Weekendo
Christmas Market at Cologne Cathedral
Right below the cathedral's twin spires on Roncalliplatz, Cologne's best-known market brings red-roofed stalls, a giant tree and a canopy of lights.
opens Mon 16 November, 11:00
Nikolausdorf – St Nicholas Village (Rudolfplatz, Cologne)
Rudolfplatz (Hahnentorburg) · Cologne, GermanySeason16 November – 23 December 2026
Todayclosed
Entryfree
Whereoutdoors
The market is inside Cologne low-emission zone (Umweltzone)
A green emissions sticker (Umweltplakette) on the windscreen is required — also for foreign cars.
Guide: what to do · official website · Advent 2026: on Saturdays 28.11, 5.12, 12.12 and 19.12 (9-16 h) a parking ticket from the LANXESS arena car parks or the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Ring underground car park is a free KVB ticket for up to 5 people; P22 Messeparkhaus Zoobrücke has a free shuttle to Heumarkt (26.11-23.12). These car parks are inside the zone (sticker needed). KVB P+R list: check each site.
About
The Nikolausdorf sets up on Rudolfplatz right by the Hahnentorburg, the old city gate on the western edge of the centre. It has a more local, relaxed feel than the cathedral market, with little lanes between wooden huts. Every day at around 4:30 pm St Nicholas walks through the village, a fixed highlight for children. In the evening the stage hosts bands singing in Cologne dialect. Rudolfplatz has its own tram stop served by several lines.
Opening hours
| Monday | 11:00–21:00 |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 11:00–21:00 |
| Wednesday | 11:00–21:00 |
| Thursday | 11:00–21:00 |
| Friday | 11:00–22:00 |
| Saturday | 11:00–22:00 |
| Sunday | 11:00–21:00 |
- Sun 22 November — closed. Closed on Totensonntag (Sunday of the Dead).
Combine with
Other markets nearby for the same trip.
opens Mon 16 November, 11:00
Markt der Engel – Angels' Market (Neumarkt, Cologne)
On Neumarkt in the heart of the shopping district, the Angels' Market glows with thousands of star lights in the trees and angels strolling between white stalls.
opens Mon 23 November, 11:00
Heinzels Wintermärchen (Cologne Old Town)
Cologne's market of the Heinzelmännchen house elves spreads over Alter Markt and Heumarkt, with a large open-air ice rink running into January.
opens Fri 13 November, 11:00
Harbour Christmas Market (Chocolate Museum, Cologne)
On the Rhine in front of the Chocolate Museum, the harbour market is the first in Cologne to open and stays open until 3 January.
opens Wed 18 November, 12:00
Bonn Christmas Market
More than 160 stalls across Bonn's pedestrian centre, from Münsterplatz and its Beethoven statue to Friedensplatz.
opens Sat 12 December, 11:00
Zülpich Christmas market
Christmas market in Zülpich (Siechhaus-Café) — from 12 December to 13 December 2026, 11:00–18:00. A local market: check the details with the organiser before you go.