Before the grand Christmas market opens on Kiel’s Holstenplatz next Monday, there’s another place ringing in the holiday season this weekend: The Advent Mile in Dänischenhagen.

On November 24th and 25th it will be taking place for the 16th time. As in the past, this year’s edition will see businesses, schools, and private individuals setting up their stalls, offering visitors a diverse array of items for purchase. From Christmas decorations like Advent wreaths and homemade reindeer to practical items like bags and candles, the offerings are plentiful. Of course, there will also be sausages grilling and mulled wine flowing.

The main focus of the event is on charitable donations. This year, the collected funds will benefit the Hospizverein Dänischer Wohld and the „Wünschewagen“ from the Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund. Visitors will find a donation piggy bank at each stall where they can contribute. The stall operators will also donate a portion of their proceeds.

Stall at Adventsmeile (photo: Jonas Borrmann)
Stall at Adventsmeile (photo: Jonas Borrmann)

Tractors, Tradition and Trumpets

The festivities kick off on Friday morning at 10 am. The Advent Mile winds its way through Dänischenhagen, with most attractions located on Dorfstraße. The cultural center “Eiche” is also situated here. Guests can participate in an open Advent sing-along led by Eiche-head Wulf Henning Steffen starting at 4:30 pm. The program concludes at 8 pm.

On Saturday, the activities resume at 10 am. From 11 am to 4 pm, the Agricultural Oldtimer Club presents a tractor demonstration in the Markant parking lot. Stalls close at 6 pm, followed by the traditional raffle drawing. Main prizes include a voucher for Hansa Park or a family ticket for Tierpark Gettorf. To participate, visitors need to get a booklet and collect stamps from all participating businesses. At the Eiche, attendees can enjoy the Kieler Jazz Bigband “SecondLine” at 3:30 pm and the Dänischenhagen Eiche House Band “All inclusive” at 7 pm.

How to get there and where to park

Dänischenhagen is accessible by following the B76/B503 from Kiel crossing the Nord-Ostsee-Kanal. Parking is available in front of the Markant market, at the Hans-Bernd-Sporthalle, or at the MTV sports field. Those taking the bus can use lines 740, 741, and 744 to the “Eiche” stop. Additional information can be found on the Advent Mile’s Facebook page.