Christmas Time on the Old Market — Euskirchen

Six Weeks of Advent in Euskirchen

While many Rhineland Christmas markets start on November 23rd and end on Christmas Eve, Euskirchen takes a different approach: The 'Christmas Time on the Old Market' opens its stalls as early as November 12th, and it remains open until December 20th. With a six-week run, it is one of the longest Christmas markets in the western Rhineland.

The Theme — Christmas Scent & Candlelight

For years, the market has carried the thematic motto 'Christmas Scent & Candlelight'. This is more than marketing — it shapes the design: warm candlelight instead of glaring fairy lights, discreet wooden huts instead of overly styled stalls, a conscious focus on aromas and atmosphere. A market that is more reminiscent of the small Advent markets in the Eifel than the large markets of Cologne or Bonn.

Program and Offerings

• Children's Carousel — the nostalgic carousel that contributes to the market's charm
• Mulled Wine and Punch Stalls with classic and creative mixes
• Specialties — Reibekuchen (potato pancakes), Bratwurst (sausage), Kartoffelpuffer (potato fritters), Schmalzbrot (lard bread), Crêpes, Käsespätzle (cheese noodles), candied almonds
• Handicrafts from the region — wood carvings, lights, ceramics, jewelry
• Live Program on weekends — choirs, brass ensembles, small concerts
• Santa Claus Visits, typically on December 6th
• Advent Decorations and Gift Ideas

Opening Hours

The market is open daily from 11:30 AM to 9 PM (with occasional extensions to 9:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays). Free admission. This makes it an easily accessible after-work destination — many Euskirchen residents stop by for a mulled wine after work instead of traveling from afar.

Euskirchen — the Erftstadt

Euskirchen is located on the edge of the Eifel in the Erft strip, with approximately 55,000 inhabitants, and is the district capital of the eponymous district. The city is the administrative center of the region and a shopping destination for the surrounding Eifel communities — this makes the Christmas market a meeting point for the entire Eifel region. Visitors come to the market from Mechernich, Bad Münstereifel, Zülpich, and Kall, and its long duration covers all weekend Advent dates.

Organizer — City of Euskirchen

The organizer is the City of Euskirchen, coordinated by Anette Weitz ([email protected], +49 2251 14372). The market is set up each year in cooperation with local showmen, craftspeople, and restaurateurs. The platform erlebnis-region.de from the Tourist Information provides the official online offering.