Weihnachtsmarkt Rund um das Rathaus

The Christmas Market Around the Town Hall is Münster's largest and oldest Christmas market, set in the atmospheric inner courtyard of the historic Town Hall on the Platz des Westfälischen Friedens. A romantic canopy of lights stretches overhead, casting a warm glow over approximately 90 stalls that transform this storied square into a festive wonderland drawing nearly one million visitors each season from across Germany and beyond. The market's carefully curated mix leans heavily toward quality craftsmanship, with roughly 70% of stalls dedicated to arts and crafts and 30% to food and drink. Shoppers can browse an impressive range of jewelry, handmade ornaments, woodwork from the Erzgebirge region, beeswax candles, textiles, and illustrated prints. Four rotating pop-up huts add variety throughout the season, with vendors changing weekly or bi-weekly to offer fresh discoveries on every visit. Culinary highlights include mulled wine, vegane currywurst, pasta served from a Parmesan wheel, and glutenfree options — a nod to the market's increasingly diverse offerings. A nostalgic children's carousel adds a charming, old-fashioned touch that delights families. Special events punctuate the season: the Nikolaus visits the Rathausinnenhof on December 7th, and brass ensembles perform from the historic Sentenzbogen of the Town Hall on Advent Saturdays. The market runs Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and Friday through Saturday from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Arriving on a weekday or at midday on weekends is strongly recommended to enjoy the stalls without the heavy Saturday evening crowds.