What to do in Düsseldorf at Christmas Time! [2025]

The period running up to Christmas is a wonderful time to be visiting this cosmopolitan city on the Rhine. The Christmas decorations are out, lighting up the city with millions of sparkling lights, and the enticing aromas of brewing Glühwein are hard to miss. Soak up the seasonal atmosphere, allow your senses to absorb the spicy scents and evocative smells of the Christmas market: the heady aromas wafting through the air from the drinks huts – cinnamon, clove, star anise and zesty citrus – to the more robust flavours of Waffeln, Reibekuchen and Würstchen.

Should you be lucky enough to be visiting Düsseldorf at Christmas Time, be sure to check out my list of tips below and immerse yourself in memories of Christmas’ past.

What to do in Düsseldorf at Christmas Time!

Christmas Markets

In 2025 the Christmas Markets are open from 20th November to 30th December. Whilst opening times do vary slightly between each of the markets, they are generally open from 11am to 8pm and close an hour later at 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Christmas Market on Marktplatz, by the Town Hall

The Christmas Market nestled in the heart of the old town, on the city’s Marktplatz, offers both a traditional and magical setting. With traditional red, wooden huts and golden fairy lights, which mimic the colours of the town hall itself, this market certainly gets you in the festive spirit. With everything from metal smiths to candle makers you can search out those special presents and admire the creativity of the various artisans. Add in the nativity scenes, carol singers and a splendid Christmas tree and there is more than enough to please each and every visitor. Among the many crafts-men’s and -women’s stalls, are a number offering food and drink – a great place to stop for some Glühwein (mulled wine) or a traditional Flammkuchen.

The Engelchenmarkt on Heinrich-Heine-Platz

The Engelchenmarkt (Little Angels Market) has a unique Art-Nouveau setting and with a combination of the thousands of little fairy lights twisted around the trees, the Christmas music and intricate detail on the angel heads above each stall, the overall effect creates a truly heavenly atmosphere. The music pavilion in the centre is also decorated with a canopy of lights which sparkle from above, lighting up the sky and adding to that sense of marvel and enchantment

Sternchenmarkt on Stadtbrückchen Square

Just through the archway and into the courtyard of the Wilhelm-Marx-House is the equally atmospheric Sternchenmarkt (Little Stars Market) which is a somewhat hidden gem, as many tourists do not venture this far. Sparkling stars glisten on the walls of the sky-blue stalls and the canopy above is strewn with a number of giant crystals. Around the central water fountain this pretty winter wonderland offers fresh waffles, Dutch poffertjes (small, fluffy pancakes) and of course the statutory Bratwursts! These latter offerings can be served with a portion of Sauerkraut or red cabbage. Perfect on a cold night!

Flingerstrasse Christmas Market

The Christmas Market on Flingerstrasse is most visited for its windmill Glühwein stall. The market stretches along the length of the shopping street offering visitors a chance to shop at the Christmas stalls, as well as the neighbouring high street shops. Perfect for all kinds of Christmas shopping!

Schloss Benrath

The pretty-in-pink Schloss Benrath offers a magical setting for their annual Christmas Markets. Enjoy musical performances, tasty treats and stalls offering yet more tempting produce. I would also recommend that you spend some time in the Palace’s gardens and Park. It’s the perfect spot for a peaceful wintery stroll.

Open times vary. Friday 2pm to 9pm, Saturday 11am to 9pm, Sunday 11am to 8pm.

Window Shop in the Department Stores

I would particularly recommend checking out the window displays in the city’s department stores, particularly Kaufhof on the Kö, which always fill their windows with wintery scenes full of goodies. Don’t forget the windows of luxus store Breuninger, Karstadt and of course the big-name designer outlets along Königsallee!

Take a Stroll along Königsallee

Enjoy the lights along the impressive Königsallee and make sure you don’t miss the various arcades leading off from the main street, including the fancy Kö Arcade and Sevens. The Schadowstrasse Arcade is also decorated beautifully this time of the year and is well worth a look.

Feast Your Eyes on the Heinemann Windows

Heinemann, on Bahnstrasse, is one of my favourite cafes in Düsseldorf. It always delivers a great window display, whatever the season but come Christmas time it is particularly lush. I always enjoy marvelling at the beautiful chocolates, carefully sculptured marzipan figures, spiced biscuits and lebkuchen (gingerbread) and almost always come away with a craving for the festive stollen cake. Heinemann also has a cafe and restaurant upstairs, where you can sit back and relax whilst enjoying a delicious slice of cake. It is Christmas after all, so why not!

Take a Ride on the Riesenrad

What better way to enjoy views out over Düsseldorf than a ride on the Riesenrad. The Riesenrad (ferris wheel) is open daily from 11am to 8pm (with a later finish of 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays). The admission price is €9 for adults and for children under 1.40m there is a reduced admission price of €6.

17 October until 4 January 2026

Go Ice Skating

DEG-Winterwelt Düsseldorf

During the Christmas Markets, there is an excellent ice rink that opens up next to the Kö-Bogen on Corneliusplatz. A skate at the Winterwelt costs just 9 EUR (6 EUR for children under 11) with an extra small cost for renting ice skates. You can also enjoy food and drink inside the cosy alpine hut or if you fancy your hand at a bit of curling, book one of the four lanes for an evening of fun with family and friends.

7 November until 11 January 26

At the Airport

You wouldn’t expect an ice rink at the airport but for December’s five weekends and running into early January, the airport sets up a free ice rink. This isn’t available every year so best check-up before you head of town to visit.

Warm Up with a Drink

Nothing can beat a glass of Glühwein or Hot Chocolate at the end of an evening at the Markets. Not only does it taste delicious but it helps to keep your hands toasty! Throughout Germany, the drinks are served in cute mugs such as those below – do be aware that you pay a small deposit on the mug which is refundable on its return.

There are also loads of amazing cafes and places for coffee in the city. Check out my blog posts on foodie spots in Düsseldorf for inspiration.

Join the locals on Uerige corner

If this gives you an appetite for further liquid refreshment, you might want to taste traditional Düsseldorfer Alt in Uerige (always an occasion) or alternatively, visit the smallest ‘pub’ in the city and hop across the street to the Killepitschstube. Here you can sample a small glass of the heart-warming herbal liquor reputed to contain a mixture of over 90 fruits, herbs and spices. You may also want to check out my guide to the various breweries of Düsseldorf, should you want to sample more of the local altbier!

Frohe Weihnachten!

Final Thoughts | What to do in Düsseldorf at Christmas

Düsseldorf will always have a special place in my heart, so I am quite biased when I say that it is amazing to visit. However, I stand by the fact that it is criminally underrated at Christmas and I would recommend it to anybody. There is so much to do and the atmosphere is always incredible. During your visit you could also check out some of the other amazing Christmas Markets in the surrounding area. My blog post on the best Christmas Markets in Nordrhein Westfalen should give you plenty of ideas! If you would like any further tips, or have any questions, please contact me. I always love hearing from you.