If you are fortunate enough to be in the area in the four weeks before Christmas, you can't miss some of the local markets. Make sure to check for opening times as some are open only on weekends, and sometimes not even every weekend. Learn more about this wonderful German tradition! You can also get details out about markets further all over Germany and Europe at Christmasmarkets.com, and germany-christmas-market.org.uk
Of course, you must visit the markets in Bonn and Bad Godesburg, but in addition, there are some really unique markets nearby that are worth the trip.
Siegburg
Middle Ages Market in Siegburg
This town sets up a medieval market. It is very popular so prepare to expect crowds. It opens every day from 11.
Distance: 20 minutes east of Bonn
Entrance Fee? No
Burg Satzvey
Burg SatzveyA market in a castle! It is also somewhat medieval, but it also has more modern stands. They also sell a lot of nativity sets and they have a live creche every hour or so where you can watch actors speaking old German complete with camel and donkey. This market is usually open on weekends only. (See the Castle Markets page for more ideas of markets in Castles)
Distance: about an hour west of Bonn
Entrance Fee? yes
Hotel Dreesen
Hotel DreesenFor a couple of weeks, the Hotel Dreesen sponsors a traditional market in their glass garden. There is an entrance fee to get in, but you are protected from the weather and can enjoy crafts and food from the Erzgebirge - the German area famous for the traditional nutcrackers, smoking men, pyramids, etc. It is usually open only the first two weeks of advent, and there are programs as well, so check the schedule.
Distance: Rungsdorf on the Rhine, just south of Bonn
Entrance Fee? yes
Drachenfels
Halfway up to the top at the Drachenburg Schloss, there is a a Christmas market that also opens up the castle for a fee to a theatrical presentation.
Kommern Open Air Museum
KommernThis museum located about an hour west of Bonn in the Eifel has traditional farms and homes. During the weekends in Advent, they celebrate with traditional crafts, activities, decorations and visits from Saint Nicholas. It is magical at night when the entire park is lit only by candles.
Distance: about an hour west of Bonn
Entrance Fee? yes
Bad Hoenningen
Bad Hoenningen Market
The Nostalgic Christmas Market in Bad Hönningen is famous for its cosy and nostalgic atmosphere, which welcomes its visitors with live music and a festively decorated town centre and makes their shopping for Christmas presents a special event.
A historic merry-go-round, story hours, pony riding, hot punch for children, the aroma of gingerbread and roasted almonds wafting through the streets lined with Christmas trees, straw covered walkways and Santa Claus handing out gifts to the little ones enchant adults and children alike.
Distance: about 30 minutes south on the east bank of the Rhine
Entrance fee? no
Bernkastel-Kues
Bernkastel-Kues
The narrow little streets with their quaint romantic houses make the perfect Christmas market setting.
On the first Saturday in advent about a 100 swimmers plunge into the freezing cold water of the Moselle, each has a burning torch in his hand. they are followed by oarsmen, in an decorated skiff, as they accompany the bishop of St. Nicolas, on a large boat, standing underneath an illuminated wreath.
Arriving at 6pm in Bernkastel, St. Nicolas distributes chocolate gifts to the little ones. Every day at 5.30 pm a new advent door is opened in the regions largest advent calendar.
Distance: about 1 hour 30 minutes south
Entrance fee? no
Rech
Rech
The Lucia market in the picturesque wine-growing village in the Ahr is a one-weekend Christmas market with artisans and merchants such as woodcarvers, broom-maker, potters, blacksmiths, beekeepers, farmers and bakers and many others. To celebrate the Swedish Santa Lucia day, at dusk on the final day, girls in simple robes walk with lights singing through the village. As this market is only one weekend (the second weekend of Advent), it is best to check the schedule ahead of time. It is usually the first week of December, and the town gives a complete schedule of the events for the weekend.
Distance: about 30 south on the Ahr river
Cologne
Cologne
Cologne actually has 6 Christmas markets! Most are free and within walking distance of the Dom. Have you tried the maritime market at the harbor by the Chocolate Museum? How about the one in the Stadtgarten? The Angel Market Nicholas Village? The Gay and Lesbian market? Lots to try here!
