Looking for a way to get involved in the local expat community? BonnEnglish organizes discussion groups with English speakers and English learners. Groups meet in local cafes to discuss new topics each week. New participants and volunteers are always welcome. See for more information.

BONN

Bonn On Ice: Ice skating at the Alten Zoll: open daily from 10 am – 9pm, Fridays & Saturday until 10 pm. It runs through Jan. 22. 1,300 square meters of ice and five curling lanes.

For more information and directions on how to get there (“Anfahrt”).

Bonn Christmas Markets: Münsterplatz, Bottlerplatz und Friedensplatz, Bonn city centre, 11am to 9pm

Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains) Christmas Market: Ore Mountains specialities, carvings, lace-making, tin-casting and glass blowing, Rheinhotel Dreesen, Bad Godesberg, Rheinstr. 45-49, 12 noon to 9pm, (0228) 82020. Runs until 4 December. More information.

Der Tanz des Todes (Dance of the Dead): with students from the College for Music and Dance Cologne; including works by Distler, Wolf, Brahms, Kreuzkirche, Kaiserplatz, 7.30pm

Andrea Thiel (harp) and Stefanie Döscher (piano): including works by Händel, Franck, Débussy, Trinitatiskirche, Brahmsstr. 14, 8pm, (0228) 9784011

Duo canto and Bettina Marugg: "Litanies de la vie 2", Theater im Ballsaal, Frongasse 9, 8pm, (0228) 797901

Killerz: "A Tribute to Iron Maiden", Harmonie, Frongasse 28-30, 8pm, (0228) 614042

The Wrecking Balls: Rock & Pop, Kultur-Bistro Pauke, Endenicher Str. 43, 8pm, (0228) 9694650

TanzBar: Party, Jazz Galerie, Oxfordstr. 24, 10pm, (0228) 639324

Hier kommt die Sonne (Here comes the sun): Party, Club Das Sofa, Maximilianstr. 8, 11pm

REGION

Azúcar Blanca:Cuban music from Cologne, Drehwerk 17|19, Wachtberg, Töpferstr. 17-19, 8pm, (02225) 7081719

COLOGNE

Heimat der Heinzel (Land of the Gnomes): Heinzelmännchen Christmas market from Alter Markt to Heumarkt, Heumarkt, 11 am

Cologne Harbour Christmas Market: food and drink, high quality goods and crafts, Platz am Schokoladenmuseum, Am Schokoladenmuseum 1a, 11 am

Haudegen: "Lesen und Singen" (Reading and singing); Rock & Pop, Club Bahnhof Ehrenfeld, Bartholomäus-Schink-Str. 65-67, 7pm, (0221) 53098880

Silverstein: Post-Hardcore, Live Music Hall, Lichtstr. 30, 7pm, (0221) 9542990

Jan Garbarek Group: Jazz, Philharmonic Hall Cologne, Bischofsgartenstr. 1, 8pm, (0221) 204080

Lendgold: Rock, Luxor, Luxemburger Str. 40, 8pm, (0221) 924460

Reliquiae: Middle Ages-Metal, MTC Club, Zülpicher Str. 10, 8pm, (0221) 2404188

Talisco: Folk, Rock & Indie-Pop, Gebäude 9, Deutz-Mülheimer Str. 127-129, 8.30pm, (0221) 814637

BONN

Schloss Drachenburg Christmas Market. This year’s theme is “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens. Opens 26/11 and runs over next four weekends from 12 noon to 8pm. For more information go to www.schloss-drachenburg.de

Bonn On Ice: Ice skating at the Alten Zoll: open daily from 10 am – 9pm, Fridays & Saturday until 10 pm. It runs through Jan. 22. 1,300 square meters of ice and five curling lanes.

For more information and directions on how to get there (“Anfahrt”).

Bonn Christmas Markets: Münsterplatz, Bottlerplatz und Friedensplatz, Bonn city centre, 11am to 9pm

Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains) Christmas Market: Ore Mountains specialities, carvings, lace-making, tin-casting and glass blowing, Rheinhotel Dreesen, Bad Godesberg, Rheinstr. 45-49, 12 noon to 9pm, (0228) 82020. Runs until 4 December. More information.

Bonner Kunstverein annual sale of Jahresgaben (annual gifts) with contributions from 18 artists including paintings, collage, sculpture, ceramics and limited edition prints. ‘Jahresgaben’ are unique and editioned artworks that are sold as part of an annual fundraising event. 11 am - 6 pm. For more information and images: s.happersberger@bonner-kunstverein.de / +49 228 693936. Hochstadenring 22, Bonn.

Strich & Faden: Designmarket, Fabrik 45, Hochstadenring 45, 11am to 6pm

Adventure on the fairytale raft: Workshops for children aged 6-10, Bundeskunsthalle, Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 4, 3pm, (0228) 91710

Musik zur Marktzeit (Music at Market Time): Figural choir Bonn; Including works by Ritter, Praetorius, Brahms, Kirche St. Remigius, Brüdergasse 8, 12 noon, (0228) 635354

Ich möchte mein Glück mit Ihnen teilen...(I want to share my happiness with you): Yulia Parnes (soprano) and Roman Gorich (guitar), Frauenmuseum, Im Krausfeld 10, 6pm, (0228) 691344

Absolut Live: Voices, Stories and Song, Frau Holle Modekunst-Café, Breite Str. 54-56, 7.30pm, (0228) 653222

Bob Goes Symphonic Pops: Beethoven Orchestra Bonn; including works by Nicolai, Bernstein, Weill, WCCB, Platz der Vereinten Nationen 2, 8pm, (0228) 92670

Duo canto and Bettina Marugg: "Litanies de la vie 2", Theater im Ballsaal, Frongasse 9, 8pm, (0228) 797901

John McCusker & Band: Nachfolge-Christi-Kirche, Bonn-Beuel, Dietrich-Bonhoeffer-Str. 8pm

Depeche Mode Party: Club Das Sofa, Maximilianstr. 8, 10pm

Saturday party: Jazz Galerie, Oxfordstr. 24, 10pm, (0228) 639324

REGION

Siegburg Medieval Christmas Market. Take a stroll back in time at this Christmas market where medieval mastercraftsman, merchants and minstrels display their wares and entertain. A great day out for families. Opens 26/11. Open Sundays to Thursdays 11am to 8pm and Friday and Saturday 11am to 9pm. For more information go to www.mittelalterlicher-markt-siegburg.de

The Oldie Guitar Pickers: Oldies and classics to singalong to, Drehwerk 17|19, Wachtberg, Töpferstr. 17-19, 7.30pm, (02225) 7081719

Pop-Up –The Paper Workshop: Workshop for children aged 10-14; to register call (02241) 8841427, Bilderbuchmuseum Burg Wissem, Troisdorf, Burgallee 1, 2pm, (02241) 884111

BONN

Schloss Drachenburg Christmas Market. This year’s theme is “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens. Opens 26/11 and runs over next four weekends from 12 noon to 8pm. For more information go to www.schloss-drachenburg.de

Bonn On Ice: Ice skating at the Alten Zoll: open daily from 10 am – 9pm, Fridays & Saturday until 10 pm. It runs through Jan. 22. 1,300 square meters of ice and five curling lanes.

For more info. and directions on how to get there (“Anfahrt”).

Bonn Christmas Markets: Münsterplatz, Bottlerplatz und Friedensplatz, Bonn city centre, 11am to 9pm

Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains) Christmas Market: Ore Mountains specialities, carvings, lace-making, tin-casting and glass blowing, Rheinhotel Dreesen, Bad Godesberg, Rheinstr. 45-49, 12 noon to 9pm, (0228) 82020. Runs until 4 December. More information.

Bonner Kunstverein annual sale of Jahresgaben (annual gifts) with contributions from 18 artists including paintings, collage, sculpture, ceramics and limited edition prints. ‘Jahresgaben’ are unique and editioned artworks that are sold as part of an annual fundraising event. 11 am - 6 pm. For more information and images: s.happersberger@bonner-kunstverein.de / +49 228 693936. Hochstadenring 22, Bonn.

Flea market: Car park, Passage, Arkaden, Shopping Centre Tannenbusch/Tannenbusch Center, Oppelner Str. 128, 11 am to 6pm

Family workshop on Sunday: Kunstmuseum Bonn, Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 2, 11am to 1pm and 2-4pm, (0228) 776260

Fairytale Castle Festival: Workshops for children aged 6-10, Bundeskunsthalle, Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 4, 11am, (0228) 91710

Absolut Live: Voices, poems and song, Frau Holle Modekunst-Café, Breite Str. 54-56, 11.30 am, (0228) 653222

Bonn Masters Concert Classical Guitar: Fabian Freesen, Kunstmuseum Bonn, Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 2, 3.30pm, (0228) 776260

Advent Music: Kardinal-Frings-High School wind orchestra and Georg Korte (organ), Münsterbasilica, Münsterplatz 1, 4pm

Es gibt so wunderweiße Nächte…“ (There are such wonderful white nights): Poems and piano music for Advent and winter with Dagmar von Kurmin uand Jamina Gerl, Augustinum, Römerstr. 118, 5pm

Brotfabrik-Choir: "Die fünfte Jahreszeit" (The fifth season), Brotfabrik, Bonn-Beuel, Kreuzstr. 16, 6pm, (0228) 43368070

Felix Wahl (piano): works by Bach, Brahms and Schumann, Alte Evangelische Kirche Oberkassel, Bonn-Beuel, Zipperstraße, 6pm

Young Stars: Lea Maria Löffler (harp); including works by Spohr, J. S. Bach, Zabel, Kammermusiksaal Beethoven-Haus, Bonngasse 24-26, 6pm, (0228) 981750

45 Minuten organ music: with Michael Bottenhorn, University Schlosskirche, Am Hof 1, 7pm

Guildo Horn & die Orthopädischen Strümpfe: Harmonie, Frongasse 28-30, 19 Uhr, (0228) 614042

Magnificat: Luther church choristers, Amadeus Ensemble and Christina Kühne (soprano); works by J.S. Bach und Rutter, Lutherkirche, Reuterstr. 11, 7pm, (0228) 6880300

Querbeat: "Advent, Advent, die Tröte brennt!", Haus der Springmaus, Frongasse 8, 7pm, (0228) 798081

Johannes Trümpler (organ): Heilig Kreuz Church, Limperich, Bonn-Beuel, Kreuzherrenstraße 55, 7.30pm, (0228) 976110

Salsa-Dance Party: Kultur-Bistro Pauke, Endenicher Str. 43, 6-11pm, (0228) 9694650

REGION

Siegburg Medieval Christmas Market. Take a stroll back in time at this Christmas market where medieval mastercraftsman, merchants and minstrels display their wares and entertain. A great day out for families. Opens 26/11. Open Sundays to Thursdays 11am to 8pm and Friday and Saturday 11am to 9pm. For more information go to www.mittelalterlicher-markt-siegburg.de

Adventszauber (Advent Magic): Family Day with tours, workshops, theatre and readings, Arp Museum Bahnhof Rolandseck, Remagen, Hans-Arp-Allee 1, 11am to 6pm, (02228) 94250

Advent Vespers Concert: Soloists, choir and orchestra, an der Basilika Steinfeld, Basilika Kloster Steinfeld, Kall-Steinfeld, Hermann-Josef-Str. 4, 4pm

Phoenix vocal ensemble: "Ein neues Weihnachtslied" (A new Christmas song), Drehwerk 17|19, Wachtberg, Töpferstr. 17-19, 7pm, (02225) 7081719

Bundeskunsthalle Exhibitions:

- Artists against Aids – art exhibition and auction in aid of the German Aids Foundation;

- A Short History of Mankind 100,000 Years of Cultural History;

- The Rhine, the biography of a European River;

- Touchdown: exhibition for and about people with Downs-Syndrome; Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 4., (0228) 91710.

more dates and times on website (English)

Sea experience: Interactive exhibition on oceans and marine research, Deutsches Museum Bonn, Bad Godesberg, Ahrstr. 45, 10am - 6pm, (0228) 302255.

For more information on children’s programmes: (0228) 302 256, E-Mail

Kunstmuseum:

- August Macke and the Rhine Expressionists and German Art after 1945.

- Anna Lea Hucht – Bonn Art Prize 2015.

- The Uncanny Home: Interiors from Edvard Munch to Max Beckman.

- Thomas Huber: On the Horizon.

Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 2, 11am-6pm, (0228) 776260, more dates and times on the website (English).

Frauenmuseum:

- Bonn female artists from 1945 to today from the Marcel Bouziri collection.

- Die Dinge beim Namen nennen (Call things by their names): community exhibition by Syrian female artists.

Frauenmuseum, Im Krausfeld 10, 2-6pm, (0228) 691344

LVR Landesmuseum:

Bilderstrom, the Rhine and photography from 1853 to 2016; Eva’s Beauty Case; Colmanstr. 14-16, (0228) 2070351.

Dates and times on website (English).

166 Jahre Bonner Cafés (166 years of Bonn Cafés): Stadtmuseum Bonn, Franziskanerstr. 9, 1 - 6 pm

Kinopolis, Moltkestr. 7-9, Bad Godesberg

Arrival, Fri and Sat 11.15pm, Sun 2.10pm

Deepwater Horizon, Sat 5.30pm, Sun 8.10pm

Florence Foster Jenkins, Fri 5.10pm

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Fri 5.15pm and 8pm (3D), Sat 2pm, Sun 11.15am

Metropolis, Ebertplatz 19, Cologne

I, Daniel Blake, Fri, Sat, Sun 8.45pm

Café Society, Sat 2pm

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Fri, Sat, Sun 9.20pm; Fri, Sat and Sun (3D) 6.40pm

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, Fri and Sat 6.30pm

COMING UP:

A Jazzy Nikolaus Day: Concert with Cologne-based Americans Andy Hunter and John Goldsby, joined by their colleague Hans Dekker from the WDR Big Band. An evening of intimate chamber jazz, celebrating the traditions of an American Musical Christmas - in a slightly outside-the-box musical presentation. Dec. 6 at 7 pm, Pegelbar, Am Zollhafen 5, Neuss, sponsored by Amerika Haus-entrance is free, the event will be in English and seats are limited, first come, first served. Register at: info@amerikahaus-nrw.de