Christmas in Aachen, three squares, the cathedral and spiced Printen

Dates, hours and getting there

Aachen Christmas Market runs from 20 November to 23 December 2026 in the old town, across Markt, Katschhof and Münsterplatz. Aachen is in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Admission is free. Stalls usually open 11 am to 9 pm. On 22 November they open 6 to 9 pm, on 12 December 11 am to 10 pm and on 23 December 11 am to 8 pm. For trains, Aachen Hauptbahnhof is the main station. If you are driving, a €5 Park and Ride ticket covers the return bus journey for up to five people from the car park you choose.

Markt, the first loop around the town hall

Start on the town hall square. From here you can see how the market fits into the old town. One section takes you behind the Rathaus, and another leads you towards the cathedral. This is the 53rd edition and there are more than 120 stalls. Begin with decorations or come with someone in mind for a gift. If you have three hours, split the time between the market, a brief cathedral visit and somewhere to eat. For friends coming from different places, agree on a specific side of the square while you still have the map in front of you.

Look for Aachener Printen to take home. These spiced biscuits come in hard and soft versions and can include almonds, nuts or chocolate. Try a small packet before choosing a larger gift box. The difference in texture makes more sense after a bite. If you want to see how they are made, look for a place on a Klein bakery tour. Tours are scheduled hourly from 9 am to 5 pm on market Saturdays and need booking. Allow time for the journey between the bakery and the centre, as well as a few minutes to choose something to take home.

Katschhof, between the town hall and the cathedral

Walk through Katschhof, the space between the Rathaus and the cathedral. Make a note of a viewpoint to return to after the stalls have lit up. The squares are close enough for a group to split up briefly: anyone who wants to shop can take another turn, while someone who needs a rest can meet you at the next stop. With children, give the outing a small purpose, such as finding one decoration for the tree or choosing a box of Printen to open at home.

Bring the market map. It marks services including accessible toilets and identifies stalls with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. If an ingredient matters for an allergy, ask the staff at the stall how the food is prepared. The map gets you to the right counter and the conversation helps you choose once you get there. When several people order food together, take a moment to agree where to stop. A little space to sit or stand can make a bigger difference than going straight to the busiest stall.

Münsterplatz and the cathedral

At Münsterplatz you can visit the cathedral. Admission is free and visits take place outside services. Regular hours are Monday to Thursday 11 am to 6 pm, Friday and Saturday 11 am to 7 pm, and Sundays and holidays 1 to 5:30 pm. Check the hours for your day, especially if you are visiting on a Sunday. The Treasury is a separate visit with standard admission of €7. The €3 audio guide is available in English, Italian and Spanish. If it rains, give both places more time and come back out for the market when the sky clears.

Choose one indoor visit if you have only a short while in the city. For architecture, start at the cathedral. For a closer look at objects from its history, leave a separate slot for the Treasury. An earlier start gives you enough daylight to see where the squares join before the lamps come on. On an all-day visit you can see the cathedral early in the afternoon and leave the last part of the day for a return to the Rathaus.

Saturday can start at Elisenbrunnen

The weekly market for regional produce and flowers moves to Elisenbrunnen during the Christmas market season. It runs on Saturdays from 9 am to 2 pm. If you arrive before 11 am, start there before walking back to Münsterplatz and Katschhof. Save Markt for nearer lunchtime. If you have booked a Saturday bakery tour, keep the produce market as a short alternative if you have time to spare. Three sets of stalls in one day are easier to enjoy with a few minutes to sit between them.

The final days and the way back

On 23 December the market closes at 8 pm. If you are coming from another town for the last evening, arrive before dinner. On 12 December the stalls trade until 10 pm. On 22 November, when they open at 6 pm, you can use the afternoon for a cathedral visit and wait in town for the market to open. The same itinerary can work on all three dates if you pay attention to how much time you have around the stalls.

If using Park and Ride, check your car park and return bus. The Tivoli car park is unavailable on Alemannia home match days. If travelling by train, leave time to get to the station and round up anyone still browsing. Leave a little room in your bag for a packet of biscuits. If you hesitate between another round of the market and a look inside the cathedral, choose the one with the earlier closing time. You can save the other for the final stretch, when there is still a square to cross and a few minutes to spare.

A look at Charlemagne’s chapel

Inside the cathedral, look for the eight sides of the Palatine Chapel. Work began around 790–800 under Charlemagne. The church expanded over the centuries and the building is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Look first from outside if you want to see how the structures from different periods sit together. Once inside, spend a little time looking up at the dome. For children, the octagon gives the visit a simple focus. See if you can spot the shape together before heading back to the squares.