All Kinds of New Magic from the Heinzels
Christmas Magic in the Old Town
From November 25, the Heinzelmännchen will once again transform Cologne’s Old Town into a wintry fairytale land. The historic Christmas market will sparkle with festive splendor, featuring one of Germany’s most beautiful open-air ice rinks. Covering around 10,000 square meters and boasting over 120 stalls, this market is not only the oldest but also the largest in Cologne. Visitors can immerse themselves in the famous tale of the Cologne Heinzelmännchen and experience the enchanting atmosphere. This year, the industrious little gnomes have prepared many new surprises for their market. The essential information is summarized in this press overview.
We are happy to help - Press Contact
Would you like to report on “Heinzel’s Winter Fairy Tale” or capture some festive scenes? Feel free to reach out – we are happy to assist you on-site. Whether you need interview partners, access to the ice rink or the historic Ferris wheel, or want to experience all the highlights at a glance, we’re here to help.
Pressebüro: Public Cologne GmbH
Renate Schmidt & Susanne Dettmar
Tel: +49 221-2720262 • info@publiccologne.de
Presse- und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit: Heinzel GmbH
Anika Schön
Mobil / WhatsApp: +49 1577-8821422
a.schoen@heinzels-wintermaerchen.de
Social Media: Heinzel GmbH
Marlene Schindler
Mobil / WhatsApp: +49 175-4152331
redaktion@heinzels-wintermaerchen.de
New and Exciting Stalls
Craftmanship
Keramikliebe
Visitors will find a stall filled with unique, handmade ceramic treasures, creatively crafted by stand operator Willi Pauer. The collection includes delightful wellness ceramics like ginger graters, scent lamps, and apple roasters, inviting visitors to explore with all their senses. The highlight: Willi, with 30 years of pottery experience, will be throwing pots live on-site! With a bit of luck, visitors can even try their hand at creating small pieces together. Sustainable, unique, and authentic – a memorable experience!
Schmuckstücke
Jewelry designer Tanja Lückheide presents her handcrafted collection this year. Her jewelry, made from genuine sterling silver and sustainable materials sourced from Germany, is waterproof and light-resistant. Especially popular: personalized pendants with personal images – gifts that come from the heart.
Ceramic Design
Peter Hansen brings hand-crafted ceramic works to the market, continuing a family tradition now in its fourth generation, with a strong emphasis on quality and detail. Genuine craftsmanship is at the heart of his work, and he’s thrilled to captivate visitors with his unique pieces. Peter describes the Heinzel Christmas Market as a place filled with a special atmosphere: “The festive mood, the scents, the lights—it’s simply a wonderful experience, and one we always look forward to.”
Culinary Delights
Rice Pudding Bowls
In the Naschgasse (Snack Alley), this stall surprises with unique, freshly prepared rice pudding creations that evoke childhood memories with a twist. From the fruity “Very Berry Bowl” with fresh berries to the chocolatey “Bueno Bowl” and even an alcoholic version with mulled wine cherries – there’s something special for everyone. Stand operator Michelle Cardinale has spent a long time perfecting her flavors and is thrilled to add a sweet highlight to the Naschgasse.
Flame Cheese
Exclusive and a first in Germany: Rainer Traber introduces “Flame Cheese” with a touch of southern Italian flair to the Heinzels. High-quality caciocavallo cheese is melted over an open flame, spread over grilled ciabatta, and topped with pesto, crispy ham, sundried tomatoes, olive oil, or honey – all with the finest organic ingredients. The unique flavor combination is a taste experience available only here at “Heinzel’s Winter Fairy Tale.”
Baumstriezel
Sammy Zimmermann brings delicious Hungarian baumstriezel to Cologne’s Old Town, made from an old family recipe passed down for generations. Baked over an open flame, the result is a perfect mix of caramelized crust and moist center. For Sammy and his family, “Heinzel’s Winter Fairy Tale” is the ideal place to share their tradition and passion with visitors.
Fashion
Ni-Ki Boutique
Nicole Deutscher’s boutique stands for sustainable fashion and handmade accessories. In addition to her own designed clothing items and fabric cases, the shop offers fairy lights made from mulberry paper. The range is complemented by a small, exclusive knitwear collection. The team is delighted to present fair and sustainable gift options to visitors
New Program Highlights
Time Ride Heinzel Experience
With the Heinzel Express in the Antiques Alley, visitors can immerse themselves daily in the fascinating underground world of the Cologne Heinzelmännchen. Equipped with VR headsets, 3D sound, and specially composed film music, visitors experience the work of the Heinzel up close – from cathedral builders to hat makers and other historical trades. This virtual experience brings the Heinzel legends and their secret contributions to Cologne’s past to life in an impressive way.
Hänneschen Puppet Theatre
On Thursdays and Sundays, the larger-than-life puppets of the Hänneschen Theatre will wander through “Heinzel’s Winter Fairy Tale,” drawing attention and making for memorable photos. Hänneschen and Bärbelchen, familiar to many Cologne locals from their childhoods, along with Tunnes and Schäl, will roam from the ice rink to the Alter Markt. These impressive figures light up children’s eyes and take adults on a nostalgic journey back in time.
Don’t miss a thing
– Dates & Events
Mondays – Children’s Day on the Ice
Children’s Day is a tradition at the Heinzel market – on this day, children can skate at a discount and complete a fun ice test with our ice police officer. They can show off their skills in forward and backward skating as well as spinning. Successful participants will even receive a certificate of achievement.
➝ Mondays • 11 am–10 pm
Jack’s Ice School
The ice police officer Jack especially loves this mission: making children confident on the ice for future visits. Supported by the Volksbank Köln-Bonn, all proceeds go to the charity “Ein Herz für Rentner e.V.” (https://www.einherzfuerrentner.de)
➝ Mondays from 3:30–4:30 pm / daily from 11:15 am–12:15 pm from Dec 27, registration at www.heinzels-wintermaerchen.de/eislaufschule
St. Nicholas
Wolfgang Kimmig-Liebe, officially recognized and blessed by Pope Benedict XVI as the successor of Saint Nicholas, has dedicated the last 35 years to doing good and supporting others in his role as St. Nicholas. On Alter Markt, children can look forward to surprises and treats from Lambertz.
➝ Dec 4, 2024 • 3–5 pm • Jan-von-Werth-Brunnen, Alter Markt
Special Postmark Event & Heinzel Stamps
A must for stamp collectors: On December 12, there’s a rare opportunity to get stamps cancelled with a special Deutsche Post postmark at the Christmas Post Office. The Heinzel postmark, created specifically for this day, is sure to delight philatelists. Collectors can also look forward to new Heinzel stamps available only at the Christmas Post Office. -> Dec 11, 2024, Press event for special postmark • from 12:30 pm at the Christmas Post Office on Alter Markt
➝ Dec 12, 2024, Special postmark event • 11 am–8 pm at the Christmas Post Office on Alter Markt
Silent Ice Disco
The popular Silent Ice Disco returns. At the Drive In near the ice rink, 100 headphones are ready for skaters to bring their club vibes to the ice. DJ Mini from Soundshine will be spinning, with MühlenKölsch sponsoring the Ice Disco. Headphones on, ears open!
➝ Dec 5 & 12, 2024 • 7–9 pm • Ice rink
Chimney Sweeps
It’s tradition at Heumarkt that chimney sweeps bring good luck. This year, the chimney sweeps of the Cologne Chimney Sweep Guild will be painting lucky noses for visitors on December 30.
➝ Dec 30, 2024 • from 12 pm at Heumarkt
Infos & Facts
Climate-Friendly Christmas Market
The Heinzelmännchen market is climate-neutral. Their approach is “avoid, reduce, and offset” to make Christmas celebrations more sustainable. Various measures are taken to minimize energy consumption, and certified green electricity is used throughout the market. CO2 emissions for operation, setup, and teardown are offset to Gold Standard through a partnership with “Plant for the Planet,” where trees are planted. More info at www.heinzels-wintermaerchen.de/nachhaltig.html
Themed Alleys
The market offers a rich selection of specialties, handicrafts, and gifts. Its more than 120 market stalls are divided into themed alleys and small squares that extend across Alter Markt and Heumarkt. Here’s a list of the themed alleys:
Antiques Alley / Snack Alley / Gold Alley / Crafts Alley / Traders Alley / Sweets Alley / City Hall Alley / Toy Alley / Christmas Alley / Winter Alley
Opening Hours until January 5, 2025
Before Christmas (Heumarkt & Alter Markt):
Nov 25 to Dec 23, ’24, daily from 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
After Christmas (Heumarkt):
Dec 26, ’24, to Jan 5, ’25, daily from 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Press Photos for Download
www.heinzels-wintermaerchen.de/pressebereich/
(Photo credit: “Heinzel’s Wintermärchen Köln”)