Rudolfplatz Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market)

There are 7 main Christmas Markets in Köln, and I hope to make it to all of them this year. There’s an amazing medieval one just outside of Köln (in Zons) that I’d like to go back to as well (Friedel took us there 6 years ago). All through the month of December you can go to these markets to shop for presents at the little wooden huts filled with artisan crafts. You can find something for everyone there. Lots of people go there for the food alone- the variety of the food and drinks (especially warm drinks with alcohol) is amazing. Germans know how to do Christmas right! Quinnie and I hit our first Christmas Market this year after I picked her up from school one day last week. Talk about a HUGE dose of Christmas spirit! (I think the markets are even more fun and beautiful at night)

Entrance to the Rudolfplatz Weihnachtsmarkt

Quinnie found out that Santa speaks German also!

Next stop- Kakao (hot chocolate). All of the hot drinks are served in mugs (designed new every year for each xmas market). You pay for it and the beverage up front. If you want to keep the mug you just take it home. If you don’t want it, you bring it back to the counter and they reimburse you for the mug (you just pay for the beverage).

 

 

Quinnie wanted to keep hers so that she “would always remember her first Weihnachtsmarkt and because it’s a castle just like our home.”

They have little tables you can stand around and set down your food and drinks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I read that the first person to find the pickle ornament on the tree on Christmas day gets to open the first present from under the tree.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honey and Beeswax candles in every shape imaginable

Advent calendars of the Kölner Dom!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nuts in every possible flavor (this was just a small section)

 

 

Even the trash cans were festive (and yes- I did get strange looks when I was taking pictures of trash cans (lol)!

 

 

 

 

 

What a fun afternoon!