Düsseldorf Christmas Markets 2025: Best Markets to Visit

The Düsseldorf Christmas Markets might not be the big-name ones you hear about in Germany – but they absolutely deserve a spot on your list. With seven themed markets spread across the city, it’s easy to visit them all in a day or two, and the festive atmosphere makes it a great introduction to German Christmas markets.

This was actually the first Christmas market we ever visited, mostly because it fit our travel plans, but it turned out to be a great choice. From the glittering angel market to cozy squares filled with handmade crafts and warm mugs of glühwein, Düsseldorf delivers the full holiday experience.

In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to plan your visit — including the best Düsseldorf Christmas markets, what to eat and drink, tips for visiting with kids, and some other nearby markets to add to your itinerary.

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Why Visit the Düsseldorf Christmas Markets?

Düsseldorf might not be as well-known as some other German Christmas markets, but with seven themed markets all within walking distance, it’s a great way to experience the season, without the crowds and tour groups you’ll find in more famous spots.

Best Christmas Markets in Düsseldorf

Handwerker-Markt (Marktplatz)

This was my favourite of Düsseldorf’s Christmas markets. Set in front of the City Hall, the setting just feels festive — a big Christmas tree, a hand-carved nativity scene, and a traditional carousel all add to the atmosphere.

The stalls here focus on handcrafted goods, like glass ornaments, candles, and wooden toys. It’s a great place to find something unique, and even just watching the artisans at work makes it worth a visit. This market felt the most “classic” to me — the one that matched what I’d imagined a German Christmas market would be like.

Altstadt Markt (Flinger Strasse)

This was another highlight for me. Located in the Old Town along Flinger Strasse, the wooden stalls are styled to look like Düsseldorf’s historic Burgher houses, which gives the whole market a distinctive look.

One of the main features here is a large glühwein pyramid, topped with figures from the city’s history — a fun way to get a bit of local context while you’re warming up with a drink. Since it’s tucked between Engelchenmarkt and Handwerker-Markt, it made for an easy and natural stop as we explored the markets on foot.

Engelchenmarkt (Heinrich-Heine-Platz)

The Angel Market is small but really pretty, especially at night. It’s decorated with golden lights and angel figures that look down over the stalls — and yes, I definitely took more than a few photos here.

We found everything from ornaments to potato pancakes, and it was a nice spot to slow down a bit, especially after walking through the busier parts of the city. If you’re looking for something festive but not overwhelming, this is a good one to linger in.

Sternchenmarkt (Wilhelm-Marx-Haus courtyard)

This was one of the smaller markets, but also one of the prettiest. Tucked into the courtyard of Wilhelm-Marx-Haus, it has a soft blue-and-white colour scheme, with snowflake lights hanging overhead and glittering stars strung between the stalls.

It felt more tucked away than the others — a bit quieter, a bit more magical — and was a nice place to take a break from the busier streets. We found a few small artisan stalls here, as well as glühwein and warm drinks. 

Märchen Markt (Schadowstrasse)

Märchen Markt is a spot where German fairy tales come to life, with huts topped by characters from the Brothers Grimm stories, and some of them even move. German fairy tales are read aloud throughout the day, which adds to the atmosphere.

With more than 15,000 lights strung around the space, it really does feel like stepping into a storybook, and it’s a perfect market to explore with kids.

Kö-Bogen Markt (Gustaf-Gründgens-Platz)

This market has changed locations in recent years — it used to overlook the Hofgarten, but is now held in a large open plaza surrounded by modern architecture. The setting’s more contemporary, but it still feels festive, especially in the evenings.

There’s a carousel here and often live music or carol singing, along with some hands-on activities and crafts for kids. It’s a good one to visit in the late afternoon when things start to light up and the entertainment picks up.

Schadow Markt (Schadowstrasse)

Schadow Markt runs along one of Düsseldorf’s main shopping streets and has more of a street-market feel than the others. Stalls are set up in a line, decorated with branches and lights, and it’s a good spot to stop during a bit of Christmas shopping at the nearby stores.

It’s not the most atmospheric market, but it’s convenient — and a good place to grab a snack or browse a few stalls between visiting the more themed markets. We passed through here a few times just because it connected other parts of the city, and it was an easy one to explore with kids.

What to Eat and Drink at the Düsseldorf Christmas Markets

One of the best parts of visiting the Christmas markets is the food — and Düsseldorf offers all the classic German favourites, along with a few regional surprises. We didn’t have one standout dish here, but we tried a little bit of everything and it all added to the festive experience.

Savoury Dishes

• Bratwurst – You’ll find this everywhere, and it’s always a solid choice.
• Reibekuchen – Crispy potato pancakes served with applesauce or sour cream. Some stalls had a version with sautéed mushrooms too.
• Flammkuchen – A thin, crispy flatbread with cream cheese, onions, and bacon. Think of it like Germany’s version of pizza.
• Langos – Originally Hungarian, but now a common sight at German markets. Fried dough topped with garlic sauce, sour cream, and cheese. (Not gluten-friendly, so I didn’t try it — but it’s always popular.)

Sweet Treats

• Stollen – A dense fruit bread that shows up in just about every market stall.
• Roasted almonds – You’ll smell them before you see them — sweet, warm, and perfect to snack on as you wander.
• Gingerbread hearts – These are usually more decorative than edible, often hung up with colourful icing messages. We were expecting soft gingerbread cookies, but they’re more like souvenirs. That said, you can usually find other traditional cookies at the markets — just not the classic gingerbread men you might expect.

Drinks

This was the first place I ever tried glühwein — and like every market in Germany, Düsseldorf serves it in a different collectible mug at each location. You’ll pay a small deposit (called a pfand) when you get your drink, and you can return the mug or keep it as a souvenir. I didn’t realize how fun it was to collect the mugs though, so didn’t come home with any from here.

• Glühwein – Classic mulled wine, served hot.
• Kinderpunsch – A non-alcoholic punch, great for kids.
• Hot chocolate – Always available and usually topped with whipped cream.

What to Buy at the Düsseldorf Christmas Markets

Düsseldorf’s markets are a great place to find handcrafted gifts, seasonal decor, and souvenirs that actually feel special. While some stalls do repeat across markets, a few stood out for having more unique items — especially at Handwerker-Markt and Altstadt Markt.

• Handmade ornaments – You’ll see all kinds: carved wood, hand-painted glass, and felted wool. The variety is huge, and many stalls are run by local or regional artisans.
• Candles and lanterns – Perfect for gifting or bringing home a bit of the festive atmosphere.
• Toys and crafts – Especially at the artisan market, we saw beautifully made toys and traditional crafts you don’t often find in stores.
• Collectible glühwein mugs – Each market has its own design, and many people collect them as souvenirs. I didn’t start collecting mugs until after we’d left Düsseldorf — and I wish I’d picked one up here. If you’re visiting more than one market, it’s worth choosing a favourite to bring home.

Highlights for Kids

While every market has something festive to offer, a few stood out as especially fun for kids. From rides and storytelling to wide-open spaces to explore, Düsseldorf is a great city to visit during the holidays with younger travellers.

• Märchen Markt is an easy pick for kids. The fairy tale theme, moving characters, and thousands of lights make it one of the most magical markets to visit, especially once the sun sets. Santa even handed out wooden tokens that the kids could exchange for hot chocolate, which was such a fun surprise and one of my boys’ favourite memories from the trip.
  
• Sternchenmarkt has a traditional carousel, tucked into a quieter courtyard setting — a nice break if things feel overwhelming elsewhere.
  
• Kö-Bogen Markt usually has live performances and hands-on activities for kids. The open plaza gives families more room to move around.
  
• The Ferris wheel at Burgplatz offers a warm place to take in the views, with enclosed and heated gondolas — a fun way to see the city from above.
  
• Ice skating at Corneliusplatz is another fun option, even if you’re not planning to skate. We didn’t go out on the ice, but my kids loved sitting with a warm drink and watching everyone glide around under the lights. It was one of their favourite moments — simple, but memorable.

Practical Tips for Visiting the Düsseldorf Christmas Markets

Avoid the first weekend: The markets open around the same time as American Thanksgiving, and that weekend was packed. We didn’t realize how busy Düsseldorf gets for shopping, and it was overwhelming — especially with little kids in the middle of a crowd. We almost left. If you can, plan your visit for a weekday instead. By Monday, it was a completely different experience: quieter, more relaxed, and far easier to enjoy.

Bring cash: Not all stalls accept cards, and it’s just easier to have smaller bills and coins on hand for food and souvenirs.

Stay central: We stayed at the Leonardo Royal Hotel, right near Königsallee, and it was easy to walk to all of the markets from there.

Wear layers: December can be cold and damp, so dress for the weather. Warm, waterproof shoes are a must, and gloves and hats help if you’re planning to stay out into the evening.

Plan ahead: The markets are walkable, but having a map or route in mind helps make the most of your time — especially if you’re trying to see them all in one or two days.

What to Wear to the Düsseldorf Christmas Markets

December in Düsseldorf can be chilly, especially in the evenings. You’ll be outside most of the time, so dressing in layers is key.

• Waterproof boots or shoes – You’ll be walking a lot, possibly in damp weather.
• Warm coat – A longer coat helps if you’re standing around at stalls or outdoor events.
• Gloves, hats, and scarves – Essential if you’re staying out after dark.
• Thermal base layers – I found these to be invaluable, especially for the kids.

Where to Stay in Düsseldorf at Christmas

Düsseldorf has a range of accommodation options within walking distance of the Christmas markets. Here are a few to consider, depending on your budget:

Budget: Bellevue Hotel:
A 10-minute walk from Königsallee and about 20 minutes to the Old Town. Clean, comfortable, and includes breakfast. The hotel also offers free tea and coffee in the lobby all day — a nice touch in December.

Mid-range: Leonardo Royal Hotel Düsseldorf Königsallee
Located just off Königsallee, this is where we stayed and it was close to all the markets. Rooms are comfortable and good value, with a breakfast buffet available each morning. It was easy to get everywhere on foot from here.

Luxury: Hotel Favor
Right on Königsallee at Schadowplatz, just steps from the markets. Rooms are modern with floor-to-ceiling windows, and it’s one of the best-located hotels if you want to stay in the heart of the action.

Other Christmas Markets Near Düsseldorf

One of the best parts of basing yourself in Düsseldorf is how easy it is to visit other markets nearby. Several cities are just a short train ride away and offer completely different market experiences.

Cologne

Just 30 minutes by train, Cologne’s Christmas markets are some of the most popular in Germany. The Cathedral Market greets you right outside the train station, and there are at least six more scattered throughout the city.

If you want to visit multiple markets in a day, the Christmas Market Express train links several of the main locations. It can get busy, but it’s worth visiting for the scale and variety.

Essen

About 30 minutes from Düsseldorf, Essen was one of our favourites. The lights alone make it worth the trip — some of the displays are large enough for kids to walk through or sit on for photos. Stalls stretch from the train station to Kennedyplatz, with plenty of food and shopping along the way.

This one feels festive and family-friendly, especially in the early evening.

Dortmund

Roughly an hour by train, Dortmund’s Christmas market is one of the biggest in Germany, with over 300 stalls. It’s also home to one of the country’s tallest Christmas trees, which towers over the main square.

If you’re looking for a full-day Christmas market experience, this is a great one to add.

Duisburg

Smaller than the others, but still worth a visit — especially if you’re already heading to Essen. Duisburg has around 100 stalls and opens earlier than most markets, usually in mid-November. It’s a quieter option and easy to explore in a few hours.

FAQ About the Düsseldorf Christmas Markets

When do the Christmas markets in Düsseldorf start and end?
The markets run from November 20 to December 30, 2025. They’re closed on Christmas Day (December 25) and have shorter hours on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day.

Are the Düsseldorf Christmas markets open on Christmas Day?
No — the markets are closed on December 25. They reopen on December 26, usually with reduced hours.

Are the markets family-friendly?
Yes, especially Märchen Markt, Sternchenmarkt, and Kö-Bogen Markt, which have rides, storytelling, and space to explore. Weekdays are the best time to visit with kids if you want to avoid crowds.

How many days do you need to visit the Düsseldorf Christmas markets?
You can visit all seven markets in 2 days, but if you’re planning any day trips — like to Cologne or Essen — 3–4 days gives you more flexibility.

Our Take on the Düsseldorf Christmas Markets

They’re not the biggest or most well-known Christmas markets in Germany — and that’s exactly what makes them such a great place to visit. For us, it was the perfect introduction to the Christmas market experience.

The markets are smaller, more manageable, and not nearly as overwhelming as some of the bigger cities. And because they’re spread out across the city, you naturally get to explore more of Düsseldorf as you walk between them. It felt festive, but also relaxed — a balance that worked especially well with kids.

Düsseldorf also makes a great base for exploring other Christmas markets nearby. Cities like Cologne, Essen, and Dortmund are all easy day trips by train and each offers its own unique atmosphere. If you’re planning to visit more than one market city, starting in Düsseldorf is a smart way to ease into the season without the big crowds.

Looking for more Christmas market inspiration?

If you’re wondering which city to visit next, check out our guides to the Vienna Christmas Markets for grand palaces and festive lights, or explore the Prague Christmas Markets for old-world charm and beautiful backdrops. Want something that’s easy to explore and packed with regional flavour? Take a look at the Stuttgart Christmas Markets.