Heessen Christmas Market

The District and its Market

In the north of Hamm lies the district of Heessen — a traditional quarter with its own identity, formerly an independent municipality before being incorporated in 1975. Every year on the first Advent weekend, the district community organizes its Christmas market on Barbarastraße — one of 14 district Christmas markets in Hamm that provide a pre-Christmas atmosphere in the neighbourhoods in the weeks leading up to Christmas Eve.

November 29-30, 2026 — The First Advent in Heessen

The 2026 edition runs on the weekend of the 1st Advent: Sunday, November 29 and Monday, November 30, 2026. (Note: The district markets follow different weekend logics; exact opening hours will be announced in the preceding weeks.)

What Makes the Heessen Market Special

Unlike the central Christmas market on Hamm's market square, which runs continuously from early December until Christmas Eve, the district markets are more compact and personal:

• Few stalls — usually 15-25 — with local vendors
• Mulled wine, punch, and bratwurst from Heessen club kitchens
• Potato pancakes, crêpes, waffles
• Arts and crafts and gift ideas from local production
• Musical accompaniment — usually brass bands, a brass choir, children's choirs
• Warming bonfires and Advent lights

14 District Markets — A Hamm Tradition

With its 14 decentralized Christmas markets, Hamm cultivates a special tradition: instead of concentrating everything on one central market, the districts celebrate their own Advent weekends. Maxipark, Osttünnen, Werries, Hofgeflüster Hölter, Oberwerries, Weetfeld, Heessen, Rhynern, Adventszauber Lerche, Adventsmarkt Brokhof (Heessen), Adventszauber Wilshaus, Kumpel-Weihnachtsmarkt CreativRevier (formerly Zeche Heinrich Robert), Uentrop, and the central market square — each has its own date.

Heessen — The Northern Hamm District

Heessen is located north of Hamm's city centre, on the Lippe river. With around 22,000 inhabitants, the district is a fully-fledged quarter with its own centre, shops, clubs, and church communities. Barbarastraße — named after the patron saint of miners — refers to the region's mining past. Today, residential buildings, small shops, and active club life characterize the district.

Hamm — City of Westphalian Horses

Hamm (around 180,000 inhabitants) is the easternmost major city in the Ruhr area, as well as a transport hub with one of Europe's largest marshalling yards. Its landmark is the “Hammer Horse” — an iron equestrian statue at the train station. During Advent, Hamm truly shines with its pre-Christmas charm — featuring the central market square market and the 14 district markets.