Nikolausmarkt Pulheim-Brauweiler

Advent Market between Romanesque and Classicism

The Nikolausmarkt Pulheim-Brauweiler is one of the most atmospheric Advent markets in the Rhein-Erft district – located in the Abteipark Brauweiler, directly by the Romanesque St. Nicholas Abbey Church and next to the classicist abbey complex (today LVR Cultural Centre). The combination of the medieval church, the spacious park, and the former Benedictine monastery gives the market its special depth.

Date 2026 – 2nd Weekend of Advent

The 2026 edition runs on Saturday, December 5th, and Sunday, December 6th (2nd weekend of Advent, and St. Nicholas Day falls on December 6th – the ideal constellation). Opening hours both days 11:00 AM–10:00 PM. The dates have been confirmed by the relevant Christmas market directories and the city of Pulheim.

Locations – Abteipark and Ehrenfriedstraße

The market extends over two areas:

• Abteipark – Main market area with wooden stalls, stage, warming huts, bonfire, around the Romanesque St. Nicholas Abbey Church and under old park trees.
• Ehrenfriedstraße – Side market street with further stalls and connection to the center of Brauweiler.

Both areas will be completely traffic-calmed for the market.

Program – Stage, St. Nicholas, Children's Carousel

On the stage in the Abteipark, there will be several performances throughout the weekend: Brauweiler Children's Choir, St. Nicholas Brass Ensemble, dialect songs, regional small theater performances. St. Nicholas will visit on Sunday (December 6th = St. Nicholas Day) and distribute small gifts to the children. A nostalgic children's carousel, an ice rink (weather permitting), craft stations, and storytelling sessions complete the family program.

Festive Program in the LVR-Kaisersaal

A special feature: In parallel to the market, the adjacent LVR-Kaisersaal (in the classicist abbey building) opens its doors for a festive cultural program – chamber concerts, readings from Advent literature, guided tours of the LVR Cultural Centre.

Brauweiler – Monastery Village near Cologne

Brauweiler is now a district of the city of Pulheim in the Rhein-Erft district, about 15 km west of Cologne city center. Kloster Brauweiler was founded in 1024, and the abbey church is one of the most important Romanesque buildings in the Rhineland. Today, the monastery building houses the LVR Cultural Centre with conference and concert halls.