Festivals in Alsace typically fall into three categories: cultural, musical and gastronomical. If you come during the high season of summer, it’s likely you can experience all three!

The Voix et Route Romane festival gets its name from the route through Strasbourg that was historically used for pilgrimages. Honoring the legacy of these pilgrims, the festival consists of a series of medieval concerts, including traditional chants and hymns. Voix-Romane occurs every May through September – an astounding four months of festivities! If you happen to miss this window of opportunity, soak up Alsatian culture at the five hundred-year old Christkindelsmärik , the Strasbourg Christmas festival and market.

Wintertime is also when some of the best music festivals take place. Jazz d’Or occurs every November in Strasbourg, and attracts internationally renowned jazz musicians. The classical Festival Musica is in October - its program includes traditional classics as well as modern experimental pieces.

Ultimately, festivals are an excuse for free food, and Alsace does not disappoint. The village of Erstein holds a Sugar Fair every August, with plenty of chocolate sweets and other sugary treats. The town of Colmar holds wine festivals nearly every month of the year, offering wine samples accompanied by finger foods such as the sticky kugelhopf cake. In fact, there is a festival in Alsace devoted to the kugelhopf – it’s every June in Ribeauvillé.