Weihnachtsmarkt Solingen — Mühlenplatz

Solingen — the Blade City in the Bergisches Land

Experiencing Christmas in Solingen means entering the Bergisches Land city of blades, home to nearly 160,000 inhabitants. For centuries, Solingen has been the center of German knife and blade production — brands like Wüsthof, Zwilling, and Solinger Stahl shape the city's industrial reputation to this day. In the city center, around Mühlenplatz, the city has a dense urban area where the central Christmas market is set up annually — a compact, urban festive backdrop amidst the city center's commercial buildings.

Mühlenplatz — the Heart of Solingen's City Center

Mühlenplatz is Solingen's central market square, nestled between the main shopping street, pedestrian zone, and administrative buildings. Throughout the year, it serves as a weekly market place, event venue, and meeting point. During the Advent season, it transforms into the Solingen Christmas Market with classic stall architecture: wooden huts arranged in a semicircle around a central stage, a large Christmas tree, and festive lighting in the trees.

Four Weeks of Market Operation 2026

The 2026 market runs from Saturday, November 21 to Tuesday, December 22. Daily opening hours:

• Sunday to Thursday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Friday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Après-Ski atmosphere in the late evening)
• Saturday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
• Closed: Sunday, November 22 (Totensonntag) — state day of mourning

With a duration of over four weeks, Solingen's Mühlenplatz market is one of the longer-running Christmas markets in the region.

Mulled Wine, Punch, and Solingen's Stall Offerings

The centerpiece — as at every German Christmas market — is Glühwein (mulled wine). Several mulled wine stands offer classic red mulled wine, white mulled wine, punch, and non-alcoholic options. Alongside these are beer stands, whisky toddy bars, and sparkling wine stalls. Prices are in the usual mid-range for NRW Christmas markets. The food selection ranges from bratwurst, potato pancakes, and dumplings to crêpes, chocolate-covered fruit, gingerbread, soups, Maultaschen, and vegetarian and vegan options.

Après-Ski on Friday Evenings

Solingen's hallmark is the Après-Ski atmosphere on Friday evenings. While most German Christmas markets close at 8 or 9 PM, the Mühlenplatz stays open until 10 PM on Fridays — and from the later evening hours onwards, featuring Schlager DJs, Après-Ski hits, and a corresponding party mood. This strategy attracts a younger audience: 25- to 35-year-olds from Solingen, Wuppertal, Remscheid, and the Bergisches Land combine the mulled wine stand with the DJ program. A conscious distinction from the classically contemplative markets.

Arts and Crafts and Christmas Decorations

In addition to gastronomy, the market also offers classic arts and crafts: handmade nativity scenes, wooden figures, jewelry, candles, knitwear, incense, and Erzgebirge wood carvings. The variety is moderate — the Mühlenplatz market is more focused on gastronomy and atmosphere than on being a craft market.

Christmas Markets in Solingen — The Regional Selection

The Mühlenplatz market is just one of several Solingen Advent markets. Others include: Schloss Grünewald (classic-historic, with castle atmosphere, annually for 4 Advent weekends), Walder Weihnachtsdorf (district market in Wald with 40 stalls), Botanischer Garten (on the 2nd Advent weekend), Ohligs (district market with wine festival tradition), and Gräfrath (in the historic town center). Those who want to experience the full Solingen Advent spectrum can combine different dates.