Castroper Weihnachtsdorf am Reiterbrunnen

Castroper Weihnachtsdorf — six weeks of Advent magic at the Reiterbrunnen

When November gives way to December in Castrop-Rauxel, the Philipp family sets up their Christmas village at the Reiterbrunnen: For six weeks, from mid-November to the end of December 2026, the Castroper Weihnachtsdorf runs – a lovingly staged festival area in the heart of the city center with a heated marquee, live music, an ice stock rink, and a full gastronomic offering.

Program — Music, Ice Stock Sport, Comedy

The Christmas village runs throughout the weekend and during the Advent weeks with a dense program of events:

• Live Music — including Fragile Matt (Irish folk/rock band from the Ruhr area), the local band Seven Cent, and other acts
• DJ Sets for party nights under the marquee
• Comedy Nights
• Children's Program with stories, craft activities, and visits from St. Nicholas
• Ice Stock Sport on its own rink — with its own children's tournament
• Christmas Tree Promotions
• Photo Booth for souvenir photos

Hölter's Dorfschänke — the Culinary Centerpiece

At the heart of the Christmas village is Hölter's Dorfschänke: the marquee with full gastronomy. Here you'll find:

• Mulled Wine in various types — classic, white, children's punch
• Wine by the glass
• Winter snacks and hearty dishes
• Traditional Christmas cuisine on weekends

The Philipp family's main business is the restaurant Hölter's Burghaus in Castrop-Rauxel, and they bring this gastronomic expertise to the Christmas village – a concept that distinguishes the village from classic market stall Christmas markets.

Organizers — Philipp Family and City Marketing

The organizers are the Philipp family (restaurateurs from Castrop-Rauxel) in cooperation with the city and the city marketing department. This public-private partnership is characteristic of many modern medium-sized Christmas markets: the city provides the space and marketing environment, while the private restaurateur invests in setup, program, and operation. The combination has been successful for years and makes the Castroper Weihnachtsdorf one of the most attractive Advent formats in the eastern Ruhr area.

Reiterbrunnen — Castrop-Rauxel's Landmark

The Reiterbrunnen is the most striking landmark of Castrop-Rauxel's city center: a fountain with a bronze sculpture of a rider, forming the centerpiece of the market square. The Christmas village is set up around the fountain each year — the sculpture itself is integrated into the festive lighting concept.

Castrop-Rauxel — City in the Eastern Ruhr Area

The city of Castrop-Rauxel, with its approximately 75,000 inhabitants, is located in the eastern Ruhr area, in the district of Recklinghausen. Historically shaped by hard coal mining and heavy industry. Worth seeing are the Henrichenburg Ship Lift, the Westphalian Industrial Museum Zeche Erin, and the Erin Park as an example of the structural change initiatives in the eastern Ruhr area. The Christmas village at the Reiterbrunnen is the city's most important Advent event.