Düsseldorfer Weihnachtsmarkt (Marktplatz)

The Düsseldorfer Weihnachtsmarkt at Marktplatz is one of several themed Christmas markets in the Altstadt of Düsseldorf, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is set on the town hall square around the Jan-Wellem statue, in the heart of the old town between the Rhine and the Königsallee. The 2026 season is listed as 19 November to 30 December, with opening hours of 11:00 to 20:00 Sunday to Thursday and 11:00 to 21:00 on Friday and Saturday, and shorter hours of 11:00 to 15:00 on 24 December; visitors should confirm dates on visitduesseldorf.de. Entry is free. The goods are typical of a German Christmas market: wooden ornaments, candles, knitwear, ceramics, hand-made decorations, toys and seasonal gifts, together with food and drink stalls selling Glühwein, hot chocolate, roasted almonds, Reibekuchen potato pancakes, sausages, waffles and gingerbread. Many stalls are run by regional craftspeople and seasonal traders, so authentic handmade items sit alongside some mass-produced decorations; looking for makers who display their own work helps in spotting the genuine pieces. Prices are fixed and bargaining is not customary. Cash is widely used and some stalls accept only cash, although card acceptance has grown at larger stands. Drinks are commonly served in deposit mugs, with a refundable Pfand returned when the mug is handed back or kept as a souvenir. Tourists from outside the EU may use tax-refund schemes for qualifying purchases from participating retailers, but small market stalls rarely offer them. The atmosphere is festive and busy, particularly on weekend evenings, when the square fills with locals and visitors. The layout clusters stalls around the square and the adjoining Altstadt lanes, and it combines naturally with the neighbouring Christmas markets on a walking route. The town hall backdrop and illuminated Altstadt make the area especially photogenic after dark.