Christmas Markets in North Rhine-Westphalia 2026

The main Christmas markets in North Rhine-Westphalia run between 13 November and 30 December 2026, including Cologne Cathedral from 16 November, Aachen from 20 November and Münster from 23 November. North Rhine-Westphalia has the densest Christmas market landscape in the country: along the Rhine, in the Ruhr area and in the Münsterland, big cities are often only half an hour apart by train. For six of them we have checked the 2026 dates and opening hours with the organisers and written a separate article for each. Here you compare them, find three routes for an Advent weekend and read what is typical for NRW. If you want to start early, Essen opens on 13 November; if you are late, Düsseldorf and Dortmund still welcome you until 30 December.

Christmas markets in North Rhine-Westphalia 2026 at a glance

City	Dates 2026	Highlight	Read more
Cologne	16 Nov–23 Dec (cathedral); Heumarkt until 10 Jan 2027	six markets, ice rink on Heumarkt, harbour market until 3 Jan 2027	Cologne Christmas market
Düsseldorf	19 Nov–30 Dec	themed markets, Lichterdom on the Kö, 55-metre Ferris wheel	Düsseldorf Christmas market
Dortmund	19 Nov–30 Dec	45-metre Christmas tree, over 250 stalls	Dortmund Christmas market
Essen	13 Nov–23 Dec	Light Weeks from 25 Oct, light wheel, medieval market	Essen Christmas market
Münster	23 Nov–23 Dec	six markets around the cathedral, “Münster singt”	Münster Christmas markets
Aachen	20 Nov–23 Dec	cathedral and town hall, Printen, EECMA seal	Aachen Christmas market

The table shows the key dates per city. Individual markets within a city may start or end on different days; the linked article has the details.

Early openers are the Stadtgarten and harbour markets in Cologne (both from 13 November) and Essen. After Christmas the harbour market in Cologne runs until 3 January 2027 and the Heumarkt with its ice rink until 10 January 2027, while Düsseldorf and Dortmund continue until 30 December.

The markets in brief

Cologne: half a dozen markets between cathedral and harbour

The market at Cologne Cathedral runs from 16 November to 23 December and is closed on Totensonntag. In the old town Heinzels Wintermärchen tells the legend of the Heinzelmännchen, and the ice rink on Heumarkt stays until 10 January 2027. Add the Angel Market on Neumarkt, the Stadtgarten market and the harbour market at the Chocolate Museum. All opening hours of the Cologne markets.

Düsseldorf: themed markets from the old town to the Kö

From 19 November to 30 December the markets are spread across the centre (Sun–Thu 11am–8pm, Fri and Sat 11am–9pm, closed on Totensonntag and 25 December). There is no main market: you walk from Roncalli’s Christmas promenade with its Ferris wheel on the Rhine via the craft market at the town hall and Flinger Straße to the Königsallee with the Lichterdom. The organiser only publishes exactly which markets stand where in 2026 shortly before the start. Walking route and hours.

Dortmund: the Christmas city with the giant tree

More than 250 stalls are spread over ten squares inside the Wallring, from Alter Markt to Hansaplatz. There stands the 45-metre Christmas tree, which according to the organiser lights up for the first time on 23 November. The market is open from 19 November to 30 December, including the days between the years. Start at the main station; the German Football Museum is right opposite. Special hours and map.

Essen: Light Weeks and International Christmas Market

The market stretches from Willy-Brandt-Platz at the main station through the pedestrian zone to Kennedyplatz and runs from 13 November to 23 December (Sun–Thu noon–9pm, Fri and Sat noon–10pm). The Essen Light Weeks decorate the city from 25 October, and the 45-metre light wheel on Burgplatz turns until 2 January 2027. For a contrast to the city centre, visit Zollverein Coal Mine. Light wheel, medieval market and exceptions.

Münster: six markets around the cathedral

From 23 November to 23 December the markets at the town hall, Lamberti, Aegidii, Giebelhüüskesmarkt, Kiepenkerl and X-MS open, most of them daily 11am–8pm (Fri and Sat until 9pm). Lamberti and Giebelhüüskesmarkt close as early as 22 December. The markets lie so close together that you can walk them all in under an hour without breaks. A highlight is “Münster singt” on 6 December from 4.30 to 5.30pm on Domplatz. All six markets in detail.

Aachen: Christmas village around cathedral and town hall

The market stands from 20 November to 23 December on Markt, Katschhof and Münsterplatz, daily 11am–9pm, and on Totensonntag only from 6 to 9pm. Since April 2026 it has carried the “Excellent European Christmas Market” seal. Aachen Printen are the typical treat, and on Saturday 12 December the “long Christmas market” stays open until 10pm. Around Aachen Cathedral the market looks best in the evening. Printen, hours and getting there.

Three route ideas

Travel times are approximate and depend on the connection. Check current departures with Deutsche Bahn.

Rhine axis: Düsseldorf and Cologne

According to our articles the two cities are only half an hour apart by train. Spend Saturday 28 November in Düsseldorf with the old town, the Rhine and the Königsallee, and go to Cologne on Sunday 29 November (first Sunday of Advent). The cathedral market is open on Sundays from 11am to 9pm, Heinzels Wintermärchen daily from 11am to 10pm. Because of Totensonntag on 22 November, the weekend after is the better choice.

Ruhr area: Essen and Dortmund

Begin on Saturday in Essen: the Light Weeks and the market are within walking distance of the main station, and after dark the light wheel is worth a ride. On Sunday go to Dortmund, roughly half an hour to three quarters of an hour by regional train, and walk the Christmas city up to the giant tree (Sundays noon–9pm). With a third day, continue to Münster; allow about an hour.

Imperial city and cathedral: Aachen and Cologne

From Cologne a regional express takes about an hour to Aachen. Start in the morning at the cathedral market and Alter Markt in Cologne and be in Aachen in the afternoon, where you see the cathedral and the market in the evening light. On Saturday 12 December Aachen is open until 10pm, so you need not rush.

Regional specialities and rules

• Aachen Printen, the spicy gingerbread, and Reibekuchen (potato fritters) with apple sauce
• Altbier in the Düsseldorf brewpubs and Gagliardi almonds at the market
• Westphalian grilled ham and bratwurst in Dortmund
• Kale (Grünkohl) and mulled punch in Münster
• Poffertjes and Belgian waffles in Aachen, naturally, in the three-country corner
• Mug deposit at most markets: you get it back on return or keep the mug as a souvenir

On Totensonntag, 22 November 2026, the cities differ. The cathedral market and the Angel Market in Cologne are closed, as are the markets in Düsseldorf, Dortmund and Essen. Aachen opens only from 6 to 9pm that day. Münster starts on 23 November. We have not checked a common state-wide rule for NRW, so always look at the article for your city when planning. On prices: mulled wine prices for 2026 are not yet available. In Düsseldorf the organiser does not set up additional cash machines, so carry some cash or pay by card where possible.

Practical tips for NRW

• Train: The Deutschlandticket costs 63 euros a month in 2026 and is valid on regional trains (RE, RB), S-Bahn, buses and trams, but not on ICE, IC and EC. Along the Rhine and in the Ruhr area it takes you between many cities without an extra ticket.
• Cologne: The main station is right next to the cathedral. Car parks fill up early on Advent weekends.
• Essen and Dortmund: Both markets start practically at the main station. Dortmund also offers park and ride at four locations.
• Best time: Weekdays before late afternoon are quietest; on Friday and Saturday evenings the lanes are full.
• With children: Ice rinks in Cologne (Heumarkt) and Düsseldorf (Kö on Ice), the light animals in Essen and the children’s carousel at the Düsseldorf town hall are family favourites.
• Accessibility: Cobbles and crowds are a bigger hurdle than steps. With a wheelchair or walker, try to visit on a weekday.

Frequently asked questions

Which NRW Christmas market opens first in 2026?

Essen and, in Cologne, the Stadtgarten and harbour markets start on 13 November. The Essen Light Weeks are on even from 25 October.

Which markets run past Christmas?

Düsseldorf and Dortmund until 30 December. In Cologne the harbour market is open until 3 January 2027 and the Heumarkt with its ice rink until 10 January 2027.

Do the Christmas markets charge admission?

The markets in our articles are free to enter. You pay extra for ice rinks, rides, Ferris wheels and special formats such as the Mühlenhof market in Münster.

Is anything open on Totensonntag, 22 November?

In Cologne the cathedral market and the Angel Market are closed, as are Düsseldorf, Dortmund and Essen. Aachen opens from 6 to 9pm, and in Cologne the Stadtgarten and harbour markets open at 6pm.

Which city is best for a weekend?

Cologne and Düsseldorf can be combined within half an hour by train, and Essen and Dortmund are also close. Münster suits you if you prefer a compact ring of markets you can walk in one day.

Can I travel with the Deutschlandticket?

Yes, on regional trains and local transport. The ticket costs 63 euros a month in 2026. ICE and IC are not included.

Read more

All major markets in the country with a map are in our overview Christmas markets in Germany 2026. Further south, see Christmas markets in Baden-Württemberg, and in the southeast Christmas markets in Bavaria.

Keep your Advent route as a route poster, a nice gift for everyone who came along.

Last checked: 26 October 2026. Before the markets open we compare the dates with the organisers once more.

Sources

• https://www.koelnerweihnachtsmarkt.com/de/
• https://www.heinzels-wintermaerchen.de/
• https://www.visitduesseldorf.de/erleben/veranstaltungen/weihnachten-in-duesseldorf
• https://www.weihnachtsstadt-do.de/
• https://www.visitessen.de/essentourismus_veranstaltungen/essen__weihnachten_/startseite.de.html
• https://www.stadt-muenster.de/weihnachten/startseite
• https://aachenweihnachtsmarkt.de/
• https://www.bahn.de/angebot/regio/deutschland-ticket

Also our own articles: Cologne, Düsseldorf, Dortmund, Essen, Münster, Aachen.

Image credits

• Photo: Tobi 87, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (cover)
• Photo: Dietmar Rabich, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0