Cologne in December

Inside Cologne's best window: Apr–Oct; also Dec for Christmas markets.

No other month rates higher than December for Cologne in this guide.

• CologneHighs around 7 °C (45 °F), lows around 1 °C (34 °F), rain on about 13 daysHighs around 45 °F (7 °C), lows around 34 °F (1 °C), rain on about 13 days
• Rhine and the west, Germany · Cologne, Frankfurt, Rhine and Moselle valleys, Heidelbergcool

  Mildest winters; wine harvest and river trips at their best in September–October.

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Christmas markets big impact

  Late Nov – 23 Dec · Germany

  Weekend hotel prices up in Nuremberg, Dresden, Cologne and Munich; crowds from 16:00.

• Christmas big impact

  24–26 Dec · Germany

  Shops close on the 24th around 14:00 and stay closed until the 27th; many restaurants closed.

Crowds · Germany overall

High

Prices · Germany overall

High

Germany overall: Christmas markets in every town; Nuremberg, Dresden and Cologne weekends are packed. Shops close from 24 December afternoon.

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Cologne, side by side.

• A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
• Layers: a fleece or light jacket

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