MuseumsAdvent at LWL-Open Air Museum Detmold

Christmas around 1900 at the Open Air Museum

The LWL-Open Air Museum Detmold is Germany's largest open-air museum — over 100 historic farmhouses, workshops, and mills spread across around 90 hectares in Detmold on the edge of the Teutoburg Forest. Once a year — on the first Advent weekend — the museum's Paderborn village transforms into a Christmas market from the era around 1900. In 2026, MuseumsAdvent runs from Friday, December 4th, to Sunday, December 6th.

Illuminated Paths Through the Village

The special charm: The illuminated path through the museum to the Paderborn village is one of the festival's "special experiences," as the museum itself puts it. Atmospheric lighting, festively decorated houses, fairy lights, and candles create a mood incomparable to classic city Christmas markets. Those unable to walk are transported to the village by minibuses.

42 Artisans in Period Style

In the Paderborn village, 42 artisans line up in period-style stalls — handmade products, often made on-site. Live demonstrations include rope making, blacksmithing, and woodturning. The museum bakers produce fresh bread, cakes, and pastries in the historic ovens.

Children's Program and Workshops

For children, there are storytellers, puppet shows, and creative workshops in the historic rooms. A special event is the photography workshop on Saturday evening — where participants can photograph the museum at dusk (additional charge: 18 EUR plus admission).

Opening Hours and Tickets

Friday and Saturday from 2 PM to 9 PM, Sunday from 11 AM to 7 PM. Adults pay 10 EUR (8 EUR in advance online), children and young people under 18 are free. Detmold-Plus and several local hotels offer overnight packages around MuseumsAdvent.

Shuttle Buses from the City Center

The city of Detmold offers a shuttle bus service during MuseumsAdvent from parking lots in the city center directly to the museum entrance. This addresses the parking issue and eases access to the southern part of Detmold.

LWL-Open Air Museum as an Institution

The LWL-Open Air Museum Detmold belongs to the Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe (LWL) and is one of Germany's most important cultural history museums. With MuseumsAdvent, it combines its collection of historic houses with a concentrated experiential format — one of the few opportunities to experience the village in full illumination and habitation.