Cologne's Christmas Market: A Festive German Tradition

Cologne, Germany's fourth-largest city, is home to a variety of Christmas markets. The city's festive Christmas market, Kölner Weihnachtsmarkt, is actually a collection of markets scattered throughout the city. The biggest and most popular market is located at the ornate Cologne Cathedral, where about 150 merrily decorated wooden booths serve up treats and display artisanal crafts. Other notable markets include the Harbour Christmas Market, the Stadtgarten Christmas Market, the Angels' Market, and the House Elves' Winter Fairytale Christmas Market. Each market has its own unique theme, attractions, and special features, making Cologne a must-visit destination during the holiday season.

Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market

Cologne, Germany's fourth-largest city, hosts a variety of Christmas markets every year, including the Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market. This market is the biggest and most popular of all the city's markets, with over 4 million visitors expected to peruse the 150 stands in Roncalliplatz, located in the shadow of the iconic Cologne Cathedral.

The market is a sight to behold, with its classic red-covered stalls spread out below the cathedral's massive spires. Food stands surround a stage where performers sing carols and covers of favourite holiday hits. The market is especially enchanting at night, with twinkling lights and a soaring Christmas tree. Here, you'll find delicious treats like hot-off-the-griddle waffles, cheesy spaetzle with sautéed onions, and an array of handcrafted gifts, including folksy Ukrainian art and hand-painted glass ornaments.

The Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market is easily accessible, located in the heart of the city, just a short walk from the main railway station. It is open daily from 18 November to 23 December, with extended hours on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

In addition to the market, Cologne offers a magical Christmas experience with the city adorned in festive decorations and lights. Visitors can enjoy delicacies like mulled wine and waffles, explore Nativity scenes, and ride the Christmas Ferris wheel at the Chocolate Museum. With its stunning architecture, rich history, and festive atmosphere, Cologne is the perfect destination for a whimsical Christmas getaway.

So, if you're looking for a festive getaway this year, Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market is the place to be, offering a unique blend of holiday cheer, cultural delights, and whimsical charm.

Cologne Harbour Christmas Market

Cologne, Germany's fourth-largest city, is famous for its Christmas markets, and the Harbour Christmas Market is one of the most unique. With a picturesque setting on the banks of the Rhine, this market offers a festive, maritime-themed experience that is not to be missed.

The Harbour Christmas Market is located at the Chocolate Museum in the Rheinauhafen area of Cologne. The market's design and decorations reflect the "harbour and Christmas" themes, with around 70 stands offering a variety of goods and attractions. Snow-white, festively decorated pagoda tents with wooden floors and pointed roofs evoke the image of ship planks and sails, giving the market a stylishly modern yet cosy feel.

At the Harbour Christmas Market, visitors will find a wide range of food and drink options, including fish specialities, fine foods and drinks from around the world. The market also features a diverse range of high-quality goods and crafts related to the themes of the harbour, seafaring, Cologne, and Christmas. One of the highlights is a 15-metre-long wooden three-mast boat serving tasty mulled wine from its hull.

The culture and entertainment programme at the market adds to the lively atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy performances ranging from sea shanties to traditional Christmas songs while sipping on delicious mulled wine. The "Rhine Pirates" with their sailor's yarns and pirate juggling are a must-see, especially for families with children.

The Harbour Christmas Market is surrounded by medieval architecture and historic landmarks, including the Malakoff Tower, the medieval harbour swing bridge, and the Chocolate Museum itself. The nearby river Rhine, the Mustard Museum, the traditional Cologne brewery "Malzmühle", and the charming old town are also within easy walking distance, making this market an excellent choice for those looking to explore the city's attractions while enjoying the festive atmosphere.

Village of St. Nicholas

The Village of St. Nicholas, or Nikolausdorf in German, is a Christmas village in the centre of Cologne, located in Rudolfplatz Square, between Neumarkt and the Belgian Quarter. The square is a stop for various tram lines, and there are dozens of restaurants around the station. The village is set up in front of the historic Hahnen City Gate, also known as Hahnentorburg, which was one of the twelve gates of the old city wall.

The village is beautifully decorated, and winter and Christmas images are projected onto the Hahnentorburg. Visitors are greeted by Rudi, an animatronic elk who sometimes sings Christmas carols in the local dialect. There is also a small stage where St. Nicholas himself occasionally walks through, and a nativity scene with a fun twist—an orange mouse that resembles the mouse from the German show "Sendung mit der Maus".

The stalls at the Village of St. Nicholas are considered some of the best-looking in Cologne, each with a unique design that blends into the village theme. The stalls offer a mix of food and seasonal goods, including glow wine and Christmas-themed snow globes.

The Village of St. Nicholas is within walking distance of other Christmas markets, including Heavenue Cologne and the Christmas market at Neumarkt. It is easily accessible by public transport, with the Rudolfplatz stop serving tram lines U1, 7, 12, and 15.

Cologne's oldest Christmas market

Cologne, Germany's fourth-largest city, has a variety of Christmas markets, including the popular market in front of the famous Cologne Cathedral. However, the market next to the historic cathedral is not the oldest. The oldest Christmas market in Cologne was the Nicolaimarkt, which began in 1820 in the old town. Unfortunately, after 65 years, the market became too rowdy and was banned by the authorities.

Today, Cologne has many Christmas markets to offer, including the current market on the Neumarkt, which was founded in the 1970s, and the cathedral market, which opened in the 1990s. The Neumarkt market, also known as the Angels' Market, is one of the original markets that restarted the Christmas market tradition in Cologne. It is located in a popular shopping district in the city centre and features sprawling lanes and a wide variety of shops.

Another popular market is Heinzel's Winter Fairytale, which takes place in the Alter Markt and Heumarkt squares in Cologne's Old Town. This market features a large ice rink and a beer hall, as well as traditional handicrafts and beverage stands with unique mugs. The Stadtgarten Christmas Market, located in Cologne's oldest park in the Belgian Quarter, is a favourite among locals. It is known for its stylish accessories and delicious gluhwein, a hot mulled wine.

Cologne's Christmas markets offer a unique and magical experience with festive decorations, delicious food and drinks, handcrafted gifts, and traditional Christmas decorations. The city comes alive with the aroma of baked apples, cinnamon biscuits, and mulled wine, attracting millions of visitors from around the world each year.

Stadtgarten Christmas Market

The Stadtgarten Christmas Market is a popular meeting place for the people of Cologne. It is located in the Stadtgarten, one of the parks on the edge of the city centre, and is held in the beer garden of the main restaurant in the park.

The market features over 60 weekly changing exhibitors showcasing selected articles from art to fashion to jewellery, fancy handicrafts, and exquisite design. The exhibitors change every week, so there is always something new to discover. The market is also a great place to enjoy some delicious food and drinks, such as tasty salads, fresh bread, and mulled wine.

The Stadtgarten Christmas Market is a quieter alternative to the larger central markets, offering a nice change of pace from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. It is easily accessible via the U-Bahn, with the closest station being Freisenplatz. However, it could benefit from better signposting at the U-Bahn station.

The dates and times for the 2023 Stadtgarten Christmas Market are 23.11.23 - 23.12.23, Monday-Friday: 16.00-21.30, and Saturday-Sunday: 12.00-21.30.

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