Every year in the first weekend of December, St. Nicholas' Festival returns to Nancy with its many festivities and its big Christmas market on Place Charles III. Over 65 exhibitors attend the event in brightly lit chalets, offering the public original gift ideas, art and craft objects and local specialities.
The festival begins on Friday evening with the illumination of the Christmas tree on Place Stanislas. Many street performances and parades of enchanting floats take place throughout the weekend in the streets of the city. The party goes on until 31 December with exhibitions, puppet theatre shows, dance classes and concerts.
There are a total of over 80 shows on the programme, featuring over 60 troupes and 300 artists. Entertainment is also provided at the Fine Arts museums and the Museum of Lorraine.