Drachenburg Castle Christmas Market

Every year during Advent, the Schloss Drachenburg Christmas marketattracts thousands of connoisseurs to the Drachenfels near Königswinter. From the sparkling carpet of lights over the Rhine to the scent of mulled wine and cinnamon, the market offers everything that premium Christmas fans love. Discover why the short trip from your Oberwinter vacation apartment is worthwhile – and reserve your cozy base for a romantic Advent night now.

History & scenery: Castle romance since 1884

Drachenburg Castle was built in 1882-84 as the private dream of stock exchange baron Stephan von Sarter. Today, the neo-Gothic fairytale castle belongs to the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and towers 150 meters above the Rhine. Since 2011, the castle park has been transformed into an exclusive Christmas market on four Advent weekends. Arched arcades, medieval-style turrets and the illuminated rose garden create a stage that even King Ludwig would have loved. Visitors don’t just experience market stalls – they stroll through a monument that serves as a top film set. By the way: an earlier cable car connected the castle and the banks of the Rhine back in 1953, long before today’s panoramic cog railroad, which takes you up from Königswinter station in comfort.

Highlights 2025: arts and crafts & classic pop

Around 60 exhibitors present hand-blown ornaments, wooden toys from the Ore Mountains and chocolate art from Bonn confectioners. Live concerts are held daily at 6 pm in the courtyard of honor – the Beethoven Quartet and Cologne pop violinist Lindsey Luna are confirmed for 2025. Children can look forward to the talking reindeer “Rudi” and a miniature train through the palace park. New in 2025: a virtual reality room in the west tower that tells the medieval legend of Drachenfels in 360°. We highly recommend the white mulled wine from the certified organic winegrowers’ cooperative Mayschoß, whose steep vineyards you can also admire on a Rhine boat trip(https://ferienwohnung-oberwinter.de/blog/rhein-schifffahrt-tipps) in summer.

Practical information: Dates, tickets & arrival

Opening times 2025: Nov 28-30, 5-7, 12-14 and 19-21 Dec, Fri 14-22, Sat & Sun 11-22. Online tickets cost €14 for adults, €7 for children (6-14 years) – at the box office +€2. The price includes a ride on the Drachenfelsbahn (worth €12). Parking: P&R “Dollendorfer Straße” (€5 daily fee) including free shuttle bus. If you prefer a sporty start, you can reach the summit via the Eselsweg (approx. 1 h ascent, suitable for baby carriages). From our Oberwinter vacation apartment, it’s just 18 minutes by RE5 to Königswinter main station plus a 5-minute walk to the valley station. Tip: Book your train ticket as a cheap Germany ticket upgrade – details are explained in our public transport guide ( https://ferienwohnung-oberwinter.de/blog/oev-anreise-guide).

Enjoyment at castle level

The market focuses on regional cuisine: raclette from the Ahr valley, venison sausage from the Westerwald and freshly roasted coffee from a Bonn micro-roastery. In the heated Orangerie, star chef Maximilian Lorenz (Cologne) serves a four-course Advent menu (€149 per person) – reservation required. For a quick treat, we recommend the “Tarte flambée dragon style” with fig and goat’s cheese.

Photo spots & sustainability

The best sunset spot is on the west terrace: around 4:30 pm, the evening light bathes the bend in the Rhine and the Rolandsbogen in pastel pink. Use a 35 mm lens for the complete castle panorama. The event has been EMAS-certified since 2024: Disposable plastic banned, electricity 100% from hydropower, and €0.50 of every mulled wine goes to nature conservation projects in the Siebengebirge. You can find more sustainable winter tips in our article about forest bathing in the Kottenforst(https://ferienwohnung-oberwinter.de/blog/waldbaden-kottenforst).

Conclusion

Whether it’s a romantic couples’ getaway or a family adventure: the Schloss Drachenburg Christmas market is the premium highlight on the Middle Rhine in 2025. Thanks to easy access from Oberwinter and the included cable car, you can enjoy the lights, live music and castle magic stress-free. Book now and secure your perfect Advent accommodation – before the best dates are gone!