This afternoon (Friday) we left work at 2:00 and drove 2 hours to Köln to visit the markets here. There are actually six markets spread throughout the city center and they all run individually and independently of each other. Below is a train you can ride between them if you like (we never saw it, so we just walked).
There are several markets here. We visited 4 of the 6. Each market area has its own theme: angels, gnomes, fairy tales, etc. Below are a couple of maps to give you an idea of how the different markets are laid out. Some were Really crowded and had lots of Gluhwein shops, others seemed to focus more on handcrafts and gift items. We focused on those.
Here are a load of photos of all the different kinds of things you can find in the Köln Christmas markets.
I bought this waddling duck! It made me laugh.
We loved the live music!
2024-12-13 Cologne CMS Market (1)
These cheese melters were so fun to watch:
And this man used a drill-like power tool to spiral cut potatoes into chips!
Blacksmiths making good luck charms:
I found a beautiful crocheted shawl in this shop:
Hairpins:
Mistletoe for sale:
Here is a beautiful wood-hewn Nativity:
It’s such a beautiful thing to see SO MANY Nativities in Germany. I love it.
Roasting chestnuts:
This is the entrance to Heinzel’s Fairy Tale Market:
Here’s a lolipop shop:
The stars and lights high in the trees were magical.
Cookie cutters:
Roasting chestnuts:
We found our favorite potato tornadoes!
John bought a bowl of delicious pasta made here in these large cheese rounds, turned into bowls, that melt when the hot pasta is added. YUM.
Oh, the stars!!
So many kinds of mustard!
A mushroom hut.
We found the ceramic graters (like the ones we saw in Frankfurt). I had orders from several of the ladies who wanted them.
These candle domes seem to be very popular.
We really had a fun evening soaking it all in. It’s such a visual feast! The markets typically stay open until around 10:00 but we were there until 11:00 because so was everyone else, and the shops and vendors stayed. This is a wonderful place to visit if you love Christmas Markets. I loved seeing so many crafts (not just food and Gluhwein). It really was worth the trip!
Our Frankfurt Germany Mission 