The Ultimate Obernai Christmas Market Guide (2025)

Theme

Most of the Christmas markets in Alsace have a theme – Strasbourg is the Capital of Christmas, Sélestat is the Capital of the Christmas Tree, Haguenau is the Cradle of Nativity Scenes, and Kaysersberg is the Authentic Christmas market.

Then, there is Obernai, which is the Marché de Noël de la Gastronomie et de l’Artisanat, or the Christmas Market of Gastronomy and Crafts.

And that’s exactly what you’ll find here.

There are lots of stands selling locally made products, traditional dishes, and even handmade ornaments.

Dates and Opening Hours

The dates and hours for the 2025 Christmas market are listed below:

Dates:

• From the 28th of November to the 31st of December
• Closed on the 25th of December

Opening Hours:

• Monday to Thursday: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
• Friday to Sunday: 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
• 24th and 31st of December: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Key Attractions

The Markets

Obernai has approximately 45-50 stalls spread across five different markets, which is comparable in size to the Christmas market in Haguenau.

Overall, they are easy to navigate, and you’ll never feel like you need to push through people to get from one end to the other.

Below are the markets, their locations, and what you can expect to find:

Place André Neher

This market sits next to the ramparts that circle Obernai. It’s a small square, so there are never more than eight to ten stands.

And there are picnic benches in the middle where you can sit down and eat.

Most of the stands sell traditional Alsatian dishes. However, there are also a few vendors selling crafts, such as handmade ornaments.

Place du Marché

This is where all the action happens. It’s the center of the market and is often the busiest. (But not as busy as the Strasbourg Christmas market.)

There’s a giant Christmas tree and a carousel surrounded by beautifully decorated wooden chalets.

Most of the food served here is finger food like pains d’épices, crepes, waffles, and roasted chestnuts.

Autour du Beffoi

This was my favorite market in Obernai. There were lots of options for vin chaud as well as a bar for soup and local bakeries selling snacks.

I took a chocolate pretzel along with a vin chaud. Both were delicious.

Place de L’Etoile: Place des Enfants

This market is reserved for kids. There are rides, games, and a few stands selling finger foods.

There’s also a little mailbox for letters to Santa.

Cour Athic – Univers G. Ratkoff

In 2024, this new market was added, and it’s the least busy out of the five. There are local artisans and a few food stands selling products from local farms.

Food and Drinks to Try

If there is one Christmas market in Alsace that is for foodies, the one in Obernai is it.

Several regional dishes are worth trying, and I’ve listed those below:

• Choucroute garnie: This is my favorite dish on this list. It’s made with seasoned sauerkraut, savory sausages, tender pork, and hearty potatoes.
• Bredele: These spiced cookies are only served during the Christmas season, so trying one is a must.
• Vin chaud (mulled wine): A cozy, spiced beverage that will warm you up while you walk around. It’s made with wine (white or red), sugar, and aromatic spices like cinnamon.
• Tarte flambée: A pizza-like dish topped with crème fraîche, onions, savory lardons, and tasty cheese.
• Kougelhopf: This tasty Alsatian cake, made with raisins and almonds, can be enjoyed as a dessert (often with ice cream) or breakfast.
• Baeckeoffe: This hearty, slow-cooked casserole combines potatoes, onions, carrots, and three types of meat—beef, pork, and lamb. It’s traditionally enjoyed during the colder months, so it’s a great time to try it.
• Pain d’épices: A sweet and spicy bread that is a holiday favorite. It’s made with honey, brown sugar, and a blend of cinnamon and ginger.

Other Must-Visit Sites

While the main attraction is the Christmas market, there are a few other sites worth exploring.

Below is a list of other things I recommend you see in Obernai.

• Église Saint-Pierre-et-Paul: This is where you’ll find a beautiful nativity scene.
• Salle d’Exposition du Beffoi: Inside the belfry, there’s a different exposition every year.
• Mont National: This monument offers the best views over the city and the surrounding countryside. It’s a hike to the top, but worth the effort.

Travel and Accommodation Advice

How to Get to Obernai

Obernai is about 28 kilometers (17 miles) southwest of Strasbourg.

The easiest way to get there is by train or car.

If you are traveling from abroad, the nearest airports are Strasbourg Airport, EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg, Frankfurt Airport, and Paris (CDG and Orly).

From any of those airports, you can take the train, rent a car, or take the bus to Obernai.

If you opt to take the train from any of those airports, you will need to change trains (either in Strasbourg or Sélestat).

Helpful Tip: You can purchase your train tickets directly on the SNCF-Connect website or app.

Where to Stay

Obernai is one of the quieter towns this time of year, which means it’s a great place to stay.

Here are the accommodation options that I recommend.

• Hotel La Diligence: This hotel is right downtown. The staff are helpful, the rooms are comfortable, and the breakfast is delicious.
• Hotel & Spa a la Cour d’Alsace by HappyCulture: A beautiful hotel with a ton of amenities, including a swimming pool. The beds are also very comfy.
• Hotel Le Colombier: This hotel has everything you need for a comfortable stay. There’s a gym, sauna, and a parking garage.

Where to Eat

Since the Christmas market is focused on food, I recommend eating at one of the stands.

But if you want to eat at a restaurant, here are my recommendations:

• La Stub des Gourmets: If you love simple dishes that are fresh and tasty, this is the place for you. Plus, it’s housed in a building (La Mittelbadstub) that was built in 1527.
• La Cour de Mémé – Soupe à Mémé & Mercerie: This French restaurant has a varied menu ranging from traditional food to vegetarian dishes. The portions are big and the atmosphere is cozy.
• Winstub Le Freiberg Restaurant Obernai: A traditional Alsatian restaurant with a rustic interior. The food is delicious and the service is impeccable.

Practical Tips

After visiting the Christmas market in Obernai several times, here are some tips to help you make the most of your trip:

• Pick up a map of the market when you arrive. They are usually next to the information boards (like in the photo above).
• Bring cash, not all vendors accept credit/debit cards.
• Arrive early in the day on weekends to avoid large crowds.
• Wear comfortable shoes. There is a lot of walking involved.
• Always say “Bonjour” before ordering from a vendor.
• Make reservations for restaurants and book accommodation as early as possible.
• Check out the list of websites that I use to travel in Alsace.

Conclusion

Obernai’s Christmas market offers something unique compared to the others in the region.

I found the food to be more authentic and less commercialized. It made it much easier to appreciate the culture during the holiday season.

So, now that you know more about the Christmas market here, why not add it to your itinerary?

There are a lot of Christmas markets in Alsace, and Obernai is a great addition, especially if you want a Christmas market itinerary that doesn’t require a car.

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Read More Articles

I hope you enjoyed my post and found it useful. Here are some other articles that I think you might find interesting.

• 25 Amazing Things to Do in Alsace (Local’s Guide 2025)
• 15 Amazing Things to Do in Riquewihr (2025)
• 15 Amazing Things to Do in Eguisheim, France (2025)

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