Westfälischer Weihnachtsmarkt Mühlenhof Münster

Westphalian Christmas Market at Mühlenhof — historical charm

The Westphalian Christmas Market at the Mühlenhof Open-Air Museum Münster is one of the most atmospheric Advent markets in the Münsterland region. On four Advent weekends in 2026 — November 28/29, December 5/6, December 12/13, and December 19/20 — the open-air museum on the Aasee transforms into a historic festive backdrop. Market scenes unfold between half-timbered buildings up to 400 years old, offering a different experience than any conventional city Christmas market.

Mühlenhof Open-Air Museum — Westphalian farm life

The Mühlenhof Open-Air Museum Münster was founded in 1961 and gathers around 30 historic buildings from the Münsterland region: farmhouses, a post mill, a blacksmith's forge, a bakery, a chapel, and numerous utility buildings. The oldest houses date back to the 16th century. On Advent weekends, this authentic setting serves as the market backdrop — historic and festive at the same time.

Four Advent weekends — alternating program

Unlike a continuous market, the Mühlenhof Christmas market opens only on weekends:

• 1st Advent (November 28/29) — Opening weekend with welcome program
• 2nd Advent (December 5/6) — St. Nicholas program for children
• 3rd Advent (December 12/13) — Focus on choir concerts
• 4th Advent (December 19/20) — Festive, quiet winding down before Christmas

Opening hours: Saturday 2:00 PM–8:00 PM, Sunday 12:00 PM–7:00 PM. A total of 8 market days.

High-quality arts and crafts

The exhibitors are carefully curated — not a mass-produced goods market, but genuine craftsmanship:

• Handmade ceramics from Westphalian workshops
• Paper stars, straw stars in traditional techniques
• Wood carvings from the Ore Mountains and Westphalian workshops
• Natural cosmetics from regional manufacturers
• Textiles, felt, wool products
• Blacksmith work demonstrated live

Culinary delights — Westphalian soul food

The food stalls serve regional specialties:

• Flammkuchen from a wood-fired oven
• Pfefferpotthast — Westphalian beef stew
• Blindhuhn — Münsterland stew
• Burgers made from regional meat
• Mulled wine (Glühwein), punch, children's punch, Lumumba

Münster — University city in the Münsterland

With almost 320,000 inhabitants, Münster (an independent city in North Rhine-Westphalia) is the central city of the Münsterland region. A university and diocesan city, famous for the peace negotiations of 1648, its cycling-friendly city policy, and its well-maintained cityscape. The Mühlenhof Open-Air Museum is located directly on the Aasee — one of the city's central recreational areas — and is easily accessible by bike or bus from the city center.