Christmas Market at the Holzlarer Mühle

Holzlar — Bonn-Beuel's quiet district with a mill

If you already know the classic Bonn Christmas market on Münsterplatz and are looking for something charming in the neighbourhood, a trip to Holzlar is worthwhile. The Bonn district in the Beuel borough (right bank of the Rhine) has around 7,000 inhabitants and is located on the eastern outskirts of Bonn, at the transition to the Siebengebirge. Holzlar has a village-like, quiet atmosphere, with single-family homes, club life, and the historic Holzlarer Mühle as its landmark.

The Holzlarer Mühle — Bonn's only mill monument

The Holzlarer Mühle is a historic industrial monument from the 19th century — a former grain mill on the stream, which is now maintained by volunteers from the Verein Holzlarer Mühle e.V. What makes Holzlar special: the mill is the only functioning historic mill in the Bonn city area. The mill mechanism still works — the wheel is turned during mill festivals and demonstrations, and the grinding mechanism operates. This living industrial history makes the location an ideal Christmas backdrop.

28 Years of Advent Tradition

The 2026 Christmas market marks the 28th edition — a neighbourhood market with almost three decades of uninterrupted tradition. The organizers are, in the tried-and-tested dual sponsorship, the Bürgerverein Holzlar e.V. (representing the district's interests) and the Verein Holzlarer Mühle e.V. (taking care of the mill monument). The market partially finances the associations' work — proceeds go towards mill maintenance and district projects.

Saturday, December 5, 2026 — Programme

The 2026 market runs on Saturday, December 5, from 11:30 AM to 7:30 PM. Eight hours of market operation in a manageable but densely programmed format. In the small area around the mill, there are about two dozen huts and stalls offering a concentrated spectrum of Advent activities.

Reiberdatschi from the Mill Ovens

A culinary specialty is the freshly baked Reiberdatschi (potato pancakes) from the Holzlar ovens — prepared right at the stand, the aroma wafts through the entire market area. A classic Advent treat: warm Reiberdatschi with apple sauce or salmon, accompanied by mulled wine or punch. Also available are sausages, cookies, gingerbread, stollen, and sweet specialties from Holzlar schools and clubs.

Crafts and Art

The assortment on the sales stands includes:

• Handmade Christmas items from regional production
• Watercolour and acrylic paintings by local artists
• Woodwork — carvings, nativity figures, wooden decorations
• Decorated cookies from Holzlar schools — a popular gift idea
• Candles in many shapes and colours
• Jewellery, knitwear, felt crafts, Christmas decorations

Visit from St. Nicholas

A classic highlight for children: in the afternoon, St. Nicholas and his angels visit the market. With a sack full of gifts and kind words, he goes from family to family, asks the children about their behaviour, and distributes sweets. For many Holzlar families, the visit from St. Nicholas is the main reason for the day.

Neighbourhood Market — Not a Tourist Event

Unlike the large Bonn markets (Münsterplatz, Friedensplatz), the Holzlarer Mühlenmarkt is an explicitly neighbourhood market. Most visitors come from Holzlar itself, from Beuel, and the surrounding districts of Limperich, Hoholz, and Pützchen. Those who attend should appreciate its character: small-scale, familiar, with a high degree of recognition among the stallholders. For visitors from outside the area, a couple from Bonn-Bad Godesberg or Königswinter would be typical — maintaining the neighbourhood market character.