Christmas markets: Our top 5 in the Rhineland 2024

Are you already in the Christmas spirit? If not, we have a few ideas to get you in the festive mood. Baking biscuits, decorating your home or visiting a Christmas market. There are plenty of the latter in the Rhineland. To make it easier for you to choose, we have put together our top 5 for this year. If you have to travel a long way, you will find one of 32 youth hostels in the Rhineland nearby, offering you cosy and affordable accommodation.

#1 Kleve Christmas market

29.11.-08.12.2024, Mon-Fri 14.00-21.00, Sat-Sun 12.00-21.00, last Sunday 12.00-20.00

From 29 November to 8 December 2024, the 49th Kleve Christmas Market will take place around Pastor-Leinung-Platz and Koekkoek-Platz. In addition to festively decorated stalls with handicrafts, treats, punch and mulled wine, you can look forward to a colourful stage programme with choirs from Germany and the Netherlands. A particular highlight: a visit from Father Christmas on 29 November at 6.00 pm and on 4 December at 5.00 pm.

Further information
Youth hostel nearby: Kleve Youth Hostel

#2 Monschau Christmas market

29.11.-22.12.2024, Fri. + Sat. 11.00-21.00, Sun. 11.00-20.00

Every year, visitors to Monschau can look forward to a particularly magical Christmas world. The floating starry sky made up of 60,000 LEDs, decorated wooden stalls and three large Christmas trees in the centre of the historic old town ensure this. For the little ones, a gnome trail leads through the centre of the town and there is a historic carousel on the market square.
By the way: St Nicholas comes by every Saturday and hands out small gifts.

Further information
Youth hostels in the neighbourhood: Monschau Castle Youth Hostel, Monschau-Hargard Youth Hostel

#3 Lüntenbeck Castle near Wuppertal

6-8.12. and 13-15.12.2024, Fri. 14.00-20.00, Sat. + Sun. 11.00-20.00

Geo magazine voted the Christmas market at Lüntenbeck Castle one of the ten most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany in 2022. And rightly so! The Christmas market at the former moated castle, which takes place on the 2nd and 3rd weekend of Advent, is particularly cosy and offers Christmas treats, arts and crafts and lots of exciting activities for children such as candle making, a Punch and Judy show and a stilt angel. Tickets are available online for €8.50 per person. Children up to the age of 16 are admitted free of charge and four-legged friends are welcome.

Further information
Youth hostel nearby: Wuppertal Youth Hostel

#4 WinterWelt Willich

28.11.-08.12.2024, Mon.-Fri. 16.00-22.00, Sat. 12.00-22.00, Sun. 12.00-20.00

Last year, WinterWelt Willich was voted the 7th most beautiful Christmas market in NRW. The Christmas market should definitely not be missing from this list, as it has a lot to offer, especially for children. The little ones can look forward to a visit from Father Christmas, face painting and various craft activities, while older children can put their skills to the test on the ice rink.

Further information
Youth hostels in the neighbourhood: Neuss Youth Hostel, Düsseldorf Youth Hostel

#5 Christmas and Epiphany Market Bonn

22 November - 22 December 2024 and 27 December 2024 - 6 January 2025, daily from 11.00 to 21.00 (closed on Sundays and New Year's Day)

Every year, the Christmas market in Bonn invites you to a convivial get-together in the city centre. This year, around 165 exhibitors offer a wide range of arts and crafts, gifts and culinary delights. Children will love the carousel and the „Christmas house“, where they can do handicrafts, paint and take part in a supervised programme that changes every week during their visit to the Christmas market. Brand new this year: for the first time, the Epiphany Market will take place on Remigiusplatz from Friday, 27 December 2024 to Monday, 6 January 2025. There you will have the opportunity to meet up with friends and family and enjoy a relaxed end to the Christmas season.

Further information
Youth hostels in the neighbourhood: Bonn Youth Hostel