--- title: "Celebrating Christmas & New Year’s Eve in Tyrol | Obergurgl" description: "Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Obergurgl: a 5-course gala dinner on 24 December, a New Year’s Eve gala and the traditional New Year’s custom of ‘Gemat’. A skiing holiday right on the slopes." url: "https://www.hotelalpenland.at/en/experience/winter/christmas-new-year-oetztal/" language: en lastmod: 2026-09-08 --- # Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Tyrol ## Holidays in Obergurgl in the upper Ötztal valley ‘between Christmas and New Year’ Celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Eve far away from the hustle and bustle at the far end of the Ötztal valley, with an atmospheric Christmas market in Obergurgl, festive gala dinners and a glittering New Year’s Eve at the Hotel & Apartment Alpenland. Between the festive holidays, enjoy a skiing holiday in Obergurgl and the tranquillity of the upper Ötztal valley. ### An overview of the festive season 2026/27 **Christmas market in Obergurgl:**29 November to 20 December 2026**Tyrolean Christmas celebration with a 5-course gala dinner:**24 December 2026**St Stephen’s Day dinner:** 26 December 2026**New Year’s Eve Gala:**31 December 2026**Children’s Gemat:**8 January 2027 ![Four red candles in a golden bowl surrounded by greenery and purple ribbons for holiday decoration](https://www.hotelalpenland.at/fileadmin/_processed_/c/f/csm_advent-kerze-alpenland_f39e599042.jpg "Festive Candle Arrangement") Advent wreath at the Hotel & Apartment Alpenland in Obergurgl ### Christmas at the Alpenland Hotel & Apartments The Obergurgl Christmas market, just a few minutes’ walk from the Hotel & Apartment Alpenland, will be with you throughout the Advent season. On seven afternoons during Advent, the village is transformed into a little Christmas wonderland at an altitude of 1,930 metres. #### When is the Christmas market in Obergurgl open? The Christmas market takes place from 29 November to 20 December 2026, every Friday and Sunday from 3.00 pm to 7.00 pm on the forecourt of the Gurgl Carat. **An overview of the seven market days:** - 29 November - 4 and 6 December - 11 and 13 December - 18 and 20 December #### What’s on offer at the Obergurgl Christmas market? The stalls offer regional Ötztal produce, textiles, wood carvings and decorations. There are also local delicacies, punch and mulled wine. From 5.00 pm to 6.00 pm, musical entertainment will ensure a cosy atmosphere, featuring, amongst others, the brass section of the Huben brass band. Another highlight is the ice sculptor Christian Schmid. #### How is Christmas Eve celebrated at the Hotel & Apartment Alpenland? On Christmas Eve, the Hotel & Apartment Alpenland invites you to experience a Tyrolean Christmas celebration with a festive 5-course gala dinner. This is your chance to celebrate 24 December in stylish comfort, accompanied by regional specialities and warm hospitality. ![Decorative candle holder with spinning ornament and plate of assorted holiday cookies in background.](https://www.hotelalpenland.at/fileadmin/_processed_/d/5/csm_kerze-kekse-familienurlaub_69b9436231.jpg "Festive Holiday Decor for Your Family Retreat") Delight in the festive spirit with charming holiday decorations enhancing family moments. ### New Year’s Eve on holiday in Tyrol Celebrate the New Year at the Hotel & Apartment Alpenland with a festive gala buffet, live music and stand-up magic at the tables. This is how you’ll welcome in the New Year on 31 December 2026 in the upper Ötztal valley. ### The Gemat: a New Year’s tradition from the upper Ötztal valley Around Christmas and New Year, Obergurgl comes alive with the ‘Gemat’, a New Year’s tradition found only here in the upper Ötztal valley. #### When does the Gemat take place? Gemat takes place on St Stephen’s Day, which in the 2026/27 season falls on Saturday 26 December 2026. At the Children’s Gemat on Friday 8 January 2027, the children go from house to house with their New Year’s wishes. ![A snow-covered mountain peak glowing at sunset, surrounded by additional mountains in the background.](https://www.hotelalpenland.at/fileadmin/_processed_/4/3/csm_aussicht-gurgl-skifahren-c-oetztal-tourismus_e43fd929c1.jpg "Majestic Twilight Over Snowy Peaks") A view of the snow-covered mountains around Obergurgl ### Ski holidays and activities over the festive period The [Obergurgl-Hochgurgl ski resort](https://www.hotelalpenland.at/en/experience/winter-obergurgl/obergurgl-hochgurgl-ski-resort/ "Obergurgl-Hochgurgl Ski Resort") offers excellent snow conditions over the festive period, with ski-in/ski-out access directly from the Hotel & Apartment Alpenland at 1,930 metres. This means you can enjoy your skiing holiday with the whole family or with friends right by the slopes. Away from the slopes, [ski touring](https://www.hotelalpenland.at/en/erleben/winter/ski-touring-obergurgl-oetztal/ "Ski touring in Tyrol"), [cross-country skiing](https://www.hotelalpenland.at/en/experience/winter/cross-country-skiing/ "Cross-country skiing in Obergurgl"), [winter walks](https://www.hotelalpenland.at/en/experience/winter/winter-hiking/ "Winter walking trails in Tyrol") and [toboggan runs](https://www.hotelalpenland.at/en/erleben/winter/toboggan-obergurgl-hochgurgl/ "Tobogganing in Obergurgl-Hochgurgl") await you in the upper Ötztal valley. #### Wellness over the festive period In [the alpenRelax wellness area,](https://www.hotelalpenland.at/en/wellness/wellness-hotel-gurgl/ "Wellness in the Ötztal Alps") you can unwind in the sauna complex after an active day’s holiday. A variety of saunas, an aromatic steam bath and two relaxation rooms provide the perfect balance to days on the slopes and the festive programme. ### Rooms & apartments for a Christmas holiday in the Ötztal valley During the festive season, enjoy the comfort of the rooms at the Hotel & Apartment Alpenland. Those looking for more independence can choose one of the apartments in the hotel or in the separate apartment block, apart agnes. Apartment guests can flexibly book breakfast, dinner or the hotel’s full half-board option. #### Do the festive menus cater for allergies? If you have a gluten intolerance or lactose intolerance, you can enjoy the festive menus without worry, as the kitchen is happy to cater for allergies. Please let us know about your intolerance when you make your booking. Enjoy the festive gala menus, the magical Christmas season and a skiing holiday right by the slopes. Celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Eve at the Hotel & Apartment Alpenland in Obergurgl and see in the New Year in the upper Ötztal valley. [Book](https://ibe.casablanca.at/en/a_6456_zzats/alpenland "Book online") your holiday in Tyrol online or send us a [no-obligation enquiry](https://www.hotelalpenland.at/en/rooms-apartments/non-binding-enquiry/ "No-obligation enquiry"). [Enquire now](https://www.hotelalpenland.at/en/rooms-apartments/non-binding-enquiry/ "Unverbindliche Anfrage") [Book online](https://ibe.casablanca.at/en/a_6456_zzats/alpenland "Online Buchen")