The 13^th and final destination on our Month of Christmas Markets. Known for its light displays, we decided to combine a Düsseldorf day visit and an evening in Essen.

Essen is an under-the-radar Christmas market destination for most international tourists, making it a great choice for visitors looking to get off the beaten path. Essen is less than 30 minutes from Düsseldorf or Dortmund by train, making it an easy day trip from either. It’s also easily accessible from the world-famous markets in Cologne. So it’s an easy day trip, and one you shouldn’t miss.

We loved the experience of walking through a stunning festive market without having to deal with the overwhelming crowds that some other more popular Christmas markets tend to come with, and still, you are a short train ride away from some of the biggest Christmas markets in Germany.

The Market

Essen’s main Christmas market is located in Kennedyplatz and wow… just wow! The center of the square is draped in this glittering canopy of Christmas lights, adding some serious drool-factor and pizazz to an already magical environment. The Main market was the highlight for us.

• It’s a must for a nighttime visit.
• Wonderfully decorated huts create a the fairy atmosphere.
• We saw several unique gifts that we hadn’t seen elsewhere, such as frying pans, plush pillows with drink & remote holders built-in, and super cool record clocks.
• This market is substantially quieter than the markets in Düsseldorf and Cologne, which meant we had no trouble finding a place to perch and drink our grog.
• It only takes 10 minutes to walk there from train station.

Beyond the main market, there some additional options to try out.

• Medieval Market – smaller, but it takes you on trip back in time. Interact with merchants dressed in medieval costumes selling handmade leather goods, jewelry or crafts.
• Route from Train station to Kennedyplatz lit by gorgeous lighting displays, from glitzy chandeliers to galactic swirls and lit-up “planets”. Look for lighted teddy bear, squirrel, and even a kangaroo!
• Route also has numerous stalls serving up food & drink, many with ample seating for a glühwein.