The Rhineland
Rheinland50°48′ N 7°00′ EGermany13 markets8 towns5 events10 stays
Cologne makes the natural base, since four big markets sit within walking distance of the cathedral and fast trains run out to Aachen and Düsseldorf. The cathedral market on Roncalliplatz is the classic scene, and in 2026 the garage under it is being repaired, so keep some room in your plans. Couples after wine and quiet can head up the Moselle to Bernkastel-Kues, which you reach by bus or car.
Photo Kateryna Baiduzha · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 and others, credited in the gallery
13 in The Rhineland
Christmas markets
8 in The Rhineland
Towns and neighbourhoods
5 in The Rhineland
Events and seasons
10 in The Rhineland
Places to stay
In the journal and guides
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- Are German Christmas markets open on Sunday?
Every Advent Sunday is a market day in Germany. The two Sundays before Advent are different, and on 22 November 2026 most markets that have already opened stay shut.
- Is the Cologne Christmas market cancelled in 2026?
The cathedral market has confirmed 16 November to 23 December 2026, and three more Cologne markets sit within walking distance if the square loses space.
- What's open in Europe on Christmas Eve?
Seventy-nine markets open on 24 December 2026, and most of them close by 18:30, so do your last shopping before dark.
- When do Christmas markets open in Germany in 2026?
Totensonntag falls on 22 November in 2026. Most German markets open in the week after it, and the date of a city's market comes from a rule you can read ahead.