Advent in Munster is one of the most popular events of the year. In 2023, there will be six Christmas markets to celebrate the season. The main Munster Christmas Market takes place at the Town Hall and is the city’s largest and oldest Christmas market.
In this guide, I share confirmed dates for 2023, opening times, locations and everything you need to know for planning your visit.
Munster is one of the most interesting winter destinations in the Westphalia region of Germany. At the city’s historic heart are the Town Hall and Prinzipalmarkt, an arcade-lined street and marketplace. It’s one of the city’s most beautiful areas, and it’s where you’ll find Munster Christmas Market.
Munster Christmas Market 2023
As you wander through the Christmas market in Munster, you’ll find yourself in the midst of six different yet closely-knit markets, each brimming with its distinct character.
Over 300 stalls spread across the city centre – at the Rathaus (Town Hall), Aegidiimarkt, Spiekerhof, Überwasserkirchplatz, Lamberti and another market area at Harsewinkelplatz – make this event special.
The markets not only showcase an impressive array of local crafts, artisanal gifts and gourmet treats and engage visitors with a rich programme of cultural events, such as carol singing and nativity scenes.
Full details of each market are listed below but first up, all the information for the main Christmas market in Munster city centre.
Dates and Location
Munster Christmas Market dates: 27th November to 23rd December 2023.
Location: Town Hall (Rathaus Münster) and around beautiful Prinzipalmarkt.
Opening times: Sunday to Thursday: 11am to 8pm. Friday and Saturday: 11am to 9pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Admission: Free, no tickets required.
Ice skating: No.
Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of options.
Gluten free: Yes, but limited.
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Yes, but not recommended during busy periods.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion.
Reason to visit: Munster is a university city with a youthful population. You’ll find fun bars, nightlife and regular events that welcome visitors. Be sure to visit the Pablo Picasso Museum for something unexpected in Munster.
Recommended tour: Guided rickshaw city tour.
Specialities: Hot punch (either alchol free or with a shot), bratwurst served with potato pancakes, Munster ham.
Travel tips: Munster is located close by some of Germany’s most famous Christmas destinations. Consider adding Cologne or Essen to you winter trip or you could even cross the border to Amsterdam, an amazing city to visit all year round.
Where to stay: The Central Hotel Münster is a great choice near both the Town Hall Christmas market and Aegidiimarkt.
Hotels near Munster Christmas Market
Munster’s historic centre (Münster-Altstadt) revolves around Prinzipalmarkt and then towards the Historic City Hall, Rathausplatz, the Picasso Museum and Domplatz. Anywhere around these points of interest would be a great place to stay.
I suggest staying at Central Hotel Münster as it’s a 4-minute walk to the Historic City Hall and a further 2 minutes to Prinzipalmarkt. I stayed here on my most recent visit and found it to be perfectly located.
If you would prefer to stay elsewhere, my guide to hotels near Munster Christmas Market lists several other excellent hotels for all budgets.
Location of Munster Christmas Market
Christmas Markets in Munster
This year, there are six Christmas markets in Munster. The largest and most well-known is held at the Historic Town Hall, but you’ll find five other markets around the city with different themes, specialities and atmospheres.
1. Rathausmarkt – Town Hall Market
Under the mesmerising sky of lights on the Platz des Westfälischen Friedens (City Hall Courtyard), you’ll encounter the Rathausmarkt. This market holds the title of being the largest and most established of Münster’s Christmas offerings. Its array of jewellery and arts and crafts stalls provide the perfect place to find unique gifts, and the children’s carousel and culinary stalls cater to both young and old.
2. Lichtermarkt at St Lamberti Church
Illuminate your Christmas spirit at the Lichtermarkt. Located at the foot of the Lambertikirche, this market bathes the surrounding square in an enchanting sea of lights. Whether hunting for Christmas wares or sampling local cuisine, you will surely be charmed by the dazzling display. This environmentally conscious market even boasts LED exterior lighting, helping to minimise its carbon footprint. This market closes on 22nd December 2023.
3. Aegidiimarkt Advent Market
Immerse yourself in the family-friendly warmth of the Aegidiimarkt Advent Market. Positioned around the St Aegidii Church, this market’s blue-hued, illuminated huts and magnificent wooden pyramid, complete with a half-hourly carillon, set a unique and heart-warming scene. From crafts to culinary treats, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
4. Giebelhüüskesmarkt
Experience traditional German festivity at the Giebelhüüskesmarkt, set against the backdrop of the medieval Überwasserkirche. This market’s rustic charm comes from its 20 stalls, tucked between quaint half-timbered houses, each offering an array of handcrafted items and regional delicacies. This market closes on 22nd December 2023.
5. Kiepenkerl Christmas Village
Step into the cosy Kiepenkerl Christmas Village and discover the true essence of Westphalian culture. Its quaint stands teem with traditional local crafts and specialty foods. Although it’s the smallest among the five markets, its emphasis on traditional Münsterland crafts and foods makes it a unique addition to the Christmas festivities.
6. X-MS Christmas Market
The X-MS Christmas Market, located on Harsewinkelplatz, embodies the spirit of sustainability and regional pride. Here, you’ll find a comprehensive selection of local handicrafts, regional specialities and creative wares. Its unique stands are recycled asparagus and strawberry stands, providing a festive upcycled touch. This market’s commitment to sustainability, local vendors and high-quality products makes it a truly distinct Münster experience.
Munster is great, but this list of the best Christmas markets in Germany 2023 has many other places you could also visit this year.
Sustainable Travel Tips
The choices we make have an environmental and social impact on the places we visit. When visiting the Christmas markets, keeping sustainability in mind is important. He are some tips you can consider when visiting Munich at Christmas.
Support Renewable Energy: Many accommodations in Munster, like the Boardinghouse Münster, are powered by renewable energy. When booking your stay, I highly recommend you choose hotels that are conscious about their energy consumption. This small decision can make a big difference in reducing your overall carbon footprint.
Cut Down on Food Waste: Christmas markets are well-known for their variety of food stalls. Be mindful of how much you’re ordering. I’ve found that the servings at Münster’s Christmas markets are often quite generous, and it’s easy to overorder. Sharing meals with friends or family can help reduce food waste and let you sample a wider variety of the local cuisine.
Ethical Shopping: Many of the Christmas markets in Münster, such as the X-MS Christmas Market, prioritise local and regional products. When you buy souvenirs or gifts, consider selecting handcrafted items from these stalls. Doing this supports the local economy and reduces the carbon emissions associated with transporting goods over long distances.
Adopt a Sustainable Diet: Münster’s Christmas markets offer various food options catering to different dietary needs. Kiepenkerl Christmas Village, for instance, focuses on traditional Münsterland foods. You’ll often find hearty vegetarian dishes and local specialities made from locally sourced ingredients. Opting for these can reduce the carbon footprint of your meals.
Travel Sustainably: Münster’s city centre is compact, and most attractions are within walking distance of each other, which makes it an ideal city to explore on foot or by bicycle. Münster is well-known for its cycling culture, and there are numerous places to hire a bicycle. Using public transportation, such as buses and trams, for longer distances is another way to travel sustainably. Both options will help reduce carbon emissions significantly compared to driving a private car.
FAQ
Munster Christmas Market dates are from 27th November to 23rd December 2023.
The Christmas market in Munster opens Sunday to Thursday: 11am to 8pm. Friday and Saturday: 11am to 9pm.
The Christmas market in Munster closes at 8pm on Sunday to Thursday and closes at 9pm on Friday and Saturday.
Munster is a bustling city that is particularly vibrant during the Christmas period. Munster is worth visiting its history, cultural events, the local beer scene and Christmas markets.
Please comment below if you have any questions or comments about visiting the Munster Xmas market in 2023 or elsewhere in the Westphalia region this winter.
You can get more travel information and updates from the City of Munster (spelt as Münster in German, which is translated as Muenster in English).
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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. This post contains affiliate links to hotels and tours in Muenster, Germany. This means I get a small commission from any bookings at no extra cost to you.
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