Heinzels Wintermärchen, Cologne, Germany 2026/2027 – Old Town Christmas Market and Ice Rink

Welcome to the Heinzels Wintermärchen 2026/2027 in Cologne

Heinzels Wintermärchen runs from 23 November 2026 to 10 January 2027 in Cologne’s old town on Heumarkt and Alter Markt, according to heinzels-wintermaerchen.de. It is the city’s largest Christmas market, with themed lanes, crafts and a large open-air ice rink around the equestrian statue. Walking the market is free. Ice skating and ice-stock shooting cost extra. The market is closed on 24 and 25 December.

Highlights & Attractions at Heinzels Wintermärchen in Cologne

• Two squares: Alter Markt until 23 December, Heumarkt with the ice rink until 10 January 2027
• More than 100 stalls in themed lanes such as crafts, sweets and Christmas lanes
• A large outdoor rink with long straights around the equestrian monument
• Ice-stock lanes and a Monday kids’ day on the ice
• Live music, jugglers, a carousel and a historic Ferris wheel
• Heinzelmaennchen theme from the Cologne legend
• European crafts and food in the snack lanes

Program & Schedule: What to Expect in 2026/2027

Heumarkt: 23 November 2026 to 10 January 2027, daily 11:00 to 22:00 until 30 December 2026, then 11:00 to 21:00. Alter Markt: 23 November to 23 December, daily 11:00 to 22:00. The ice rink usually runs 11:00 to 21:45, and often until 20:45 from 26 December. 24 and 25 December are closed.

The previous season’s programme included a brass band, Christmas carollers, Silent Ice Disco, Haenneschen puppets and a skating school. 2026/2027 show times appear on heinzels-wintermaerchen.de/programm. No ticket is needed to walk the market.

Tickets & Admission for Heinzels Wintermärchen Cologne

Entry to Heumarkt and Alter Markt is free. Food, drinks and goods are paid at the stalls. For the ice rink the last published online list (2025, for comparison) was: adults 9 EUR on weekdays and 11 EUR on weekends and holidays, children aged 5 to 12 years 6 EUR, children under 5 free, family ticket 24 EUR, skate hire 5 to 6 EUR. 2026/2027 ice prices may change; book at heinzels-wintermaerchen.de/eislaufen. price_min and price_max are 0 because the market itself has no gate fee.

Visitor Tips: Travel & Accommodation in Cologne

• Tram stop Heumarkt (lines 1, 5, 7, 9) or Rathaus (line 5); walk from Cologne Central Station
• December cold on the ice; gloves and solid shoes, spare socks for hired skates
• Book old-town hotels early for Advent weekends
• Use park-and-ride rather than inner-city parking; garages at Heumarkt, Gross St. Martin, Philharmonie or the cathedral
• Check only heinzels-wintermaerchen.de for current ice hours and closed days