The Unusual Christmases Of Carpentras: A Major Winter Festival

As the holiday season approaches, the city of Carpentras in Vaucluse comes alive with shows, lights, street theater, and a Christmas market. For a month, the Unusual Christmases of Carpentras take over the downtown streets and offer a unique winter festival in Provence.

A month of magical festivities

From the beginning of December, the largest winter festival in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region sets up in the streets of Carpentras.

The "Noëls Insolites de Carpentras," organized by the city since 2008, offer a myriad of activities for both young and old.

For a month, the magic of Christmas transforms the city center! Illuminations, performances, and poetic, pyrotechnic or musical shows create a festive atmosphere and a profusion of colors and lights.

2023 Edition

This year, the unusual Christmas festivities in Carpentras take place from December 16, 2023, to January 7, 2024, offering no less than 150 free shows.

These street theater performances, parades, and magical animations await you in Carpentras, transforming the streets and squares of the old town into a fabulous Christmas tale.

This grand winter festival will also feature its traditional Icy Animations: a large 250 m² ice rink (at Place du 25-Août-1944) and a sledding track with three 20-meter natural ice lanes (at Place d’Inguimbert). Both young and old are welcome, as there are areas reserved for children under 7 years old.

The city still has many surprises in store, with monumental illuminated Christmas trees, carriage rides, nativity scenes, a Gourmet Market, a santons market, and of course, the presence of Santa Claus!

You can download the detailed program of the festivities on the Carpentras tourist office website (link below).

Practical information

The Unusual Christmas of Carpentras takes place from December 16, 2023 to January 7, 2024.

Address
Downtown
84200 CARPENTRAS

Rates
The street performances are free.

The ice rink and sledding activities have a fee.