*FYI - this post may contain affiliate links, which means we earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase from them. Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Check out our Privacy Policy and Disclosure. for more info.
Obernai Christmas Market may not be as well known internationally as its fellow Alsatian markets in Strasbourg or Colmar, but in our opinion, it’s one of the most underrated Christmas markets in the region… so much that we wrote an entire post here to sing its praises!
We first visited this Christmas market in November 2019 and fell in love with Obernai’s adorable town center, its delightful array of different market stalls, and the magical fact that somehow, despite its location so close to some of the most famous Christmas markets in the world, it feels largely untapped by mass tourism.
Looking to learn more about Obernai Christmas Market, or perhaps need some guidance on planning your own trip there?
In this post, we’ll be covering…
- Practical Info for Obernai Christmas Market
- Why Visit Obernai Christmas Market?
- Christmas Markets in Obernai to Visit
- More Photos of Obernai Christmas Market
We hope you find it helpful and interesting!
Practical Info for Obernai Christmas Market 2024
Here are some quick must-knows for Obernai Christmas Market this year:
- 2024 Dates: Nov 29 – Dec 31, 2024 | See our full list of Christmas market dates in Alsace for more
- Official website: Click here
In need of a place to stay? Here are some quick hotel recommendations:
- Budget: Check prices and availability
- Mid-Range: Check prices and availability
- Luxury: Check prices and availability
Why Visit Obernai Christmas Market?
Wondering whether Obernai Christmas Market is worth a trip? Here are some reasons to visit:
It’s a hidden gem among touristy Christmas markets
We mentioned this in the introduction, but it’s worth saying again: somehow, Obernai doesn’t feel as touristy and crowded as the other more famous markets in the area.
It could be that the market is well spread out throughout town, or we got lucky with fewer crowds on the days we visited, but overall, the experience here was SO pleasant (crowd-wise) compared to many other markets from our trip.
And, of all the ‘quieter’ markets we visited in Alsace, we would say this one was the best in terms of still providing an excellent selection of stalls amidst a fairytale backdrop.
It has a great mix of markets/stalls
As a market entirely dedicated to gastronomy and artisan crafts, you can expect there to be quite a few opportunities at the Obernai Christmas Market for shopping and feasting.
We really enjoyed browsing the various stalls here, many of which were entirely unique, and ones we hadn’t seen at other markets, which speaks to the ‘support local’ ethos of this market.
Obernai is beautiful!
Last but not least, we need to talk about the old town of Obernai itself.
Honestly? What a dream. Think half-timbered buildings with pastel colored shutters, elegant decorations adorning every facade, and hand-painted signage… just all of it zapped us straight into a fairytale.
… Again, a fairytale without crowds. What more could you ask for?
Christmas Markets in Obernai to Visit
Wondering where to find Christmas market stalls in Obernai? Here are the main locations of Obernai Christmas Market:
Place du Marché
The largest section of the Obernai Christmas Market can be found in the town’s main square, Place du Marché.
With a pretty carousel and mini-Christmas village centerpiece, you’ll find stalls here selling all the classic Christmas market goodies, from roasted chestnuts and vin chaud to ornaments and local Alsatian products.
… All with the iconic Obernai Belfry tower in the backdrop, just to remind you that you are indeed living in a beautiful historic dream. At night, the Belfry is even illuminated with Christmassy colors, so be sure to stop by after sunset if you can!
The Stalls Autour du Beffroi
Speaking of the Belfry tower, across the street from the Place du Marché, you’ll find another cluster of Christmas market stalls near the Beffroi in all its imposing glory.
Here, you’ll find market stalls in an airy square scattered between the Obernai tourist information office and the city hall.
During our visit, there were lots of great food and wine stalls, so be sure to partake!
The Place des Enfants at Place de l’Étoile
Another Chrstmas market location to visit in Obernai is the children’s area at Place de l’Étoile (AKA Star Square!)
While more a children’s play area than a traditional market, it’s still worth a stop if you have little ones in tow.
Here, you’ll find a carousel, toy train, and a chalet model of Santa’s workshop, alongside some tasty food options like waffles, crepes and vin chaud.
Place Nehrer
At Place Nehrer, you’ll find some more Christmas market stalls right next to the old ramparts of the city.
Here, you’ll find a small handful of stalls with lots of unique vendors selling a mix of everything from local sausages and biscuits to glass baubles and artisanal candles.
More Photos of Obernai Christmas Market
Looking for some more Obernai Christmas Market eye candy? Here are some additional photos we captured during our visit:
We hope you enjoyed this Obernai Christmas Market Guide!
Let us know in the comments if you have any more questions about your trip – we’re always happy to help.