Cologne · Germany
Christmas Market at Cologne Cathedral
Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom
16 Nov – 23 Dec 2026 Official
Official websiteDates and hours may change. Check them on the market's official site.
Key facts
| City | Cologne |
|---|---|
| Country | Germany |
| Location | Cologne, Germany |
| Dates | 16 Nov – 23 Dec 2026 Official |
| Opening hours | Closed 22 Nov |
| Official website | Official website |
| Map pin | 50.94086, 6.95836. Approximate location from the sources used for this page. |
About the market
The Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom, presented under the motto “Markt der Herzen” (market of hearts), takes place on Roncalliplatz in front of Cologne Cathedral. The 2026 edition is listed from Monday 16 November to Tuesday 23 December. It is closed on Sunday 22 November, Totensonntag. Opening hours are 11:00–21:00 Sunday to Wednesday, 11:00–22:00 Thursday and Friday, and 10:00–22:00 Saturday. According to the organisers, the market has over 120 festively decorated stalls every year. They offer handicrafts and gifts, food and drink, and a good deal of social engagement. Visitors can watch traditional craftsmanship being made and browse gifts the organisers describe as unique and high quality. The food ranges from traditional German treats and sweet specialities to international dishes. A central stage beneath a sparkling tent of lights hosts a programme of more than 100 free events each year, and there is also a programme for children. Since 2024 the market has held an ISO certification for sustainability. The organisers say it is probably the first Christmas market in Germany to do so. The sources provided do not give the market's founding date, its historical background or visitor numbers.
Sources: koelnerweihnachtsmarkt.com.
About Cologne
Cologne (German: Köln) is the fourth-most populous city in Germany and the largest in North Rhine-Westphalia. It has over one million inhabitants and lies on the Rhine, about 35 km southeast of Düsseldorf and 22 km northwest of Bonn. It began as a Roman settlement, Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium, founded in AD 50, and its name comes from Colonia. In the Middle Ages it flourished on major trade routes and became a free imperial city and a member of the Hanseatic League. The city is best known for its medieval cathedral, the Kölner Dom, which was built to house the Shrine of the Three Kings. The cathedral was the world's tallest building from 1880 to 1890 and is today the tallest cathedral in the world. It is one of the most visited sights and pilgrimage destinations in Europe. The skyline also includes the Twelve Romanesque churches of Cologne. Cologne is famous for Eau de Cologne, produced there since 1709. It was heavily bombed in World War II, and about 25% of its buildings today date from before the war. It hosts more than 30 museums and hundreds of galleries, and it is home to the University of Cologne, Lufthansa's headquarters and the Koelnmesse trade fairs. The city source supplied does not describe Christmas or winter events.
Sources: Wikipedia. Some wording is drawn from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Photos
AIA Labs publishes this page as an independent guide. It is not the market's own website.