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Christmas Market Dates25th November – 23rd December 2013 Most Christmas Markets in Cologne will start on the 25th November 2013.The Christmas Market am Stadtgarten starts on the 28th November 2013, whilst the Cologne Harbour Christmas Market will open a day later on the 29th November 2013. |
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Opening Times11am-9pm daily |
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Welcome to the
Cologne Christmas Market
The city of Cologne offers six Christmas Markets in total. Among them are four big Christmas Markets located at the Cologne Cathedral, on the Alter Markt, on the Neumarkt and on the Rudolfplatz. Every year these wonderful four Christmas Markets attract almost 2 million visitors.
The Christmas Market at the Cologne Cathedral is the most impressive one in Cologne, due to the huge backdrop of the imposing Cathedral.
Beneath the Cathedral and the largest Christmas tree in the Rhineland you can find well over 160 festively designed wooden pavilions. Here you can watch artisans at work, enjoy original “Christmas Mulled Wine”, out of festively decorated Christmas mugs or you can choose from an unlimited choice of sweets and local delicacies.
The Christmas Market on the Alter Markt takes lace in the heart of the Altstadt (Old Town) and in front of the Old Cologne Town Hall, which is only 200 metres away from the Cathedral. For many years this Christmas Market has been attracting young and likeminded people to Cologne from all over the World. Shadowed by beautiful narrow-gabled houses and half-timbered stalls, the Christmas Market on the Alter Markt conveys a very romantic and idyllic feel. Children especially will find lots to do here; a nostalgic children’s roundabout, a puppet theatre, a Santa Claus’ grotto and many toy stands, all providing endless fun and entertainment. According to an old Cologne legend, this is were the famous “Heinzelmännchen” gnomes are said to be responsible for all this Christmas splendour, carefully observing the Christmas proceedings and preventing any mass made or modern goods from being sold.
The Neumarkt Christmas Market is Cologne's oldest Christmas Market, it is curiously located on the "New Market" amidst the backdrop of St.Aposteln’s Church and Cologne’s main shopping area. As in previous years, the Angels Market glows in pre-Christmas splendour with charmingly designed chalets and a unique “stars at night” theme. Visitors will be enchanted by glamour and high-quality products.
Set against the historic backdrop of Hahnentorburg, one of Cologne's three mediaeval gate houses, the Christmas Market on the Rudolfplatz takes you to a world of brother’s Grimm fairy tales. Large fairy tale figures and festive illuminations provide a special eye-catcher, especially for children.
Besides the four big Christmas markets there is also a Cologne Harbour Christmas Market, located at the Chocolate Museum.
The new Cologne Harbour Christmas Market is showcased by picturesque surroundings. Located near to a medieval Malakoff-Tower, Swing Bridge and Cologne’s popular Chocolate Museum, the historical harbour is a splendid location for a perfect Christmas Market. Modern and elegant, with about 80 white marquee pagoda tents and roof peaks, like ship sails, this Christmas Market aims to inspire a nautical theme. Offering high quality art products, and culinary delights from all over the world, as well as a colourful programme; with pirates, shanty and Christmas stage performances. The Harbour Christmas Market will entice anyone to stay for a tasty mug of mulled wine.
Finally and well worth seeing is the Stadtgarten Christmas Market, a fairly large Christmas Market, located on the edge of Cologne's oldest park. The Stadtgarten Christmas Market has a far more relaxed and village like atmosphere and is, apart from the traditional local food, arts & crafts, a great choice for children's entertainment or any one young at heart. As Christmas approaches there are plenty of things to do and attractions through out Cologne, including a variety of Christmas Concerts, Nativity Scenes and a huge temporary ice rink on the Heumarkt.
The Cologne Floating Christmas Market and the Medieval Christmas Market will not take place this year.
Getting to Cologne couldn’t be easier. Journey times from London to Cologne, via Brussels with Eurostar are only just over 4 hours and there are plenty of airlines with flights to Cologne/Bonn airport, making it even easier to enjoy a real German Christmas Market in Germany.
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