The Christmas market in Munster passes under the radar of many Christmas market enthusiasts, which is really a shame! The city itself, located in Northwest Germany, is charming and vibrant and steeped in history, serving as a gorgeous backdrop for the hundreds of glittering market stalls that line the streets and squares.
Much of the magic happens in the shadow of Munster’s gorgeous St. Lambert’s church and its intricate spire adding a postcard perfect touch to the whole celebration.
Christmas Market Dates
Christmas Market Locations
The unforgettable Christmas market in Munster is actually comprised of five individual Christmas markets scattered around the old town, with an astonishing 250 stalls in total!
- The Christmas Market Around the Town Hall: This is the largest and oldest Christmas market in Munster, featuring a fantastic canopy of lights in the inner courtyard.
- Aegidii Christmas Market: This market has a towering wooden Christmas pyramid with a spinning top as its centerpiece. It’s a few minutes’ walk from the other markets, but is closer to parking areas so if you’re driving, you may want to start here. It also has a glockenspiel that plays on the half hour!
- Lights Market St. Lamberti: Surrounded by charming gabled houses, this market is located right next to St. Lambert’s Church, and also features the city’s largest Christmas tree! I think it’s the most beautiful of the five.
- Giebelhüüskesmarkt: Nestled among charming half-timbered houses, this market offers a more intimate and traditional atmosphere with tons of photo-ops.
- Christmas Village Around Kiepenkerl: This market is known for its wide selection of beautiful handcrafted goods.
- Westphalian Christmas Market (weekends only!): A special weekends-only market in the historic open-air museum Mühlenhof. You can find decorated wooden stalls alongside about 30 historic buildings from the 17th to 19th centuries. You’ll discover high-quality and typical Westphalian goods, decorations, and gifts!
You’ll be able to move almost seamlessly from market to market as you walk along the cobblestones, taking it all in, indulging in the amazing food and drink, and browsing (and buying from) the impressive array of market stalls.
Munster – the City of Peace
Munster lies in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, and is often referred to as the “city of peace.” History nerds will appreciate that this name comes from the signing of the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, that happened in the cities of Munster and Osnabrück to the Northeast. The Treaty of Westphalia ended the devastating Thirty Years War which had ravaged much of Europe.
The war was perpetrated by religious tensions between Catholics and Protestants and caused widespread devastation and death on a massive and brutal scale. It’s responsible for incredible destruction and most of the blown apart castle ruins you see today along the French-German border.
The Treaty of Westphalia established a new political order, recognized the principle of state sovereignty, allowed rulers to decide the religion of their subjects (with a little leniency) and marked a significant step towards the evolution of the modern nation-state system, and international law. You can read more here about the treaty and where it was signed.
The city’s early origins date way back to the Roman era, when a military camp was established on the site that would eventually evolve into the modern city. Over the centuries, Munster grew into a significant trading center and became a member of the influential Hanseatic League of trade cities.
The Christmas Market in Munster – a Feast for the Senses
Atmosphere
Munster really is the epitome of a German Christmas market in so many ways! From the painted market stalls decorated with lights and greenery, to the huge Christmas trees, the quaint timber-framed houses, the traditional Adventskranz, or advent wreath, with its four candles to celebrate the four Sundays before Christmas, the cobbled streets, and the buildings that look like they were just swiped from a ceramic medieval Christmas village, you will get the full-on German market experience, and the photos to match it!
And everywhere the scents of the holidays waft through the air – from the sizzling meats and potatoes, to the intoxicating fruity spice of mulled wine. Carolers, glockenspiel music, and beautiful carillon bells playing Christmas music round it out to complete the quintessential German Christmas experience.
Food and Drink
One thing I really love about the Christmas market in Munster is the variety of really good food! Of course you’ll experience all the classic Christmas market fare – potato pancakes, bratwurst, currywurst, spiral potatos on a stick, waffles, Nutella crepes… but there were also some regional and less-common German specialties you don’t find at every market.
Pumpernickel bread is beloved in this area, as is schmaltz – a traditional Jewish staple made of goose or chicken fat. Put one on top of the other and you have a rich, delicious, salty fatty slice of heaven. I’d never had it before but I loved it! Make sure when you are visiting new places that you always give local or regional foods a try. Sometimes they may fall flat, but most of the time you’ll realize why they are favorites!
There are also some great international booths that serve Italian stuffed focaccia bread, Hungarian langos (a warm fried dough topped with garlic, sour cream and grated cheese), and French sheep’s cheese in flatbread. Also, don’t miss the salmon cooked over an open flame! I could go on, but you get the idea! You will run out of room before you run out of things you want to try.
The Christmas market in Munster also has some really interesting and unusual beverages! In addition to the mandatory glühwein (hot mulled wine in red or white), you’ll find hot juices either alcohol-free or with a shot of schnaps! There’s also mulled beer, and hot cocktails. ‘Feuerzangenbowle’ can be found too, which is glühwein drizzled on from the top by a melting block of flaming rum-soaked sugar. It’s as fabulous as it sounds!
Shopping
Shoppers will be thrilled, especially those looking to find locally crafted products. The Christmas market in Munster really encourages and promotes lots of local craftspeople who offer everything from leather goods, birdhouses, wooden and quilted toys, ceramics, jewelry, candles, woolen goods, Christmas decorations, luminous paper stars, feltwork, brandies and local liqueurs, baked goods, chocolates, honey, to Christmas figures and ornaments, and soooo much more!
I was going to say bring a big shopping bag with you, but really you should bring an extra empty suitcase!
Entertainment
If you’re in the mood for a treasure hunt, don’t miss the Fairytale Hike at the Aegidii Market. Find seven hidden fairytale characters in the market stalls and get your card stamped. Then find the big bad wolf to redeem your ticket for a glühwein or kinderpunsch (for kids). You can download your fairytale treasure hunt form here!
The Aegidii Market is also the home of the gorgeous antique children’s carousel, including bicycles! Munster is at the heart of German cycling, and is considered the most bicycle-friendly city in the country. You’ll see tons of bikes everywhere, even on the carousel!
You’ll can also enjoy musical performances, either outside in the market or inside at the symphony! There’s a calendar of events at this link, so you can plan out your schedule.
Why the Christmas Market in Munster?
🇩🇪 The Christmas market in Munster is large enough to have lots of choice and variety, but it’s not overrun with tourists, so it feels like a real German experience. Sometimes it’s crowded but weekdays and daytimes are very manageable.
🧶 I love that they really emphasis local crafts and gifts. This is a very non-commercial market with lots of old-fashioned charm, and local food and crafts available to take home.
🥨 The Christmas market in Munster is kind of a foodie market. There is a lot of variety, several really good international booths, local specialties, and all the classics. There’s also a huge selection of food products to buy and take home.
🎄 It really is a visually stunning set of markets that check all the boxes. If you dreamed up a German Christmas market in your head, this would be it. And the historical setting is just the icing on the cake.
Christmas Market pro-tips
🌞🌛Timing
Daytime is a great time to do your shopping at the Christmas market in Munster, because even though it’s spread out it can still can get very crowded on weekends and in the evenings. So take the daytime to soak in the history and the architecture, and enjoy the market with fewer people. It’s also a little warmer during the day.
As the sun sets, a winter chill sets in, the twinkling lights come on, and the whole market transforms into a sparkling Christmas postcard. This is the time to bundle up, grab a hot drink and drift through the winter wonderland.
💶 Cash
Definitely bring Euros, since many booths only take cash. Check the current exchange rate so you’ll know what you’re spending and how much to bring. Usually the Euro is worth slightly more than the dollar. Just Google “Dollar to Euro conversion” and today’s exchange rate will pop up for you. You’ll find most things at the market to be fairly reasonably priced.
🧤 What to wear
Hats, mittens, gloves, a warm coat, and a scarf will serve you well, especially in the evening. If you do forget something, it will be a good excuse to pick up a fabulous hand-knit something from one of the stalls!
Also, smartwool socks, and comfortable warm shoes or walking boots are a must! Be sure to test them out first because you’ll be on your feet a lot.
Check out this link for current weather conditions in Munster. Know what to expect before you plan your time at the market.
If you do need to warm up a little, St. Lambert’s church is a great spot to duck inside.
☕ Glühwein Mug Protocol
Glühwein, Feuerzangenbowle, Eierliquor (like warm eggnog only better) and Kinderpunsch (non-alcoholic) will all come in a ceramic mug and the cost of the mug (usually a couple dollars) will be included in your charge. If you want to return the mug when you’re done, you’ll be refunded the cost that you paid. Or you can keep the mug as a souvenir if you like! Each market has a different mug each year. Munster has a couple different kinds!
Nearby Sights to Explore
Historic Rathaus and Hall of Peace
If you want to see the very room where the Treaty of Westphalia was signed, ending the Thirty Years War, all you have to do is go to the historic Town Hall (Rathaus). It’s open Tuesday – Friday from 10am to 5pm, and weekends and holidays from 10am to 4pm.
St. Lamberti Kirche (St. Lambert’s Church)
This one is right next to one of the Christmas markets and is an easy pop-in to warm up and enjoy the simple but beautiful Christmas decorations, and the lovely stained glass.
St. Paulus Dom (St. Paul’s Cathedral)
The historic cathedral is right near the Town Hall. It has a long history, but the part you see is mostly from the 13th century. Inside is an absolutely stunning astronomical clock that dates to the Middle Ages. The cathedral’s treasury is open Tuesday to Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Definitely catch it if you have time!
Walk the Old Town
Check out this amazing list of notable old buildings in Munster‘s Old Town and find the ones that interest you!
Getting to the Christmas Market in Munster
🚉 By Train
From Frankfurt: 3 hours
From Hamburg: 2 hours, 15 minutes
From Cologne: 1 hour, 44 minutes
From Amsterdam: 2 hours, 47 minutes
🚗 By Car
From Frankfurt: 2 hours, 32 minutes
From Hamburg: 2 hours, 21 minutes
From Cologne: 1 hour, 25 minutes
From Amsterdam: 2 hours, 38 minutes
✈️ Closest Airports to Munster
Düsseldorf (DUS), Cologne/Bonn (CGN), Münster (FMO), Dortmund (DTM)
The Christmas market in Munster is an incredibly beautiful experience. It really doe check all the boxes for me: lots of variety, great food, a beautiful setting, incredible history, and fabulous shopping. As one of the less-touristy markets, I hope Munster has captured your imagination and that you will come and enjoy all that this magical place has to offer!
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