One of the best things to do in Cologne in winter is to visit the city’s many Christmas markets. Not only does a festive market get you into the Christmas spirit in a way that nothing else can, but it’s also the ideal place to shop for unique or handmade gifts for friends and family.
Plus, of course, there are plenty of opportunities to try the local food, along with a mug or two of warming mulled wine.
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This guide to the best Christmas markets in Cologne is designed to help you make that decision, with details of all the fun things there are to see and do at each location.
During the holiday season, the Christmas Market Express train links four of these markets – the Christmas Market at the Cathedral, Alter Markt, Harbour Market, and Angel’s Market. Not only is it a quick and easy way to get around, but it’s lots of fun for kids too!
That said, we recommend you book your accommodation in Cologne in advance because it’s a busy time of year.
Cologne’s Christmas markets open in mid-November and generally close around December 23rd.
Hafen-Weihnachtsmarkt (Harbour Christmas Market)
This market is in a beautiful location next to the Chocolate Museum and directly on the River Rhine. Enjoy watching the reflection of the fairy lights twinkle off the water as you peruse stalls selling handicrafts, exotic goods, and products from regional designers.
The overall theme is distinctly maritime in nature and the activities and entertainment revolve around seafaring and the port. What’s more, a variety of appetizing fish specialties are sold here, along with the more traditional festive foods. The market features distinctive and beautiful white pagoda tents all decorated for Christmas.
With their wooden floors, pointed roofs, and staff dressed as sailors, they are intended to make you think of ships and sails. Even more special is the mulled wine, which is served on the 15 metre wooden ship “Trudel”.
You can reach the market on foot via the Rhine promenade from the old town and the city centre in just a few minutes.
Weihnachtsmarkt Am Dom (Christmas Market At The Cathedral)
This Christmas market in Cologne city centre has a beautiful and majestic cathedral as its backdrop and features an enormous decorated fir tree.
Over Roncalliplatz hang twinkling strings of fairy lights arranged into the shape of a star and there is a full and varied Christmas stage program to keep visitors entertained.
This is a large market with around 150 stalls, selling local arts and crafts, Christmas decorations, jewelry, and more. There is also a wide variety of delicious foods to try here, including churros, crepes, Käsespätzle (egg dumplings with cheese), and Kaiserschmarrn (fluffy light pancakes).
Be sure to try the mulled wine here – it is served in cups shaped just like Santa’s boot!
Heinzels Wintermärchen (Heinzels Winter Wonderland)
If you fancy a twirl on the ice as the frost nips your nose, this is one of the best Cologne Christmas markets to visit! It has a huge ice rink that extends across Alter Markt and Heumarkt, along with lots more family attractions, including a puppet theatre, a children’s roundabout, numerous toy stands, and the Santa Claus quarter.
There is even a post office where children can mail their letters to him! Kids and adults alike will be charmed by the Heinzelmännchen (house gnomes) which are dotted throughout the market to keep an eye on the proceedings!
This is a good spot in which to see local artisans at work with an entire section devoted to them and their crafts, plus there are a wide variety of both savory and sweet German snacks to enjoy.
Markt Der Engel (Market Of Angels) At Neumarkt
This magical Christmas market in Cologne has its very own angels which you may encounter wandering through the stalls, sprinkling glitter as they go! Located in the largest shopping area on Neumarkt, it is breathtakingly pretty, with 800 illuminated wooden stars nestled in the treetops above, and fairy lights covering almost everything else.
This market is less crowded and has a slightly more ‘local’ feel than some of the others and offers a very diverse range of excellent food and drinks. Be sure to try the hot chocolate here, which is thick, creamy, and totally delicious.
The highlight of this market for children is Santa’s visit – once a week he arrives on horseback, accompanied by an angel.
Weihnachtsmarkt Auf Dem Rudolfplatz (Santa Claus Village)
This magical market is held on Rudolfplatz in the centre of the city, directly in front of the historic Hahnentorburg gate. Great for children – but wonderful for the rest of the family too – it looks like something straight of a fairytale, with magicians and jugglers providing entertainment as you browse.
Goods on sale range from handmade winter clothing to traditional wooden toys and there are even demonstrations from traditional glassblowers. You will also find workshops to keep children entertained, along with huge fairytale characters on the stall roofs.
The hand-carved crib here is particularly beautiful and there are, of course, daily visits from Father Christmas himself!
Stadtgarten Christmas Market
The youngest Christmas market in Cologne, this one is slightly out of town but still easy to get to via the U Bahn. It is held in Cologne’s oldest park, on the edge of the trendy and popular Belgian quarter, and has a distinctly laid-back and relaxed atmosphere.
This makes it an ideal choice if you’re looking to get away from the livelier pace of some of the older, more well-established markets. It has a very romantic, enchanted forest feel to it thanks to the trees overhead and is geared more towards locals than tourists.
This means you’re unlikely to find mass-produced items here, but it’s the ideal place to pick up more unique gifts and try some truly authentic local cuisine.
Heavenue
Another relatively new market, this one is located between Hahnenstrasse and Schaafenstrasse. As with Cologne’s other Christmas markets, this one has a look, feel, and personality all of its own and is a community market celebrating the city’s status as the gay capital of Germany.
Rather than the more traditional fairy lights and festive decoration of the other markets, Heavenue is all about color and flamboyance, with bright LED lights and an abundance of white garlands.
You can still buy all your traditional Christmas gifts here, and there are lots of food trucks selling all kinds of tasty cuisine. But this market really comes alive at night, when the music gets louder and the dancing begins!
Final Thoughts On Cologne Christmas Markets
Cologne in winter is a magical place, with festive sights and sounds almost everywhere you turn. The weather is cold enough to get you feeling Christmassy – but not so cold that you won’t enjoy spending time outdoors – and the atmosphere is fun and friendly.
No two of Cologne’s Christmas markets are the same and each has its own special charm, so I hope this guide has helped you pick a few favorites and that you have a wonderful time enjoying all they have to offer.
Searching for unique destinations to visit Christmas markets in Europe? Read our guide on the best Christmas markets in France, Krakow and in Luxembourg.
