Are you attending?
Event Details
Welcome to the Historic Christmas Market 2026 in Oberwesel
On the first weekend of Advent, Saturday 28 November and Sunday 29 November 2026, the historic market square of Oberwesel turns into a festive Advent village on the Rhine. The Historic Christmas Market takes place on the market square and along Rathausstrasse and invites visitors to browse, taste and linger – with free admission and the medieval skyline of the UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley as a backdrop.
Highlights & Attractions at Historic Christmas Market in Oberwesel
- Traditional tree decorating with kindergarten children in front of the town hall
- Selected arts and crafts, handmade goods and jewellery
- Indoor Christmas market at the Kulturhaus with gift ideas, coffee and cake
- Children’s carousel, horse-drawn carriage and St Nicholas surprises
- Homemade mulled wine plus the young winemakers’ stand and Weingut Lanius-Knab
- Music by Kolping Family Oberwesel, Musikverein Perscheid and a live band on Saturday evening
- Additional Advent spots at the historic smithy and in the day clinic foyer
Find Accommodation in Oberwesel
Compare the best hotel prices for this event and secure your accommodation in time.
Free cancellation on most hotels
Program & Schedule: What to Expect in 2026
The market usually opens on Saturday, 28 November 2026, from 13:00. The opening is marked by kindergarten children decorating the large Christmas tree in front of the town hall with gift-wrapped ornaments; the mayor rewards them with sweets. Both days feature crafts, regional food, a children’s programme with carousel, horse-drawn carriage, balloon artist and fairy-tale characters, plus St Nicholas. Local ensembles provide daytime Advent music; a live band plays on Saturday evening. The Kulturhaus adds indoor gift stalls, coffee and cake. Shops in the old town have extended hours on Saturday.
Tickets & Admission for Historic Christmas Market Oberwesel
Admission to the Historic Christmas Market in Oberwesel is free. There are no tickets. Food, drinks and purchases at the stalls are paid separately. Updates are published by Tourist Information Oberwesel at oberwesel.de.
Visitor Tips: Travel & Accommodation in Oberwesel
- By train: Oberwesel station is on the Left Rhine line; the market square is within walking distance. By car, use parking at the edge of town – the historic centre is narrow.
- Wear warm, weatherproof clothing and sturdy shoes: the market is outdoors on the Rhine and late November can be cold, windy and wet.
- Book rooms in Oberwesel or nearby Bacharach and St. Goar early; the first Advent weekend is busy along the Middle Rhine.
- Combine the market with a walk along the town walls, a Schönburg viewpoint or a stroll through Rathausstrasse and Liebfrauenstrasse.
- Use Saturday’s extended shop hours for Christmas shopping, then continue to the Kulturhaus or the smithy.
Historic Christmas Market Oberwesel 2026
The main market on the historic square and Rathausstrasse is the heart of the first Advent weekend. Selected traders offer high-quality crafts, handmade items and jewellery. Culinary highlights include homemade mulled wine, bratwurst, apple crumble and Middle Rhine wines. Family attractions include the carousel, horse-drawn carriage and the tree decorating at the town hall. Stall hours are typically Saturday 13:00–20:00 and Sunday from 13:00; please check closing times on site.
Christmas Market at the Kulturhaus 2026
In parallel with the outdoor market, an indoor Christmas market takes place at the Kulturhaus (Rathausstrasse 23). Besides selected gift ideas there are coffee and cake in a historic setting; admission to the town museum is free during the market weekend. A brass ensemble of the Kolping Family Oberwesel often provides music. In previous years hours were roughly Saturday 13:00–20:00 and Sunday 13:00–18:00 – confirm 2026 times with Tourist Information.
Advent at the Oberwesel Smithy 2026
Around the historic smithy a smaller Advent spot adds a craft-focused, local atmosphere. It complements the main square and is ideal for a quieter stroll away from the busiest stalls.
Advent Magic at the Day Clinic 2026
In the foyer of the day clinic, residents of the retirement home create a festive display. This small exhibition and meeting place is part of the extended Christmas market walk through Oberwesel and makes a warm stop on the round.
Note: The information on this page was researched at the time of writing and may have changed since then (e.g. date, venue, or program). Visit the organizer's official website →
The photo used is illustrative and does not necessarily depict the actual event.
