Düsseldorf is the capital of Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia region and is a major hub for the banking and fashion industries. But from late-November to the end of December, this sleek urban landscape is transformed for the Düsseldorf Christmas Market.
Hundreds of wooden chalets are spread around the city, with a large concentration in the Altstadt, or Old Town. Many of the stands are painted to mimic the building facades in this historic district, especially those along Flinger Straße.
This is where I picked up my souvenir Düsseldorf Christmas Market mug and some pieces of authentic Polish Bolesławiec pottery. I also found a stall selling homemade baked goods, including my first piece of Aachen printen, the regional version of gingerbread.
(If you are planning a holiday trip, Düsseldorf makes a great base for visiting the other Christmas markets in the region. The city has a large international airport and loads of train connections. Cologne and Aachen are two places I recommend including in your itinerary.)
Around the corner in Marktplatz is the Craftsman Market. The stalls here are painted a festive red and stocked with local handicrafts. With its large Christmas tree and 16th century town hall, this market is the most picturesque and traditional in Düsseldorf. It feels like a miniature version of the one in Nuremberg, and gets very crowded at night.
The Craftsman Market is a great place to do your holiday shopping. Look for hand-carved wooden decorations, blown glass ornaments, candles, and shearling boots and blankets. Some of the artisans give live demonstrations throughout the day.
A short stroll up the Rhine will lead you to Burgplatz, home of the Düsseldorf Ferris wheel. The popular ride is surrounded by ornately designed stalls that look like multistory medieval townhouses. Nearly all of them serve food, making this the best market for eating.
The small white tower is all that remains of Düsseldorf’s 13th century castle. The rest of the structure was destroyed by fire in the late 1800s.
The tastiest thing I tried was a lángos, which is like a Hungarian pizza. The lightly fried dough was topped with two different cheeses, fresh tomatoes, and herb seasoning.
The rest of the Christmas markets are east of the river in the newer part of town. This is also where you’ll find the ice skating rink.
Colorful Kö-Bogen market is surrounded by the new town’s ultramodern architecture for an interesting juxtaposition. It feels like one long open-air bar thanks to all the different beverage stands. You can try everything from standard glühwein and Feuerzangerbowle, the mulled wine topped with a burning rum-soaked sugar cube, to warm apple wine and mulled gin.
The so-called Fairytale Market is set up in Schadowplatz, a large square in the central shopping district. Its rustic wooden chalets have snowy white roofs and are trimmed in 15,000 LED lights. Handmade wooden scenes on the rooftops add a bit of whimsy, though I wasn’t getting much of a storybook vibe.
Pro tip: there’s a UNIQLO store on Schadowstraße if you need to stock up on warm layers. (Check out my guide for what to wear for winter in Europe.)
Kö-Lights market is set up on Königsallee, Düsseldorf’s high-end shopping street. Honestly, this was my least favorite market and I didn’t get a single photo of the golden angels topping the stands. But the canal-side location is quite pretty.
The Düsseldorf Christmas Market typically runs from around November 20 through December 30, and is closed on Christmas Day. For exact dates and opening times, click here.
Things to Do in Düsseldorf
I always seek out museums when I travel, and the holiday season is no exception. In addition to enjoying the art and history, it’s a great way to warm up for a bit.
Düsseldorf’s best museum is the Kunstpalast. The permanent collection is called “It’s all Art?! From Aldi to Rubens,” and is an intriguing mix of classical and modern. Yes, there is a plastic Aldi shopping bag taped to the wall which made me giggle. But the collection has 130,000 artworks from eleven centuries, so truly something for everyone.
Kunstpalast is a 15-20 walk north of the markets, but definitely worth seeking out.
Another worthwhile museum is K20, which has the North Rhine-Westphalia state collection of 20th century art. There are major works by Matisse, Picasso, Klee, Kandinsky, and Beckmann, among many others. K20 is close to the market locations, ideal for popping in quickly if the weather takes a turn.
Where to Eat in Düsseldorf
You might be surprised to learn that Düsseldorf has the largest Japanese community in Germany, and the third largest in Europe. I certainly was. Japanese companies started setting up shop here in the 1950s and the community grew steadily as workers moved in with their families. Little Tokyo is packed with restaurants, bars, and shops catering to Japanese tastes.
Since nothing is better on a cold winter day than a steaming bowl of ramen, I joined the queue outside Takumi. This popular restaurant specializes in Hokkaido style ramen which features a rich miso broth. With sides of gyoza and edamame, it’s the perfect comfort meal.
If you’re in the mood for a bigger feast, try Yoonsim. This Korean BBQ restaurant has individual grills built into each table so that you can cook your own meat, seafood, and veggies. I spent Christmas Eve in Düsseldorf, and this was a fun way to enjoy the holiday (especially when most other restaurants were closed.)
For a modern take on traditional German fare, visit HeimWerk Altstadt. This trendy restaurant has an innovative schnitzel menu, with a variety of meats and breading flavors plus several vegan options. I ordered a pork schnitzel marinated in horseradish and mustard with a side of cheese spaetzle. It was scrumptious!
Schwan restaurant is another good option in the Aldstadt. I thoroughly enjoyed my “Jägersmann Schwanitzel,” a pork schnitzel with mushroom cream sauce and potatoes. This place is conveniently located near the Burgplatz and Marktplatz Christmas markets.
Are you ready to visit the Düsseldorf Christmas Market?
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Love this. All the color, the hustle and bustle of it all.
I’d go crazy with all the items for sale as to what to buy.
So many choices!!
Great blog as usual!! Love all the pictures.
It hard not to buy everything I see!