The Cologne Christmas market is a must visit on your winter market tour. From whimsical and festive, to low key and local, this city has a market for everyone to enjoy.
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How to Get to Cologne Germany
The easiest way to get to Cologne is through Frankfurt, which is also the largest transport hub in Germany. From Frankfurt, you can get to Cologne is by train, which is an hour to an hour and a half northwest of the city.
When flying through Frankfurt read: How to maximize One Day in Frankfurt
Cologne is also 2.5 hours from Brussels and 3.5 hours from Amsterdam via train. This allows you to have more flight options through another major transportation hub in Europe, while also visiting other popular European christmas markets.
I recommend booking your train tickets is directly through Bahn, the German train website. If you like using a third party service, I’ve also had good luck with Omio and Trainline.
Once you arrive in Cologne you can take the local public transportation to your hotel. Ticket booths are harder to find at the tram stations. Instead of being on the common floor, they are next to the tracks (if they are in the station at all). However, there are typically ticket booths located in the trams as well. Single tickets are a little confusing because they price them based on time and zones traveled. Instead, you can purchase a 24 or 48 hour KölnCard which also has discounts available at some local partners. A 24 hour pass is €9 and a 48 hour pass is €18.
What to know before visiting the Cologne Christmas market
Cologne Christmas market dates 2025
This traditional German Christmas market opens November 17th and runs through December 23rd with a few exceptions. The Heinzels Winter Fairytale is open November 24th through January 4th. This includes the ice rink at the Heumarkt.
Each Cologne Germany Christmas market has its own hours which may change on weekends. The markets are typically open daily from 11am until 9pm. It is best to check each market to see if they have later opening or closing times.
Cologne Christmas market location
The Cologne Christmas markets are spread throughout the city center. Here you will find 6 markets between the Rhine River and the parks encircling the western portion of the city center. All of the holiday markets are easily accessible via public transportation. Some of the markets close enough that they are just a short walk between locations.
Cologne Christmas market map
Glühwein mugs at the Cologne Christmas Market
The Christmas markets in Germany are known for Glühwein and their souvenir mugs. Smaller cities like Trier and Heidelberg will typically only have one mug used throughout the city. However in larger cities with multiple markets, like Cologne, each market has their own mug design. The mugs have a €3 deposit, which means when you return them they will refund your money, or you keep them for a low cost souvenir.
Glühwein is a staple at the holidays in and around Germany. This is a hot mulled wine with added spices. You will find Glühwein not only in the christmas markets, but also at most restaurants. The Glühwein in Heidelberg was typically €4-5, but there are other alcoholic and non alcoholic (cocoa, cider) drinks that are available as well. If you want to stay on the move, it is legal to wander around with your “open container”.
Cash vs. Credit Card
I personally hate using cash and taking out local currency. I actively avoid it if I can. Unfortunately, unlike the cash free Swiss markets, many of the German markets are either cash only, or have limited stalls that accept cash. There were very few stalls that I found in the various markets in Cologne that advertised taking cards. You may have more luck with the stalls selling gifts than the food and wine stands. This means you’ll need to have plenty of euro on hand for whatever food and drinks you plan to purchase while visiting,
Navigating the Cologne Christmas Market
The Christmas markets in Cologne are very easy to access via public transportation. There are subways, trams and buses all around the city. Some of the markets only take up a city block (or less) so it is very possible to visit all the Cologne Christmas markets in one day. Either way, plan to wear comfortable walking shoes as there is almost no seating in German Christmas markets. Bring appropriate layers for being outside for hours, and make sure to bring a bag to collect your glühwein mugs and gift purchases.
Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom (cathedral)
The Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom, or the Cologne cathedral Christmas market, has the most iconic setting for all Cologne Christmas markets. The market is located in a plaza on the south side of the cathedral. While in the market, you have amazing views of the south facade of the gothic masterpiece.
This market has nearly 150 stalls and is heavily populated. In the center of the market is a giant christmas tree with a netting of lights radiating out, creating a beautiful canopy of lights overhead. Due to the layout of the market and number of stalls, it can feel a bit like a maze at some points. You can find a map of all the stalls on the market website. Since this market has so many vendors, this also has the largest variety of local German, as well as international foods.
On the south side the christmas tree is a stage with free music acts. You can find a full lineup of the free entertainment here.
There are two entrances to the cathedral market. One is next to the main church entrance and plaza. The plaza has access to the Dom/HBF main subway station that services about 4 different subway lines.
The second entrance is at the south end, along Am Hof road. This is only a couple blocks from the Heinzels Winter Fairytale Alter Markt entrance.
Am Hof mini market
In a small adjacent market, one block away from the south entrance is where you’ll find the obligatory Christmas pyramid. The ground of this small square (or converted parking lot) is covered with wood chips. There are no gift stands, only a limited number of food and drink stands. Walk to the back and head up to the balcony to get a great overhead view of the mini market.
Heinzels Winter Fairytale
Heinzels Wintermärchen, or Heinzels Winter Fairytale is exactly what it sounds like. This Christmas market is set up over two local squares, Alter Markt and Heumarkt, with an adjoining street connecting the two. The Heumarkt has a truly traditional Bavarian feeling to the stands.
The Heumarkt is also the most social of all the Cologne Christmas markets. There is a large ice skating rink with skate rentals available at €5 for kids and €6 for adults. There is an entry fee for skating, separate from the rentals. You can reserve online (for a minimal discount) or purchase tickets in person. Pricing is €10 for adults Monday through Friday, and €10 on Saturday and Sunday. Children are €7, or you can get a discounted family pass.
Next to the ice skating rink is a giant indoor/outdoor biergarten and on the opposite side of the curling rink, another large bar with a roof deck overlooking the market. The curling prices vary by day of the week and time of day. You can reserve times online here.
Aside from the ice skating, the Heumarkt has yet another carousel, while the Alter Markt features a small ferris wheel. The Alter Markt is in the heart of the old town. Behind the ferris wheel you can see the Rathaus (city hall) which is the oldest city hall in Germany, dating back to the 1100s.
The street between the Alter Markt and Heumarkt is lined with stalls of various goods and crafts. The market is set up into different “lanes” that have their own themes. At around 100 stalls, this is the second largest market in Cologne. You can find a map of the market here.
Both the market and skating rink are open through January 5th.
Market of Angels
The Market of Angels is by far the most modern of all the Cologne Christmas markets. The market stalls are mostly white buildings with black roofs and modern lettering for the signage. The real appeal is the incredible lighting at night. The trees are flooded with a rich blue light which is offset by the star lanterns and strings of lighting that give the look of icicles in the trees. The whole experience is truly magical to walk through at night.
This market takes up the entirety of the Neumarkt, which is about one block in length. While it is one of the smallest of Christmas markets in Cologne, you have everything you need. There are the requisite food and wine stalls as well as various goods. There is even a mini Käthe Wohlfahrt retail shop. This is the most famous Christmas shop in Germany with an enormous selection of ornaments, christmas villages and other holiday decor.
LIke most christmas markets, this also has a beautiful carousel for kids and adults alike.
One thing to note, they had a variety of mug designs, including mugs from the last couple of years. Personally, I liked the 2023 mug compared to the 2024 mug and was able to get that one when I traded in my used mug for a clean mug.
Nikolausdorf
The Nikolausdorf (or Village of St Nicholas) is the quintessential German Christmas market experience. The most obvious reason is the giant medieval gate (which I thought was a castle) that sits as a backdrop at the East entrance to the market. Every stall also has its own unique decoration, many of which are in the traditional Fachwerkhaus style. Although this is one of the smaller markets it more than makes up for it in charm, and is still packed full of vendors.
The Rudolfplatz tram stop is directly outside of the market. But, if you take the 12, 15 or 19 subway you can exit directly into the market and feel like you’ve arrived in a medieval fairytale.
Stadtgarten Christmas market
The Stadtgarten Christmas market is one of the smallest of the smallest Christmas markets in Cologne. This market is in the Stadtgarten park. Because of the size of this market, it mostly attracts locals and is the least busy of all the Cologne Christmas markets. There is one row of stalls parallel to the main street, then more stalls going towards the park. The stalls in towards the park are mostly gift stands, whereas the ones along the street are generally food and wine stands.
Stadtgarten is also near the popular Belgian Quarter neighborhood known for its street art and cool restaurants. This is a great neighborhood to stay in with the number of local dining spots, and proximity to transit.
There is a subway stop for the 3, 4 and 5 lines one block west of the market entrance. The stop is the Köln West station which has bus stops at street level.
Cologne Harbour
The final Cologne Christmas market is at Cologne Harbor. This market is set up along the Rhine river, next to the Lindt Chocolate Museum. Being on the river gives it a very unique setting compared to the other markets. There’s also a permanent ferris wheel on the grounds, which means you can take that and get an overhead view of the market and the city skyline.
This is one of the smaller markets in Cologne, but the setting along the river makes it worth a visit.
There is a bus stop just on the opposite side of the canal. The other option is to take the tram or subway to the Heumarkt stop and walk about 10 minutes to the market.
FAQs
Is Cologne Christmas market worth it?
Yes, the Cologne Christmas markets are a must visit for German Christmas markets. There are many to choose from but each has its own unique quality.
What date are Christmas markets in Cologne?
For 2024, the markets open November 18th and run through December 23rd with a few exceptions. The Heinzels Winter Fairytale is open through January 5th.
How expensive is Cologne Christmas market?
The Christmas markets themselves are free to attend, but can get expensive the more food, drinks and shopping you do while at the market.
Are Cologne Christmas markets free?
Yes, the Cologne Christmas markets are free to attend. There are fees at Heinzels Winter Fairytale for the ice skating rink and skate rentals.
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