.
At the time of preparing this guide, the detailed programme for the 2026 edition is still announced as forthcoming on the city's page. We therefore do not repeat the opening times from previous editions as if they were confirmed.
A visit in two stages
First plan a part devoted to the stalls: looking at the creations, comparing gift ideas, chatting with the exhibitors and choosing what you want to taste. Then keep a second moment for a walk through the city.
This arrangement is especially pleasant if you stay two nights. It lets you return to a spot without having to discover everything on the same evening. With children, it also offers more options for cutting an outing short.
Plan the food breaks
On site, choose what to taste according to the stalls that are actually open. Check the ingredients if you have allergies and ask the price before ordering. A hot drink and a small treat can make up a break; they do not necessarily replace a dinner for the whole family.
If you would also like to go to a restaurant, book at a time that fits your visit. That way you keep some flexibility rather than rushing from one place to another.
Stay in Nancy to make the most of the evening
Accommodation in the old town can serve as a base to combine the villages and the discovery of the heritage. Before booking, check the actual route from the accommodation and the parking conditions.
To prepare your route, also find out how to choose which villages to visit, the food breaks and the gifts to bring back.
To round out your programme, discover our walking route and our advice on choosing where to stay during the holidays. Then check the availability of our apartments to organise your stay in Nancy.