Lindlar Christmas Market

Lindlar — Bergisches Land in the Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis

The municipality of Lindlar is located in the Oberbergischer Kreis (Cologne administrative district) in the heart of the Bergisches Land — the typical low mountain range landscape east of Cologne, known for its half-timbered villages, dams, and hiking trails. The historic town center around the St. Severinus Church with its 12th-century three-nave Romanesque structure and the market square provides an ideal backdrop for an Advent market — intimate, with established architecture, and short distances.

Organizers Laberköppe and Wir für Lindlar

The market has been organized for years by the carnival club Laberköppe Lindlar e.V. — a group known in the region as a creative event collective — together with the business association Wir für Lindlar e.V.. This dual organization (carnival + business association) gives the market its special character: less commercial than the large city Christmas markets, more dedicated club spirit, with proceeds flowing into non-profit projects.

Program — 80 Stalls, Live Music, Raffle

The centerpiece is the approximately 80 stalls, stretching from the market square along the main street to St. Severinus Church. The offerings range from Bergisch arts and crafts (wood, glass, ceramics, wool items), homemade goods (jams, liqueurs, honey, smoked sausage), to jewelry, decorative items, and Christmas tree ornaments. Food stalls offer Bergisch specialties — Bergisch waffles, potato pancakes with applesauce, bratwurst, crêpes, tarte flambée, along with mulled wine, children's punch, and hot apple wine.

Highlights include the live concerts on Friday and Saturday evenings on the small stage at the market square — mostly regional bands, choirs, and solo artists. The traditional Christmas raffle by the Laberköppe offers cash and other prizes, with proceeds going to social projects in the community.

Family and Children's Program

A special program is organized for children: craft activities, storytelling sessions in the historic local library, a carousel, and sometimes a visit from St. Nicholas. The Bergisch hiking trails around Lindlar — Bergischer Streifzug Nr. 12 starts right in the town — are suitable for a walk before or after visiting the market.

2nd Advent Weekend — The Traditional Date

The Lindlar Christmas Market traditionally takes place on the 2nd Advent weekend — usually Friday afternoon to Sunday evening. For 2026, the weekend of December 11th to 13th, 2026, is expected (date not yet officially confirmed at the time of publication; traditionally, it is published in late autumn on the community website and Facebook).

Bergisch Character — Away from the Big Markets

What distinguishes the Lindlar Christmas Market from the large city center Christmas markets in Cologne, Aachen, or Bonn is its village character: short distances, many club stalls, personal contact with exhibitors, and a carnival club as the main organizer. It's the right place for those who want to get to know the Bergisches Land or are looking for a quiet Christmas market.

Getting to Lindlar

By car via the B 506 or the A 4 (Engelskirchen exit) — parking around the town center and at the schoolyard, often full during market times. Public transport: Bus line 332 (OVAG) from Engelskirchen train station (Gummersbach-Cologne railway line), Lindlar Mitte stop directly at the market.