2h30 from Paris, the charming town of Obernai in Alsace is getting ready to host the new edition of its Christmas market dedicated to gastronomy and crafts, from Friday November 28 to Wednesday December 31, 2025. Every winter, Obernai is transformed into a picture-postcard setting. This small Alsatian town, nestled between vineyards and hills, reopens its Christmas market at the end of the month. Less well-known than Strasbourg’s, but just as enchanting, it’s one of those events that reminds us what the magic of Christmas really is.
Just 2h30 from Paris, this charming Alsatian Christmas market plunges you into a picture-postcard setting.
In the cobbled streets of the historic center, some forty wooden chalets set up in the main squares every winter. The scent of cinnamon, orange and mulled wine accompanies visitors as they stroll by. Here, everything is designed to awaken the senses, from the smells and local flavors to the illuminations.
The stalls feature the best of Alsatian craftsmanship: wooden objects, candles, pottery, handmade decorations… and of course, local sweets, from pretzels to gingerbread. At snack time, it’s impossible to resist mulled wine, often prepared by the winemakers themselves in a large cauldron.
In the evening, the town takes on a special charm. Half-timbered facades light up, carols ring out from the Saints-Pierre-et-Paul church, and many families come to join in the festivities. Just a stone’s throw from Strasbourg, Obernai offers a peaceful interlude away from the big crowds, but with just as much enchantment.
For this 2025 edition, a few new features from 2024 remain: new chalets devoted to local crafts on the Cour Athic, and an open-air exhibition designed by artist Georges Ratkoff, inspired by Alsace’s winter landscapes.
The market will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with late-night openings until 8 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Closing at 4 p.m. on December 24 and 31, with a break on Christmas Day. A good reason to visit before the festive season, to enjoy this unique blend of tradition and delicacies.
đź“ŤLocation: Obernai
📆 Dates: November 28 to December 31, 2025