Köln – Hafen-Weihnachtsmarkt Köln 2027

Hafen-Weihnachtsmarkt Köln 2027 is provisionally planned from Friday, 12 November 2027, to Sunday, 2 January 2028, right by the Chocolate Museum. The plan follows the weekend pattern 2026/27, followed by a New Year market; dates for 2027/28 have not yet been confirmed. You can look forward to maritime Christmas huts, food and drink, and the famous Ferris wheel on the Rhine.

Hafen-Weihnachtsmarkt Köln 2027: two market phases

The Kölner Hafen-Weihnachtsmarkt by the Chocolate Museum opened 2026 on the second Friday in November. Its regular Advent phase ran until 23 December. From 26 December to 3 January, the site continued as a New Year market. The provisional dates for the following season are therefore 12 November 2027 to 2 January 2028. The two market phases are also listed on this page as a single event, as they take place at the same location and are run by the same organiser.

Right by the Chocolate Museum and Rheinauhafen

The market is right by the water, in front of the Kölner Chocolate Museum. You can also enjoy views of the Rhine, the old harbour bridge and parts of Kölner Old Town from the site. The setting is also appealing because of its links to Rheinauhafen and the modern buildings along the promenade. Many visitors therefore combine their market visit with a walk along the river. The stalls were also redesigned for the previous event. It has not yet been confirmed whether the same design and stall layout will remain for 2027.

Hafen-Weihnachtsmarkt Köln 2027: Ferris wheel and family activities

A highlight of the Christmas market in the 2026 season was a Ferris wheel about 50 metres high, right on the banks of the Rhine. It offered wide-ranging views of the cathedral, city and river. There was also a traditional carousel and a small train for children. Face painting, scavenger hunts and other family activities were available too. However, these attractions and activities are known from 2026. No named line-up of rides for 2027 has yet been confirmed, so the attractions have not yet been assigned.

Maritime design and craft stalls

The Christmas market also creates a distinctive maritime atmosphere. Rather than a typical old-town street, the design focuses on shipping, the harbour and the Rhine. In addition, vendors at the previous event showcased gift ideas, arts and crafts, and products by local designers. Visitors could stroll between the stalls and learn about individual craft techniques. The new organiser's overview will confirm which businesses are returning for 2027. A list of traders from the previous year is therefore not presented as a current line-up.

Christmas food, stage programme and New Year market

Alongside classic Christmas specialities, the Hafen-Weihnachtsmarkt offered fish dishes, sweet treats and hot drinks, among other things. A changing line-up of musicians and solo artists performed on the stage. After Christmas, parts of the offering continued as a New Year market. The Ferris wheel remained a central attraction. However, the music acts and exact performance times for the following season have not yet been confirmed, so no old concert dates have been carried over.

Admission, opening times and public holidays

Entry to the market site was free in 2026; rides, shopping and food and drink cost extra. Provisional opening times, as of 2026: Sunday to Thursday 11 to 21, Friday and Saturday 11 to 22. On Volkstrauertag, the market opened at 13; on Totensonntag, it opened at 18. It was closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. On New Year's Eve, it closed earlier. These details currently serve as a guide for the not-yet-published 2027/28 event.

Getting there and tips for visiting by the Rhine

The Chocolate Museum is in Rheinauhafen at Im Zollhafen 1, 50678 Köln. You can take bus 133 to near the museum. You can also reach the market from Heumarkt stop with a walk to the Rhine promenade. There are also parking spaces in multi-storey car parks in Rheinauhafen. Public transport is often a more relaxing way to travel, especially at weekends. The riverside location is ideal for combining a market visit with a stroll around the old town.

You can find the latest information on the official organiser's website. Our events calendar lists more fairs, Christmas markets and winter funfairs..