Christmas Markets Along the Rhine- Cruise the Rhine in December

There is something magical about a German Christmas Market Holiday, especially along the Rhine River. The smell of Lebkuchen, grilling Sausages, and roasting Chestnuts fills the air. You hear musicians playing Christmas carols. Rows of booths sell handmade wooden toys, blown glass German Christmas Ornaments, candles, pewter mugs, and Advent wreaths. Singers and performers take the stage with special Christmas performances. St. Nikolaus and the Christkindl greet children whose eyes are lit up with excitement at the lights, carousels, and special treats. And the Glühwein and hot Cocoa help ensure that you stay warm all the way down to your toes. Looking for a special way to rekindle your Christmas spirit? Try a Rhine Christmas Market Cruise.

Your trip begins at the Cologne, Germany, Christmas Market. Then, you cruise down the Rhine River at a leisurely pace on a River Cruise Boat, stopping at different towns and cities like Koblenz, Rudesheim, Mainz, and Strasbourg along the way to visit the famous Christmas Markets. Cruises last from 3 to 9 days, so you are sure to find one that fits into your schedule.

The Christmas Markets open the last week of November, so you have plenty of time to take your trip. You can even make the Cruise part of a more extended vacation. Tour a bit of Germany before embarking in Cologne, or go skiing in Switzerland after your cruise is over.

Some of the best Christmas Markets are along the Rhine, and a Rhine Christmas Market Cruise will surely be a trip you will never forget.

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What’s so fun about a Christmas Market Cruise along the Rhine?

If you are wondering, why cruise the Rhine? Why not just drive?

Ahhh…. easy. Think about it. You take your luggage aboard the narrow, well-appointed ships, unpack, and you are done. You won’t have to unpack again until it’s time to disembark. YOUR ROOM TRAVELS WITH YOU! No checking in and out of hotels, looking for parking, or getting lost on the highway at night in winter. It’s ideal. The ships are very nice, the rooms are comfortable, and most have a large window to watch the banks of the river flow by. Dining rooms serve delicious food three times a day. While there aren’t any Las Vegas-type Shows, musicians often come aboard and play for people in the lounge.

What better way to see the Rhineland, with its massive Castles, expansive vineyards, and beautiful cities and towns, than from the water? Since the towns aren’t that far apart, the cruising part of the Rhine Cruise is limited to a few hours a day. And when you arrive at your destination, you walk down the gangway right into the thick of things. Early cities were built along the Rhine to facilitate travel and commerce, and today, some of the best parts of the Cities are still located right along the water.

I can’t imagine a more relaxed way to travel than a Rhine Cruise.

RHINE HOLIDAY MARKETS 8 Days | Basel to CologneUniworld

Christmas Markets Along the Rhine

Take a Friend!

One of the fun things about a Christmas Markets along the Rhine cruise? It’s the perfect trip for friends.
Think about it! Everything is taken care of for you, and there is shopping.

Cologne Christmas Markets

Southbound Rhine Tours begin in Amsterdam or at the Cologne, Germany Christmas Market, an amazing City built on the banks of the Rhine River. It is easy to get to and navigate the city once you arrive. You won’t need a car since everything is accessible by foot or streetcar (you can even squeeze into the Bimmel Bahn! My kids love it)

There are seven main Christmas Markets in Cologne, and they open on the Monday before the first Advent Sunday (The Advent season is the four Sundays leading up to Christmas). Millions of guests come yearly to enjoy the traditional Music, Food, Decorations, and Crafts. You can watch Wreath Makers, Pewter Craftsmen, and Glass Blowers work their magic. The air is filled with the scent of Lebkuchen. Keep your toes warm by sipping Glühwein, Hot Chocolate, and other warm drinks. There are handmade toys, beautiful Christmas Ornaments, and seasonal gifts.

The Main Weinachts Markt is at the Dom Platz, the Cathedral Square. You can’t miss the Cathedral; it’s the third-largest in Europe and dominates the skyline. Be sure to set aside some time for a self-guided tour. The Bones of the Three Wise Men are inside, so it’s perfect for the season. There are 160 booths and the largest Christmas tree in the Rhineland.

The Medieval Christmas Market is situated on the banks of the Rhine next to one of my favorite places in Germany, the Chocolate Museum (it is not a hardship to spend an hour touring this delicious museum, and yes, there are samples!). Craftsmen and performers are dressed in Medieval Costumes, and there are storytellers and musicians.

The Christmas Market at Rudolfplatz has a fairy tale theme. Lots of lights and giant Fairy Tale Characters give this market its charm. This market is located next to the medieval Hahnentorburg.

Neumarkt is the oldest Christmas Market in Cologne. It is held in the historic shopping district and holds much of the history of the Cologne Christmas Markets.

Alter Markt is held in front of the Cologne Town Hall. It is the most beautiful of the Cologne Christmas Markets and is special for children. There is a Carousel, a Christmas Puppet Theater, many toy stalls, and a Weihnachtsmann (Santa) Quarter. This is a wonderful market for all ages.

Markt on the Rhine. This unique Christmas Market is on board the ship “MS Wappen von Köln.” The ship is tied up near the Altstadt, and once aboard, you’ll find 40 shops for your shopping pleasure. It’s a wonderful place to enjoy a glass of Glühwein and take in the stunning view of the beautiful city of Cologne.

Cologne Harbor Christmas Market: Located near a medieval Malakoff Tower and Swing Bridge, this market has a nautical theme. The stalls have white awnings to represent sails. You can buy gifts and delicious foods from all over the globe. On stage, performers sing Christmas Carols and Sea Shanties. Plus, there are Pirates.

Video of Cologne Christmas Market -So much to see, eat and BUY

Book Your Christmas Market Cruise along the Rhine Today!

Book your Christmas Markets cruise now!

Rhine Holiday Markets 8 Days | Basel to CologneUniworld

Koblenz, Germany at The Convergence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers

The Koblenz Christmas Market is held in the Old Town, overseen by the boy in the “Shlangel” fountain. To add to the ambiance, the Town Hall is decorated to look like a giant Advent Calendar.

The Weihnachtsmann brings gifts to visiting children at this, the largest Christmas Market in the Rhineland-Palatinate region, every afternoon. On stage, Christmas tales are told in the Koblenz dialect. There is a Christmas bakery filled with tasty holiday treats. A post office for kids to send letters to Santa is lots of fun for the little ones. There are also coach rides and guided tours of churches and Christmas markets. More than 130 sales booths offer a wide range of Christmas-related items, including high-quality craftwork, Christmas decorations, and a tasty selection of dishes.

Christmas in Koblenz

This is a nice video of the Koblenz Market… lots of beautiful music.

Day Cruises for the Christmas Season

Don’t have time to spend a week on a ship… enjoy a short Christmas cruise! These beautifully decorated ships will sail you away from the Christmas chaos for a few hours with seasonal treats and music. Just watch it all go by.

Rudesheim- The Drosselgasse comes Alive During the Holiday Season

Largest Nativity Scene in Europe is in Rudesheim Creative commons photo by- Musicaline

Rüdesheim is one of my favorite stops along the Rhine. The Drosselgasse, that famous row of wine huts and bars, comes alive with special Christmas decorations. There are 120 stalls representing 12 countries showcasing Christmas customs and traditions from around the world. The Christmas Market extends all the way to the Old Town, encompassing Rheinstrasse, Marktplatz, and Oberstrasse.

You will find Glass Blowers, Lantern Makers, Porcelain Painters, Pewter Craftsmen, Candle Makers, Wood Carvers, and puppet makers showcasing their skills and selling their crafts. The air is filled with the smells of Glühwein, Gingerbread, and roasting meat. Musicians and storytellers are everywhere, adding to the ambiance.

The Rudesheimer Nikolaus and Christkindl greet children every day, and there is an enchanting Toy Museum.

Finally, Rüdesheim claims to have Europe’s biggest Nativity scenes. It’s certainly worth seeing.

What is it like to stroll through the Christmas Market in Rüdesheim? Watch and see!

Mainz A Sea of Lights

There is a special “Mainzer KinderWeinacht”, Mainz Children’s Christmas, in the Liebfrauenplatz, featuring carousels and special attractions for young and old. And most exciting! There is an open-air Ice Train in front of the Kurfürstlichen Schloss (the Castle).

Loads of booths sell fantastic treats to make your Christmas memorable, whether you want to buy ornaments or toys. Or, if you prefer, you can simply enjoy a drink of Glühwein while admiring the sights and listening to the music.

Speyer… Jumping off Place for Heidelberg

And an excellent place for Glühwein and Feuerzungenbowle

Speyer has a beautiful Christmas Market of its own. It is known for its Glühwein, Feuerzangenbowle—a traditional German alcoholic drink where a rum-soaked sugar pyramid is set on fire and drips into mulled wine. Additionally, it offers Printen, a type of gingerbread sweetened with sugar beet syrup, Maronen (chestnuts), and a variety of other wonderful Christmas treats.

For those who must see Heidelberg, which is truly lovely, many cruise ships offer special bus trips departing from Speyer that take you to Heidelberg for the day. Heidelberg is on the Neckar, not the Rhine.

Wondering if You Should Take the Day Trip to Heidelberg?

look at this…..

Strasbourg , France- A wonderful French Christmas Market on the Rhine

The Christmas Market has been held in Strasbourg since 1570. Strasbourg is a border city that has been passed back and forth between Germany and France over the years. Today, Strasbourg has a reputation for being inclusive and fostering a spirit of tolerance.

The Strasbourg Christmas Market features over 300 booths and attracts more than 1.5 million visitors annually. There is an outdoor ice skating rink in the Place du Château. Le Petit France has Christmas Shops and a special Gingerbread bakery. Book a tour here- Strasbourg Christmas Market Tour

There are so many things to see: the Place des Meuniers, the trading post of the Three Kings, place Benjamin Zix, the Carré d’Or, place du Temple-Neuf, with the Carré d’Or Traders’ Association, the Kingdom of the Wine Growers, place d’Austerlitz, the Christmas Market, place de la cathédrale, place du Château, place d’Austerlitz and place du Corbeau, the Christmas regional specialties and crafts markets, place de la Gare, Christmas in books, shopping center l’Aubette, and the Village of Sharing, place Kléber.

You should not miss the Bredle Market on the Place de la Gare, which sells traditional Alsace butter biscuits made on the spot for the Advent Season.

Basel Christmas Market- The End of this Christmas Markets on the Rhine Journey

The cosmopolitan city of Basel is situated in the three-country corner of Switzerland, close to both France and Germany. It hosts the largest Christmas Market in Switzerland, with the longest illuminated Christmas Street, offering numerous Christmas shopping possibilities. You will find several Christmas Specialty Shops, like the Johann Wanner Christmas House.

The Old Town is illuminated and lined with shops, and the facades of the modern buildings are adorned with thousands of lights. Hundreds of decorated pine trees line the streets. Basel prides itself on its culture, and the city hosts numerous music concerts throughout the year.

If it all seems overwhelming, guided tours of the Christmas Market are available. Book a Market Tour here- Basel Christmas Markets

AND for those of you traveling with reluctant shoppers, there is a Santas on Harleys Parade! Fifty Santas on decorated Harleys will parade through town. It’s fun for everyone!

Basel has a Santas on Harleys Parade!!!

50 Harley Davidson Motorcycles, decorated for Christmas, ridden by Santas!

Wonderful Cruises to see the Christmas Markets on the Rhine for 2025, or Plan Ahead for 2026