Soest Christmas market

The globally unique green sandstone ensemble "Altstadt Soest" will once again form the impressive backdrop for one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe this year - an accolade that has now been officially confirmed by the European Association of Excellent Christmas Markets. Once again this year, around 100 lovingly decorated wooden houses blend harmoniously into the ambience of the historic Altstadt, offering gifts and handicrafts from all over the world, Christmas decorations in a wide variety of shapes, colors and materials, craft demonstrations and, of course, culinary delights for every taste. The offer is international: baked goods from Italy, cheese from South Tyrol and handicrafts from Africa and Poland, to name but a few. Clubs, companies and private individuals have the opportunity to present themselves and their products in the action house on the market square on a daily basis. Festive illuminations and a family-friendly supporting program invite you to take an Advent stroll through the historic Altstadt.

Further supporting program at the Christmas market and in the city
From the second weekend in Advent, you should not miss a visit to the Westfalen nativity scene in the church of St. Patrokli. 80,000 visitors a year marvel at this extraordinary nativity scene exhibition in Westfalen scenery. The Christmas Gospel is depicted here in constantly changing scenes, from the Annunciation to the Nativity and the arrival of the Magi.

In addition to the Christmas tours of the Old Town ("Altstadt im Lichterglanz"), the taster tours of the Christmas market are a particularly popular offer for groups. These are guided tours of the Christmas market with various tastings at the food, drink and confectionery stalls. In addition to interesting facts and figures about Soest at Christmas, interesting facts and figures about the Christmas market itself are of course also provided. You can book this guided tour and a variety of other city tours via the website www.so-ist-soest.de.
Children's program at the Soest Christmas market
Of course, the Soest Christmas market also has a lot to offer for younger guests. The opening of the Advent calendar window (daily at 5 pm at the Advent bakery on the cathedral square) is a real highlight for the children. Every evening, the Christmas angel hands out sweets to the waiting children. The children's Advent bakery itself is also a real must. Under expert guidance, the little ones can knead dough, cut out cookies and then bake them, while mom and dad can take their time strolling around the stalls, rummaging for presents or enjoying a glass of hot punch. And on Saturdays and Sundays, a pretty wooden hut specially equipped for children, the Sternstundenhaus, opens its doors from 1 pm to 6 pm. Here, children can read Christmas stories and make all kinds of crafts.

Soest among the TOP 12 Christmas markets in Europe
The European Excellent Christmas Market Association (EECMA) was also impressed by the varied program at and around the Soest Christmas market and included the traditional Soest Christmas market in its list of the TOP 12 Christmas markets in Europe for the first time in 2025. The Soest Christmas market thus joins the prominent company of internationally important Christmas markets - including Dresden's Striezelmarkt and Vienna's Christkindlmarkt.