Christmas wishes for in-laws USA families love to send at the holidays carry warmth, gratitude, and a little American cheer. Whether you are writing to your mother-in-law in Texas, your father-in-law in Ohio, or your brother-in-law and sister-in-law across the country, the right words can make the family dinner feel even closer. This list brings together heartfelt, funny, and short messages made for American homes, snowy mornings, and long drives home for Christmas. In-laws become family in the truest sense at Christmas. They welcome you to the table, share treasured recipes, cheer for the same football team, and help trim the tree. A thoughtful wish thanks them for that welcome and tells them how much their love means through the year. Use these 45 wishes in a card, a text, a holiday letter, or a toast at the table. Pick one that fits your family, add a personal line about a shared memory, and send it early so it arrives before the turkey is carved and the eggnog is poured. Last up...
The best things to do at Christmas in Avignon blend medieval grandeur with warm Provencal tradition, and this guide brings together the 15 experiences that make the City of Popes shine in December. From the wooden chalets of the Place de l Horloge market to the floodlit Palais des Papes, Avignon at Christmas feels intimate, historic, and full of flavor.
Avignon sits on the banks of the Rhone in the heart of Provence, and winter gives the old town a slower rhythm. Daytime highs hover near 11 degrees, crowds thin out, and les illuminations, the festive lights, turn Rue de la Republique into a golden evening walk. It is an ideal base for a Christmas break in the south of France.
What sets Avignon apart is tradition. This is the home of the santons, small hand-painted clay figurines that fill Provencal nativity scenes, and of the gros souper, the Christmas Eve supper that ends with les treize desserts, the 13 desserts. Add vin chaud, roasted chestnuts, Cotes du Rhone wine, and carols in ancient churches for a Christmas that feels deeply French and deeply local.
and welcome to Christmas in Avignon.Last updated: November 9, 2026
Jump to: Markets and Santons | Papal Palace | Food and Wine | Lights and Evenings | Day Trips | FAQs
Christmas Markets and Santons in Avignon
Start with the markets. Avignon keeps its Christmas market compact and local, with wooden chalets, handmade gifts, and food stalls around the historic squares. The santons tradition runs through everything, from market stalls to church nativity scenes.
1. Wander the Place de l Horloge Christmas market. Wooden chalets beside the Hotel de Ville sell handmade decorations, Provencal soap, nougat, and santons. Arrive late in the afternoon, when the lights glow and vin chaud warms the air.
2. Meet Santa and enjoy free street shows. Santa greets children in his cabin on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, while the market program adds concerts, glass-blowing demonstrations, and giant wooden games, mostly free.
3. Hunt for santons and follow the Chemin des Creches. Shop for hand-painted clay santons, then walk the nativity trail past animated creches in churches and chapels, including the scene at the Church of the Celestins.
The Papal Palace and Historic Avignon at Christmas
The Palais des Papes dominates Avignon, and Christmas is a fine time to explore it without summer crowds. Pair the palace with the old bridge and quiet old town churches.
4. Tour the Palais des Papes in winter light. The vast Gothic palace of the 14th century popes runs shorter winter hours, so arrive early. Grand halls and frescoed chapels bring medieval Avignon to life.
5. Walk the Pont Saint-Benezet at sunset. The famous broken bridge stretches into the Rhone and offers the classic Avignon view back toward the palace and ramparts. Time your visit for sunset light on the river.
6. Step inside Avignon churches for creches and carols. Churches across the old town display Provencal nativity scenes through December, and Christmas Eve brings midnight mass with the pastrage, the procession of shepherds.
Provencal Food, Wine, and the 13 Desserts
Provence eats well at Christmas. Build your day around the markets, the wine, and the 13 desserts.
7. Taste the 13 desserts and the gros souper. Christmas Eve in Provence ends with les treize desserts, 13 sweets including nougat, dried fruit, and pompe a l huile, the olive oil bread. Many restaurants serve a festive gros souper menu, so book ahead.
8. Shop Les Halles for a festive picnic. The covered market hall buzzes on weekend mornings with truffles, goat cheese, olive oil, and candied fruit. Gather picnic supplies, then eat by the Rhone or in a sunny square.
9. Warm up with vin chaud and Cotes du Rhone. The market hosts Cotes du Rhone and Cotes du Rhone Villages wine tastings, including the Millevin new vintage celebration in November. Sip slowly, then take a bottle home.
Lights, Ice Skating, and Evenings by the Rhone
When dusk falls, Avignon glows. The lights, the rink, and the river make evenings as good as days.
10. Follow les illuminations through the old town. The Christmas lights switch on in late November and turn Rue de la Republique and Place de l Horloge into a golden evening walk. Start at dusk and finish with hot chocolate.
11. Skate on Place Pie and join the festive fun. The Place Pie ice rink anchors the family fun, with a giant Christmas tree, food stands, and free daily activities. Evenings bring music and a lively carnival mood.
12. Take an evening stroll along the Rhone. Walk the riverbank paths for palace views reflected in the water, then cross toward Ile de la Barthelasse for a quieter look at the floodlit ramparts.
For Families
Families get the most from Avignon by mixing the market, the ice rink, and a santon painting workshop, with free street shows to fill the gaps.
For Couples
Couples should plan a palace visit at golden hour, a wine tasting at the market, and dinner in a candlelit restaurant in the old town.
On a Budget
On a budget, focus on free pleasures: the lights walk, the creche trail, the river views, and window shopping among the market chalets.
Easy Christmas Day Trips from Avignon
Avignon sits at the crossroads of Provence, and three easy day trips add Roman history and hilltop villages to your break.
13. Spend a day in Arles. A short train ride brings you to Roman arenas, the santonniers fair, and a lively Christmas market. Arles pairs well with an afternoon stop in Les Baux-de-Provence.
14. Discover Roman Nimes at Christmas. Nimes pairs a superb Roman amphitheater and temple with a cheerful Christmas market and evening lights. It is an easy half day by train from Avignon Centre station.
15. Climb to Les Baux-de-Provence and the Luberon villages. The hilltop village of Les Baux hosts a santon museum and sweeping valley views, while nearby Luberon villages glow with lights and small markets.
FAQs About Christmas in Avignon
When does the Avignon Christmas market open in 2026?
Provisional dates run from late November 2026 to early January 2027, with the main market on Place de l Horloge. Always check the official Avignon tourism website before you travel, as dates and hours can change.
Is Avignon a good place to visit at Christmas?
Yes. Avignon is compact, historic, and mild in winter, with a strong local Christmas tradition built around santons, the 13 desserts, and the Papal Palace. It suits a weekend break or a longer Provence trip.
What are santons?
Santons are small hand-painted clay figurines that fill Provencal nativity scenes. Beyond the holy family, they show everyday village life: the baker, the fisherman, the shepherd, and the mayor. They make a classic Avignon souvenir.
What is the 13 desserts tradition?
Les treize desserts is the Provencal custom of serving 13 sweets after the Christmas Eve supper, the gros souper. The desserts include nougat, dried fruit, calissons, and pompe a l huile, and they stay on the table for three days.
How many days do I need in Avignon at Christmas?
Two days cover the market, the Papal Palace, the bridge, and the lights at a relaxed pace. Add a third day for a trip to Arles, Nimes, or Les Baux-de-Provence.
Is the old town of Avignon walkable in winter?
Yes. The historic centre is compact and mostly pedestrian, so the market, the palace, the churches, and the river are all an easy walk apart. Wear warm layers and comfortable shoes for the cobbled streets.
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