5 cozy Christmas markets in Rhineland-Palatinate

1. Trier: enjoy the atmosphere under the cathedral

The smell of mulled wine, Christmas music and warmly wrapped visitors will show you the way to the Christmas market in Trier. Between mid-November and the end of December, it is even more pleasant between the colourful buildings of the medieval Hauptmarkt and on the square in front of the cathedral than at any other time of the year. From both squares you have a view of the cathedral and Roman buildings such as the Porta Nigra. This town on the Moselle is the only German city to have a mulled wine queen, who promotes winegrower's bishop's wine from the Moselle. The cosy Christmas market has been held here since 1979 and was named 'Best Christmas market in Germany as a travel destination 2022' by the tourism platform 'European Best Destinations'.

→ On the website you will find all information about the  Trier Christmas market

 

^{Foto: De kerstmarkt van Trier bij nacht © Dominik Ketz}

2. Koblenz: more than 130 stalls in the historic city centre

From about a month before Christmas, various squares in Koblenz are once again decorated for Christmas. The more than 130 wooden stalls are spread across the Münzplatz, Am Plan, Jesuitenplatz, Rathausplatz, Vorplatz Liebfrauenkirche and the Zentralplatz. The streets between the old squares are festively decorated and also give you a glimpse into the history of the city. Each square has different highlights. On the Entenpfuhl square, Koblenz Christmas stories are told, on the Munzplatz you can race over a toboggan run with real snow and the Jesuitenplatz is known for its many delicacies and mulled wine. On the Zentralplatz you can give your Christmas outing a historical touch with a visit to the Romanticum with an interactive exhibition about the Rhine Valley.

→ On the website you will find all information about the  Koblenz Christmas market

 

3. Mainz: Christmas atmosphere under St. Martin's Cathedral

A sea of ​​lights decorates the historic city centre of Mainz from the third week of November. The Christmas market in this city on the Rhine also has a historical touch: the stalls are set up between old half-timbered houses and around the cathedral, which is over a thousand years old. The richly decorated pyramid at the entrance to the market and the wooden nativity scenes in front of the Gotthard Chapel are striking. Around a hundred stalls with handcrafted products and German Christmas specialities are set up between the half-timbered houses every year. Cultural performances are organised on the stage at Liebfrauenplatz, in the cathedral and in the Staatstheater.

→ On the website you will find all information about the  Mainz Christmas market .

^{Foto: Adventssfeer op de kerstmarkt van Mainz © Dominik Ketz}

4. Bernkastel-Kues: surprising Christmas activities along and in the Moselle

At Bernkastel-Kues, Christmas joy consists of much more than just the forty festively lit stalls of the Christmas market. For example, you will find the largest Advent calendar in the region and the historic half-timbered house of the Adler pharmacy. Every day, a new door is opened at a fixed time, after which a performance is performed. A winter boat trip on the Moselle and city tours are also extra Christmassy with a mug of mulled wine in hand. During the traditional 'fakkezwemmen', more than a hundred swimmers swim through the Moselle with a torch in their hands. This special, more than forty-year-old tradition can be viewed from the bridge. Many activities are also organised for children between the half-timbered houses, including a Sinterklaas walk.

→ On the website you will find all information about the  Bernkastel-Kues Christmas market

 

^{Foto: Kerstmarkt Bernkastel-Kues © Dominik Ketz}

5. Traben-Trarbach: Christmas market in old underground wine cellars

You won't need rain gear or umbrellas on rainy days as a visitor to the Traben-Trarbach Christmas market. This fairytale Christmas market is located entirely in 16th-century, underground wine barrels. You don't have to worry about the cold either, because the organization ensures a comfortable temperature. Of course, you can always put on an ugly Christmas sweater and a hat for the Christmas feeling. The Christmas market in this city on the Moselle is all about 'wine, enjoyment and culture'. National and international artists offer their tasty or artistic creations and musical performances provide extra atmosphere.

^{Foto: Ondergrondse kerstmarkt in Traben-Trarbach © Dominik Ketz}

→ On the website you will find all information about the  Christmas market in Traben-Trarbach

More information about these and other Christmas markets in Rhineland-Palatinate can be found on the  state website .

This article was written in collaboration with  Rheinland Pfalz Tourismus . Want to know more about this region in southwest Germany? Here you will find everything you need for  an unforgettable trip to Rhineland-Palatinate . For more inspiration, also read our blogs: ' Win a four-day tour through Rhineland-Palatinate ' or ' 10x Places you shouldn't miss in Rhineland-Palatinate . '