The Aachen Christmas market opens on Friday 20 November 2026 and runs until 23 December, filling the squares around the cathedral and the town hall with more than a hundred stalls. 2026 is its 53rd edition, and in April it was one of twelve markets in Europe to receive the “Excellent European Christmas Market” quality seal. Aachen sits right on the Belgian and Dutch borders, so it’s an easy day trip from Cologne, Liège, Maastricht or Brussels, and the city’s Printen gingerbread makes a good reason to go on its own.
Coming by train? Leave your bags near Aachen Hauptbahnhof and walk up to the cathedral in about 15 minutes.
Aachen Christmas Market 2026: Key Facts
| Dates | Friday 20 November – Wednesday 23 December 2026 |
| Opening hours | Daily 11:00–21:00 |
| Exceptions | Sunday 22 November (Totensonntag) 18:00–21:00; Saturday 12 December 11:00–22:00 (late opening); Wednesday 23 December 11:00–20:00 |
| Where | Old town around Aachen Cathedral and the town hall: Markt, Katschhof, Münsterplatz and the surrounding lanes |
| Stalls | More than 120 traders in recent years |
| Entry | Free |
| Nearest station | Aachen Hauptbahnhof, about 15 minutes on foot |
| Organiser | MAC (Märkte & Aktionskreis City e.V.) |
Where the Market Is
The stalls spread through the old town between Aachen Cathedral, where Charlemagne is buried, and the Gothic town hall. The Katschhof, the open square between the two buildings, is where most people start. From there the market runs onto the Markt in front of the town hall, around Münsterplatz beside the cathedral and into the lanes in between, so you never walk more than a few minutes between sections.
The setting is the main reason the Aachen Christmas market stands out from bigger German markets. The cathedral was Germany’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, and after dark the stalls sit right under its lit-up walls. If you have an hour to spare, go inside before the market gets busy in the evening. On Holzgraben, a short walk away, you can try Eisstockschießen, a Bavarian cousin of curling.
Opening Hours and Special Days
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Every day, 20 November – 22 December | 11:00–21:00 |
| Sunday 22 November (Totensonntag) | 18:00–21:00 only |
| Saturday 12 December (long market night) | 11:00–22:00 |
| Wednesday 23 December (last day) | 11:00–20:00 |
Weekday mornings and early afternoons are the quietest time. Saturdays in Advent bring coach groups from Belgium and the Netherlands, and the square in front of the cathedral gets very full after 17:00. The organisers post updates on their official website.
What to Eat and Drink at the Aachen Christmas Market
- Aachener Printen: the city’s spiced gingerbread, hard and crunchy, sweetened with syrup and sold plain, with nuts or coated in chocolate. Buy a bag at the market or from one of the old Printen bakeries in the centre.
- Glühwein in the market’s own souvenir mug. You pay a deposit, which you get back if you return the mug, or keep it.
- Reibekuchen (potato pancakes) with apple sauce, a Rhineland favourite at markets across the region.
- Bratwurst, roasted chestnuts and sugared almonds for snacking as you walk.
How to Get to the Aachen Christmas Market
| From | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Aachen Hauptbahnhof | Walk north through the pedestrian streets to the cathedral, or take a city bus towards Elisenbrunnen | About 15 min on foot |
| Cologne | ICE or regional RE trains | About 35 min (ICE) to 1 hour (RE) |
| Brussels | ICE via Liège | About 1h15 |
| Liège | ICE or regional train | About 25–50 min |
| Maastricht | Regional train or bus | About 1 hour |
| By car | Old-town car parks and Park+Ride sites; the centre is busy on Advent Saturdays | Varies |
The walk from the station follows the shopping streets, so you pass the Elisenbrunnen fountain on the way. Wear shoes with grip: the old-town cobbles get slippery when it’s wet.
Tips for Visiting
- Avoid Totensonntag (22 November) if you’re coming for the day. The market opens only from 18:00.
- Saturday 12 December is the late night, open until 22:00, and usually the busiest evening of the season.
- Warm up afterwards at the Carolus Thermen, Aachen’s thermal spa.
- Combine Aachen with Cologne on the same trip. The two are well connected by train, and Cologne’s markets run through December too.
- Carry a little cash. Many stalls take cards, but not all.
Luggage Storage in Aachen for the Christmas Market
Aachen is a common stop between Belgium and the Rhineland, so plenty of visitors arrive with a suitcase and a train to catch later. The lanes around the cathedral are narrow and get crowded in the evening, which makes them hard work with luggage.
Radical Storage has a partner shop at Aachen Hauptbahnhof and lockers around the city, including one at Aachen Rothe Erde station. Opening hours differ by location, so check them when you book. Reserve online, drop your bags and collect them before you leave. Every bag is protected up to €10,000, cancellation is free and travellers rate the service 4.8/5.
- Luggage storage near Aachen Hauptbahnhof
- Luggage storage near Aachen Cathedral
- Luggage storage near Aachen Rothe Erde station
Aachen Christmas Market FAQ
The Aachen Christmas market runs from Friday 20 November to Wednesday 23 December 2026.
Daily from 11:00 to 21:00. On Totensonntag (22 November) it opens only from 18:00 to 21:00, on Saturday 12 December it stays open until 22:00, and on 23 December it closes at 20:00.
In the old town around Aachen Cathedral and the town hall, mainly on the Katschhof, the Markt and Münsterplatz. It is about 15 minutes’ walk from Aachen Hauptbahnhof.
Yes. You only pay for what you eat, drink or buy, plus a refundable deposit on the Glühwein mug.
Printen are Aachen’s traditional spiced gingerbread biscuits, firm and crunchy, sold plain, with nuts or coated in chocolate. They are the classic thing to take home from the market.
Radical Storage has a partner shop at Aachen Hauptbahnhof and lockers around the city, including Aachen Rothe Erde station. Book online, drop your bags and collect them later, with protection up to €10,000 per bag.
