Heinzels Wintermärchen (Cologne old town)

Cologne’s old-town market themed on the Heinzelmännchen elves, on the Alter Markt and Heumarkt (with ice skating on the Heumarkt). Daily 11:00 to 22:00. Alter Markt runs to 23 Dec; Heumarkt continues to 10 Jan 2027 (closed 24 and 25 Dec, 11:00 to 21:00 from 31 Dec). Hours as published by the organizer in October 2026; check the official site before you go.

Insider tips

This market is themed on the Heinzelmännchen, the little house elves who, the old Cologne story goes, did everyone’s work at night while the town slept. Spread over the Alter Markt and the Heumarkt, it’s the city’s biggest Christmas market, with more than 100 stalls in themed lanes. On the Alter Markt you can watch craftspeople at work, like glass engravers and potters. The Heumarkt turns into an ice landscape with skating paths, curling lanes and a bridge over the ice, and kids love it. Here’s a tip if you’re traveling after Christmas: the Alter Markt closes on 23 December, but the Heumarkt keeps going until 10 January 2027 (closed 24 and 25 December).

Getting there

Take KVB lines 1, 7 or 9 to Heumarkt, or line 5 to Rathaus. From the cathedral, it’s an easy walk through the old town.

Nearby markets

Make it a Cologne market day: start at the Christmas Market at Cologne Cathedral, walk down to the old town, then take the tram to the Markt der Engel on the Neumarkt for the evening lights.

See every 2026 date in our guide to German Christmas markets, and find more to do in our Cologne travel guide.