Are you planning your magical Christmas break in Cologne this year to experience the city’s world-famous and outstanding Christmas market? You’re in luck. We’ve drawn up this Cologne Christmas Market guide to show you what you can expect and everything else necessary to help you prepare for your ultimate German Christmas Market trip.
☆ 2024 Cologne Christmas Market Dates – 18 Nov to 23 Dec 2024
Ever since our first experience of a Christmas market in Krakow a couple of years ago, visiting European Christmas markets has become one of our favourite activities to do during the Christmas period. It’s one surefire way to get into the holly jolly spirit.
Germany has always been one of our top destinations for a Christmas break for obvious reasons. German Christmas markets outshine others found elsewhere in Europe.
Last year, Tyrone and I got to experience the magic of the Cologne Christmas market (Kölner Weihnachtsmarkt). Just so you know, the Cologne Christmas market is a collection of multiple markets of differing sizes and themes offering a myriad of unique Christmas handicrafts, fashion wear and typical tasty German Christmas food and drinks.
The markets are held during Advent and can be found dotted across Cologne which turns the whole city into one big winter wonderland. Certainly, the chief of all the Cologne Christmas markets sits at the fore of the Cologne Cathedral, one of Europe’s largest and most beautiful Gothic churches.
We had an amazing time walking through Cologne Christmas markets whilst soaking up an incredible festive cheer, dazzling fairy decorations as well as rich and spicy aromas of Christmas market food.
We relished gorging on festive treats and washing it all down with boozy hot chocolates and warming glasses of glühwein (mulled wine).
Now it’s time to show you the best Christmas markets in Cologne Germany not to miss.
☆ All Cologne Christmas Markets offer free entry.
1. Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market
Location – Roncalliplatz (Next to Cathedral)
Opens – Sun to Wed 11 am – 9 pm, Thurs to Fri 11 am – 10 pm, Sat 10 am – 10 pm
Kick off your tour of Cologne Christmas Markets with the Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market (the Dom market or Weihnachtsmarkt). It’s the largest and busiest market in Cologne which sees about 4 million visitors every year.
Undeniably, the Cologne Cathedral Market is the best Christmas market in Cologne with an unmatched festive atmosphere due to its pretty spectacular location, right in front of the jaw-dropping 13th-century Gothic beauty.
The market is really hard to miss as the cathedral’s tall twin spires dominate Cologne’s skyline. It’s also conveniently located right next to Cologne’s central station or Hauptbahnhof.
As I said before, the Cathedral Christmas market is huge, so it’s wise to quickly devise a plan on how to tackle its 150 stalls to avoid missing out on all of the fun.
Rows of lanes at this market feature intricately decorated red color roofed wooden stalls that give off a romantic feel, traditional nativity scenes as well as a giant 25-metre real Christmas tree furnished with thousands of Christmas lights.
A stage in the center of the market hosts numerous Christmas-themed live music shows whilst floating above it and below the cathedral are fairy lights designed to create a dazzling scenic canopy-like roof.
The Cathedral wasn’t lit for the Cologne Christmas Markets 2022 due to energy-saving rules prohibiting the exterior lighting of public buildings and landmarks.
We couldn’t help but wonder what a spectacular sight it would have been had things been different.
Products sold at the Cathedral Christmas market didn’t appear to be locally made but rather a collection of unique items that make lovely Christmas gifts.
Other items offered included colourful glass ornaments, intricate wood carvings, quirky soaps and candles, fashion wear such as real leather bags, belts and various other accessories including jewellery.
Food and drink stalls have a strong presence at the market, probably the biggest highlight for most.
Similar to other German Christmas markets, bratwurst (German sausage) of all kinds rules here and so do other popular German Christmas food options such as potato pancakes, gingerbread hearts, different types of strudel, bread and dips, and so forth.
The list of food on offer is endless, just remember not to eat before you visit or else you’ll be sorry!
My favourite foods to eat at the Cologne Christmas markets are the wintry German treats such as fresh mini doughnut balls, roasted sugared almonds, and hot roasted chestnuts, all washed down with an alcoholic hot chocolate.
We got to sample an interesting iteration of gluhwein at one of the bars at the Cathedral Market. The gluhwein came topped with a rum-filled sugar block which was set on fire right in front of us, all highly entertaining.
As with all the other markets, the gluhwein is served in adorable mugs with impressive decorations that are in line with the Christmas market’s theme.
You’ll be glad to know that you get to keep the mugs as souvenirs if you’re willing to forgo the small deposit that’s charged when you buy the drinks.
If you’re looking for a fun-filled spot to hang out at night at the Cathedral Christmas market, the gluhwein and beer bars near the market’s colourful carousel are definitely worth checking out.
It’s the perfect place to soak up the nighttime Christmassy atmosphere of Cologne, enjoy some live Christmas music and mingle with other market-goers.
Unmissable Things to Do in Cologne
Explore the Cologne Cathedral
You can’t visit Cologne and miss out on exploring its famous Gothic-styled Kölner Dom.
As well as being extremely stunning architecturally, the Cathedral is home to an impressive Christian art collection including the shrine of the biblical Magi (the Three Wise Men). It’s free to visit, which is a bonus.
Interested in a Christmas Market Tour? Check rates for this Kölsch & Christmas Market Tour with great reviews.
2. Heinzels Winter Fairytale Christmas Market
Location – Cologne’s Old Town (Heumarkt & Alter Markt Squares)
Opens – 11 am – 10 pm Daily
Heinzels Winter Fairytale Christmas market (Heinzels Wintermärchen), is absolutely my personal favourite of all Cologne Christmas markets. This market got me excited, it’s everything I ever imagined a German Christmas being.
The market sits in Cologne’s Old Town, just about a 12-15 minute walk from the cathedral, on Heumarkt Square and extends down to Alter Market Square.
As it is widely known, most of Cologne was destroyed during the Second World War, so the Old Town was rebuilt while retaining the character of the old one.
The Old Town has a feel of its own with its colourful buildings, some of which are home to traditional outdoor Brewery restaurants (worth checking out if you’re interested in exploring Cologne’s beer culture), narrow cobbled lanes, eye-catching Romanesque churches, and the historic Old City Hall.
Having a Christmas market in the centre of the Old Town makes it all super magical.
The Heinzels Winter Fairytale market is devoted to the popular “elves of Cologne” or the “Heinzelmännchen of Kölner” legend. The little house elves (akin to gnomes) are said to once have been great craftsmen whom the “lazy citizens of Cologne” relied on to help around.
Thankfully, Cologne’s elves are not entirely a thing of the past as they return each year to build the beloved Heinzels Winter Fairytale market for the city.
The Heinzels Winter Fairytale market comes with charming Christmas decorations and ornaments, over 100 gorgeous wooden framed stalls as well as countless cheery elves figurines, creating a Christmas village that looks like it came straight out of a fairy tale.
An open-air central ice rink at the market is a real treat and so is an ice stock or curling sports rink, an old-fashioned carousel, a Christmas Post Office and numerous other amusements.
The roof terrace at the stack house, Stapelhaus, is a great spot to soak up the buzz from all the action at the centre of the market. Whilst there, don’t miss trying Kölsch, the local beer, which is also a big part of Cologne’s culture and overall market experience.
This is one of the Christmas markets in Cologne not to miss especially if you’re visiting as a group or travelling with children as it offers a good mix of activities which are guaranteed to get everyone excited.
A good deal of stalls at the market are dedicated to craftsmen such as blacksmiths, leather smiths and carpenters from all over Europe who proudly showcase their skills and special products which are good to buy.
Interesting antique stalls feature on this market also. We thought the vintage newspaper stalls were cool though we didn’t get any as they were all in Germany.
Elves are big foodies, so food stalls have a big presence at the Heinzels Winter Fairytale market. The food offered is quite diverse though typical of German Christmas markets.
You can expect to find grilled meats and fish, baked bread served with things like ham, cheese and mushrooms or a variety of dips, freshly baked waffles, and crepes; the list is endless!
Good to Know
Curling (Ice Stock)
Curling or ice stock is popular at the Heinzels Winter Fairytale Market, so if you intend to play, booking your spot well ahead is advised. Check official website for price
Ice Skating
The ice skating rink stays open well into January, so if you’re in Cologne around New Year’s, this will be an amazing fun outdoor activity to check out. (Skate hire is available)
Cologne’s Brewery Restaurants
If beer is your kind of thing, don’t miss checking out Cologne’s brewery restaurants or brewery houses, located all around the Old Town area, to sample some of the best Kölsch you can get.
And if you’re in search of a sit-down meal, the Brewery restaurants are also great places to enjoy German classic dishes such as bratwurst, potato and cabbage, schnitzel, potato salad and gravy or pork knuckle, potatoes and sauerkraut.
Brauhaus zur Malzmühle, Peters Brauhaus and Zum Pfaffen Brauereiausschank are some of the highly praised brewery restaurants in the city which are worth checking out.
Beer Tasting and Brewery Tours
You could also choose to join a Brewery House & Christmas Market Walking Tour for an all-in Cologne Christmas Market and Beer-Tasting Tour.
5. Market of Angels at Neumarkt
Location – Neumarkt Square
Opens – 11 am – 10 pm Daily
The Market of Angels (Markt der Engel) is the oldest Christmas market in Cologne held on Neumarkt, one of the city’s largest squares located in a popular shopping district and busy metro station, within walking distance from the cathedral.
The market is devoted to all things angels which is obvious from the moment you set foot on it.
Ladies in full-on angel gear as well as winter queens (on special days), roam around the market, at times on horseback, spreading festive cheer by sprinkling special Christmas glitter, reciting Christmas text to children and many other entertaining antics.
Intensifying the magical atmosphere at the Market of Angels are over 70 snow-white and grey alpine-style chalets whose gables are decorated charmingly with sparkling lights and stars. Also at the market are countless natural Christmas trees adorned beautifully, cute nativity scenes as well as twinkling paper stars floating all over the market and the trees above.
A small colourful traditional merry-go-round at the market is a real treat for children.
In my opinion, the Market of Angels’ strength lies in its stalls which offer unique gifts and ornaments that are superior to those found in most of the other markets in the city together with awesome food and drink choices, particularly sweet treats and fun boozy drinks.
Unmissable at Neumarkt
Stop by St Aposteln
A brief stop at the Romanesque-style St AposteIn (The Basilica of the Holy Apostles), located at the end of Neumarkt Square, is a must whilst you’re visiting the Market of Angels, especially if you have a fondness for architecture.
The church is one of Cologne’s historic churches with roots dating back to the 11th century. Obviously, St AposteIn is incomparable with the cathedral, however, it’s solidly built and is easy on the eyes. It’s also free to enter.
4. Cologne Harbour Christmas Market
Location – Chocolate Museum (Rheinauhafen)
Opens – 11 am – 10 pm daily
Cologne Harbour Christmas market (Köln Hafen-Weihnachtsmarkt) is one of the newest additions to the Cologne Christmas market collection.
Its location on the Rhine River “on the water”, in front of the famous Lindt Chocolate Museum and the modern Rheinauhafen district, in my view, puts it in the top place of the coolest Christmas markets in Cologne.
Cologne’s Old Town is about a 5-minute walk to the Harbour Christmas Market while it takes about 15 minutes to walk from the cathedral.
We recommend that you take the scenic walk along the Rhine promenade to get to the market as it’s such a beautiful distraction.
The Harbour Christmas market is made up of 70 snow-white pagoda-style stalls which are adorned beautifully with twinkling festive decorations. The stalls’ elevated gables and wooden floors resemble those of sailing ships, giving off a feel of maritime which the market is devoted to.
Adding to the special festive ambience of the Harbour Christmas market is a giant wooden 15m three-masted boat which has been converted into a bar where you can fill up on some warming gluhwein or a refreshing beer or any other drink of your choice.
In keeping with the maritime theme, a good chunk of the stalls at the market offer products related to the sea. You can expect to find food stalls selling seafood-related dishes and snacks, marine-related crafts as well as typical Christmas market ornaments and fashion wear.
A ride on the market’s giant 50-metre-high Ferris Wheel is a brilliant way to enjoy sweeping views of the great Rhine and Cologne city including its majestic cathedral.
Equally, the Chocolate Museum’s roof terrace is also a great viewing point which is budget-friendly and effortless.
Unmissable at the Harbour Market
Visit the Cologne Chocolate Museum
It doesn’t get more magical than combining your Habour Christmas market visit with a tour of one of the best-tasting chocolate brands “Lindt Chocolate Museum” (Schokoladenmuseum).
Pay €13.50 (Adults) and €8 (children 6-18 years), and among other things, take as much time as you want to indulge in scrumptious chocolate to your heart’s content.
If you’re not interested in the museum tour but craving a bit of chocolate or wish to stock up on your Christmas gifts, the Chocolate Museum’s shop has an unimaginable chocolate collection. It’s free to enter the shop and also the museum’s restaurant in case you’re still peckish after the market food.
Book Your Tickets & Skip the Queue
5. Rooftop Xmas Market
Location – Brückenstrasse Car Park Roof Terrace
Opens – Mon-Thurs 4 pm to 10 pm, Sat 3 pm to 00.00hrs. Sun 3 pm to 10 pm
Cologne Rooftop Xmas market is like no other! Its location on one of the city’s multi-storey parking lot’s top floor sets it apart from the rest of the other Cologne Xmas markets. The Rooftop Xmas market offerings are also not so typical, so this is a place to go with an open mind.
Stalls at the Rooftop Xmas market have a trendy look and come decorated with contemporary colours, dazzling lights and ornaments that give off a feel of elegance.
It’s a small market in terms of Christmas markets with stalls which are mostly orientated towards food and drink. The market features a champagne bar, wine and cocktail bars, and light food stalls instead of the traditional gluhwein and Christmas food stalls.
DomView, a restaurant at the Rooftop Xmas market, is handy in case you’re a little peckish. However, booking is recommended as the restaurant is popular with Christmas parties.
Though the market is quite high up, we must admit that the view of Cologne’s skyline, including the cathedral, from the Rooftop Xmas market isn’t that great due to other taller buildings that are in the area.
However, we still recommend you visit, especially to escape the crowds that are a feature of the other bigger Christmas markets.
It’s a perfect spot for a grown-up festive get-together and the mulled wine at this market is served in super cool mugs!
Good to Know
Brückenstrasse Car Park
Brückenstrasse Car Park is located halfway between Heumarkt and Neumarkt, so you can add the Rooftop Xmas market to your itinerary when visiting the Heinzels Winter Fairytale and the Market of Angels. Bear in mind that this market starts at 4 pm on most days and doesn’t open on Fridays.
6. Nicholas Village Christmas Market
Location – Rudolfplatz
Opens – Sun to Thurs 11 am – 9 pm, Fri 11 – 10 pm Sat 10 am – 10 pm
Nicholas Village Christmas Market (Nikolausdorf) sits in a pretty amazing location with the beautiful Hahnentorburg as its background.
The Hahnentorburg is one of few remnants of Cologne’s mediaeval fortifications, so it feels magical to see it illuminated and surrounded by charmingly decorated traditional wooden Christmas market stalls.
Nicholas Village is famed as one of the best Christmas markets in Cologne for families with various activities that are tailored to kids.
Along with typical German Christmas market offerings, the market features a regular Santa Claus meet and greet schedule, kid-friendly Christmas workshops and various music shows.
If you’re travelling with kids, then, don’t miss stopping by.
Good to Know
Rudolfplatz is located just 7 minute’s walk from the Market of Angels on Neumarkt
7. Stadtgarten Christmas Market
Location – Stadtgarten
Opens – Mon – Fri 4 pm – 9.30 pm, Sat-Sun 12 pm – 9.30 pm
Stadtgarten Christmas market is one of the furthest of all the Cologne Christmas markets. The market is held in the heart of Cologne’s oldest park in the city’s attractive Belgian Quarter district.
Stadtgarten is mostly visited by locals due to its distance long way away from the city’s main attractions. As a result, the market has its own feel which is different to that of the other markets in the city.
In addition, the market’s setting, surrounded by trees and away from the hustle and bustle of the city is as captivating as they come.
Though Stadtgarten is the smallest Christmas market in the city, it manages to offer a diverse range of artisanal products with local influence.
The food choices at the market are also exceptional and one of the market’s biggest draws.
8. Heavenue / Gay Christmas Market
Heavenue is Cologne’s Gay Christmas Market which for many years ran from Sparkasse KölnBonn at Rudolfplatz. However, since the Cologne Christmas Market 2021, the true Heavenue Cologne has not returned though it promised to in the future.
Travel Tips For Cologne Christmas Markets 2024
2024 Cologne Christmas Market Opening Dates – 18 Nov to 23 Dec 2024
How to Avoid Crowds
To avoid crowds at the Christmas markets in Cologne, choose to visit during weekdays and early in the day. Most markets in Cologne start at 11 am, however, early evenings from about 4 pm to 5 pm is another ideal time to visit. The markets are much more lively still with manageable crowds.
Cash is King at the Cologne Christmas Markets!
Bring plenty of cash with you for a hassle-free experience at all of the Cologne Germany Christmas markets as well as for many of the restaurants and bars in the city.
Few stalls as well as bigger businesses tend to be the only ones accepting card payments, so having cash will help to avoid restricting or depriving yourself of the many goodies on offer at some of the smaller stalls.
Wrap Up Warmly
Warm clothes that are ideal for long periods outdoors are essential for exploring the Christmas markets in comfort. Cologne tends to be very wet with temperatures averaging between 3°C to 7°C in November and December.
We cherished the umbrellas we took with us as the rain proved to be relentless. The markets offer some shelter but it’s impossible to find somewhere snug with the big crowds that are part of the markets.
Getting around Cologne Christmas Markets
Cologne’s four main Christmas markets (Cathedral, Heinzels, Market of Angels and Harbour Market) are within reasonable proximity to each other. The walking distance between each, at most, is about 15 minutes.
If you wish to be less active or walking doesn’t suit you, a hop-on-hop-off mini-train service, Cologne Christmas Market Express Train, is offered at a price just for those four markets (Check official website)
Taxis are reasonably priced in Cologne and a quick option to get to Christmas markets that are far away from each other.
Where to stay for Cologne Christmas Market
Choose to stay within Cologne city centre because it’s where most of the best Cologne Christmas markets are located. It will also save you time and cut out the need for public transport as you can easily get to the markets.
Booking.com is a great resource for the best hotel deals for Christmas in Cologne. We stayed at the minimalist Art Hotel Koln in Rheinauhafen, just next to the Harbour Christmas Market and Chocolate Museum. It’s also within a short walking distance of the Old Town
It’s important to book your accommodation well ahead for the best rates as it’s peak season in Cologne at Christmas.
How to Get to Cologne
Train travel is the best way to get to Cologne. The city is a major rail hub with an extensive train system and connections to many other German cities, and cities in nearby countries such as Brussels, Amsterdam and Paris. The central station (Hauptbahnhof) in Cologne is conveniently located right next to the city’s famous cathedral.
Again, if you fly into Cologne Bonn Airport, getting into the city centre is very easy. Choose to take the train (15 mins) or bus (26 mins) for an affordable and hassle-free ride into Cologne city centre.
Health Insurance
In addition to travel insurance, we don’t go on any holiday in the EU country without our European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The EU Health Card allows you to access healthcare across the EU for free, or at a reduced cost. You need one for each member of your family. Learn more here
Map of Cologne Christmas Markets
I hope your trip to the Christmas Markets Cologne is magical!
Search Cologne Christmas Experiences – Lifestyle Events
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This is a lovely guide. Thanks for sharing the magical spirit through these recommendations.
Thanks Sarah for taking time to leave us feedback. Enjoy Cologne Christmas Markets!
I’m headed to the Cologne markets today. Thank you for the insightful and informative summary!
Thanks Dori for the feedback. Have a great time!