Cologne Christmas markets dates in 2025: Guide to some popular places

Guide to Opening hour, highlight for Cologne Christmas Markets dates (Weihnachtsmärkte in Köln): From traditional to morden, from Köln Cathedral to the vegan winter market and more than…

‘Let’s go for a mulled wine!’ As soon as WhatsApp groups are set up for this plan, you can be sure where you’ll end up: at one of the large Christmas markets in the city centre – be it at Heumarkt, Neumarkt, Rudolfplatz or at the cathedral. Sure, they’re all beautiful, but often quite crowded. That’s why we’ve not only picked out the well-known classics for your Christmas market visit, but also smaller Advent markets where you can sip your mulled wine.

 

1. Angels Christmas market

It is one of the original markets that revived the Christmas market tradition in Cologne in the 1970s.

• Location: Neumarkt, 50667 Cologne
• Dates: 17 November – 23 December
• Opening hours: Sunday – Thursday: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., Friday – Saturday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

2. Cologne Cathedral Christmas market

This iconic market on Roncalliplatz, framed by the splendour of Cologne Cathedral. Here you will find exceptional craftsmanship, culinary delicacies and plenty of festive spirit.

• Location: Roncalliplatz, 50667 Cologne
• Dates: 17 November – 23 December
• Opening hours: Sunday – Wednesday: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., Thursday – Friday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Saturday: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

3. Heinzels Wintermärchen 

Heinzels Wintermärchen in the old town is not only the oldest but also the largest Christmas market in Cologne. It tells the beautiful story of the legendary Heinzelmännchen, mythical creatures from Cologne folklore.

• Location: Heumarkt, 50678 Cologne
• Dates: 24 November 2025 – 4 January 2026
• Opening hours: Monday – Sunday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m

4. Rudolfplatz Christmas market

In the shadow of the historic Hahnentorburg, The St. Nicholas Village with its small, pretty half-timbered houses creates a contemplative atmosphere every year.

• Location: Rudolfplatz, 50674 Cologne
• Dates: 17 November – 23 December
• Opening hours: Sunday – Thursday: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., Friday – Saturday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

5. Stadtgarten Christmas market

This is one of Cologne’s most popular Christmas markets. Not only because you can drink homemade mulled wine here, but also because the stalls offer a rather modern selection of goods. More than 80 exhibitors showcase beautiful designs, delicacies, jewellery and products from the region.

• Map: Venloer Straße 40, 50672 Cologne
• Dates: 14 November – 23 December
• Opening hours: Monday – Friday: 4 pm – 9.30 pm, Saturday – Sunday: 12 noon – 9.30 pm

6. Harbour Christmas market 

Set against a picturesque backdrop directly on the Rhine, Cologne’s harbour Christmas market creates a maritime Christmas atmosphere. The 15-metre-long three-masted wooden ship ‘Trudel’ and the lighthouse harbour tavern provide you with mulled wine, mulled beer and Feuerzangenbowle (a traditional German mulled wine punch).

• Map: Am Schokoladenmuseum 1a, 50678 Köln
• Dates: 14 November – 23 December
• Opening hours: Monday – Thursday and Sunday: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., Friday – Saturday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

7. Ehrenfeld Christmas Market 

Small but mighty! Even though this neighbourhood Christmas market is modest in size, it scores points with its really cool offerings. Instead of mulled wine, you should definitely try the ‘Warmer Himmel’ (Warm Sky) made from cloudy apple juice, vodka, cinnamon and vanilla – heavenly!

• Map: Bumann & SOHN, 50825 Cologne
• Dates: 13 November – 23 December 2025
• Opening hours: Monday – Friday: 5 pm – 10 pm, Saturday – Sunday: 2 pm – 10 pm

8. Veedelsadvent 

It is said that Veedelsadvent is the most Cologne-like Christmas market in the city. In the shadow of Severinstorburg Castle, around 20 stalls and stands offer mulled wine and design, Kölsch beer, a children’s carousel and hot chocolate.

• Map: Chlodwigplatz, 50678 Cologne
• Dates: 20 November – 23 December
• Opening hours: Sunday – Thursday: 12 noon – 10 p.m., Friday – Saturday: 12 noon – 11 p.m.

9. Herbrand Christmas market 

Herbrand’s transforms its large beer garden into a little Christmas wonderland every year, complete with fairy lights, pretty wooden stalls and mulled wine.

• Map: Herbrandstraße 21, 50825 Cologne
• Dates: 21 November – 23 December
• Opening hours: Monday – Friday: 5 pm – 10 pm, Saturday: 4 pm – 10 pm, Sunday: 2 pm – 8 pm

10. Hellers Christmas market

The smallest Christmas market in the city

• Map: Volksgartenstraße 27, 50677 Cologne 
• Dates: 19 November – 20 December
• Opening hours: Wednesday – Saturday: 5 pm – 10 pm, Sunday: 3 pm – 8 pm

11. The vegan winter market 

Cologne’s first purely vegan and sustainable Christmas market

• Map: Evangelical Church Parish Kalk-Humboldt, Steinmetzstraße 57, 51103 Cologne
• Dates: 5 – 21 December
• Opening hours: Friday: 4 pm–9 pm, Saturday: 12 noon–9 pm, Sunday: 12 noon–8 pm

12. The Super Christmas Market

Fashion, accessories, art and design from sustainable production – that’s what the Super Christmas Market in Cologne has stood for for more than a decade.

• Map: Bürgerhaus Stollwerck, Dreikönigenstraße 23, 50678 Cologne
• Dates: 6–7 December
• Opening hours: 11 a.m.–7 p.m
• Admission: €5

13. Nippes Christmas Market

Over two days in Nippes, you can expect hot treats, lovingly handmade items and unusual ideas. For younger visitors, there will be colourful activities with a spinning carousel, campfire and bread on a stick, as well as a creative candle workshop.

• Map: Church Nippes, Siebachstraße 85, 50733 Köln
• Dates: 13 and 14 December
• Opening hours: 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

14. Christmas G’ART’EN

The Creative Christmas Market in Cologne with the coolest Christmas beats, handmade goods and creative DIY workshops.

• Map: Wachsfabrik, Industriestraße 170, 50999 Köln
• Dates: 13 and 14 December
• Opening hours: 2pm – 8pm

Other Cologne Christmas markets dates

• Brauwelt Winter Market in Kalk Hauptstraße 260, 51103 Cologne: 14 November – 21 December
• Christmas spirit in Lindenthal Winter Village Karl-Schwering Platz, 50931 Cologne: 21 November – 28 December 2
• Sülzer Christmas village (Elisabeth-von-Mumm-Platz, 50937 Cologne): 28 November – 23 December
• Courtyard Christmas market in Körnerstraße, 50823 Cologne: 6–7 December
• Christmas market at the Birkenhof riding stable 51061 Cologne: 14 November–21 December
• Christmas market at Waldbad Dünnwald (Peter-Baum-Weg 20, 51069 Cologne): 13–14 December

Everywhere you go, you can finally enjoy hot mulled wine and the smell of roasted almonds again. Many Christmas markets in Cologne also offer live music and other festive activities.

Merry Christmas!