A large and comprehensive festival with good crowds, but not so much to cause a queue to enter the…read moregrounds. There's a wide range of food from oysters to burgers, spreads to cheeses, and folks offering knives and pans, and naturally numerous wineries offering their wares. It's a good spot for lunch - you can get a complete meal at any of the many establishments (see the pictures for my faves!), although groups may struggle to sit together at peak lunch time. Be sure to drop by the Yelp stand to say G'day, and pick up some vouchers for samples from some of the merchants.

This is a big giant spectacle all over the downtown area. They are parades and people in costume…read more I only went once see the parade, since it was complete Mayhem. It doesn't look it but this was the street going towards the parade. There's no way to feel lonely during karneval. You have to be holed up at home to avoid people during this time in the city. Best to get into a costume and meld into the crowd.

This was the least lively market I went to which made me sad because it was the most unique. The…read moretheme was very cool with the location, and they had small vendors that I hadn't seen anywhere else. There weren't that many food options, but their speciality is the salmon!

There are six Christmas markets in Cologne, and we made it through three. This was the last one,…read morethe Harbor Christmas market. The sun started to peek through the clouds ever so briefly. There was a Ferris wheel, a pirate ship, shops, the Schokoladen museum (the most popular in town). We finally stopped for a mug of glühwein. It was hot and fragrant with spices (don't breathe in the fumes), and once it cooled slightly, it was pleasant and sweet. They do take a deposit on the mugs but we decided to keep them. With the sun just about to set, it was a pleasant stroll along the harbor to the cathedral.

Guys, I think I may have found my favorite German Christmas market. The Weihnachtsmarkt is what…read moreyou're looking for if you want the holy trifecta of atmosphere, charm, and legit awesomeness. Located in Cologne, this market is one of the best in the world, and I will die on that hill. With a twee gnome theme, the market has mugs that will drive collectors wild. There's a series of a dozen DIFFERENT GNOME THEMED MUGS that you can collect by ordering gluewein. Don't cheat and buy them outright: just keep ordering spiced, mulled wine and see which random one you're afforded! Not only are the mugs so much fun, but the food booths are absolutely top-notch in every way! There's melty cheese, pretzels, chocolates, potatoes, and more, and there's something for everyone here (foodies are going to LOVE this market). Admittedly, you won't find a lot of the more unusual food offerings, but there are lots of options here that will please everyone in your party. The market has a charming ice skating rink, and it's something I'd consider a must-do. Skating under twinkling lights in the most beautiful country (especially at Christmastime) is a once-in-a-lifetime memory that you simply have to do. The crafts and shopping didn't excite me much, as it's mostly the same old stuff that you find at any random Christmas market across Europe. I only saw a few truly unique artisan booths, which was a little disappointing. But don't let that keep you away from the market! It's touristy, yes, but much less so than the main market located next to the Cologne cathedral. Take a bit of a trek to go here, you won't regret it.

The market can be overwhelmingly crowded, so it is good to go mid week if possible, but it's…read morecrowded for a reason, great booths with wonderful crafts and decorations to buy for the holidays and as gifts, great food, and the gnome theme is adorable. If you book way in advance, you can do curling. Ice skating is also possible.