Chocolate Museum
The perfect winter double bill at the Rheinauhafen: warm up in the realm of the cocoa bean, indulge at the chocolate fountain, then dive seamlessly into the Christmas market bustle.
The Ideal Combined Experience: Culture, Indulgence & Christmas Magic
A visit to the Cologne Harbour Christmas Market can be combined with a world-famous culture and indulgence highlight like nowhere else in the cathedral city. The Chocolate Museum sits right on the market grounds at the Rheinauhafen and forms the cosy, warm centrepiece of your outing.
Whatever the weather — biting winter cold, snowfall or rain — the combination of the museum's own world of experience and the festive riverside promenade offers the right setting for families, couples, groups and corporate events.
How to Plan the Perfect Day at the Rheinauhafen
- Dive in & warm up: Start your outing in the pleasantly warm Chocolate Museum. Travel from the tropical cocoa plantations through the discovery history of chocolate to modern-day production.
- A sweet highlight: Enjoy what is probably Cologne's most famous temptation – a taste of fresh, liquid Lindt chocolate straight from the three-metre-tall, golden-gleaming chocolate fountain.
- A seamless move to the market lanes: Step from the museum building straight onto the festive forecourt. The scent of roasted almonds, winegrower's mulled wine and the warm glow of around 70 wooden huts greet you right on the Rhine bank.
- A finale on the water: Round off the day with a ride on the Cologne Ferris wheel, live music from the stage, or feast on specialities like the chocolate bratwurst.
The Chocolate Museum's Highlights at a Glance
- The chocolate fountain: The museum's bubbling centrepiece, with liquid chocolate to sample directly.
- The glass chocolate factory: Live insights into the artisanal and industrial production of bars, hollow figures and pralines.
- The tropical house: A walk-in glasshouse with a tropical climate and real cocoa trees.
- The museum shop: The first address for exclusive Christmas gifts, Cologne mementos and fine chocolate specialities.
Plan Your Visit, Tickets & Opening Hours
To avoid waiting times at the ticket counters, we recommend booking online tickets in advance – especially on Advent weekends.
You'll find all the details on current exhibitions, special tours, ticket prices and the museum's regular opening hours directly on the official website of the Cologne Chocolate Museum.
The Chocolate Museum Cologne and Harbour Christmas Market at the Rheinauhafen
The Chocolate Museum Cologne and the Cologne Harbour Christmas Market form a unique overall experience along the Rhine from 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Thanks to the direct structural link between the experience exhibition and the festive village of huts at the Rheinauhafen, the area at Harry-Blum-Platz is one of the most sought-after destinations in North Rhine-Westphalia during Advent, the school holidays and around the turn of the year.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Combination
Can you visit the Chocolate Museum and the Christmas market on the same day?
Yes, both experiences sit right next to each other. The market stretches directly around the Chocolate Museum, guaranteeing a seamless transition between a museum visit and a stroll through the market.
Do you need a Chocolate Museum ticket for the Christmas market?
No. Access to the Harbour Christmas Market is free. Visiting the exhibition rooms of the Chocolate Museum requires a regular admission ticket, which is best purchased online in advance.
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