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You are here: Home / Sightseeing / The Magic of the Cologne Christmas Markets 2022

The Magic of the Cologne Christmas Markets 2022

November 30, 2022 By Helen Page 1 Comment

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Cologne Christmas Markets under the Impressive Kolner Dom:

Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market

Weihnachtsmarkt-am-Kölner-Dom

When it comes to Christmas markets in Germany, the city of Cologne puts on quite a sparkling show. There are six themed Christmas markets in the Alstadt, not to mention the smaller markets outside of the city centre.

Each year, on the last Monday before Advent, the Christmas markets in Cologne open their gates to locals and visitors alike. Cologne was our very first German Christmas market experience and needless to say, it was a magical experience. We’ve been back several times since.

The Cologne Christmas markets 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. There are also more than 100 stage appearances to keep the event lively. The atmosphere is enchanting and it is a great place for visitors like us to join in the local festivities.

Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom

Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom

Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom

The Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market is the largest and most impressive of Cologne’s Christmas markets. There are about 150 beautiful wooden pavilions selling all kinds of Christmas goodies, so knowing where to begin can be overwhelming for first-time visitors. For us, we thought that a good place to start is at the stall selling glühwein.  This hot, spiced wine drink is delicious and has the added benefit of giving your body an inner warmth. For me, I also use the mug as a hand warmer. You can buy the glühwein drink alone but we paid for the Christmas mug as well. It makes for a nice souvenir of our  Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market visit.

Cologne Christmas Market

Tony’s happy with his Gluhwein

In the cold wintry air, the aroma of hot food, roasted almonds and gingerbread can trigger hunger pangs quite quickly.  We follow our nose and find the hot food stalls, all of which are doing a good trade.

Lebkuchen – A Cure for Winter Blues

Apart from the hot food, there are plenty of traditional Christmas foods, cakes, chocolates and several stalls selling lebkuchen.  The Germans believe this Christmas treat is a good cure for winter depression.

Cologne Christmas market

Cologne Christmas Market

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

Things to Buy

Armed with our mug of glühwein, we wander around to the other stalls and watch craftsmen demonstrating their art. There are stalls selling lovely hand-painted Christmas tinsels and decorations, hand-made candles and lots of other handicrafts. One of my favourites is the lichthäuschen or light houses.

Christmas House Lights

Lichthäuschen

Kölner Altstadt Christmas Market

Close to the Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market is the Weihnachtsmarkt Kölner Altstadt on Alter Markt and Heumarkt. Here you’ll find the Heimat der Heinzel – Home of the Elves. Hundreds of elves turn Cologne’s Old Town into a fairytale world. The Home of the Elves market has a stall that sells delicious woodfire roast salmon. This is where we come to for a nice salmon roll.

Weihnachtsmarkt Kölner Alstadt

Heimat der Heinzel – Home of the Elves

At Heumarkt there is also a popular ice-skating rink. If you’re lucky, you may get to see ice-skating performances by local groups. This Heumarkt venue stays open till end of the first week in January.

Markt der Engel (Angels’ Market)

At the Markt der Engel, or Angels’ Market, you might just meet some angels. Neumarkt is an enchanting Christmas wonderland near Cologne’s major shopping streets. As you stroll down the broad lanes with their ornately decorated stands you’re also likely to come across illuminated mythical creatures on stilts circulating amongst the crowds.

Nikolausdorf (Nicholas Village)

Nikolausdorf or Nicholas Village is on Rudolfplatz, between Neumarkt and the trendy Belgian Quarter. This market’s magical setting includes the historic Hahnentorburg.

Nicholas Village

Nikolausdorf

Kölner Hafen-Weihnachtsmarkt

A little further from Cologne’s historical centre is the Kölner Hafen-Weihnachtsmarkt. This Harbour Christmas Market has the romantic Rhine River as a backdrop and it is also set against Cologne’s famous Chocolate Museum.

Kölner Hafen-Weihnachtsmarkt

Cologne Harbour Christmas Market

Being a maritime-themed market we were hoping to find more seafood stalls here but didn’t see any that we fancy. Instead Tony bumps into a pirate and ends up having a fencing duel with him.

Cologne Christmas Markets (Nov 21 – Dec 23, 2022)

The Christmas markets run for a whole month from November 21st up to before Christmas Eve. To truly enjoy all the markets, it’s worthwhile spending a few days in Cologne.
Most of these markets operate daily from 11:00 to 21:00.

Cologne Christmas Markets

Cologne Christmas Markets

Places to Stay

We’ve stayed at the Eden Hotel Früh am Dom a couple of times. Being just next to the Cologne Cathedral, it is very convenient for visiting the Christmas Markets.
For all Cologne hotels, see Here.

See Travel Signposts Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market Photo Gallery HERE.

For more Cologne Info, see HERE.

Map of Cologne:

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Filed Under: Sightseeing Tagged With: christmas in cologne, christmas markets germany, cologne christmas concert, cologne weihnachtsmarkt, german christmas markets

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About Helen Page

Helen Page is a prolific blogger and ardent traveller; she runs Travelsignposts with her professional writer and photographer husband Tony.

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