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...
15 Best Things to Do at Christmas in Sarlat (2026)
Christmas in Sarlat is one of the most magical winter experiences in southwest France. This honey-colored medieval town in the Dordogne, in the heart of the Périgord Noir, trades its summer crowds for glowing lanterns, woodsmoke, and the smell of roasted chestnuts. At Christmas, Sarlat feels like a film set that you can walk through, taste, and stay in.
What makes Sarlat different from bigger French Christmas destinations is its scale and its soul. The whole old town becomes the celebration. More than 60 medieval buildings line the lanes around Place de la Liberté, and in December every one of them seems to glow. The Christmas market spreads across the main squares, the covered market overflows with foie gras and walnuts, and a new country theme each year gives returning visitors something fresh to discover.
For 2026, the official Sarlat tourist office lists the Christmas market from December 2 to December 31, 2026, with a Corsican theme and a free opening concert by the Corsican group I Muvrini on Saturday, December 5. Market hours and special events can shift, so confirm dates on the Sarlat tourist office site before travelling. This guide covers the market, the medieval old town, the legendary Périgord food, and the châteaux and villages nearby, so you can plan a full festive break.
Whether you are coming for a weekend or a whole week, Sarlat rewards slow exploring. Wander in the morning when the markets are quiet, return in the evening when the lights come on, and save room for at least one long, indulgent dinner. Joyeux Noël, which means Merry Christmas, and welcome to Sarlat.
Last updated: November 4, 2026
Jump to: The Christmas Market | Medieval Old Town | Périgord Food | Festive Days Out | Celebrate Like a Local | FAQ
1. The Sarlat Christmas Market and Old Town Lights
The Sarlat Christmas market is the heart of the festive season here. Dozens of wooden chalets fill Place de la Grande Rigaudie and spill into neighboring squares, selling crafts, decorations, and local delicacies. Unlike the giant markets of eastern France, Sarlat stays intimate, which makes it perfect for unhurried browsing and long conversations with stallholders.
- Browse the chalets at Place de la Grande Rigaudie. Start at the main Christmas village, where artisans from across France sell handmade soaps, wooden toys, pottery, jewelry, and Christmas decorations. Look for Périgord specialties such as walnut oil, dried cep mushrooms, and small jars of truffle products, which make wonderful gifts that travel well.
- Skate on the outdoor ice rink. The rink sits right in the middle of the Christmas village, framed by medieval facades. It is a favorite with families, and skating here in the early evening, when the lights are on and music drifts from the chalets, is one of the simplest and happiest Sarlat Christmas moments.
- Visit Santa village at Place du 14 Juillet. At the foot of the steps in Place du 14 Juillet, children find a forest of fir trees, Santa house, a toy factory, and a Christmas letterbox. Arrive in the late afternoon so kids can post their letters and then see the whole square light up at dusk.
2. Medieval Sarlat at Christmas: History, Lanterns and Legends
Sarlat claims one of the best-preserved medieval centers in France, and Christmas is the finest time to see it. The golden limestone glows under festive lights, the narrow lanes smell of vin chaud, which means mulled wine, and the crowds of summer are gone. Take your time here, because the old town itself is the attraction.
- Walk Place de la Liberté after dark. This is the grandest square in Sarlat, ringed by Renaissance mansions with carved stone facades. In December it is strung with lights and hosts market stalls, and an evening stroll here, glass of vin chaud in hand, is the classic Sarlat Christmas ritual.
- Step inside the Sainte-Marie covered market. The former church of Sainte-Marie now houses Sarlat covered market, open daily in winter. Stallholders sell foie gras, duck confit, cheeses, walnuts, and pastries. It is the best place to gather picnic supplies or edible gifts, and the soaring interior is worth seeing on its own.
- Take a lantern-lit evening walking tour. Guided night walks run through the old town in the festive season, telling stories of medieval merchants, the Hundred Years War, and the town film career. Sarlat has starred in many historical films, and hearing those stories in lamplit lanes makes the stones feel alive.
3. Taste Périgord at Christmas: Foie Gras, Walnuts and Truffles
No Christmas in Sarlat is complete without eating your way through the Périgord. This is one of the great food regions of France, and winter is its proudest season. Foie gras, duck, walnuts, and black truffles all peak now, and Sarlat restaurants build their festive menus around them.
- Shop the Saturday foie gras and truffle markets. From late November to mid-March, Saturday mornings bring the Marché au Gras and the controlled truffle market to the streets near the town hall. Watch traders grade black Périgord truffles, taste before you buy, and ask stallholders how to use a truffle at home.
- Taste walnut everything. The Dordogne is walnut country, and Sarlat shops sell walnut oil, walnut cake, walnut liqueur, and candied walnuts. A tasting in a specialist shop is a delicious education, and a bottle of cold-pressed walnut oil is the souvenir that keeps giving in your own kitchen.
- Book a festive Réveillon-style dinner. Many Sarlat restaurants offer special Christmas menus built around foie gras to start, duck or goose for the main course, and walnut desserts to finish. Book ahead, especially for Christmas Eve and the days between Christmas and New Year, when the best tables fill fast.
4. Festive Days Out: Châteaux, Villages and the Dordogne River
Sarlat makes a superb base for festive days out. Within a short drive you find cliff-top villages, Renaissance châteaux dressed for Christmas, and the wide Dordogne river itself. If you have a car, give yourself at least two days beyond the town.
- See Noël Gourmand at Château de Puymartin. This elegant château near Sarlat dresses its Renaissance interiors in full Christmas style for the festive season, with gourmet treats and entertainment. It is a lovely contrast to the market crowds, and children enjoy the dressed rooms as much as adults do.
- Visit Beynac and Domme in winter light. The fortified village of Beynac, with its castle high above the river, and the bastide town of Domme, with its panoramic viewpoint, are quieter and more atmospheric in December. Wrap up warm, walk the ramparts, and finish with hot chocolate in a village café.
- Walk or paddle along the Dordogne. Winter canoe trips run on milder days for the adventurous, but even a riverside walk at La Roque-Gageac, with its tropical gardens and golden cliffs, is a beautiful festive outing. Mist on the river at dawn is one of the Dordogne great winter sights.
5. Celebrate Like a Local: Concerts, Traditions and New Year
Sarlat Christmas is not just shopping and eating. The town fills December with concerts, exhibitions, and local traditions that visitors are warmly welcomed into. Joining in is what turns a good trip into a memorable one.
- Join the market opening concert. For 2026 the market opens with a free concert by I Muvrini on December 5, celebrating the Corsican theme with polyphonic singing. Arrive early for a good spot in front of the town hall, and stay for the first evening of the market in full swing.
- Discover the Corsican theme for 2026. Each year Sarlat picks a different country or region to celebrate, and 2026 honors Corsica, known in French as the Île de Beauté, the Island of Beauty. Expect Corsican food, music, and crafts woven through the chalets, a Mediterranean twist on a Périgord Christmas.
- Stay for midnight mass and New Year. Christmas Eve midnight mass in one of Sarlat historic churches, followed by a late Réveillon supper, is the traditional French celebration. If you stay through December 31, the market last day, the town sees the year out with lights, music, and a festive mood in the squares.
For Families
Families get the best of Sarlat at Christmas without the stress of a big city. The ice rink, Santa village, and toy factory keep children busy, the old town is compact enough to explore on foot, and most restaurants welcome children warmly. Visit the market in the morning for a quieter experience, then return for the lights.
For Couples
Couples should plan at least one lantern-lit evening walk and one long dinner. Book a table at a candlelit restaurant in the old town, share a bottle of Bergerac wine, and finish with a stroll through the empty lanes after the market closes. A night in a characterful old town hotel, some in converted mansions, completes the romance.
On a Budget
Sarlat is kind to careful budgets. The market, the lights, the church visits, and the riverside walks are all free or nearly free. Eat lunch at the covered market or from a market stall instead of a sit-down restaurant, and save your splurge for one festive dinner. Midweek stays in December are usually cheaper than weekends.
Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas in Sarlat
When is the Sarlat Christmas market in 2026?
The official Sarlat tourist office lists the 2026 market from December 2 to December 31, 2026, at Place de la Grande Rigaudie, with the opening concert on December 5. Confirm dates on the Sarlat tourist office site before travelling, as hours and special events can change.
What is the Sarlat Christmas market theme for 2026?
The 2026 theme is Corsica, with Corsican food, music, and crafts featured across the market. Each year Sarlat celebrates a different country or region, so the theme is a good reason to return in future years.
Is Sarlat worth visiting at Christmas?
Yes, especially if you love medieval towns, food, and a relaxed festive atmosphere. Sarlat is smaller and calmer than Strasbourg or Colmar, but its old town, food markets, and Christmas village give it a distinctive charm that many visitors prefer.
How many days should I spend in Sarlat at Christmas?
Two to three days is ideal. One day covers the market and old town, a second day allows a food-focused morning and an evening walk, and a third day gives you time for a château or village trip along the Dordogne.
What food should I try at Christmas in Sarlat?
Start with foie gras, duck confit, and black Périgord truffles, then try walnut oil, walnut cake, and local cheeses. At the market, add vin chaud, roasted chestnuts, and a crêpe from a street stall.
Is Sarlat good for a Christmas family trip?
Yes. The ice rink, Santa village, toy factory, and Christmas letterbox are made for children, the town is walkable, and the festive events are family friendly. Book accommodation early, as December weekends fill up.
More Christmas Inspiration
Keep exploring festive France with these guides from Merry Christmas Wishes:
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