Obernai Christmas Market – Visit and good addresses

The Christmas market in Obernai is one of my favorites in Alsace. I already told you about it, Obernai is a nice little town in the Bas-Rhin that is pleasant to visit all year long. With its belfry, its beautiful buildings and its beautiful half-timbered facades, the streets of the city of Obernai have an undeniable charm. At Christmas, it is also decorated with beautiful illuminations and decorations in natural fir, immersing the visitor with delight in the magical atmosphere of the holiday season. It is a perfect setting for an intimate Christmas market!

Obernai Christmas Market opening and closing dates 2023

The Obernai Christmas Market is open every day from November 24 to December 31, 2023, with the exception of December 25. With Haguenau and Sélestat, it is one of the rare markets in Alsace to be open after Christmas.

Christmas Market of Gastronomy and Crafts

The Obernai Christmas market, called Marché de Noël de la Gastronomie et de l’Artisanat, is a nice size. It’s not huge but it’s big enough to spend some time wandering around. Its key words are authenticity and conviviality, and I promise you that these are not empty words!

The producers and craftsmen of the market are selected, and it shows: the proposed products are of quality and come in great majority from the region. Gingerbread, foie gras, bredele, Alsace wine, Christmas beers, salted meats, jams, honey… There is no shortage of treats! The craft industry is not left out with beautiful objects. A great opportunity to give handcrafted gifts to your loved ones!

There is also a good, warm and family atmosphere. The different exhibitors get along very well, and it shows! It is also an opportunity for visitors to meet passionate artisans.

Four squares are home to Christmas market chalets:

• Place du Beffroi, dedicated to Alsatian gastronomy (yum the good local products!)
• Place du Marché, rather dedicated to handicrafts, but which also has some culinary stands. The square also hosts a carousel, the Christmas tree and the nativity scene.
• Place de l’Etoile, where you can find the Little Train for children and a carousel

Christmas animations in Obernai

In addition to the market, the Tourist Office organizes several events such as storytelling walks, shows and concerts. I tested the Bredele Tour (bredele are the small Alsatian Christmas cakes), which concept is really funny. The idea is to walk around Obernai singing Christmas carols whose lyrics have been revisited (and now speak exclusively of bredele) while stopping regularly in the bakeries of the city to taste them. Along the way, we also learn more about the history of bredele and how they are made. A beautiful night stroll!

Don’t miss the Christmas market in Obernai in Alsace

For children

• Meet at Place de l’Etoile to enjoy a small train and a carousel. Another carousel is also located in the Market Square.
• A Christmas treasure hunt: the booklet is available for free at the Tourist Office.

For young and old

• Exhibition of Alsatian cribs in the church of Saints Peter and Paul. This small exhibition is original because it contains a variety of nativity scenes: chocolate, sugar, stained glass, pottery, wood…
• The travelling shows and storytelling walks are nice animations to immerse yourself in the Alsatian Christmas. Consult the agenda of the tourist office to know the dates.
• Participating in a workshop to make bredele, mannele or stollen (all typical of the Christmas period in Alsace) in one of the bakeries of the city is both greedy, interesting and friendly! I personally loved the one I attended at Boulangerie Degermann, whose owner is passionate and adorable!

My good addresses for Christmas in Obernai

The best mulled wine at the Obernai Christmas market

You will find the best mulled wine of Obernai in the cauldron of the Winegrowers of Obernai. Their warm white wine, made with Sylvaner, is delicious! Meet in front of the Tourist Office to taste this local specialty with a unique taste. You can’t miss it, it’s in a huge cauldron!

To enjoy a good soup, with Riesling of course!

I tasted this delicious Riesling soup the first time I came to Alsace, 5 years ago, and still remember it! After having tasted it again, it is confirmed: this soup based on white wine from Alsace is excellent! Meet at the Ries’soup stand located at the Belfry Square.

For foie gras lovers

The foie gras of the Schmitt Farm is a reference in Alsace. You will find it on the farm stand, located just in front of the Tourist Office.

To buy beautiful Alsatian hearts in fabric

Hearts are one of the symbols of Alsace: you will see them everywhere! If you want to buy some to decorate your house, your Christmas tree or to have a nice key ring, go to Christiane Koch’s stand at the market place: all her hearts are handmade in Alsace!

To buy beautiful Christmas decorations

See you on the stand La Forêt des Elfes held by the sympathetic Harry, Swiss who takes one month of vacations per year to come to hold this stand and to present the objects of his friends creators Alsatians. A true enthusiast who loves the atmosphere of the Christmas market!

You can also push the door of the store Alsace Factory, located in an alleyway and which proposes very beautiful objects of craft industry.

Hotels: where to sleep in Obernai?

Here is the list of my favorite hotels in Obernai.

For other good addresses, I invite you to read my article about Obernai.

Where to park at the Obernai Christmas market?

You can easily park in one of the free parking lots in the city. I recommend the parking of the ramparts or the parking of the Altau, located at 5 minutes of the city center. Also think about coming by train, it’s super convenient!