Last updated: 11. November 2024
Discover the festive atmosphere in Gelsenkirchen with our comprehensive winter guide. Whether you're a local or a visitor, here you'll find all the essential information for the Advent season in our Ruhr region city.
The historic Heinrich-König-Platz transforms into an atmospheric Christmas market, while the Bahnhofstraße pedestrian zone is adorned with festive lighting. The winter offerings extend from traditional wooden stalls at Neumarkt to decorated shop windows in the city center. The neighboring cities of Essen and Bochum, just 20 minutes away, complement the program with their own Christmas markets.
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Gelsenkirchen Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christmas Market at Cologne Cathedral
- What to Expect
- Unique star-shaped market layout and the over 1,000 sqm spanning starlight canopy.
- Description
- The Christmas market at Cologne Cathedral offers a variety of festively decorated stalls with handicrafts, gifts, and cuisine. With over 150 stalls and around 300 glowing Herrnhuter stars, it creates a cozy atmosphere.
- Where
- Cologne | More Info : Christmas Market at Cologne Cathedral
Cologne Harbour Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Ferris wheel with impressive height offers a breathtaking view of the Christmas market and the pre-Christmas Cologne.
- Description
- The Cologne Harbor Christmas Market at the Chocolate Museum offers a stylish and maritime atmosphere with around 70 diverse stalls. Friendly "seafarers" offer fish specialties, fine foods, and drinks from around the world. A Ferris wheel with impressive height offers a breathtaking view of the Christmas market and the pre-Christmas Cologne.
- Where
- Cologne | More Info : Cologne Harbour Christmas Market
Village of St. Nicholas
- What to Expect
- Unique atmosphere with the historic Hahnentorburg as a backdrop.
- Description
- The Nicholas Village offers a charming atmosphere with cozy alleys, a lively stage program, and mulled wine served in a St. Nicholas boot mug.
- Where
- Cologne | More Info : Village of St. Nicholas
Market of Angels
- What to Expect
- Unique atmosphere with magical angels and living snow owls.
- Description
- The Market of the Angels offers a festive atmosphere with magical angels, a winter queen, and living snow owls. Visitors can enjoy traditional mulled wine stands, a cocktail bar, and a variety of culinary specialties. The market supports social projects and offers a diverse program with choirs and musical performances.
- Where
- Cologne | More Info : Market of Angels
Stadtgarten Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Diverse culinary offerings and changing exhibitors.
- Description
- The Stadtgarten Christmas market features Christmas-decorated huts with selected articles from unique craftsmanship to exquisite design. It offers a diverse culinary selection and a family-friendly cultural program.
- Where
- Cologne | More Info : Stadtgarten Christmas Market
Vringsadvent
- What to Expect
- Experience the history of the Veedel in wonderful images.
- Description
- The Vringsadvent on Chlodwigplatz offers a diverse selection of culinary delights, art, and entertainment. Retailers, restaurateurs, associations, and artists from the Veedel and the region showcase unique items. The project hut displays the history of the Veedel in wonderful images.
- Where
- Cologne | More Info : Vringsadvent
Heinzels Winter Fairytale
- What to Expect
- Spectacular ice rink and diverse activities.
- Description
- Heinzels Wintermärchen offers a rich variety of specialties, craftsmanship, and gifts. The Christmas market in Cologne's Old Town delights with its spectacular ice rink and diverse activities like curling and craftsmanship.
- Where
- Cologne | More Info : Heinzels Winter Fairytale
Super Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Unique, local, and sustainable products.
- Description
- The Super Christmas Market offers a variety of unique, local, and sustainable products, including fair fashion, recycled jewelry, and handmade ceramics. Visitors can meet the creatives personally and order single pieces or custom-made items.
- Where
- Cologne | More Info : Super Christmas Market
Christmas Market at the Chocolate Museum
- What to Expect
- A Ferris wheel with impressive 48m height.
- Description
- The Cologne Harbor Christmas Market at the Chocolate Museum offers a picturesque setting directly on the Rhine with 70 stalls in white pagoda tents. You can find high-quality goods and handicrafts, culinary offerings from the region and around the world, as well as hot mulled wine at the large three-master wooden ship. A diverse entertainment program including shanties and pirates enhances the festive harbor atmosphere. As a highlight, there is also a Ferris wheel with impressive 48m height.
- Where
- Cologne | More Info : Christmas Market at the Chocolate Museum
Gelsenkirchen Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Coming Home for Christmas
- What to Expect
- Romantic Christmas songs in a new arrangement
- Description
- The concert with Benny & Joyce on December 4, 2024, at St. Maria Empfängnis Church in Essen Holsterhausen promises a romantic and atmospheric experience. Alongside various beautiful melodies, some international Christmas songs will be interpreted in a new way. Benny & Joyce aim to pay homage to Christmas by sharing the joy, peace, and warmth of this special festival with their audience.
- Where
- Gelsenkirchen | More Info : Coming Home for Christmas
Gelsenkirchen Other Holiday Activities
Festive Christmas Celebration
- What to Expect
- Unforgettable Christmas party with action-packed events in Europe's largest indoor leisure park.
- Description
- The Christmas party at Alma Park offers a variety of action-packed activities such as laser tag, escape rooms, and paintball. Ideal for companies and groups of up to 500 guests.
- Where
- Gelsenkirchen | More Info : Festive Christmas Celebration