Christmas: not-to-be-missed events in Tours

Solidarity chalets

Combine festivities and sharing by collecting toys for Restos du Cœur and buying gifts for local associations.
Where? Boulevard Heurteloup and Place de la Résistance.
When? From November 22 to December 31 (December 24 for the Restos du Cœur chalet).

Local Christmas markets in Tours and the surrounding area

Chalets are also being set up in the city of Tours' neighborhoods and in other towns in the metropolitan area. Find the full program here.

Festivities in Tours

There's so much to do with the whole family this Christmas!

Rides and attractions

A 40m-high Ferris wheel, a 1,000m² roller-skating track with a DJ set, old-fashioned carousels with wooden horses or giant fir trees - until 5 January, enjoy the fairground attractions in the city centre. Where? Place Anatole France, Place de la Résistance, Place Jean-Jaurès, Parvis de la Gare and Boulevard Heurteloup. When? From 29 November to 5 January. Schedules, locations and information available here.

Meet Santa Claus

Santa's stroll through the markets is sure to please the little ones. Where will you be? Boulevard Heurteloup and Place de la Résistance. When? Wednesdays 11 and 18 December, Saturdays 7, 14 and 21 December, Sundays 8, 15 and 22 December, Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 December.

Free make-up and caricature

If you want to shine, why not opt for a make-up session at the end of the year? Where? Place de la Résistance. When? From 29 November to 29 December, every Saturday and Sunday from 3pm to 6pm.

On the unusual side, have your portrait drawn by a caricaturist! When and where? Thursdays 12, 19 and 26 December from 4pm to 5.45pm on Boulevard Heurteloup and from 6pm to 8pm on Place de la Résistance.

Photobooth

Immortalise your end-of-year memories! Where? Place de la Résistance. When? Saturdays 7 and 21 December, from 3pm to 7pm.

For an even more unexpected photo, head to Place du Grand Marché to take a selfie next to a large figurine opposite Xavier Veilhan's “Monstre”.

Magic tricks

Visit the ‘magician's shop’ to make rabbits disappear! When and where? Sundays 15 and 22 December, from 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm, Place de la Résistance.

How to get to the city centre easily by public transport?

Reduced fares are available on Fil Bleu transport services during the festive season. Bus and tram tickets are €1.90 for an unlimited day on weekends in December (except 28 and 29) and on the last weekend in November (+ €0.10 for media). The park-and-ride facilities allow you to park and travel by bus or tram all day for €4.10 (valid for 1 to 4 people per vehicle, with a supplement of €0.10 per additional person) and are free for season ticket holders.

Among the new features, the 71 line will run exceptionally on Sundays in December (excluding the 29th) from 13:00 to 19:00, with service every 20 minutes.

For a more bucolic trip, the horse-drawn carriage will be running from 21 December to 5 January (excluding public holidays), leaving from the Musée des Beaux-Arts for 45-minute trips at 11am (except Sundays), 3pm, 4pm and 5pm. Tickets, sold by the horsewoman or via the Fil Bleu app, cost €1.80 or are free for valid monthly season ticket holders.

Finally, for New Year's Eve, the tramway will run every 30 minutes between midnight and 06:00, and the N1 and N2 night buses will offer exceptional departures at 01:00, 02:00, 03:00 and 04:00 in the morning.

A little further afield... experience Christmas in the châteaux of the Loire Valley!

From 30 November 2024 to 5 January 2025, the festive spirit will be taking over seven of the most famous châteaux in the Loire Valley with the ‘Christmas in the land of the châteaux’ event. In each location, magical decorations, staging and unique events based on legends, tales and sweets are sure to delight young and old alike. Read the dedicated blog article to find out all about the programme, the turnkey breaks and enjoy the event at special prices thanks to the pass!