Wennischer Winterzauber 2025

A cosy winter island in the middle of the village: the Wennischer Winterzauber was our own winter festival with handcrafted wooden huts, music and a varied programme for young and old.

Around the Dom in Niederwenigern, a small, sheltered market took shape between the church portal and the roadside, and it quickly felt like a village living room. Ten wooden huts stood with their backs to the road, creating a snug spot framed by the church wall on one side and the stalls on the other.

In the huts there was no one who was only there to sell: we were on hand with the whole family, joined by fire brigade unit 9 of the volunteer fire service, the Sportfreunde Niederwenigern and local business owners. There was hearty and sweet food, drinks and small specialities. In front of the church portal, young local artists provided musical moments on a small stage; many visitors simply called the Saturday incredible.

The Winterzauber grew out of the idea of a Christmas concert in the Dom. When the Sparkasse Hattingen suggested organising a Christmas market around it, we said yes. Through short distances, sports clubs, the fire brigade and local contacts, a planning team of around ten people came together; much of it ran via WhatsApp groups. The money spent at the stalls largely stays in the village and supports clubs and volunteer work. After this start, the wish for a sequel is strong.

And it is coming: the next edition is already set, the Wennischer Winterzauber 2026 on 28 and 29 November 2026.

Would you like to host a Winterzauber in your town too? Just get in touch.