Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market) in Köln (Cologne), Germany
japra | Dec 01, 2009 | Comments 23
What is more magical than a German Christmas Market?
How about one at the foot of Koln’s magnificent cathedral, the Kölner Dom?
There are street musicians—this one is playing a saw.
And market stalls filled with traditional gifts and delicious food.
But as evening falls…
… that is when the magic begins.
The busy, outside world fades away.
And under the twinkling lights, you find yourself in the world of …
handmade sugared treats,
and gingerbread hearts.
Where the toughest decision you have to make is –
– Roastbratworst, Curryworst or Krakauer?
And what flavour of cheer will it be this time?
Schokolade (hot chocolate) or Glühwein?
~
PS If you are thinking of visiting a German Christmas Market, be sure to check out this site. It has info on dates and opening times. And here’s a really nice Christmas Market video by the German National Tourist Office.
PPS If you can’t make it to Germany this year, why not simmer up a little batch of spiced wine at home to enjoy while you trim your tree? Here’s a recipe :-)
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Filed Under: Blog • Destinations • Featured • Germany • Outdoors • What to Do
About the Author: JaPRA is an expat Texan living in Holland with her husband (Mr. DJ), their 15-year old daughter (Roxi), and their dog Trudy.
Oh my goodness – I love the picture of the lights strung across the square and people standing around eating/drinking. Please tell me you had some gingerbread. I think I have to make some today.
I love Roxi’s nails…I see that sight around here often!
Julia, I am embarrassed to say we did not have Gingerbread… We did indulge in other goodies, though :-) I’ve been eating a lot of gingerbread here in Den Haag though. Does that count?
I love Krakauers! I remember having one at a market in Aachen and it was really gorgeous. My hubby thinks Im mad. Recipe for Gluhwein looks good too–mulled wine and Christmas tree decorating is our tradition, then mulled wine minced pies and lots of freinds on Christmas eve, then mulled wine… (yum, amy excuse, really)!
Michelloui, I made braadworst in beer last night. So good! I also made Gluhwein over the weekend. Mmmm. Germany definitely put me in a more festive mood :-)
Great pictures our in Bremen is also quite nice, need to go back we were rained on and missed a lot of the booths. I would love to next year plan on visiting others in Germany.
Kathy, I imagine the market in Bremen is beautiful too. I loved your the pic on your blog with you and your gluhwein mug!
Oh wow! It looks absolutely amazing!! So festive and fun and traditional! I was marvelling at the day time photos and then as you say, night is when the real magic begins. Stunning…
Emm, daytime is a good time to shop because the markets aren’t very crowded, but for atmosphere, evening is definitely the time to go!
Those photos just make me feel all warm inside! What an absolutely wonderful day!!
LOL, we were freezing at the market, Lucylucia! But I’m glad the photos made you feel warm inside :-)
OMG, at first I thought the cathedral photo was one of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in my hometown of Savannah GA, USA! The exterior architecture is so similar and equally beautiful!
Got carried away with that one but the others are just as stunning.
Wow, you are so lucky to have such a magnificent cathedral in your hometown, Jane!
What a wonderful location for a Markt! We went to ones in Berlin and Potsdam last year and really enjoyed the magical air (and the Glühwein!–thanks for the recipe) but there were no buildings nearby comparable to that Dom. Freiliche Weinachten indeed!
Oooh. We’re hoping to get over to Berlin one day soon.
BTW, I made that Gluhwein recipe and it was good!
It looks verycolkd there and those hot foods and drinks must be selling well. The pictures really do show off the atmosphere very well. Make me want to be there sampling the goodies being sampled.
Martin, yes, it was quite cold! We’re lucky it didn’t rain very much.
thanks Japra, that was lovely. It really gets us into the Christmas spirit.
It certainly got me in the Christmas mood, Christine :-)
It was ALMOST as good being there!
Truly vivid and lovely pictures and writing . . . and a German Christmas Market is most definitely on my wish list.
Oh Bee, you would love it! I hope you get to go soon.
Lovely… and very accurate… posting of the Christmas market in Cologne. I feel very fortunate to be living in this fine city on a 2-year expat assignment. I visited the market so many times last year that I lost count. And yet it was just as magical this year. Outdoor markets… with lots of interesting things to buy… nice festive decorations… lively music… great food… and hot mulled wine… what a concept!
Oh, lucky YOU, Peggy! We adored Cologne. It’s a beautiful city, the food is yummy, and oh my, the shopping is fabulous!
How are the other markets in Cologne? We hit the Dom market twice. We tried to go over to another one, but got distracted in the shopping district (oops!). I wonder specifically about the chocolate market, the big market in the park and the old town market.
I hope you enjoy the remainder of your time in Cologne :-)
wow wow WOW! Your pictures put mine to shame!!
I’m really surprised with how many people from Amsterdam headed to Cologne for the Christmas markets, I keep seeing blog posts about it and we also ran into people from here heading that way! Seems like it’s the thing to do!