One of the most overlooked festive markets are the Christmas markets in Dusseldorf. I say this because many people prefer to head to Cologne instead. There are however a number of reasons why you should choose to head to Dusseldorf and I’m going to talk about them in a bit. It is also a great place if you are traveling with friends and family.
Dusseldorf has plenty of things going for it. Great museums, plenty of shopping, amazing food and some of the best Christmas markets in Germany. I loved walking around the city just taking in the vibe and stopping for some mulled wine along the way. We had a nice quiet weekend which was a refresher so maybe that’s another reason that I loved the city. Just note that most of the other attractions (not the Christmas market) are closed on Sundays.
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Dusseldorf Christmas Markets Dates
The Christmas markets in Dusseldorf start off on the 21st of November and wind up on the 30th of December 2024. The dates change every year but generally speaking you will always know that December has the Christmas markets in full swing.
My top suggestion is to book a week earlier than the Christmas market dates. Many of the stalls are all set up and there are considerably less crowds. Even the ice rink is up and running. The whole Christmas vibe however starts off on the first day of the markets where you will see street after street filled with cute little stalls and decorations.
Where Are The Christmas Markets In Dusseldorf Held?
As a visitor, I felt that the whole town was covered with Christmas stalls and the Christmas vibe. The Christmas markets however can be divided into the following:
Christmas Market In Front Of The Town Hall
This is probably the most prominent Christmas market in Dusseldorf. It is located right in the heart of the city and is surrounded by some of the most prominent buildings in the city including the town hall. The square isn’t very large but it is filled with stalls and gives the place a very cozy feel.
Christmas Market At Burgplatz
The Burgplatz houses the prominent Ferris wheel. Even though the temperatures plummet during this time of the year, you will find that the Ferris wheel keeps running like a beacon in the night sky. Another prominent monument that you will see here is the Dusseldorf castle tower which now houses a museum.
There are a number of stalls that sell the popular glühwein which is the German mulled wine. I can attest that these stalls have the best mulled wine we tasted in Dusseldorf. There is also a nice stall next door where you can get something to eat. While it is crowded, I found this one of the friendliest Christmas markets in Dusseldorf.
Christmas Market On Koningsallee
The promenade of Dusseldorf is a lovely place to spend time at. During the Christmas season it transforms with a number of different types of stalls. It’s very cute and this is one of the many places where you can get Christmas souvenirs. There are some very interesting and unique items that are sold here. That combined with the amazing views makes it one of the favorite local Christmas markets in Dusseldorf.
Christmas Market At Flinger Straße
Flinger Straße is the street that connects the old town with Koningsallee. On either end of this street you will find a lot of Christmas festivities. The street itself comes alive with a cool Christmas market so you don’t have to really leave one behind. For me it felt like an extension of both.
Christmas Market At Corneliusplatz
The Corneliuspatz was our favorite area because it has an ice skating rink here. The sides of which have numerous stalls which serve up everything from mulled wine to kinderpunch. There is even a raised platform with a seating area. Here you can sit and enjoy the view assuming that you get a seat. It is always busy here but it is worth checking out.
There is an entrance fee for the ice skating rink and you can also rent skates from here.
Best Places To Stay In Dusseldorf For The Christmas Markets
While Dusseldorf is not quite as expensive as Cologne, I recommend booking your accommodation in advance because the city is popular during the Christmas season. If you stay central, you don’t have to worry about transport back home and its great when the temperatures plummet. If you accommodation doesn’t offer parking you will find that there are a number of reasonable parking garages in the city.
The Christmas markets in Dusseldorf are fun but don’t try to hit all of them in a single day. There’s a lot to see and do but after you see two or three you begin to realize that they are very similar. So instead of hurrying around, take a deep breath and slowly make your way through a few of them. Take a break in a café (which there are many and some are awesome!).
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