Culture & tradition,  Germany,  One Word Sunday

Festive scenes at the Cologne Christmas markets

December 22, 2025 / 39 Comments

While Christmas markets are a feature of the Advent season in many countries these days, Germany is where it all began. There have been markets held here at this time of year since the late Middle Ages. Called a Weihnachtsmarkt in northern Germany and a Christkindlmarkt in the south and in Austria and Switzerland, they started as practical food markets. Later craftsmen were allowed to set up stalls selling small toys and other Christmas gifts, while food stands offered roasted chestnuts, nuts and almonds. Isn’t that beginning to sound like the Christmas markets we have come to know?

I have of course been to the Christmas markets in London, also to the much bigger ones in Birmingham and Manchester, but only the latter comes close to the spirit of those in Germany. Even then it felt much more commercial, with stallholders pressing passers-by to shop.

Weihnachtsmärkte in Köln

In Cologne I found the markets much more ‘Christmassy’ in spirit. Yes, people are there to shop, tourists in particular. And one market got suddenly crowded one morning when a group from a river cruise boat moored in the Rhine arrived. But the markets are also a focus for local festive get-togethers. While in England we might go our for a Christmas drink or meal with friends, in Germany people meet at the Weihnachtsmarkt for street food and Glühwein or beers. The atmosphere is more sociable, more relaxed. And if you do want to shop, it seemed to me that there was more variety, and of an overall better quality, than the items I see sold in our London markets.

The Christmas markets are dotted around the city, wherever a public square or open space permits. This year there were nine within easy reach of the city centre, and several more in the suburbs. We went to five, a couple of them several times (day and night), and found each different in character.

I featured a couple of Christmas market photos already in my postcard from Cologne. Here for Debbie’s One Word Sunday theme of ‘Festive’ are many words and some more of my favourite images from our times in these markets. I’m also linking to Terri’s Sunday Stills this week, marking the winter solstice and fourth Sunday of Advent.

Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom

The market next to the cathedral was the largest. It had a tall Christmas tree and lots of stalls, but was also the most crowded so we didn’t linger here, although I did make sure to get some photos with the wonderful backdrop of the cathedral.

Nearby a smaller market had a tiered illuminated Christmas pyramid made of wood, with a Nativity scene and other figures and offered mainly street food, though there were some craft stalls too.

Markt der Engel

In the Neumarkt we found the ‘Market of Angels’ where my eye was caught by another Nativity scene, this one featuring a pig rather than the more usual sheep or cattle. There was also a traditional carousel.

Nikolausdorf

Not far from here, in Rudolfplatz, was the Nikolausdorf (the Village of St. Nicholas) surrounding the historic Hahnen City Gate, one of only four remaining city gates from an original twelve. Here the Glühwein was served in little boot-shaped mugs, and a singing reindeer watched over proceedings alongside a more taciturn snowman.

Willkommen in Nikolausdorf
Heinzels Wintermärchen

My favourite market was probably Heinzels Winter Fairytale in the Alter Markt. It had a welcoming village feel with attractive lighting and some of the most appealing gifts for sale. It featured ‘presentations by skilled craftsmen from all over Europe’ which while we were there included a blacksmith and chainsaw carver. There were also carol singers who could have stepped straight off a tin of Quality Street sweets (British readers will get that reference!)

I visited Cologne in December 2025

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