Wintertreff Kirchhellen

Advent Kick-off in Kirchhellen's Village Center

The Wintertreff Kirchhellen is the Advent festival of Bottrop's Kirchhellen district – a three-day meeting point before the first Advent weekend. The organizer is the "Natürlich Kirchhellen" Business and Tourism Association, an alliance of local businesses, clubs, and restaurateurs. The focus is on the central Johann-Breuker-Platz, which is transformed into a winter festival mile with stalls, fairy lights, and a stage.

Date 2026: November 27–29

The 2026 Wintertreff runs from Friday, November 27, to Sunday, November 29. The highlight is the Sunday shopping event from 1 PM to 6 PM, during which Kirchhellen's shops will also be open.

Stage Program

The stage program follows the proven structure of previous years:

• Friday: Official opening by the district mayor, visit from St. Nicholas with gifts for the children, performance by a local solo artist, live band in the evening
• Saturday: Program from the late afternoon, soloist on stage, cozy gathering until late in the evening
• Sunday: Continuous family day from 1 PM with contributions from local clubs – Secondary School, Montessori Kindergarten, Tanzsportclub Harmonie, Jagdhornbläser (hunting horn blowers), among others

Culinary Delights from the Lower Rhine-Münsterland Transition Area

The stalls are primarily run by Kirchhellen clubs, restaurateurs, and associations:

• Kale with Mettwurst (smoked sausage) and potatoes
• Potato pancakes with apple sauce
• Bratwurst, Currywurst, cured meat
• Waffles, crêpes, candied almonds
• Mulled wine, cocoa, punch

The proceeds from many stalls benefit social projects and clubs in Kirchhellen. Reusable cups are welcome, as some vendors are foregoing deposit containers.

Sunday Shopping

The Sunday shopping event is a central element. From 1 PM to 6 PM, Kirchhellen's shops open additionally – with special promotions, Advent decorations, and refreshments in retail stores. Those looking for gifts for the holidays can combine a market stroll with district shopping.

"By Kirchhelleners for Kirchhelleners"

The organizers emphasize the charitable nature of the festival. No showman commercialism, no large-scale event – but rather community work. Schools, kindergartens, sports clubs, and traditional costume groups shape the stage program. Those who want to get to know the heart of a Westphalian district will find it at the Wintertreff.

Kirchhellen – Bottrop's Green North

Kirchhellen, with around 31,000 inhabitants, is Bottrop's largest district and is located in the far north of the city, bordering the Münsterland region. Characterized by agriculture, Movie Park Germany, and Schlosspark Beck, Kirchhellen is different from the more industrially influenced Bottrop-Süd. Johann-Breuker-Platz, with its community center and St. Johannes parish church, forms the village-like core.