Miner's Christmas Market CreativRevier Heinrich Robert

Christmas Market with a Mining Soul

Where over 5,000 miners descended daily until 2010, Christmas lights now shine: the CreativRevier Heinrich Robert in Hamm is the former Zeche Heinrich Robert (Bergwerk Ost), one of the last major collieries in the Ruhr area. After its closure, the listed industrial site was converted into a cultural and creative center. Once a year — on the third Advent — it becomes the Kumpel-Weihnachtsmarkt (Miner's Christmas Market): an Advent market with mining flair, unique in Hamm in this form.

December 13-14, 2026 — The Market with an Industrial Backdrop

The 2026 edition runs on Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14, 2026 — on the weekend of the 3rd Advent — on the grounds at Zum Bergwerk 1 in Hamm-Pelkum. What makes the market special:

• Over 50 exhibitors offering arts and crafts, gift ideas, and regional products
• Fairy lights across the entire colliery site — the historic industrial buildings are bathed in pre-Christmas light
• Mulled wine, punch, and non-alcoholic hot drinks from regional breweries
• Waffles, crêpes, bratwurst, potato pancakes
• Musical entertainment on the market stage
• Campfire and seating areas in the former industrial halls

The Convoy of 50 Trucks — The Highlight

On Saturday afternoon around 4:00 PM, the market's highlight takes place: a convoy of 50 illuminated trucks drives through Hamm — a mining and trucker spectacle with fairy lights, horn concert, and sound system. The convoy is a charity event for 'Kinder brauchen unsere Hilfe e.V.' (KibuH) — a Hamm foundation that has been supporting children and adults in need across Europe with material donations since 2003.

CreativRevier — From Colliery to Creative Hub

The CreativRevier Heinrich Robert is a symbol of structural change in Hamm. Where shaft sinking began in 1893, thousands of miners worked until 2010. After its closure, the listed site — with its winding tower, machine halls, and administrative buildings — was repurposed as a cultural and creative center. Today, it houses studios, creative businesses, event spaces, and attracts visitors with regular events.

One of Hamm's 14 Christmas Markets

Hamm is the city of 14 decentralized Christmas markets. While the central market on Hamm's market square runs from the 1st Advent to Christmas Eve, 13 other district markets occupy individual weekends — Heessen, Werries, Oberwerries, Rhynern, Adventszauber Lerche, Adventsmarkt Brokhof, Adventszauber Wilshaus, Uentrop, and the special Miner's Christmas Market at CreativRevier on the 3rd Advent weekend. This diversity defines Hamm's pre-Christmas season.

Hamm-Pelkum — The District with Mining DNA

The CreativRevier is located in the Hamm district of Pelkum, a former mining area. For decades, Pelkum, Bockum-Hövel, and Herringen formed the economic backbone of the city — today they are sites of remembrance for structural change. The Miner's Christmas Market connects this history with the contemporary Advent market concept.