Advent in Munster is one of the city’s highlights. The main market at the Town Hall is the largest and oldest event. This year, six market locations will be spread across the city centre.
Read on for confirmed details, opening times, locations and tips to plan your visit.
Head to the Town Hall and Prinzipalmarkt to Visit Munster Christmas Market in 2024
Dates – Confirmed
Munster dates: 25th November to 23rd December 2024 (confirmed).
Update: This year’s schedule was released in May. Sign up for our newsletter for future updates.
Source: Information obtained directly from the city here.
Note: Details below are for the Town Hall location. Scroll down for information on other markets in the city.
Plan Your Visit
Location and Times
Location: Town Hall (Rathaus Münster) and Prinzipalmarkt.
Opening times:
Sunday to Thursday: 11am to 8pm.
Friday and Saturday: 11am to 9pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Travel and Accommodation
Recommended tour: Guided rickshaw city tour.
Public transport: Buses run in the city centre.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion. Parkhaus Alter Steinweg is an accessible option nearby.
Travel tips: Add some other winter destinations to your itinerary, like nearby Cologne or Amsterdam. Be sure to visit the Pablo Picasso Museum for something unexpected.
Where to stay: The Central Hotel is a great choice near the Town Hall and Aegidiimarkt.
Amenities and Attractions
Admission: Free.
Lights: No switch-on date announced.
Santa: No.
Ice skating: No.
Reason to visit: Munster is a busy university city with cool bars and cafes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of options.
Gluten-free: Yes, but limited.
Food specialities: Hot punch (either alcohol-free or with a shot), bratwurst served with potato pancakes, and Munster ham.
Accessibility
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Yes, but not recommended during busy periods.
Convenient Hotels
Munster’s historic centre (Münster-Altstadt) revolves around Prinzipalmarkt and then towards the Town Hall, Picasso Museum and Domplatz. Anywhere around these points of interest would be a great place to stay.
I recommend the Central Hotel Münster. It’s convenient as it’s a 4-minute walk to the events and Prinzipalmarkt. I stayed here on my most recent visit and found it ideally located and very comfortable.
If that’s unavailable, check out my guide to hotels in Munster for more places to stay.
Munster is nice, but this German Christmas Markets List has many other places to visit this year.
Location Map
Captured a moment that embodies the holiday season? Tag your photos with #UltimateChristmasMarkets — we can’t wait to see your festive finds!
List of All Events
- Rathausmarkt: Munster’s largest and oldest Advent market is located in the City Hall Courtyard. Find jewellery, arts and crafts, local food, and a children’s carousel.
- 25th November to 23rd December 2024 (confirmed).
- St Lamberti Church: This market is known for its beautiful light displays. It uses LED lighting to minimise energy use. At least 30 stalls with unique items such as ceramics from a local social enterprise, upcycled gifts, picture books, DIY crafts, spinning tops, moonshine in mason jars and blueberry mulled wine.
- 25th November to 22nd December 2024 (confirmed).
- Aegidiimarkt: Located around St Aegidii Church, this family-friendly market features blue-lit huts, a wooden pyramid, and a carillon that plays every half hour. Food options include potato pancakes, waffles, crêpes, grilled salmon, currywurst and kale or French fries.
- 25th November to 23rd December 2024 (confirmed).
- Giebelhüüskesmarkt: At the medieval Überwasserkirche, this market has 20 stalls among half-timbered houses, offering handcrafted items and regional specialties.
- 25th November to 22nd December 2024 (confirmed).
- Kiepenkerl Village: A smaller market focusing on traditional Münsterland crafts and local foods, capturing the essence of Westphalian culture.
- 25th November to 23rd December 2024 (confirmed).
- X-MS: Located on Harsewinkelplatz, this market emphasises sustainability. It features recycled stands and local vendors offering handicrafts and regional specialties.
- 25th November to 23rd December 2024 (confirmed).
What to Expect
This year, Munster has six markets across the city, each with its own theme and atmosphere. The largest and oldest is at the Town Hall, while others are around the city centre.
Munster, a key winter destination in Westphalia, has its historic heart at the Town Hall and Prinzipalmarkt, a beautiful arcade-lined marketplace where the main market is located.
With over 300 stalls at Rathaus (Town Hall), Aegidiimarkt, Spiekerhof, Überwasserkirchplatz, Lamberti, and Harsewinkelplatz, each location has a unique experience with local crafts, artisanal gifts, festive foods and nativity scenes.
Sustainability Tips
- Green Hotels: Book a hotel that uses renewable energy and implements water and energy conservation measures.
- Reduce Food Waste: Be mindful of portions when dining; consider sharing meals to avoid waste while trying local dishes.
- Shop Locally: Select handcrafted items from local artisans to support the community and minimise transportation emissions.
- Eat Sustainably: Order vegetarian and plant-based dishes that use locally sourced ingredients.
- Travel Sustainably: Explore the area by foot or bike. The city has a strong cycling culture, and bike rentals are widely available. For longer distances, use public transport like buses and trains.
Please comment below if you have any questions or comments about visiting the Munster Xmas market or elsewhere in the Westphalia region this winter.
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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. While we make every effort to provide accurate information, the dates and details listed here should not be relied upon. Please consult the official website before booking your trip or planning a visit.
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