My Germany Christmas Market Itinerary: Berlin, Cologne & Frankfurt
You’re about to see why Germany basically wrote the playbook for Christmas markets. The tradition goes back centuries here, and you feel it the second you step into a square glowing with lights and wood smoke. I built my Berlin plan to show off different sides of the city’s holiday scene: Rotes Rathaus with its rink and ferris wheel vibes, Christmas Avenue for LGBTQ warmth and great music, Berliner Wintertraum for fairground energy and rides, WeihnachtsZauber at Bebelplatz for that elegant, old-world glow, and Weihnacht im Tierpark for a magical night trail through lanterns and light tunnels. In Cologne, I’ll walk the big three so you get the full character spread in one city: the dramatic Cathedral market, storybook Heinzel’s Wintermärchen in the Old Town, and the cozy Harbor market along the Rhine. I’m also sneaking in a day trip to Phantasialand Wintertraum for rides under the lights and a hit of pure theme-park cheer. For Frankfurt, I’ll focus on Römerberg/Paulsplatz where the skyline of timbered houses and the giant tree do all the heavy lifting.
Steal my market list for your own run. Copy it, borrow it, tweak it. I’ll lay out routes that keep you moving in a clean loop, show you which stalls are worth the line, and flag easy food that isn’t just sausage. You’ll get distances from the city center and main station, what time to arrive for golden hour, and where to stand for the best tree photos without a crowd in your frame. Germany does Christmas with heart. You just need a smart path and a warm cup in your hand
Berlin Christmas Markets
Weihnachts Zauber
(Bebelplatz / Gendarmenmarkt area)
Dates & hours: 24 Nov – 31 Dec 2025; Sun–Thu 12:00–22:00, Fri–Sat 12:00–23:00; 24 Dec 12:00–18:00; 31 Dec until midnight. visitBerlin
Location: Bebelplatz (by Staatsoper/Unter den Linden).
Nearest transit: U Unter den Linden (U5/U6), U Hausvogteiplatz (U2), S+U Friedrichstraße (S-Bahn/U6).
Good to know: Elegant crafts under marquee tents, live stage sets, carving and glasswork, gourmet huts; evening lights are the draw.
Christmas Market at the Humboldt Forum (Schlossplatz)
Dates & hours: 24 Nov 2025 – 1 Jan 2026; daily 11:00–18:00; closed 23 Nov and 24 Dec. Free entry. Berlin.de
Location: Schlossplatz, 10178 Berlin (Berlin Palace/Humboldt Forum plaza).
Nearest transit: U Museumsinsel/U Unter den Linden (U5/U6), S Hackescher Markt (S-Bahn), bus 100/300.
Good to know: Intimate daytime market with Berlin/Brandenburg makers; easy pairing with Museumsinsel.
Berliner Weihnachtszeit at the Rotes Rathaus
(Berlin City Hall)
Dates & hours: 24 Nov – 30 Dec 2025; Mon–Fri 12:00–22:00, Sat–Sun 11:00–22:00; closed 24 Dec; 30 Dec until 21:00. visitBerlin
Location: Rathausstraße, beside Neptune Fountain.
Nearest transit: U Rotes Rathaus (U5) or S+U Alexanderplatz.
Highlights: Historic-style huts, big ice rink looping the fountain, vintage carousel, panoramic wheel, Santa visits. Berlin.de
Christmas Avenue (LGBTQIA Winterdays), Nollendorfplatz
Dates: 4 Nov – 23 Dec 2025 (Winterdays + Christmas Avenue season). Berlin.de
Location: Nollendorfplatz, Schöneberg.
Hours (typical): Evenings most days; stage program runs nightly (final schedule posted on site/on-site). Berlin.de
Nearest transit: U Nollendorfplatz (U1/U2/U3/U4).
Vibe: Queer-friendly market and stage with DJs, drag, bingo, mulled wine bars, camp gifts. Gay Travel 4u
Berliner Wintertraum (Winter Dream)
Dates & hours: 7 Nov – 28 Dec 2025; Mon–Thu 14:00–22:00, Fri–Sat 14:00–23:00, Sun/holidays 12:00–21:00; closed 24 Nov; special hours 25–26 Dec. Free entry. visitBerlin+1
Location: Schnellerstraße 145, 12439 Berlin (Südost).
Nearest transit: S Baumschulenweg (Ring/S8/S9), then short bus/walk. visitBerlin
Why go: This one’s market + funfair with coasters, rides, game booths, and street food—think festive fairground energy.
Weihnachten im Tierpark (Christmas at Tierpark Berlin)
Dates: 21 Nov 2025 – 10 Jan 2026 (evening light trail; timed tickets required). Weihnachten im Tierpark+1
Location: Tierpark Berlin (Friedrichsfelde Palace grounds).
Nearest transit: U Tierpark (U5).
What it is: Fully ticketed illumination trail through the zoo grounds—light tunnels, projections, music; limited food huts along route.
Alexanderplatz Christmas Market
Dates & hours: 24 Nov – 26 Dec 2025; daily 11:00–22:00; “PartyTreff” pyramid until midnight. Free entry. visitBerlin
Location: Alexanderplatz square (by the World Time Clock).
Nearest transit: S+U Alexanderplatz.
Notes: Classic central market with pyramid bar, skating options some years, stacked food and ornament stalls. visitBerlin
Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market
Dates & hours: 24 Nov – 28 Dec 2025; Mon–Thu 13:00–22:00, Fri–Sun 12:00–22:00; closed 24 Dec. Free entry. Berlin.de+1
Location: Spandauer Damm 20, 14059 Berlin (palace forecourt).
Nearest transit: Bus M45 (Schloss Charlottenburg), U7 Richard-Wagner-Platz or S Westend then walk.
Feel: Romantic palace backdrop, artisan crafts, choir sets; great post-sunset.
Cologne Christmas Markets
Heinzel’s Wintermärchen (Alter Markt & Heumarkt)
Dates & hours:
Alter Markt: 24 Nov – 23 Dec 2025, daily 11:00–22:00.
Heumarkt: 24 Nov 2025 – 4 Jan 2026, daily 11:00–22:00 (from 26 Dec: to 21:00). Closed 24–25 Dec. Heinzels Winter Fairy Tale
Nearest transit: Heumarkt (U-Bahn lines 1/7/9).
Highlights: Huge ice rink at Heumarkt, themed alleys, craftspeople, hearty food; the city’s most sprawling central market. Cologne Tourism
Alter Markt (Old Town cluster)
Part of Heinzel’s; see dates above. Stalls and stage areas fill the square beside the Rathaus, two minutes from the Rhine. Cologne Tourism
Nearest transit: Heumarkt or Rathaus stops.
Good to know: Brownie/“Heinzelmännchen” theme, toy stalls, sweets, and photo-friendly décor.
Neumarkt – Market of Angels
Dates (2025): Opens mid-Nov (city listings show Nov 17 as start); check daily calendar; typically 11:00–21:00 with later hours Fri/Sat. NRW Tourism+1
Nearest transit: Neumarkt (many tram/U-Bahn lines).
Vibe: Twinkling canopy lights, “angels” appearances, upscale décor, good for early evening. Cologne Tourism
Harbour Christmas Market
(Schokoladenmuseum)
Dates & hours: 14 Nov – 23 Dec 2025; daily 11:00–21:00, Fri–Sat until 22:00. Free entry. Chocolate Museum
Location: Promenade by the Cologne Chocolate Museum.
Nearest transit: Walk 10–12 min from Heumarkt; bus 133 stops by the museum.
Why go: Maritime theme by the Rhine, Ferris wheel views, easy museum combo. Chocolate Museum
HEAVENUE (Gay Christmas Market)
Dates: 17 Nov – 23 Dec 2025. Wix Studio
Opening hours: Mon–Thu 12:00–22:00, Fri 12:00–23:00, Sat 11:00–23:00, Sun 11:00–22:00. Wix Studio
Location & transit: Friesenplatz, 50672 Cologne; subway lines 3/4/5/12/15 to Friesenplatz (2 stops from Hbf on Line 5). Wix Studio
What to expect: Pop-art lighting, DJs, drag shows, specialty glühwein and cocktails, indie makers—queer community hub with a party edge. Gay Travel 4u
Phantasialand Wintertraum
Dates & hours
Season: 15 Nov 2025 – 25 Jan 2026
Daily hours: 11:00–20:00 most dates
New Year’s Eve: typically 11:00–18:00
Select closures: Dec 24–25, Jan 1, and a couple of mid-January maintenance days
Opening times can vary by date, so always check your exact day. Wartezeiten.APP+1
Location
Address: Berggeiststraße 31–41, 50321 Brühl, Germany
Region: Southwest of Cologne, easy day trip by train plus short bus/shuttle.
Nearest train and bus
Train or tram to Brühl:
From Cologne, take DB Regional to Brühl or KVB tram 18 to Brühl Mitte. Rome2Rio+1
From Brühl to the park:
Brühl Mitte → “Brühl Badorf Phantasialand” bus, runs roughly hourly, ~15 minutes. Rome2Rio
Shuttle and local lines also run from Brühl Bf / Max-Ernst-Museum to Phantasialand; look for the PHL or 985 options in local apps. Rome2Rio+1
Tip: Regional day tickets in the VRS area usually cover public buses but not the private shuttle. Carry small cash or card for the shuttle if you use it. Tripadvisor
Frankfurt Christmas Markets
Römerberg & Paulsplatz (Main Frankfurt Christmas Market)
Dates & hours (2025): 24 Nov – 22 Dec; Mon–Sat 10:00–21:00, Sun 11:00–21:00. christmasmarketsgermany.com+1
Location: From Hauptwache down to Römerberg/Paulsplatz and the riverfront at Mainkai. christmasmarketsgermany.com
Nearest transit: U/S Hauptwache or Dom/Römer (U4/U5), trams at Römer/Paulskirche.
Essentials: Among Germany’s oldest markets; tall tree on Römerberg, carols and brass sets, Hessian specialties like hot apple wine and Bethmännchen. christmasmarketsgermany.com+1
Pink Christmas (Rosa Weihnacht) – Friedrich-Stoltze-Platz
Dates & hours (typical): Within the main market season; many guides list daily 10:00–21:00 (Sun from 11:00). Check week’s schedule on arrival. Happy to Wander
Location: Friedrich-Stoltze-Platz, just off the Zeil.
Nearest transit: Hauptwache or Konstablerwache (U/S).
Why stop: Small, lively pink-themed LGBTQ+ spot with hot cocktails, soups, and feuerzangenbowle that locals rave about. Visit Frankfurt+1
Quick planning notes
Totensonntag closures: Some German markets restrict hours on the Sunday of the Dead (late Nov). If your dates touch that weekend, recheck hours a few days before. Happy to Wander
Cash vs cards: Most stalls take cards now, but a little cash speeds things up at smaller huts.
Best timing: Aim for daylight + dusk in the same visit: shop first, then stay as the lights switch on for photos.
Transit apps: BVG Fahrinfo (Berlin), KVB/DB Navigator (Cologne), and RMV (Frankfurt) will give live tram/U-Bahn times and platform info.
