Cologne – Heinzels Wintermärchen 2026

Heinzels Wintermärchen 2026 takes place from Monday, 23 November 2026, to Sunday, 10 January 2027, at Heumarkt and Alter Markt in Cologne's old town. The organiser, Heinzel GmbH, confirms both locations and their different opening periods. While Alter Markt is open only until 23 December, you can visit the ice area at Heumarkt after Christmas and into January. You can also look forward to themed stalls about the Heinzelmännchen, handmade goods and winter dishes.

Heinzels Wintermärchen 2026: two market areas

The Christmas market opens on Monday, 23 November 2026, at both Alter Markt and Heumarkt. Market activities at Alter Markt end as early as Wednesday, 23 December. After that, the event continues only at Heumarkt, until and including Sunday, 10 January 2027. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, 24 and 25 December 2026, are rest days. This split period is therefore an important point to bear in mind when planning your visit. The 10 January 2026 date given in some calendars is not the end date for this season; the correct date is 10 January 2027.

Opening times at Alter Markt and Heumarkt

At Alter Markt, you can browse daily from 23 November to 23 December, between 11 and 22 o'clock. Heumarkt is also open daily from 11 to 22 o'clock during the same period. In addition, Heumarkt is scheduled to reopen after the holidays on 26 December: from Saturday, 26 December 2026, to Sunday, 10 January 2027, it is open daily from 11 to 21 o'clock. The organiser explicitly confirms these times. The two periods of the season are therefore listed separately in the schedule; the rest days on 24 and 25 December are documented separately.

Heinzels Wintermärchen 2026: ice area in the old town

The best-known attraction at Heumarkt is the large open-air ice area. In addition to the ice rink, there are paths for ice skating and lanes for curling. The event also offers the option of booking curling lanes for family groups or companies. Taking part in the sporting activities is separate from free entry to the Christmas market and is charged separately. It can also get busy at weekends. So if you want to arrange a curling session together, it's worth checking the organiser's booking options in good time.

Lanes, crafts and food and drink

According to Heinzel GmbH, the Wintermärchen has over 100 stalls spread across ten themed lanes and several smaller squares. There, you can discover handicrafts from across Europe or browse the Christmas workshop areas. There are also regional specialities such as Reibekuchen, hand bread, flame-grilled salmon, apple pancakes and freshly baked waffles. A historic carousel is another typical feature of the market. The lovingly designed Heinzelmännchen figures tell the Cologne legend made famous by August Kopisch's poem. A stroll becomes especially atmospheric after dark.

Admission, how to get there and visitor tips

Both market areas are in the old town, 50667 Cologne. You can reach them on foot from Cologne Central Station or by taking KVB services to the Rathaus and Heumarkt stops. For travel by car, the organiser recommends park-and-ride car parks on the outskirts of the city. There are also multi-storey car parks, including at Heumarkt and near Groß St. Martin. According to KölnTourismus, general entry to the Christmas market is free, but ice skating, skate hire, curling and food cost extra. You can find all the latest information on the official organiser's website. Find more Christmas markets in the Kirmestermine calendar.