Historic Old Town Christmas Market Lüdenscheid
Second Advent weekend around the Erlöserkirche — live music, gingerbread house auction, and cosy market stalls
About Old Town Christmas Market Lüdenscheid
Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Old Town Christmas Market Lüdenscheid al mejor precio.
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Historic Christmas Market — Three Days of Christmas Magic in the Old Town
The Historic Christmas Market in Lüdenscheid's Old Town takes place every year on the second Advent weekend and is one of the most traditional Advent markets in the southern Märkischer Kreis. In 2026, it opens its doors from Friday, December 4th to Sunday, December 6th. The venue is the cosily lit church square below the Erlöserkirche and the upper Wilhelmstraße — a district with the authentic charm of Bergisch half-timbered architecture and narrow alleys.
A Market Town for the Senses
Dozens of wooden stalls are clustered around the church square. The offerings range from regional arts and crafts and Christmas decorations to gift ideas from the Bergisches Land and Sauerland regions. Culinary delights include classic Advent specialities: mulled wine, roasted almonds, potato pancakes, crêpes from the CVJM stand (proceeds to the association's work), hearty sausages, and sweet temptations.
Live Programme — Choirs, Brass Bands, and the Gingerbread House
The musical character is the market's hallmark:
- Choir performances by Lüdenscheid singing societies
- Trombone and brass ensembles from the Erlöserkirche and surrounding areas
- Performances by Father Christmas, stilt walkers, and a barrel organ player create lively scenes among the stalls
- Highlight: the auction of the gingerbread house on Sunday — a lovingly baked gingerbread house, the proceeds of which go to social causes
Erlöserkirche as a Backdrop
The Erlöserkirche on the church square forms the spiritual and architectural centre of the market. Its illuminated facade above the stalls is one of the most popular photo motifs of the Advent season in Südwestfalen. During the market days, the church also hosts contemplative concerts and services — a welcome retreat when it gets crowded outside.
Lüdenscheid — The City of Light in the Märkischer Kreis
Lüdenscheid (approx. 73,000 inhabitants) is the largest city in the Märkischer Kreis district of North Rhine-Westphalia and the centre of the Südwestfalen lighting industry. The historic old town with its narrow alleys, half-timbered facades, and stairs gathers around the Erlöserkirche and is considered the city's flagship. The Christmas market is one of Lüdenscheid's most important local festivals and attracts visitors from all over the Bergisches Land and Sauerland regions.
Old Town Christmas Market Lüdenscheid — edition 2026
2026 Programme
The 2026 Historic Christmas Market in Lüdenscheid will take place on the second Advent weekend and follows the proven concept of the Altstadtverein:
Friday, December 4th, 2026
- Market opening in the afternoon (usually 4:00 PM)
- Mulled wine service and musical opening
- First choir performances in the evening on the church square
Saturday, December 5th, 2026
- Market open from midday until late evening
- Trombone and brass ensembles in front of the Erlöserkirche
- Performances by a barrel organ player, stilt walkers, and Father Christmas among the stalls
- Crêpes stand of the CVJM Kreisverband Lüdenscheid for the benefit of the association's work
Sunday, December 6th, 2026 — St. Nicholas Day
- Market opens in the morning, family-friendly programme
- Highlight: Auction of the gingerbread house in the early afternoon (proceeds to social causes)
- Last choir performances and market closing until early evening
The exact stage programme for 2026 (choirs, brass bands, soloists) will be published by the Altstadtverein shortly before the market. On the CVJM website, there is also the opportunity to register as a volunteer helper at the crêpes stand.
Programme Old Town Christmas Market Lüdenscheid 2026
Friday, December 4th, 2026
- Market opening in the afternoon (approx. 4:00 PM) — Erlöserkirche church square
- Mulled wine service, opening music
Saturday, December 5th, 2026
- 12:00 PM — Market opens
- Throughout the day: Brass choir and brass ensembles in front of the Erlöserkirche
- Performances by barrel organ player, stilt walkers, Father Christmas
- Crêpes stand CVJM Kreisverband Lüdenscheid
- Evening programme with choirs
Sunday, December 6th, 2026 — St. Nicholas Day
- 11:30 AM — Market opens
- Morning: Family programme
- Approx. 1:30 PM — Auction of the gingerbread house (social proceeds)
- Afternoon: Choirs and brass bands for the closing
- 6:00 PM — Market closes
Full artist programme to be announced by the Altstadtverein at the end of November 2026.
Highlights Old Town Christmas Market Lüdenscheid 2026
- Auction of the gingerbread house on Sunday
- Brass choir in front of the Erlöserkirche
- Illuminated half-timbered old town around the church square
Prices Old Town Christmas Market Lüdenscheid 2026
Free admission. Mulled wine, crêpes, and arts and crafts at the stalls at market prices. Proceeds from the gingerbread house auction go to a social cause.
Practical information — Old Town Christmas Market Lüdenscheid
Getting There
Lüdenscheid main station is a 10-minute walk away. By car: Parkhaus Stern in the city centre, then a short walk to the old town. Accessible from Cologne, Düsseldorf, and the Ruhr area via the A45 motorway.
Opening Hours
Usually Fri 4 PM–10 PM, Sat 12 PM–10 PM, Sun 11:30 AM–6 PM. Free admission. Gingerbread house auction Sunday, approx. 1:30 PM.
Tip
Combine your market visit on Saturday with a stroll through upper Wilhelmstraße — the Advent lighting throughout the old town is particularly worth seeing in the evening.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Old Town Christmas Market Lüdenscheid al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place Old Town Christmas Market Lüdenscheid
Kirchplatz Erlöserkirche und obere Wilhelmstraße
Kirchplatz 11-15, 58511 Lüdenscheid