Guys, I think I may have found my favorite German Christmas market. The Weihnachtsmarkt is what you'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. read more

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The market can be overwhelmingly crowded, so it is good to go mid week if possible, but it's crowded 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. read more

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This review is way overdue, but someone said it's "better than never." Since Christmas season has come and gone for 2021-22, I'm finally picking up a pen (though a virtual one it might be) and writing this down. All the Kölner weihbnachtsmarkts (perhaps with one exception--City Park Markt was not that great with very disorganized area and with just a minimal vendors) were very nice indeed. Though this one was not my favorite per se, it was still a pretty good one and worthy of a review for sure. Weihnachtsmarkt is a great German Advent/Christmas tradition. It really heightens the Christmas spirit in the land. Even though the atmosphere was a bit dampened by the COVID pandemic for the last couple of years, I'm so glad this one was open. After the announcement of total closure for Bavaria and Saxony in 2021, we were so disappointed for the second year. We searched for any open ones and decided to make a trip to the west Germany/Luxembourg to visit as many markts as we could. We were not disappointed. We traveled to seven cities/towns and saw at least fourteen separate weihnactsmarkts. Needless to say, it was a very successful weekend trip for us. Just a little down the street from the very impressive Kölner Dom Weihnachtsmarkt, the biggest attraction here in Heinzelmannchen "Helpful Elves" Weihnachtsmarkt is the ice skating rink. Folks playing curling is very fun to watch, by the way. As the name suggests there are elves all over this markt. By comparison there aren't too many vendor booths here besides a very large glühwein hut (photo). If you are in Germany during Advent/Christmas season, you must visit as many weihnachtsmarkts as you can to really enjoy German holidays for sure. read more

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When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in Germany, do as the Germans do and go to alllllll the Weihnachtsmarkt! Christmas Markets are a huugggeee thing in most of Europe, and here you can find one or two in almost every large city. Most markets run from the weekend after Thanksgiving to the 23rd of December. So there's plenty of time to hit quite a few and get a different experience at each one. While in Cologne to see the Cathedral, we decided to visit the market because it was quite literally in the shadows of the twin spires. If you're lucky, you can find parking in the structure under the Cathedral for about €6 depending on how long you're there for. Be warned - it took us 35 minutes to get into the structure and find parking, even though the parking meter said there were close to 2,000 spots open. There is no fee to enter the market, which is a plus because some do charge an entrance fee of €3-€7. This is a VEEERRRYYY popular and very busy market, so you will find yourself shoulder to shoulder with other people often, lines for the Glühwein (warmed wine) move quickly, prices vary and you are charged a €2,50 deposit on each glass but if you opt to return the glass you get the deposit back. Most people collect the Weihnachtsmarkt glasses as each market has a different design, though you may not always get the current year's mug because they're also available to purchase, so many people go just to buy a new mug opening week. Köln's market also had a band stage and large Christmas tree in the center of the market, with the booths zig zagging around it. A little confusing but overall easy to navigate. We chose to go the day before Christmas Eve which was the last day of the market, and found it to be super crowded. We purchased the 2019 wine mugs, and several other handmade items from vendors for €3-€12 for most things while handcrafted glass items were fairly more expensive. We got pretty hungry walking around and stopped for brats in brötchen(bread rolls), a skewer of chicken and a funnel of fresh cut fries topped with a spicy cream sauce and ketchup. All of it was super tasty and filling, and the food is one of my favorite things about the markets so that always makes me happy! They also have fruit vendors, moonshine samples, chocolate and home made baked goods, as well as several meat and cheese booths. One booth had sautéed, fried and baked mushrooms - the line was almost 30 minutes long! We gave up after 10 minutes because it was so cold. Try to carry euro with you, as most of the booths do not take card and they don't accept USD either. We find that taking between €80-€100 is enough because we never spend it all. Of the 3 Weihnachtsmarkt we visited this year, I absolutely loved Köln's the most and is definitely one I would make the 100mile trip to visit again next year, but earlier in the season. The location is prime because you can visit the market and Cathedral in one stop, leave with lots of goodies and have epic pictures as well. 4 stars for this market just because it was soooo crowded and we had wine spilled on us and spilled out of our mugs due to the amount of people. read more

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This was by far one of my favorite Christmas Markets of the ones I saw while in Germany. It has a really cute story - the theme is the Heinzelmannchen, helpful elves who supposedly used to help the citizens of the city with their work at night so they could be lazy and eat and socialize during the day. They were happy to do this as long as no one tried to see them while they worked at night. One cobbler's wife wanted to see them and tricked them - they were so angry they left and haven't been seen since. So there are little elves everywhere in this market in the decor, painted on the stalls, on the keepsake mugs, you name it. So cute! It's easy to find and seems to be fairly centrally located in the city - near to the Dom and the waterfront and several shops and beer houses. There is not an awful lot of shopping - but mostly this is about ice skating, eating and drinking. Tons and tons of the mulled wine and apple cider and they have cute little mugs with various elves on them so you can collect the set if you'd like. The vendor food is phenomenal and I had a smoked salmon sandwich that was super delicious. They have potato apple fritters and cakes that are fresh and warm and dusted, they had fresh waffles, chocolates, and tons of decadent pastries and sausages and potatoes. After eating you can stand around and socialize and spend some time browsing the shops that sell ornaments, honey, jams, and other assorted goodies. read more

This Christmas Market is just a few blocks from the Cathederal one. There is a small drink and food one and other shops on the walk. It more then the other goes all out on the theme. its long and thin so its easy to hit everything. To hang out at it was my favorite, It has an ice rink and curling which is fun to watch. On the side there were rides for kids. Like all of the markets in the evening they get busy with locals coming for a drink and socializing. There are stands around and a central area by the ice with tables to hang out at and get a drink. There are also shops and places with food. This is a nice big market next to the church and only a couple of blocks from my hotel (or across from the train station) So i wound up here every night and during the day. In the evening when people get off work it gets busy. It seems lots just come for a drink (there are official market stands for drinks all over. The food was good here with lots to choose from. I especialy like the Roclette place against the church (flame melted cheese and garlic over bagette). While the food would be reason enoph to come, there are also lots of shops selling christmas stuff and gift stuff, I bought about everyone on my list something from here. Tip: when you buy a drink you pay a deposit that you can get back from any of the drink stands (around 2 euro's) or you can keep it. Every market in town has its own design, new every year. They make a good cheap souvineer. I have a set of 5 mugs from the 5 markets I went to. read more

Extravagantly decorated Christmas market with a small ice skating rink, live bands playing festive Christmas tunes, and a variety of traditional Christmas market foods: of course Glühwein, Bratapfeln (baked apples), hot Hugo (hot sweet wine), a fiery (literally) drink with blazing sugar that melts into the drink, sausages, potato pancakes (Reibekuchen), hot chestnuts (Maronen), and many, many more. We went on a weeknight which was still quite packed, especially around food/drink stands, so be prepared to enjoy your wine or food in tight crowds. Also, a forewarning- watch out for pickpockets, as they target the crowds at Christmas markets! This location is also walking distance to a number of other Christmas markets, so hit up the Dom Christmas market or other neighboring ones if you have time! :) read more

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Stumbled upon this place and was wowed instantly! Firstly it looks like a Christmas market but it is mainly based on an ice rink which like a Grand Prix track goes around a circuit. You can get drinks and watch on. Feuerzangenbowle is the traditional German alcoholic drink which I had to try. It's a rum-soaked sugarloaf which is set on fire and drips into mulled wine. It is often part of a Christmas or New Year's Eve tradition. The name translates literally to fire-tongs punch. Loved it. Strong but very drinkable. read more

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Only here, you can drink Feuerzangenbowle in a two-story-hut with a great view on the ice skating facility right in the historical center in Cologne. I do not only go here for the view, but also for the great taste of the "Feuerzangenbowle". Feuerzangenbowle is a special German drink with burning alcohol. Here at Heumarkt Christmas market, a mini cane of sugar is drowned in high percentage alcohol and put on a little tray on top of the cup. They set it on fire in front of you and you can watch, how the sugar burns and melts down into the glow wine beneath. Heumarkt is not the only place where you get Feuerzangenbowle, but at other places, they often do the burning procedure inside a not-see-through cauldron. Also, at other huts offer a wide range of other kinds of glow wine like organic redcurrant or the Swedish met. Besides drinking, I love that market for the many mini things you can buy for a quite low price. Usually, Christmas markets consist half of food huts and the others sell high priced stuff you will never actually use. Here, all the stores also offer little things for already some euros is you just want to get a little something for their beloved. Last great thing: It's opened till January as the ice-skating will last till then. read more

Weihnachtsmarkt Am Heumarkt - Feuerzangenbowle at Stapelhaus - Christmas Markets Near Me - Cologne, NW

This Weihnachtsmarkt is next to the one by Kölner Dom. They lead into each other really. This part of it goes to the Altstadt and you can follow through all the way to the Schokoladenmuseum and along the Rheine. read more

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