Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom
Experience the magic of Christmas beneath the majestic Gothic spires of Cologne Cathedral. More than 140 festive stalls, traditional crafts, and Glühwein await!
140+ Stalls
From 10/11 AM
FREE Entry
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Monday 16 November – Wednesday 23 December 2026, closed Sunday 22 November. That is 37 market days. Hours are 11:00–21:00 Sunday to Wednesday, 11:00–22:00 Thursday and Friday, and 10:00–22:00 Saturday. These dates are provisional.
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Sunday – Wednesday | 11:00 – 21:00 |
| Thursday – Friday | 11:00 – 22:00 |
| Saturday | 10:00 – 22:00 |
| Sunday 22 November | Closed |
Provisional means what it says: the organiser (koelnerweihnachtsmarkt.com) confirms the final dates closer to the season. If you are booking flights or a hotel around them, check there before you pay for anything non-refundable.
Provisionally Monday 16 November 2026.
That is earlier than most people expect. The first Sunday of Advent in 2026 falls on 29 November, so the market opens almost a fortnight before Advent even begins — and the first week or so is noticeably quieter than the December crush.
Without a year attached, the general pattern: Cologne's Christmas markets open in the second half of November and usually finish on 23 December, the day before Christmas Eve. They do not run through Christmas itself.
The opening day moves around from year to year, so it is worth checking the current year rather than assuming last year's date repeats — 2026's provisional 16 November is early by recent standards.
Almost — with one closure. The market does not open on Sunday 22 November 2026.
That date is Totensonntag, a statutory day of remembrance in North Rhine-Westphalia on which public entertainment is restricted by law. It catches visitors out every year, because it lands in the middle of an otherwise daily run.
Don't confuse the two: the market is free to walk into. The cathedral is not — since 1 July 2026 the interior costs €12 / €6. Plenty of people arrive expecting one price to cover both. See tickets.
Closed Sunday, November 22. Dates are provisional.
Visit after dark for magical Christmas lights!
Handcrafted ornaments, wooden toys, nutcrackers, nativity scenes, candles, and unique German Christmas decorations.
Warm mulled wine in collectible mugs, Lebkuchen (gingerbread), roasted almonds, hot chocolate, and traditional German pastries.
Bratwurst, Reibekuchen (potato pancakes), Flammlachs (grilled salmon), Kartoffelpuffer, and other hearty German fare.
The 25-meter tall Christmas tree in front of the cathedral, decorated with thousands of lights, creates a stunning backdrop.
The magnificent Gothic cathedral illuminated at night provides a breathtaking setting unique to this Christmas market.
Enjoy live music, carol singers, and the cathedral's own choir performing during the Christmas season.
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Roncalliplatz
Right next to Cologne Cathedral
50667 Köln, Germany
Exit at Köln Hauptbahnhof (1-min walk)
The Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market 2026 runs from Monday, November 16 to Wednesday, December 23, 2026. It is closed Sunday, November 22. Hours are Sunday–Wednesday 11:00 AM–9:00 PM, Thursday–Friday 11:00 AM–10:00 PM and Saturday 10:00 AM–10:00 PM. Dates and hours are provisional.
Yes, entry to the Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market is completely free. The market is an outdoor event on Roncalliplatz square, right next to the cathedral. You only pay for food, drinks, and items you purchase from the stalls.
The market features more than 140 stalls selling traditional German Christmas items including handcrafted ornaments, nativity scenes, wooden toys, candles, nutcrackers, and gifts. Food stalls offer Glühwein, Lebkuchen, roasted almonds, Bratwurst, and other seasonal treats.
Yes. Tourist visits generally run 10:00 AM–5:45 PM Monday–Saturday and 1:30 PM–4:30 PM on Sundays and public holidays. Christmas-period access can change, so check the official cathedral notice before travelling. Tower and Treasury tickets are sold separately.
The Christmas market is located on Roncalliplatz, directly next to Cologne Cathedral. It's a 1-minute walk from Köln Hauptbahnhof (main train station). Take any S-Bahn or regional train to Köln Hbf, exit the station, and the cathedral and market are immediately visible.
Make the most of your trip to Cologne Cathedral