Cologner christmas Markets

Kat´s Truth About Travelling

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Cologne’s Christmas markets are more than enough reason to come to Cologne in December. They exude that very special festive atmosphere that I personally associate with Christmas. There are stars everywhere, most of the colour is red and green, there are fairy lights, food stalls with all kinds of delicious things – including currywurst, of course 😀 – and of course lots of mulled wine stalls. ^^ Christmas music is also often played and you can get really useful stuff as well as nice souvenirs. They are simply… the Könler Christmas markets are simply worth it. Full stop. So if you really like Christmas – and you do 😀 – just come here in mid-December and let yourself drift around our Christmas markets.

Christmas market at the cathedral – Dom Christmas Market

Market of the angels – Christmas Market at Neumarkt

Heinzel´s Wintermärchen Part 1 – Christmas Market at Heumarkt

Heinzel´s Wintermärchen Part 2 – Christmas Market at Altermarkt

Nikolausdorf – Christmas Market at Rudolfplatz

Heavenue – Christmas Market at Rudolfplatz

Chritmas Market at the Chocolate Museum – Christmas Market at Rheinauhafen

Currently on this page presented:

Christmas Markets at Dom (the cathedral), Neumarkt, Heumarkt, Altermarkt, Rudolfplatz, our colourful Heavenue and the one at the chocolate museum

The Christmas Market at the Cathedral

Basic Information

What: Christmas market
Where: On the “Domplatte” on the right-hand side of the cathedral
Opening hours: usually from 25.11 to 23.12 ; usually daily about 11-21.00
Fee: Free
How to be reached: Line 18, stop Hauptbahnhof
Website:
Maps location:

I loooove the Christmas market at the cathedral. So it’s probably not surprising if I tell you that it’s also my absolute favourite Christmas market of all! The reason? I went to this Christmas market as a child. Right in the centre where a stage is set up and live music is always played in the evenings. That’s when I looked up at the chain of lights stretching from the tree to the first stalls around it. It… was simply absolutely magical. Like looking straight up into a sky full of stars. Call me nostalgic, but that moment sealed it. Since then, this Christmas market has been the one of my heart. It’s also always the first and the last one I go to. Every year. Apart from that it really is a beautiful Christmas market. The imposing fir tree coming out above everything else, the Christmassy red roofs, the Christmas music blaring from little loudspeakers at the stalls/huts…. Ah what can I say, the sky full of stars caught me as a kid, the Christmas atmosphere picked me up as an adult. And there’s everything you could want: Mulled wine stalls, food stalls, masses of cool Christmas gifts, traditional Christmas stuff and of course Cologne stuff. Honestly, you have to come to Cologne in December. The Christmas markets are simply premium. So don’t think twice 😉

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The market of angels (at Neumarkt)

Basic Information

What: Christmas Market
Where: Neumarkt, you legit can’t miss it 😀
Opening hours: usually 25.11-23.12 ; 11-21.00
Fee: free
How to be reached: Line 3, 4, 1, 9, 18, 16 stop Neumarkt
Website:
Maps location:

The Christmas market at Neumarkt is my second favourite Christmas market in Cologne. Why? I think because of the pretty stars in the trees and on the huts. I don’t claim that it’s the most beautiful – it’s though still one of the most beautiful. Nevertheless, the thing about it being the second favourite is an individual thing. In fact, the Christmas market at Neumarkt has a lot to offer. It has a small children’s carousel, a very pretty stall presenting Tünnes, Schääl, Peter and Marieche and, of course, food stalls, mulled wine stands and lots of nice presents. Personally, I always buy home-knitted socks here, like a few jewellery stalls and between us the purse stall was three times cheaper than the one at Rudi last year – but of course that can change every year. So please always compare again 😀 If you’re looking for baking pans for biscuits, Neumarkt is the place to go, and I always like to try cinnamon stars there (yummy smiley). In short: you have to go there. But I think I already made that clear 😀

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The Christmas Market at Heumarkt – Heinzels Wintermärchen Part 1

Basic Information

What: Christmas market
Where: Heumarkt (again legit not to be missed).
Opening hours: usually 25.11 to so 07.01 ; 11-21.00 (It’s a winter market, so open longer!!!)
Fee: free
How to be reached: line 1 + 9 stop Heumarkt
Website:
Maps location:

(part 1 and 2 are conntected by a small alley with antique shops)

If I go by general opinion, I’d say this is the best known and most popular Christmas market of all. For me personally its on number 3. The reason why this Christmas market is so popular is certainly not the many food stalls and mulled wine stands, which, among us, are slowly taking over. That’s also the reason why it’s “only” good enough for third place for me. And that’s more because of the “2nd part of the Christmas market – but more about that in a separate post. The reason is quite simple: it has by far the largest ice-skating rink. And that at a Christmas market with a Christmassy atmosphere…. Of course it’s a bomb and everyone wants to go, loves it and of course it’s full – don’t get this wrong, every Christmas market is full. In addition to the ice rink, there’s a cute bridge that goes over the ice rink where you can watch the people while they are ice skating. And that’s really fucking cool. Honestly mega! I go there myself every year and get mesmerised by the skaters 😀 So of course you have to go! No question about it! Especially since ice skating there is not really that much more expensive than in the Lentpark – our ice rink in Cologne (Post) where you can skate at non-Christmas market times. You are realizing you have to come here in December, huh? 😀 😀

The Christmas Market at Altermarkt - Heinzel's Wintermärchen Part 2

Basic Information

What: Christmas Market
Where: Altermarkt
Opening hours: usually 25.11 to so 07.01 ; 11-21.00 (It’s a winter market, so open longer!!!)
Fee: free
How to be reached: Line 1 + 9 stop Heumarkt
Website:
Maps location:

(part 1 and 2 are connected by a small alley with antique little shops)

The part of Heinzel’s Wintermarkt at Altermarkt is objectively the most beautiful. Definitely. In fact, most people in Cologne agree on that. It simply transports you into a fairytale Christmas world and enchants you. The mixture of the big tree decorated with glowing hearts, the little antique Ferris wheel that takes people for a ride non-stop, the music group that always performs Cologne and/or Christmas songs in the evening in the middle of the square right in front of the fountain and the layout of the market. The market is just really cute and beautiful and takes you away in its own way. For example, there are also food stalls and mulled wine stands, but much much much more special goodies to try and give away, special Christmas gifts that, admittedly, I actually don’t think you can find anywhere else at the Christmas markets. So of course this market is also very popular. And to be honest, also a bit romantic. For me, this one takes third place, because the others are more Christmassy for me personally. I think it’s because of the fairytale atmosphere that picks others up and makes me feel a bit more… It’s just not one hundred per cent my thing. Nevertheless, you have to go to this Christmas market if you are in Cologne in December. 😀 If you don’t go, you’ve missed out. Full stop. 😀

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Nikolausdorf - St. Nicholas Village

Basic Information

What: Christmas Market
Where: Rudolfplatz
Opening hours: usually 25.11 to 23.12 ; 11-21.00
Fee: free
How to be reached: Line 1 + 12 + 15 stop Rudolfplatz
Website:
Maps location:

The Christmas market at Rudolfplatz is… I promised to be honest. So, it’s not ugly or stupid or anything – not at all. But it is, admittedly, the one I think I like least of the ones I go to every year. The reason is quite simple: it seems to consist more of food stalls than anything else. I should mention that I don’t like food stalls because I think they offer completely overpriced food and don’t even give out reasonable portions. The rest of the stalls are either bigger somewhere else and therefore have more choice and are better, or what is on offer is not my thing. Apart from that, I find the atmosphere at Rudi quite… uncomfortable and not really Christmassy – which is not because of the decoration. Not at all. To say something nice about this market: the view on the big wooden house and the archway with the Christmas market in front of it is really nice. And it’s the only Christmas market where I find leather bracelets that I can then use at home for my own purposes. In fact, the jewellery stall really is the only one I think I stop by every year and take a serious look at the things `:D No, the Christmas market is worth seeing, but! Only if you have time and have already seen my top three (Dom, Neumarkt, Heumarkt/Altermarkt). But then with pleasure 😀

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Heavenue

Basic Information

What: Christmas market
Where: down the little street to the right at the Sparkasse from Rudi.
Opening hours: mostly 25.11 to 23.12 ; 16-22.00
Fee: free
How to be reached: Line 1 + 2 + 12 + 15 ; Rudolfplatz
Website:
Maps location:

You’ve probably heard of it: Cologne is more or less the capital of the gay and lesbian scene in Germany. And for this very reason, of course, we also have a gay and lesbian Christmas market. That doesn’t exclude the rest of Cologne, of course. Everyone is welcome! The Christmas market is colourful, glitters everywhere and is more purple, pink and rose. I also think I’ve seen gingerbread in the shape of a penis and all sorts of other fun that you really wouldn’t find at any other Christmas market. Apart from that, there is a stage at the Christmas market where there is a programme every night. There is sining, dancing and… just a show 😀 My conclusion: Heavenue is definitely not for everyone’s taste and I would also definitely recommend to check out my top 3 first, but!!!! The Christmas market is probably different from most Christmas markets you will find. Therefore, if in Cologne, I would actually put it quite high on my list. Because it is special and whether you like it or not really depends entirely on individual taste.

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Christmas market at the Chocolate Museum (close to the harbour)

Basic Information

What: Christmas Market
Where: Chocolate Museum
Opening hours: usually 25.11 – 23.12 ; 11-21:00
Fee: free
How to be reached: Line 3 + 4 Severinstraße ; 1 + 9 Heumarkt ; 12 + 15 Ubierring (plus walk)
Website:
Maps location:

There are exactly two things worth coming here for. A cool illuminated pirate ship and a Ferris wheel, where you can sit in enclosed gondolas and look over the scenery. Apart from that, like everywhere else, there are food stalls, mulled wine stalls and also a few stalls for Christmas presents. The atmosphere is calm and peaceful. Whether Christmassy…. Probably yes, but the vibe didn’t jump onto me. However, this Christmas market is actually quite quiet. So if you’re in the mood for a less crowded Christmas market, this one is ideal. Otherwise, it’s more for “I’ve already seen everything, but I want to go out and see something new today”. Sounds mean, but that’s just the way it is. Apart from the pirate ship and the Ferris wheel, it’s like any other Christmas market. Nice and quiet and sweet, but that’s about it. So: up to you!

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