Veihnachtsmarkt Köln

Veihnachtsmarkt Köln is Cologne's first and only fully vegan Christmas market. It is run by Voodmarkt (founded by RosaRot e.V.) and has been running since 2022. In 2026 it fills three weekends, 4–6, 11–13 and 18–20 December, at the Evangelische Kirche Kalk (Steinmetzstraße 57) in the Kalk district, on the east bank of the Rhine. The dates match the second, third and fourth Advent weekends, so you can pick whichever one suits your trip. The name simply swaps the W of Weihnachtsmarkt for a V, and everything on sale is plant-based.

The food list is the classic German winter menu, made without animal products. According to koeln.de you can expect soups, Reibekuchen (potato fritters), vegan Flammkuchen, Käsespätzle and waffles, plus Glühwein and punch to keep your hands warm. Around the food stalls there is a creative market with handmade gifts, live performances, a family programme, a light show and a campfire, so it feels more like a small winter festival than a row of identical huts.

Opening hours are Friday 16:00–21:00, Saturday 12:00–21:00 and Sunday 12:00–20:00. Admission is free. The market sits in and around the church grounds, so part of it is under a roof and part of it is outdoors: wear a warm coat and sturdy shoes. Kids are welcome and there is a programme for them. Kalk is well connected by Cologne's city rail network, which is the easiest way to arrive, as parking around the church is not something to rely on.

One date detail to know: koeln.de lists the third weekend as 17–19 December, while the official Voodmarkt page says 18–20 December. We use the organiser's dates, but check @vood.markt on Instagram before you travel. Voodmarkt also runs a first Düsseldorf edition on 28–29 November, less than an hour away by regional train, which makes a neat vegan Advent double with Cologne.