4 day 3 night German Christmas Markets - December 2025

Dates

Tuesday, December 2, 2025 - 07:00 to Friday, December 5, 2025 - 16:15

Location

NOW BOOKING

Join the OU Trips on a Germany Christmas market tour in December 2025

We will visit a selection of markets on this tour including Aachen, Düsseldorf and Cologne. Aachen is famous for its thermal spas and baths and Aachen Cathedral, northern Europe's oldest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the city's main attraction. Düsseldorf is well-known for its art and fashion industry. Straddling the banks of the Rhine River, it also has a beautiful old town. Finally, Cologne, whose most famous landmark, the Cathedral, a protected UNESCO site, is one of Germany's most popular attractions. The old town has retained its old-world charm with narrow, cobbled streets and alleys.

Cologne Cathedral with Christmas markets and river

Image:Koln Tourism agency

Cologne Christmas market

Image: Koln Tourism agency

Aachen Christmas market

Image: Aachen Tourism Agency

Hotel Maritim Cologne

Image: Booking.com

What's included?

• 4 day 3 nights
• Return Coach from OU to London Heathrow
• Flights to Cologne on Eurowings
• Refurn Transfer from Cologne airport to Maritim Hotel Koln (german spelling of Cologne)
• 3 nights bed and breakdfast at Maritim Hotel Koln
• Coach travel to Aachen
• Coach travel to Düsseldorf
• ATOL Certificate/Bonding
• Trips booked via Greatdays Tours

Day 1 We will be transferred from the OU to London Heathrow airport for our morning flight to Cologne, departing at 09:45am. On arrival at 12:05pm, we will be met and transferred to the Maritim Hotel in Cologne for the next 3 nights on a bed and breakfast basis. (Note: Check-in may not be possible until later in the afternoon but we will be able to drop our luggage off at the hotel reception and head out to explore the Christmas markets which are open until about 8pm. The cathedral/centre is approximately 15-20 minutes’ walk from the hotel).
These markets are a veritable Mecca for Christmas market lovers and one of the most popular destinations in Germany. With at least eight separate markets, there is the perfect blend of the traditional, creative and fun. The market in front of the Cathedral is among the most spectacular places to get your Christmas shopping done. The historic backdrop of the giant black cathedral looms over the stalls and elaborately decorated Christmas tree.

Day 2 Wednesday 03 December 2025 – Aachen Christmas Market We will depart after breakfast, by coach, to Aachen. Every year in the run-up to Christmas, the squares and alleys around Aachen City Hall are transformed. Carousel rides for the children are mandatory, mulled wine for the adults as well, potato pancakes are in demand at all times of the day - of course also Printen and other Christmas cookies. Aachen festive market is one of the largest of its kind in Germany and its Cathedral becomes one of the most glorious Christmas market backdrops in the country. The markets are usually open daily from 11.00am to 8.00pm. We will return to our hotel by coach and enjoy an evening at leisure in Cologne.

Day 3 Thursday 04 December 2025 – Dusseldorf Christmas Market
Once again, we will depart by coach after breakfast and head for Düsseldorf whose Christmas Market scene is known for its seven unique themed markets, which are all scattered around the city and decorated in different, yet beautiful ways. The air is filled with the scent of roasted almonds and hot mulled wine. When you take a stroll through the markets you will be astonished again and again by the imaginative designs of the huts and the huge variety of goods on offer. As well as this, Königsallee is world-famous as a luxury-shopping street. The department stores in Schadowstrasse and the Altstadt (Old Town) boutiques are just a stone's throw away from the markets making it ideal to do your Christmas shopping. The markets are usually open daily from 11.00am to 8.00pm. We will return to our hotel by coach and enjoy and evening at leisure in Cologne.

Day 4 Friday 05 December 2025 – Return to UK
After an early breakfast, we will board our coach and transfer back to Cologne Airport in time for our 14:40pm flight to London Heathrow. (Pick up time from hotel to be confirmed)

Prices

£705 per person in a twin/double room - prices are dependant on numbers of people booked.

£149 per person single supplement

Dates and Times

Tuesday 2nd December to Friday 5th December 2025

Places available

30

Booking deadline

ASAP to confirm your place - a £300 deposit will be required as soon as sufficient numbers to book the flights.

To request places

By submitting your booking you are confirming you have read and will abide by our terms and conditions. Please note, you are responsible for the full payment once the place request deadline date is past. OU Trips does not have any reserves to cover cancelled places.

BOOKING FORM FOR GERMAN CHRISTMAS MARKET TRIP

PLEASE NOTE:

Do not submit your request more than once. We would ask you to remember that we are all volunteers, therefore, please don’t be offended if you don’t receive an immediate response.

Payment Deadlines

Deposit payment £300 asap once number confirmed

Remainder due in September 2025 (date to be confirmed)

Contacting us

If you need to contact us regarding a event and your question cannot be answered through our booking information page, please email and ensure that you include the name of the event you are contacting us about in the subject line of your message.