On the Gustaf-Gründgens-Platz there will be a huge outdoor ice rink offering fun for all the family - ice skating is free and there are plenty of instructors and childcare facilities. It is a great way to work off that excess "Christmas energy".

Düsseldorf in Advent is an exciting mix of Christmas markets and shopping delights, especially around the Königsallee where the Sternchenmarkt and five other theme markets lead the way along the most popular shopping streets in Düsseldorf.

With its own illumination, crystals that break the light into thousands of colours and sparkling stars and a winter landscape to dream about, the "Sternchenmarkt" ("Little Star Market") at the Stadtbrückchen is idyllically located in the courtyard of the Wilhelm-Marx-Haus.

On Marktplatz in front of the historic town hall, numerous nostalgic huts offer arts and crafts. The Engelchenmarkt in art-nouveau stylms the attention on Heinrich-Heine-Platz in the Old Town. On Flinger Strasse, Christmas ware is presented in small hand-painted reproductions of historic middle-class houses.

Schadowplatz is particularly family-friendly with a merry-go-round and special activities for children. XXL-sized Santa-Claus hats, reindeers and coloured lights adorn the huts on Schadowstraße.

A walk along the world-famous Königsallee is particularly worthwhile. Here a thousand brilliant lights illuminate the giant chestnut trees lining the boulevard.