Wesseling Christmas Market

Wesseling Christmas Market — the market town on the Rhine

When the first Advent weekend arrives in southern Cologne, the town of Wesseling opens its Christmas market. From November 27th to 29th, 2026, Alfons-Müller-Platz between the Old and New Town Halls will transform into an atmospheric market town with wooden stalls, fairy lights, mulled wine stands, and a stage program. The central square of Wesseling's city center is only a few hundred meters from the Rhine promenade — a convenient location that makes the market a natural meeting point for families from Wesseling, Bornheim, Brühl, and southern Cologne.

What's on offer

A proven selection that has shaped the Wesseling market concept for years:

• Arts and Crafts — local manufacturers with wood, ceramics, jewelry, textiles
• Christmas Decorations — stars, candles, wreaths, Advent arrangements
• Mulled Wine and Punch — classic versions plus children's punch
• Roasted Almonds, "Schmalzkuchen", Crêpes — the classic Christmas market sweets
• Sausages, Potato Pancakes, "Schaschlik" — hearty dishes
• Local Exhibitors — conscious focus on regional providers (no chain sales stands)

Stage Program — Wesseling on Stage

The market focuses on a locally anchored stage program: kindergartens, schools, local choirs, and music groups from Wesseling and the surrounding communities perform on stage. In addition, there are magic shows for children and bands for the evening hours. A conscious decision: no paid star acts, but local talents who make Wesseling's identity visible.

St. Nicholas Daily in the Early Evening

A highlight for families: St. Nicholas visits the market every evening around 6 PM. Accompanied by the mayor, he distributes chocolate Santas to the children — a tradition that profiles the Wesseling market as family-friendly.

Wesseling — Industrial City on the Rhine

The medium-sized city of Wesseling, with its approximately 36,000 inhabitants, is located in the Rhein-Erft district, directly south of Cologne on the Rhine. Primarily characterized by the petrochemical industry — the Shell and Evonik plants are visible from afar and are the largest employers in the region. Despite its industrial character, Wesseling has a strong sense of community life with clubs, Carnival, Schützenfest, and the annual Christmas market. Worth seeing are the Wesseling Rhine promenade, the local history museum, and the parish church of St. Germanus.

Connection to the Wesseling Weekly Market

A logistical peculiarity on market Friday: The regular Friday weekly market on Alfons-Müller-Platz is relocated to Bahnhofstraße due to the Christmas market — allowing Wesseling residents to combine their weekly shopping with a visit to the Christmas market. A detail that shows the close integration of the market into Wesseling's everyday life.