For more than 400 years, the eastern French city of Strasbourg has been home to one of Europe's biggest Christmas markets. Thousands of lights are hung from timbered houses that cram its winding medieval streets.

More than 300 wooden chalets, 500 illuminated trees and 33km of garland and decorations have been used to create the magical market. Hundreds of yellow stars that are draped on trees and bridges seem to float above the canals that encircle the old city.

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Last year's event was canceled due to the pandemic but visitors can attend the 2021 event. Despite rising case numbers in Europe at the moment, with the fifth wave of cases and Omicron infections surging across the continent, more than 2 million visitors are expected to visit the market in 2021.

Strasbourg's Christmas market was established in 1570 and is known as the Christkindelsmärik in the local Alsatian dialect. The event is designed to spread festive cheer but the organizers are still worried about spreading COVID-19 infections instead.

To combat potential cases, they have put in place several public health measures: you have to wear a face mask at all times in the market areas, which are all outdoors to avoid the increased risk that comes with an inside event.

You also have to show proof of vaccination or a negative test to access the stalls and you can only eat and drink in certain areas. The artistic director of the market said it was the only way to ensure the it could go ahead this year. 

"We follow the news, we have adapted our protocols with the health pass, the food and drinks zones, all the things we've done this year," said Guillaume Petitjean, the artistic director of the market. "We take it day-by-day seeing what happens but we've done all we can to stay open so all we can do now is hope things don't change."

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Video editing: Nadia Becir

Cover image: Ross Cullen/CGTN