Christmas Markets: 'Chrëschtmaart' in Differdange

With the end-of-year festivities getting underway, Chronicle.lu is compiling a series of articles exploring some of the Christmas markets taking place across the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

While major events such as the markets in Luxembourg City and Esch-sur-Alzette run for several weeks, many smaller yet equally charming local markets open for just one day or a single weekend.

Next up is the “Chrëschtmaart” (Christmas market) in Differdange, which ran from Friday 5 to Sunday 21 December 2025. The market was held in the pedestrian zone in the city centre, on Place du Marché, and featured two stages as well as more than 20 chalets operated by local sports clubs, cultural and youth associations, charitable organisations and other community groups, offering a mix of food, drinks and gift items, including handicrafts and seasonal specialities.

The Differdange Christmas market is the oldest in Luxembourg, having first taken place in 1977, and has since remained a recurring event in the city’s end-of-year calendar.

The programme included several live music events spread across the market period. Performers included One Last Time, Andrea Galletti feat. Krick, Kiko & Eugénie Moine, Duo Jazz, Simply 2, Slutty A Cappella Group, Lisa Mariotto & Tun, the École de musique régionale de Differdange, Adriano Selva, and Faye and the Mockingbirds. In addition, an après-ski-themed event with DJ Christian von der Alm took place on Friday 19 December 2025.

Beyond the concert programme, a 175 m² ice rink was installed in the pedestrian zone and operated throughout the market, with extended opening hours on Fridays and Saturdays. Visitors could also take part in curling (Eisstockschiessen), while younger visitors had access to a free carousel. Other scheduled events included the Saint Nicholas parade on Saturday 6 December 2025.

On Sunday 14 December 2025, the annual Differdenger Chrëschtlaf took place in the town centre. The idea of an athletics race in a Christmas-lit atmosphere was launched in 2004 and has continued to attract participants ever since. The event featured several race categories for both children and adults, allowing runners of different ages and abilities to take part.

The race featured four categories this year: a 300m Bambini run with 41 participants, a 600m Kids Race with 26 participants, a 5.1 km Shorty race with 93 runners and a 10.2 km Enduro race with 174 participants. In the 5.1 km category, Emma Siegel won the women’s race in 19:24, while Felix Engel took first place among the men in 17:09. The 10.2 km race was won by Anouk Geraets (42:59) in the women’s category and Kevin Thill (33:01) among the men.

Chronicle.lu also spoke with Micheline De Oliveira, President of BBC Kordall Steelers, who said the club has been involved with the Differdange Christmas market for more than five years. Commenting on the atmosphere, she explained: “It’s because it’s small, so there’s a lot of people coming around here and the prices are not so expensive as in Luxembourg City, which is normal. But it’s also the charm that it has. It’s small and there’s always good concerts and people are just happy to be here actually.”

She also highlighted a recurring initiative linked to one of the stands featuring an open fire, which takes place on the final day of the market each year: “Today was a special day because the people running that stand asked everyone around to contribute an ingredient so they could make a soup. They then sold the soup and donate the money raised. This takes place every year on the last day.”