Weekendo
opens Thu 12 November, 11:00
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.
Christmas markets in North Rhine-Westphalia 2026
31 Christmas markets in North Rhine-Westphalia in the 2026 season, in 20 towns and villages — from Heinzels Wintermärchen (Cologne Old Town) to village markets such as Düren or Blankenheim. For each one: dates, opening hours, entry and map, from official sources.
This weekend
opens Thu 12 November, 11:00
Essen International Christmas Market
Large city-centre market stretching from the light-canopied Kennedyplatz to a medieval market on Flachsmarkt. 13 November to 23 December 2026.
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.
All markets
31 markets
opens Thu 12 November, 11:00
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.
Essen International Christmas Market
Large city-centre market stretching from the light-canopied Kennedyplatz to a medieval market on Flachsmarkt. 13 November to 23 December 2026.
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.
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
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 16 November, 11:00
Nikolausdorf – St Nicholas Village (Rudolfplatz, Cologne)
In front of the medieval Hahnentorburg gate, a 'village' of huts where St Nicholas makes his rounds every day and local Kölsch bands play in the evening.
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 Thu 19 November, 11:00
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.
opens Thu 19 November, 11:00
Düren Christmas market
Christmas market in Düren (Innenstadt Düren) — on 19 November, 20 November, 21 November, 23 November, 24 November, 25 November, 26 November, 27 November, 28 November, 29 November, 30 November, 1 December, 2 December, 3 December, 4 December, 5 December, 6 December, 7 December, 8 December, 9 December,
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.
Aachen Christmas Market
Aachen's big Christmas market wraps around the cathedral and town hall, with the famous Printen gingerbread and stalls tucked into the old-town lanes.
opens Fri 20 November, 13:00
Bad Münstereifel Christmas Market
In this walled Eifel town, the 'WinterZauber' market runs between half-timbered houses and City Outlet stores until 30 December.
opens Sat 21 November, 14:00
Blankenheim Christmas market
Christmas market in Blankenheim (St. Johann Baptist Kirche Ripsdorf) — Saturday 21 November 2026, 14:00–23:59. A local market: check the details with the organiser before you go.
opens Mon 23 November, 11:00
Aegidii Christmas Market Münster
Family-friendly market in the Aegidiimarkt courtyard, around a large wooden pyramid with a chime and a nativity scene. 23 November to 23 December 2026.
opens Mon 23 November, 11:00
Giebelhüüskesmarkt at the Überwasser Church, Münster
Small market with a student vibe in front of the Liebfrauen-Überwasser Church, with views of the cathedral towers. 23 November to 22 December 2026.
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 Mon 23 November, 11:00
Kiepenkerl Christmas Market Münster
A small Christmas village among half-timbered houses around the Kiepenkerl statue, with Westphalian specialities. 23 November to 23 December 2026.
Lichtermarkt at St Lambert's, Münster
Blue pointed-roof huts at the foot of St Lambert's Church, with Münster's biggest Christmas tree. 23 November to 22 December 2026.
opens Mon 23 November, 11:00
Münster Town Hall Courtyard Christmas Market
The largest and oldest of Münster's six markets, under a canopy of lights behind the historic town hall. 23 November to 23 December 2026.
opens Mon 23 November, 11:00
X-MS Christmas Market Münster
Local, sustainable market on Harsewinkelplatz by the 'Kirschensäule' sculpture: crafts and food from the region. 23 November to 23 December 2026.
opens Fri 27 November, 16:00
Dahlem Christmas market
Christmas market in Dahlem (Historischer Burgbering) — from 27 November to 29 November 2026, 16:00–22:00. A local market: check the details with the organiser before you go.
opens Fri 27 November, 17:00
Hellenthal Christmas market (Burg Reifferscheid)
Christmas market in Hellenthal (Burg Reifferscheid) — from 27 November to 29 November 2026, 17:00–22:00. A local market: check the details with the organiser before you go.
opens Fri 27 November, 11:00
Monschau Christmas Market
On the four Advent weekends, the half-timbered town of Monschau in the narrow Rur valley turns into a storybook Christmas setting.
opens Sat 28 November, 16:00
Hellenthal Christmas market (Auf dem Raubritterweg zum)
Christmas market in Hellenthal (Grenzlandhalle Hellenthal) — Saturday 28 November 2026, 16:00–23:59. A local market: check the details with the organiser before you go.
opens Sat 28 November, 15:00
Hürtgenwald Christmas market
Christmas market in Hürtgenwald (Dorfplatz Bergstein) — from 28 November to 29 November 2026, 15:00–23:59. Free entry. A local market: check the details with the organiser before you go.
opens Sat 28 November, 14:00
Simmerath Christmas market
Christmas market in Simmerath (Förderverein Rurberger Weihnachtsmarkt e.V.) — on 28 November, 29 November, 5 December, 6 December, 12 December and 13 December 2026, 14:00–19:00. Free entry. A local market: check the details with the organiser before you go.
opens Sun 29 November, 11:00
Kall Christmas market (Kneipen-Weihnachtsmarkt)
Christmas market in Kall (Gaststätte Gier) — Sunday 29 November 2026, 11:00–18:00. A local market: check the details with the organiser before you go.
opens Sat 5 December, 12:00
Kall Christmas market (Kloster Steinfeld)
Christmas market in Kall (Basilika Steinfeld) — from 5 December to 6 December 2026, 12:00–20:00. Free entry. A local market: check the details with the organiser before you go.
opens Sat 5 December, 14:00
Roetgen Christmas market
Christmas market in Roetgen (Rathausplatz in Roetgen) — on 5 December, 6 December, 12 December and 13 December 2026, 14:00–21:00. A local market: check the details with the organiser before you go.
opens Sat 12 December, 14:00
Wershofen Christmas market
Christmas market in Wershofen (Dorfladen | Dorfspezi) — Saturday 12 December 2026, 14:00–23:59. Free entry. A local market: check the details with the organiser before you go.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest Christmas market in North Rhine-Westphalia?
Heinzels Wintermärchen (Cologne Old Town) — Cologne, 23 November – 10 January.
Which markets are open this weekend?
Duisburg Christmas Market; Essen International Christmas Market; Harbour Christmas Market (Chocolate Museum, Cologne).
Are there free Christmas markets?
Yes, 24 of 31 have free entry, for example Duisburg Christmas Market, Essen International Christmas Market, Harbour Christmas Market (Chocolate Museum, Cologne).
By region
Brussels-Capital Region 5Wallonia 59Flanders 6East Belgium 8Belgian Ardennes 16Dutch Limburg 6Eifel and Aachen region 20Lorraine 21Hauts-de-France 5Champagne-Ardenne 3Île-de-France 6
Near you
Brussels 38Antwerp 21Ghent 33Liège 60Namur 48Charleroi 44Mons 37Leuven 41Hasselt 47Maastricht 49Aachen 61Luxembourg 41Lille 19Cologne 31