The first Christmas markets in Germany 

Already in the Middle Ages, the Christkindlmarkt in Munich (from 1310 on) and the Striezelmarkt in Dresden (from 1434 on) were well-known winter markets, lasting several weeks and specializing in toys, nuts, almonds and marzipan.

The “Dom” in Hamburg has been held since the 16th century; originally a Christmas market, this has now grown into one of the biggest funfairs in Germany. Finally, in the 17th century, these events were joined by the Christkindlmarkt in Nuremberg.

The first Christmas market in Cologne – the Nikolaimarkt in the Old Town 

The first Christmas market in Cologne was held in 1820 in the Old Town. It was officially called the Nikolaimarkt because children used to be given their gifts not at Christmas, but on St. Nicholas’s Day, and the market offered everything to make children’s hearts beat faster: cookies, sweets, toys and lots more besides.

Ten years later, the Nikolaimarkt – known locally also as “De Hötte” – had become a regular fixture on the Cologne calendar. For one month in the year, from 1 December to 1 January, it dominated city life. It was so popular that it also attracted vendors and visitors from outside. As its popularity grew, it also became the habit to give children gifts at Christmas.

Market regulations in 1837 for the Nikolaimarkt 

For a long time, the market had no official permit. That only changed in 1837, following successful negotiations between the city’s administration and the Prussian government. It was finally ruled that the Christmas market could stay. Among others, the following stipulations were made:

“The items offered for sale may comprise only children’s toys and comestibles. (…) The sale of bakery wares may not be accompanied by the dispensing of alcoholic beverages. The booths must be made of wooden boards and may measure not more than 10 to 20 feet wide along the front and 7 feet from front to back…” Additionally, stallholders were required to pay trade tax and a stand charge.

Following the issue of these regulations, the market grew constantly in size. Booths now stood not only on Alter Markt, but also Heumarkt. In the early 1880s, there were no fewer than 90 on Heumarkt alone, including 30 selling toys and around 20 offering sweets and candy.

1885 – the Christmas market on Alter Markt is banned

Then, by a resolution of the city council of 19 February 1885, the Christmas market was banned. It had changed in character, becoming bigger and noisier, and had lost its original charm. 

Subsequently, several attempts were made to revive the Cologne Christmas market, for instance in 1923 on Neumarkt and 1930 on Heumarkt. Finally, thanks to the efforts of the city’s mayor, Theo Burauen, a Christmas market was reintroduced on Neumarkt in 1970, to be followed by one on Alter Market in 1977; and these markets have been held annually since then. 

The Cologne Christmas markets today

1995 saw the inauguration of the Christmas market around Cologne Cathedral. This was followed, in quick succession, by the Fairytale Christmas Market (“Märchenweihnachtsmarkt”) on Rudolfplatz in 1997, the Mediaeval Christmas Market (“Mittelalterlicher Weihnachtsmarkt”) beside the Chocolate Museum in 2000, the Ships’ Christmas Market (“Schiffsweihnachtsmarkt”) on the Rhine in 2001, and the Christmas Market in Cologne‘s Stadtgarten in 2006.

The four biggest Christmas markets today are the Christmas Market by the Cathedral (“Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom”), the Angels‘ Market (“Markt der Engel”) on Neumarkt, the Fairytale Christmas Market (“Märchensweihnachtsmarkt”) on Rudolfplatz, and the “Home of the Gnomes” ("Heimat der Heinzel") on Heumarkt/Alter Markt.