Curling and ice skatingChristmas ice rink fun

Cologne's "Heinzels Wintermärchen" Christmas market is a very special highlight of the Advent season and transports visitors to an enchanted world full of festive magic and Rhenish charm. Particularly impressive is the extensive ice rink that winds its way through the centre of the market and provides winter fun. Under twinkling fairy lights and surrounded by festively decorated stalls, ice skaters glide along the smooth rinks and immerse themselves in a fairytale atmosphere.

The ice rink not only invites you to go ice skating, but also offers curling for anyone who wants to try their hand at curling in a convivial atmosphere. The sight of gliding blades and cheerful faces, accompanied by Christmas music, creates a special atmosphere that brings the anticipation of the festive season to life.

Rustic stalls with handcrafted treasures and delicious treats are lined up around the ice rink, accompanied by the aroma of freshly baked waffles and hot mulled wine. When dusk falls over the market and the ice rink glows in the glow of the lights, "Heinzels Wintermärchen" is transformed into a winter paradise that invites you to marvel and linger. A visit here is more than just a Christmas market - it's a real winter experience in the heart of Cologne.

The Christmas market in Bad Oeynhausen Park is like a little wonderland in the middle of the chilly winter air. As soon as you walk through the tree-lined avenues adorned with lights, a very special atmosphere envelops you: the historic park paths, framed by the softly lit pavilions and trees, seem to have been made for the pre-Christmas season. And then there is the ice rink, the centrepiece of the market - it glistens in the light of the festive decorations, and the cheerful sounds of skates gliding across the ice bring the whole park to life.

Children and adults alike skate their lengths, sometimes carefully, sometimes exuberantly, while a few ice skaters organise a little race at the edge. A little further on, groups of friends and families try their hand at curling and laugh at every fallen target. The music and the cheerful hustle and bustle on the ice almost make you forget the cold.

In the evening, when darkness envelops the park and only the fairy lights and the ice rink show the way, the Christmas market in Bad Oeynhausen Park becomes a quiet, contemplative place where the magic of the pre-Christmas period can really be felt. Everything feels a little slower here - as if the whole park is taking a deep breath and inviting its visitors to do the same.

Monheim's "Sternenzauber" stands out with its almost enchanted atmosphere and special connection to the symbolism of the stars. It's less about the typical Christmas market hustle and bustle and more about a magical setting that creates its very own atmosphere through lights, design and a thematic focus on the night sky.

The ice rink is located in the centre of Monheim until January. Especially in the evening, when the light installations bathe the square in a soft, almost magical light, it becomes the star of the starry magic. Ice skating is free, curling sessions can be booked for a fee.

The Cranger Weihnachtszauber is no ordinary Christmas market, but a real winter treat that surprises visitors with its mixture of funfair flair and Christmas magic. The scent of candy floss and mulled wine wafts through the air between the illuminated rides and traditional stalls, and you can immediately sense that this is not just about a contemplative pre-Christmas period, but about pure fun and festivity.

One highlight that particularly characterises the Cranger Weihnachtszauber is the extensive ice rink. In the midst of the hustle and bustle, surrounded by lights and music, visitors can skate their way around. The ice rink is not just a place to skate, but also a lively stage where children take their first steps on the ice, friends organise little races and families enjoy the fun of skating together. The ice rink brings movement and life to the market - and becomes a meeting place where people can linger, laugh and enjoy the moment.

What makes the Cranger Weihnachtszauber unique is the combination of funfair and Christmas market. While many markets offer a contemplative atmosphere, Crange offers a mixture of adventure, fun and festive cheer. There are not only stalls with arts and crafts and treats, but also rides that give visitors a tingle in their stomach. A Ferris wheel, merry-go-rounds and rollercoasters turn a visit into an experience that goes far beyond the typical Christmas market.

The Bielefeld Christmas market is a winter dream that comes to life in the historic alleyways of the old town. With the silhouette of Sparrenburg Castle towering over the city in the background, a special atmosphere unfolds here that sets Bielefeld's Christmas market apart from many others. Between half-timbered houses and festively decorated stalls, the Advent season in Bielefeld is a cosy yet lively experience.

A central attraction of the market is the ice rink on Jahnplatz. Right in the heart of the city, it attracts visitors who want to glide into the pre-Christmas atmosphere on skates. The ice rink is more than just an attraction - it is a meeting place. Children happily do their laps, youngsters try their hand at little tricks and adults enjoy the nostalgic feeling of standing on the ice. The gentle scraping of the blades and the laughter of the skaters give the square a lively, festive atmosphere.

What makes the Bielefeld Christmas market special is the balance between tradition and modernity. Here you will find classic wooden stalls with handmade crafts reminiscent of the old days, as well as modern Christmas ideas that bring a breath of fresh air to the festive scene. The culinary offerings range from traditional treats such as roasted almonds and bratwurst to creative delicacies with something for every taste. Emphasis is placed on regionality - many of the products come directly from the surrounding area and give the market an authentic flavour.

Lippstadt's Christmas market transforms the historic old town into a festive winter wonderland. Festively illuminated wooden huts line the picturesque town hall square, where regional vendors present Christmas decorations, handicrafts and gift ideas.

A special highlight is the covered ice rink, which provides winter fun in the middle of the market. Under a twinkling canopy of lights and accompanied by atmospheric music, young and old can enjoy a few cosy laps. It's worth taking a look around the tranquil setting, which has something new to offer every day: The windows of the town hall are transformed into a large-scale Advent calendar, designed by pupils from various schools in Lippstadt. Every day, a new window is opened and presents a Christmas surprise.

The market also offers special events such as Advent moonlight shopping with wine tasting and a visit from St Nicholas, who has a surprise in store for all the children.

Experience winter magic in the centre of Düsseldorf: "Kö on Ice" transforms Königsallee into a glittering ice landscape. The festive lighting and atmospheric ambience make "Kö on Ice" a special highlight in the run-up to Christmas. Whether as a break during a shopping spree or as a meeting place with friends and family - you will experience unforgettable moments here. The ice rink on Corneliusplatz provides fun and exercise.

For fans of curling, there are six lanes that can accommodate up to eight people per lane. What's special here: Instead of on real ice, the sticks glide on a special plastic surface, which makes the experience as authentic as it is sustainable.

If you feel hungry or thirsty, you don't have to look far for refreshments: The two-storey Füchschen-Alm offers a restaurant on the first floor with hearty specialities. On the ground floor, there are grilled sausages and hearty soups as well as a selection of drinks.

Here you can turn pre-Christmas curves on runners: At the "Dülmen Winter", a large covered real ice rink becomes the centrepiece of the town. You skate your laps under light effects - whether it's your first steps with penguin aids or elegant pirouettes. In between, you can warm up with hot chocolate or punch in the neighbouring toboggan hut, meet up for an after-skate at the stalls or watch curling. At the weekends, numerous sporting competitions provide additional action, with five public curling tournaments taking place.