Christmas Market in Bochum, Germany

We all know that there’s one country that is best in Christmas Markets and that’s Germany. The Germans have a long tradition of organizing Christmas Markets. I went to the Christmas Market in Bochum, Germany this year. Bochum is perfectly located within driving distance from the Netherlands and there are more reasons why I’d recommend a visit to the ‘Weihnachtsmarkt’ in Bochum. On this page I’m telling you all about the Christmas Market in Bochum in Germany.

Bochum

As I said, Bochum is located very handy for those traveling from the Netherlands. It’s only a 1,5 hour drive from Eindhoven and you can also reach it by train. Bochum is located in the Ruhr region; which used to be a rough industrial area. But cities in the Ruhr area are developing into hip metropoles, and Bochum is no exception. It makes Bochum a nice destination to visit, also when it isn’t Christmas time.

Naehrstoff-Reich

There are many nice shops and restaurants in Bochum. My favorite restaurant is Naehrstoff-Reich. It’s located in the ‘Bermuda-Dreieck’. This Bermuda Triangle is an area with several nice restaurants, cafes and bars. Naehrstoff-Reich is a superfood bistro. They serve healthy lunches and dinner all based on their philosophy that with their healthy food they contribute to your wellbeing. All their bowls are high in nutrients, so they contain more vitamins and fiber than your average lunch!

On the menu you’ll find Sweet Bowls, Superfood Bowls, Superfood Sandwiches and Superfoods Bread. For dessert they’ve got healthy sweets like sweet potato brownies. All their dishes are vegetarian and most of them are vegan.

Bochum Weihnachtsmarkt

Every year from the end of November it’s time for the Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market) in Bochum. Over 200 stalls are set up in the city centre. They sell food, glühwein, presents and Christmas decorations. The market is spread out over the city center and you can easily reach all the stands by foot. Just like every Christmas Market in Germany, the atmosphere is great. Despite the cold, everyone lingers outside, walks around and eats on the street at one of the many food stands.
The main market square also has a beautiful tall structure of a German Christmas Pyramid. Many German household have such a pyramid as Christmas decoration at home, but this tall one is quite the attraction!

Bochum also puts up several statues during the Christmas period. From fairytale figures from the Grimm Brothers to typical Christmas statues like reindeers. The fairytale statues are located in Christmas Stalls. The tall light statues make a great background for a selfie or a group picture.

There’s also a Medieval part on the Christmas Market where you can play games from that time and eat food inspired by the food eaten then.
On the husemannplatz you can find a turning bar in a carroussel. There’s also a ‘lichter dach’ on that square, a ‘roof’ made of Christmas lights.

The most unique thing about the Christmas Market in Bochum is the ‘Flying Santa Claus’. Every day at 5 and 7pm Santa Claus will get in his sleigh and try to fly over the Christmas Market. He needs some help from Rudolph and a Christmas angel, but after that he’ll fly over the market. It’s spectacular and will amaze not only children but adults too. You can watch the flying Santa Claus on the main market square called Dr. Ruer Platz.

You’ll never have to go hungry when you’re on the Christmas Market in Bochum. There are many food stalls. There are some great vegetarian food options as well. On the main square you can get some deep-fried cauliflower and on the other end, right behind Christmas Pyramid you can get this Schwabische Dinnette. This Christmas market speciality is a cross-over of a pizza and a flammkuchen. If you get the one with Käse-Zwiebel (cheese-onion) it’s vegetarian.

Bochum is one of the first cities in Germany to make their Christmas Market more sustainable. At the food stands you won’t get single-use plastic like plates and straws anymore. At the other stands you’re encouraged to use your own bag. You can also buy a mug at the Christmas Market in Bochum that you can refill at all the stands so that you don’t need single-use cups. The mug is also a nice souvenir from the Weihnachtsmarkt in Bochum!