The Magic of Cologne's Christmas Markets

Christmas markets in Cologne (Weihnachtsmarkt):

The Christmas markets season has arrived and when it comes to Christmas markets in Europe, the city of Cologne puts on quite a show. There are actually seven Christmas markets in this town and at Cologne Cathedral Weihnachtsmarkt, my first real Christmas market experience, I’m bursting out of my skin with excitement.

Each year, on the last Monday before Advent, the seven Christmas markets in Cologne open their gates to visitors like us. It’s pure magic seeing the fairy lights of the market stalls and the giant Christmas tree set against Cologne’s most famous landmark – Cologne Cathedral.

Christmas market at Cologne Cathedral

There are about 160 beautiful wooden pavilions selling all kinds of Christmas goodies, so how do we decide on where to begin? Suddenly we’re hit by the smell of hot food cooking and the decision is made for us. It’s cold and the aroma of hot food, mulled wine, roasted almonds and gingerbread permeating the air accelerates ones hunger pangs.

We follow our nose and find the hot food stalls, all doing a good trade, and fresh crepes seem to be very popular with the teenage group.

We come across a stall selling glühwein and here I have my first taste of this German version of mulled wine. This hot, spiced wine drink is quite delicious and has the dual benefit of giving your body a warm inner glow as well as keeping your hands warm. You can buy the glühwein drink alone or pay for the Christmas mug as well which makes a nice souvenir of your Cologne Cathedral Weihnachtsmarkt visit.

Apart from the hot food, there’s plenty of traditional Christmas foods, cakes, chocolates and several stalls selling Lebkuchenherzen which the Germans believe is a good cure for winter depression.

These heart-shaped gingerbread cookies carry all kinds of love messages which are sure to lift the spirit of the receiver.

Equipped with our mug of glühwein, we wonder around to the other stalls where we watch craftsmen demonstrating their art, check out the stalls selling lovely hand-painted Christmas tinsels and decorations, hand-made candles and lots of other handicrafts.

In the fairground, children line up to go on their favourite rides and there’s plenty of entertainment to keep them happy, including a visit by Santa.

The Christmas markets in Germany are well attended by locals who come to meet up with friends for a drink, pick up little Christmas presents as well as to stock up on traditional Christmas foods. The atmosphere is enchanting and it’s a great place for visitors like us to join in the local festivities.

The Christmas markets run for a whole month up to before Christmas Eve and if you’re one of the lucky people spending Christmas in Europe and have more time in Cologne you’ll be able to explore the city’s other Christmas markets:

One happy glühwein customer

• Angels Christmas Market at Neumarkt Square
• Christmas Market in the Old Town “Home of the Gnomes”
• Fairytale Christmas Market at Rudolfplatz Square (ten minutes walk from Neumarkt)
• Christmas Market Afloat – This is Europe’s largest floating Christmas market with over forty stalls.  It takes place on the ship “MS Wappen von Köln” and from here you have views of Cologne Old Town and the Cathedral.
• Medieval Christmas Market at the Chocolate Museum
• Stadtgarten Christmas Market

See Travel Signposts Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market Photo Gallery HERE.

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