Weekendo
hours not confirmed yet
Duisburg Christmas Market
Market along Königstraße through Duisburg's whole city centre, with an ice rink for Bavarian curling. 12 November to 30 December 2026.
opens Fri 13 November, 12:00
Essen International Christmas Market
Kennedyplatz und Innenstadt · Essen, GermanySeason13 November – 23 December 2026
Todayclosed
EntryOpen-air market in the city-centre streets; the official page mentions no admission fee (only 'Essen funkelt' is explicitly free).
Whereoutdoors
The market is inside Ruhr low-emission zone (Umweltzone Ruhrgebiet)
A green emissions sticker (Umweltplakette) on the windscreen is required — also for foreign cars.
Guide: what to do · official website · Most P+R sites are inside the zone; without a green sticker, take a regional train to Essen Hbf, Dortmund Hbf or Duisburg Hbf (P+R: check the official website).
About
The international market spreads across Essen's city centre, a short walk from the main station. A net of thousands of lights hangs over Kennedyplatz, and more stalls continue towards the Marktkirche. Flachsmarkt hosts a medieval-themed market. From 4 to 6 December, 'Essen funkelt' brings local bands and choirs to Burgplatz behind the Ferris wheel. The Essen Light Weeks run at the same time.
Opening hours
| Monday | 12:00–21:00 |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 12:00–21:00 |
| Wednesday | 12:00–21:00 |
| Thursday | 12:00–21:00 |
| Friday | 12:00–22:00 |
| Saturday | 12:00–22:00 |
| Sunday | 12:00–21:00 |
- Sun 15 November — 14:00–21:00. Volkstrauertag (national day of mourning): opens at 2 pm.
- Sun 22 November — closed
Combine with
Other markets nearby for the same trip.
hours not confirmed yet
hours not confirmed yet
Düsseldorf Christmas Market
Several themed markets link the old town, the Königsallee and the Rhine, with a Ferris wheel, an ice rink and opening until 30 December.
hours not confirmed yet
Dortmund Christmas Town (Dortmunder Weihnachtsstadt)
One of Europe's biggest markets, centred on a 45-metre giant tree on Hansaplatz. 19 November to 30 December 2026, free entry.
hours not confirmed yet
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.
hours not confirmed yet
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.
hours not confirmed yet
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.