A total of 170 stands - featuring both decorative and everyday items, Christmas decorations and seasonal culinary delights - can be found at the large Christmas market in Bonn city center. The Christmas market will officially open on Friday, November 22, 2019. The skating rink “Bonn on Ice” at the Stadtgarten, will be open from November 20, 2019 until mid-January of 2020.

Where: Münsterplatz, Bottlerplatz, Friedensplatz, Mülheimer Platz, Windeckstraße, Vivatsgasse and Poststraße, Bonn

When: 23 November to 23 December 2019

Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. (stalls until 9 p.m.), Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. (stalls until 9 p.m.). The Christmas market is closed on Sunday, 24 November in observance of Sunday of the Dead, a religious holiday commemorating the dead.

The Nikolausmarkt in Bad Godesberg has around 50 stands and offers a range of Christmas specialties from mulled wine to all sorts of decorations. The most popular attraction for children is a carousel at the market. On December 6, St. Nicholas will visit in his carriage. On the weekends there is a variety of acts on stage at the Frohnhof.

Where: Theaterplatz Bad Godesberg

When: 25 November to 23 December 2019

Opening hours: Monday - Saturday: 10 am to 10 pm, Sunday: 11 am to 10 pm

This year the Nikolausmarkt will take place over one weekend in the area surrounding the Sankt Josef Church in Beuel. In addition to various stalls, the Beuel clubs, schools, day-care centers and the parish of Sankt Josef also offer a program on stage. As a special guest, St. Nicholas comes to the market every day at 4 pm.

Where: Sankt Josef-Kirche Beuel

When: Friday, 29 November to Sunday, 1 December

Opening hours: Friday: 3 - 8 pm, Saturday: 11 am - 8 pm, Sunday: 11 am - 7 pm

The market square in the center of Mehlem is transformed into a Christmas wonderland every year. Numerous associations and volunteers help to set up the 20 or so stands. After the opening there is a program on stage and St. Nicholas comes to visit.

Where: Marktplatz in Mehlem

When: Saturday, 30 November

Advent market in Dusidorf: Friday, 29 November to Sunday, 1 December. Open on this days from 11 am to 9 pm.

Christmas Market Holzlarer Mühle: Saturday, December 14th.

The historical Katharinen fair in Blankenberg takes visitors back to the year 1248. From 22 November to 24 November, guests can experience the Middle Ages in this small town for the 16th year in a row now.

Where: Markt, 53773 Hennef (Sieg)

When: 22 to 24 November, 2019

Opening hours: Friday: 5 - 10pm, Saturday: 11am - 10pm, Sunday: 11am - 7pm

Further information: www.mittelaltermarkt-stadt-blankenberg.de

The traditional Hennef Christmas Market takes place on the first weekend of Advent. Various stalls on the market square create a pre-Christmas atmosphere. Santa Claus walks with an angel on stilts across the market - together they distribute Weckmänner (baked bread rolls) to the children on Sunday at 6 pm. Hennef stores will be open on Sunday from 1 pm to 6 pm.

Where: Marktplatz, Hennef (Sieg)

When: 29 November to 1 December 2019

Opening hours: Friday: 4 pm to 8 pm, Saturday: 11 am to 8 pm, Sunday: 11 am to 7 pm

The Christmas market in Ahrweiler is a real insider tip because of its especially romantic atmosphere. Situated within the nearly 800-year-old city walls, the Christmas market has a very special ambiance. In addition to the many different stands, there is "Sunday shopping" on Advent Sundays. On the third Saturday of Advent the Christmas market is open until 11 pm.

Where: Within the city walls. Entrance through the gates: Adenbachtor, Obertor, Ahrtor and Niedertor, Ahrweiler

When: 29 November until 22 December, 2019

Opening hours: (on the first, second and fourth Advent weekends) Friday and Saturday: 11 am to 9 pm, Sunday: 11 am to 8 pm, (on the third Advent weekend) Friday: 11 am to 9 pm, Saturday: 11 am to 11 pm, Sunday: 11 am to 8 pm, also open Thursday, December 5, 11 am to 9 pm.

The Rheinbreitbach Nikolausmarkt opens its gates on 30 November. One can purchase original Thuringian bratwurst, potato pancakes, waffles and Christmas cookies. In addition, handicrafts, homemade pearls, jewelry, jam, soap and dog treats are offered. St. Nicholas will make a visit at 6pm on Nov. 30.

Where: Renesse-Platz, 53359 Rheinbreitbach

When: 30 November 2019

Opening hours: 2pm - 10pm

Döörper Christmas has become a synonym for romance and a festive atmosphere. This year it takes place again between the two churches in the center of Ruppichteroth.

Where: Burgstraße, 53809 Ruppichteroth

When: 7 and 8 December 2019

Opening hours: Saturday: 2 - 9 pm, Sunday: 11 am - 7 pm

The medieval Christmas market in Siegburg is something very special. The whole atmosphere reflects the Middle Ages, with only torches and candles to bring light to the darkness, and the costumes are just as much in keeping with the times as the language, food and goods on offer. Also on hand of course are jugglers, singers and medieval craftsmen.

Where: Marktplatz, 53721 Siegburg

When: 23 November to 22 December 2019

Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday: 11 am to 8 pm; Friday and Saturday: 11 am to 9 pm (On Sunday, 24 November, the market opens from 6 pm to 8 pm)

A beautiful moated castle with an atmospheric illuminated courtyard awaits the guests of the Troisdorf Christmas Market at Burg Wissem. The market opens on Friday afternoon of the third Advent weekend. A Christmas music program accompanies the atmosphere in the castle courtyard. In the rooms of the creative workshop, the works of art can be admired by course participants.

Where: Burgallee 1, 53840 Troisdorf, Germany

When: 13 to 15 December 2019

Opening hours: Friday: 2pm - 9pm, Saturday: 11am - 9pm, Sunday: 11am - 7pm

The traditional Brühl Christmas market opens on 25 November. The inner city shines with numerous lights and transforms the city center into a Christmas village with around 60 stands. On the 2nd Advent weekend, there will also be Sunday shopping.

Where: City center, 50321 Brühl

When: 25 November to 24 December 2019

Opening hours: daily from 11 am to 8 pm, on 24 December until 2 pm, shops are open for business on Sunday, 8 December from 1 pm to 6 pm.

The Rheinbach Christmas Market has already become a tradition - and is also popular with many visitors to the region. The special feature here is also the location: at the foot of the Wasemer Tower, with a view of the medieval town center illuminated by Christmas lights.

Where: Prümer Wall and Pützstraße, 53359 Rheinbach, Germany

When: 13 to 15 December (Friday, 2pm - 9pm, Saturday and Sunday, 11am - 9pm)

The ninth “Zintemaat" Meckenheimer Christmas Market takes place this year. Culinary specialities and gift items are sold at about 30 different stands. For the little ones, the Christmas Market offers activities such as Christmas handicrafts and children's theater performances.

Where: Kirchplatz, 53340 Meckenheim

When: 6 to 8 December

The Neuwieder Knuspermarkt offers handmade unique pieces, Christmas decorations and a stage program. The organizers have set up a children's Christmas land. In the little huts they experience different play worlds such as doll's house, merchant's shop or the arctic.

Where: Luisenplatz, 56564 Neuwied, Germany

When: 25 November to 23 December 2019; On Christmas Eve the Glühweinhütte is open from 10 am to 3:30 pm.

Opening hours: Monday to Thursday: 10am to 7pm, Friday and Saturday: 10am - 8pm, Sunday: 11am to 7pm.

From Friday, 13 December to Sunday, 15 December, Euskirchen will be holding a Christmas market in the historic ambience of the Old Market Square.

Where: city center, Gardebrunnen and Klosterplatz, 53879 Euskirchen

When: 13 to 15 December 2019

Opening hours: Friday: 4pm - 8pm, Saturday: 11am - 8pm, Sunday: 11am - 7pm

The various Christmas markets in Cologne are open from 25 November to 23 December 2019.

(Orig. text: ga.de; Translation: ck)