Dülmener Winter

Dülmen — City of Wild Horses in Münsterland

Dülmen in western Münsterland (Coesfeld district, around 48,000 inhabitants) is regionally known as the City of Wild Horses — the Dülmen Wild Horses in Merfelder Bruch are the only feral horse herd in Germany and are presented every May at the famous Wild Horse Auction. But Dülmen also has its own profile in winter: For years, the Dülmener Winter has been one of the most beautiful winter experience areas in Münsterland — a concept that is much more than a classic Christmas market.

The AHAG-Eisarena — 450 Square Meters of Covered Ice Rink

The heart of the Dülmener Winter is the AHAG-Eisarena on the market square — a 450-square-meter covered ice rink. Unlike the typical city Christmas ice rink (often small, often without weather protection), the Dülmen ice arena is protected from the weather year-round — operations run even in rain, slush, or thaw. Open daily for seven weeks, with ice skate rental, ice walkers for children, and safety supervision.

The Rodelhütte — Meeting Point with 120 Seats

Next to it is the Rodelhütte — a 150-square-meter hut in alpine style with 120 seats at 12 tables, equipped with mulled wine service, food, and drinks. The tables are reservable online — the Rodelhütte offers an attractive format, especially for corporate Christmas parties, club evenings, and family celebrations. Those without a reservation may find seats outside of peak hours.

Christmas Market on Weekends

The Dülmener Winter is complemented by a Christmas market that runs on the market square on weekends from November 28 to December 21. Over 20 exhibitors present gift ideas, handicrafts, and regional products. The market complements the ice and toboggan offering — unlike purely Christmas market concepts, it is deliberately kept compact so that the ice rink remains the main element.

Curling — Five Tournaments

A special feature of the Dülmener Winter: Five public curling tournaments take place on the covered ice arena over the seven weeks — one of them being the established Bausch-Ströbel-Cup on November 15, 2026. Team registrations are possible via the online booking platform. An unusual sport in NRW, which is deliberately cultivated in Dülmen.

Program Components

• AHAG-Eisarena — open daily, skate rental, supervision
• Rodelhütte — tables reservable, mulled wine service, food
• Christmas Market — on weekends Nov 28–Dec 21 with 20+ exhibitors
• Curling Tournaments — five public dates, registration online
• School and Club Offers — special dates for school classes and clubs

Organizer Dülmen Marketing

The organizer is Dülmen Marketing — Dülmen's official city marketing organization, supported by the city and local retailers. The Dülmener Winter is one of the marketing's flagship projects and part of a strategy to position the city center as an experience location against the pressure of e-commerce.

Discover Dülmen

For those combining a winter visit with a day trip: The Dülmen Wild Horses in Merfelder Bruch (a fascinating sight even in winter), the historic city center with St. Viktor Parish Church, Buldern Castle, or hikes in the Boomberge nature reserve are all options.