Your Guide to the Best Christmas Markets in Cologne 2024

Cologne is one of Germany's most popular cities all year round, but at Christmas time, Cologne city center is transformed into a true winter wonderland. With our travel guide you have a complete overview of all the Christmas markets in Cologne 2024, in the city center and the surrounding districts. We've also picked out the best events and hotels in Cologne for the Christmas season and put together all the practical tips you need to round off your short trip to Cologne's Christmas markets. Immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere of the cathedral city and discover what Cologne has to offer during the most beautiful time of the year.

When do the Christmas markets in Cologne open in 2024?
The opening times vary per Christmas market. Of the markets where the opening times are already known, the earliest Christmas market will open on November 15, 2024 and the longest will run until January 7, 2025.

Our guide to the Christmas markets in Cologne

1. Everything you need to know about Christmas Markets in Cologne
2. Events you can't miss in Cologne at Christmas time
3. Christmas markets in the surrounding districts of Cologne
4. Hotels in Cologne for the Christmas market
5. Frequently asked questions and practical information about the Christmas market in Cologne

Everything you Need to Know about Christmas Markets in Cologne 2024

Cologne is famous for its Christmas market at the cathedral, but you will find many other Christmas markets here during the Advent season. Whether traditional in front of a historic backdrop, maritime on the Rhine or alternative and sustainable - everyone will find the right atmosphere to get into the Christmas spirit here. We have compiled a list of all the Christmas markets in Cologne's city center and present our 6 favorites in detail.

List of all Christmas markets in Cologne 2024 and their opening times

Our selection of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Cologne

1st Cologne Christmas market at the cathedral

The Christmas market at Cologne Cathedral is an absolute highlight of the Advent season. With over 150 stalls, it offers an impressive variety of arts and crafts, culinary delights and festive gift ideas, all set against the breathtaking backdrop of Cologne Cathedral.

• What we love: The imposing backdrop of the cathedral and the large selection of high-quality stalls.
• Opening times: November 18 to December 23, 2024
  Sun-Wed 11 am - 9 pm Thu + Fri 11 am - 10 pm, Sat from 10 am - 10 pm
• Address: Roncalliplatz, 50667 Cologne

2nd Market of Angels: Christmas market at Neumarkt in Cologne

The Market of Angels at Neumarkt enchants with its heavenly atmosphere and lovingly decorated stalls. Fairy lights and angels make the market a special experience. Here you can find stylish gift ideas and indulge in culinary highlights.

• What we love: The enchanting decorations and romantic atmosphere.
• Opening times: November 18 to December 23, 2024
  Sun-Thu 11 am - 9 pm Fri + Sat 11 am - 10 pm
• Address: Neumarkt, 50667 Cologne

3rd Heinzels Winter Fairy Tale: Christmas market in Cologne's old town

Heinzel's Winter Fairytale or the Heinzel Christmas Market in Cologne's Old Town offers a fairytale setting and a variety of attractions for the whole family. Here you will find artistically designed stalls and medieval flair. The ice skating rink and craft stalls are a particular highlight.

• What we love: The ice skating rink on Heumarkt
• Opening times: November 5, 2024 to January 5, 2025 (except December 24 + 25)
  Daily from 11 am - 10 pm and from December 26 from 11 am - 9 pm
• Address: Heumarkt & Alter Markt, 50667 Cologne

4th Christmas market on Rudolfplatz

The Christmas market on Rudolfplatz, also known as Nikolausdorf, offers a cozy and family-friendly atmosphere. The lovingly designed stalls and the historic Hahnentor gate in the background make this market a special experience. The numerous offers and activities for children are a highlight.

• What we love: The family atmosphere and the many children's attractions
• Opening times: Dates are not yet known
• Address: Rudolfplatz, 50674 Cologne

5th Harbour Christmas Market: Medieval Christmas Market Cologne

The harbor Christmas market at the Chocolate Museum enchants with maritime flair and a medieval ambience. Located directly on the Rhine, this market offers a unique atmosphere with historic stalls, medieval music and special attractions for the whole family.

• What we love: The maritime backdrop and the medieval stalls
• Opening times: November 23 to December 23, 2024
  Daily from 11 am - 10 pm
• Address: Am Schokoladenmuseum 1a, 50678 Cologne

Events you shouldn't miss in Cologne during the Christmas season

New Year's market at the Chocolate Museum

After a brief renovation, the harbor Christmas market at the Chocolate Museum will be transformed into the New Year's market. The exact dates have not yet been set, but the New Year's Market usually takes place from December 26 to January 7 of the following year. There are similar stalls and the Ferris wheel is not yet dismantled. On New Year's Eve, the market is even open until 01:00 so that visitors can enjoy the festive atmosphere and ring in the New Year in style.

The Christmas Express from Wolters Bimmelbahnen

The Christmas Express from Wolters Bimmelbahnen is a special highlight at Christmas time in Cologne. This nostalgic train takes you around the Old Town and from one Christmas market to the next between the end of November and the end of December (exact dates to follow). During the ride, you can enjoy Christmas music and information about the city of Cologne.

The train stops at the following four stops and departs every 15 minutes daily:

• Dom/Burgmauer for the Christmas market at the cathedral
• Neumarkt for the Market of Angels
• Chocolate Museum for the harbor Christmas market
• Alter Markt for the Heinzels Wintermärchen

HÖHNER - Höhner Christmas 2024

The popular Cologne band HÖHNER will once again be bringing their festive concert series "Höhner Weihnacht" to the stage in 2024. Particularly well-known for their Cologne carnival music, the Höhner combine Cologne music tradition with Christmas sounds at this event and create a contemplative but rousing atmosphere. The concerts take place in December at various venues in Cologne and are a must for all fans of the band and the Cologne way of life.

Ice skating in Cologne at Christmas time

Ice skating is simply part of the Christmas season in Cologne and offers fun for the whole family. You will find temporary ice rinks at many locations and Christmas markets in the city. Enjoy a round on the large ice rink at Heumarkt or a smaller rink in various parts of the city, which are often accompanied by music and Christmas lights.

The most beautiful Christmas markets in the surrounding districts of Cologne

The best hotels for your stay in Cologne for the 2024 Christmas market

To help you turn your visit to one of Cologne's Christmas markets into a whole weekend getaway, we have put together our favorite hotels in Cologne for you. Stay in one of these hotels near most of the Christmas markets in the city center:

• CityClass Hotel Alter Markt (★★★★): This modern, upscale hotel is just a few steps away from the town hall and the Cologne Philharmonic Hall.
• Legend Hotel (★★★★): Modern designed rooms near the cathedral. Enjoy an intimate atmosphere in the 20 modern rooms and indulge yourself in the in-house restaurant.
• Hotel Mondial am Dom Cologne (★★★★): This stylish hotel offers you modern rooms and lounges, as well as 5 meeting rooms and lunch and dinner in the 1516 restaurant. You can reach the Alter Markt in just a few minutes on foot.
• Hotel Lyskirchen (★★★★): This hotel is centrally located and only around 10 minutes from the Alter Markt. The highlight is the hotel's own indoor pool, where you can have a good time and swim a lap even in winter.

Frequently asked questions and practical information about the Christmas market in Cologne 2024

How many Christmas markets are there in Cologne and the surrounding area?

There are around 15 Christmas markets in and around Cologne, spread across the city center and the surrounding districts. But there are even more in the surrounding area.

Which is the most beautiful Christmas market in Cologne?

The Christmas market at Cologne Cathedral is generally regarded as the most beautiful Christmas market in Cologne, and not without reason. Thanks to its picturesque backdrop in front of the imposing cathedral and the atmospheric ambience, it is the most visited Christmas market in the city.

Which is the cheapest Christmas market in Cologne?

If you want to enjoy a visit to the Christmas market and eat something, drink a mulled wine and perhaps buy a Christmas present or two there, it can quickly become very expensive. But since 2023, thanks to Aldi Süd, Cologne has had the cheapest Christmas market in Germany, in Cologne-Ehrenfeld. Last year it was open for three days, from November 14-16, 2023, and you could buy drinks and food in various stalls. The proceeds were donated to the Cologne Youth Center at the end. It is not yet known whether the Aldi Süd Christmas market will be open again in 2024

When does the Christmas market in Cologne start?

The Christmas markets in Cologne usually start in mid-late November, usually between November 15 and 23, but the exact dates vary depending on the Christmas market.

How to get to and park at the Christmas markets in Cologne

Parking is limited in the city center, so we recommend parking a little outside and then taking public transport or walking.

When is the best time to visit the Christmas market in Cologne to avoid the crowds?

To avoid the biggest crowds, we recommend visiting the Cologne Christmas markets during the week at midday or early afternoon.

Which specialties should you definitely try at the Christmas market in Cologne?

You should definitely try the typical Christmas market specialties such as mulled wine, potato pancakes or roasted almonds. But of course, since we're here at the Cologne Christmas markets, you can't miss the Cologne specialty "Himmel un Ääd" (heaven and earth), a traditional dish of mashed potatoes, apple sauce and black pudding.

Child-friendly Christmas markets in Cologne

The Christmas market on Neumarkt (Market of Angels) and the Christmas market on Rudolfplatz (St. Nicholas Village) are particularly child-friendly, with special attractions and activities for the little ones.

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