A Photo Journey Through My Best Rhine River Christmas Market Cruise With Riverside Luxury Cruises

Let these photos take you along with me on what I think was the best Rhine River Christmas Market cruise with Riverside Cruises.

Photos from my best Rhine River Christmas Market cruise

Last Updated on 12/24/24 by Rose Palmer

What was my best Christmas present this year? A Christmas Market cruise on the fabled Rhine river with Riverside Luxury Cruises.

I grew up with a lot of German Christmas holiday traditions and it’s been my long time wish to experience the authentic Christmas Markets in Germany. My wish came true on a seven day Rhine River cruise from Amsterdam to Frankfurt where each day offered a new celebration of the holiday spirit.

I wrote a separate Riverside Debussy review about my luxury cruising experience with Riverside Luxury Cruises that provides plenty of details about the beautiful ship, the attentive service, the superb food, and the general ambiance on board. I especially appreciated the many holiday decorations on the ship which really added to the festive spirit.

Lots of festive decor on the riverside Debussy
Lots of festive decor on the riverside Debussy

My best Rhine River Christmas Market cruise experience

This story is all about our cruise’s daily excursions during Christmas Market season in the towns along the Rhine River.

All the Christmas markets had many features in common and seemed to focus mostly and food and drink. They all offered many of the same products: gingerbread hearts, roasted almonds, potato pancakes, crepes, roasted chestnuts, various sausages, beer, and of course, glühwein (mulled wine).

There is no such thing as too much glüwein (mulled wine)

There is no such thing as too much glüwein (mulled wine)

There were also nativity scenes and large rotating “pyramid” towers with carved figures. However, the setting for each Christmas market was different, which is what made them all unique.

Duisburg Christmas Market

Duisburg was our first stop in Germany and we had the morning to discover its Christmas Market. Stretched out on Konigstrasse and Kuhstrasse, there were rows of wooden huts selling all the traditional Christmas market goodies, but they were spread out which meant there was a lot of room and it didn’t feel as congested.

Since we were visiting first thing in the morning after the market had just opened, it wasn’t busy at all. By lunchtime though, the food and drinks stalls were doing brisk business.

A Christmas Market hut aptly named “Sweet dreams”, selling gingerbread hearts, cotton candy, toasted almond, chocolate fruit, and other sweet goodies.

A Christmas Market hut aptly named "Sweet dreams", selling gingerbread hearts, cotton candy, toasted almond, chocolate fruit, and other sweet goodies.

 

This hut was selling crepes and other sweet treats.

This hut was selling crepes and other sweet treats.

 

Glass Christmas balls adorn a hut selling French macarons.

Glass Christmas balls adorn a hut selling French macarons.

 

The Käthe Wohlfahrt stores are famous for their Christmas ornaments and decorations.

The Käthe Wohlfahrt stores are famous for their Christmas ornaments and decorations.

 

Sweet glass ornaments for sale.

Sweet glass ornaments for sale.

 

Even the trash cans were appropriately decorated.

Even the trash cans are appropriately decorated.

 

Lots of spots to sit and enjoy our food and drink.

Lots of spots to sit and enjoy our food and drink.

 

This ship that sold a variety of food and drink.

A ship that sold a variety of food and drink.

 

One of the many glühwein stalls.

One of the many glühwein stalls.

 

A variety of other drinks were also available, like kirsch.

A variety of other drinks were also available, like kirsch.

 

This was my favorite area for enjoying a drink

This was my favorite area for enjoying a drink

 

You can choose to buy the mugs and keep them or return them and get your deposit money back

You can choose to buy the mugs and keep them or return them and get your deposit money back

 

Another really cute sitting area for enjoying a drink or two

Another really cute sitting area for enjoying a drink or two

 

There were also a few rides for the little ones

There were also a few rides for the little ones

 

The Duisburg pyramid

The Duisburg pyramid

 

The figures inside the pyramid rotated

The figures inside the pyramid rotated

 

There was also a nativity scene

There was also a nativity scene

 

Kids enjoying the ice skating rink that was part of the Christmas Market

Kids enjoying the ice skating rink that was part of the Christmas Market

 

Düsseldorf Christmas Market

The Düsseldorf Christmas Market was spread out across a few different streets and squares, which made it fun to explore. The centerpiece was a large ferris wheel in the Burgplatz (Tower Square) that lit up at night.

Once again, in the morning, the Christmas markets were quite empty. But when we went back at night, the  markets were filled with revelers getting their fill of holiday cheer.

The ferris wheel towers over all the Christmas market huts

 

Lots of huts selling food, drinks, and trinkets

 

The Christmas market under the Castle Tower

 

The Christmas market in Düsseldorf’s historic Marktplatz

The Christmas Market in Düsseldorf's historic Marktplatz

 

Many fresh cut Christmas trees decorated the Christmas markets

Many fresh cut Christmas trees decorated the Christmas markets

 

The Marktplatz Christmas market is reflected in a huge gold ball decorating the large fir tree in the square

The Marktplatz Christmas market is reflected in a huge gold ball decorating the large fir tree in the square

 

The nativity is displayed in front of the 16th century City Hall

The nativity is displayed in front of the 16th century City Hall

 

Tasting roasted chestnuts on an open fire

Tasting roasted chestnuts on an open fire

 

Lots of cute street food truck in the christmas Market along the riverfront

Lots of cute street food truck in the christmas Market along the riverfront

 

Lit up paper stars were a popular item for sale at the Christmas markets

Lit up paper stars were a popular item for sale at the Christmas markets

 

The Christmas Market was magical at night

The Christmas Market was magical at night

 

Rudesheim Christmas Market

After a day of scenic cruising through the Rhine River Gorge with all of its castles and vineyards, we enjoyed a few evening hours at the Rudesheim Christmas Market. The glühwein here was made with the traditional red wine or also with the regional white wine that Rudesheim is known for.

The Rudesheim Christmas Market set in the historic old town

The Rudesheim Christmas Market set in the historic old town

 

Rudesheim is known for its half timbered houses which looked especially pretty all lit up for the holidays

The market extended from the old town, down the hill, and then all along the street next to the river

 

Loved this craft shop selling old fashioned wooden toys

Loved this shop selling old fashioned wooden toys

 

Christmas Market crepes are always a favorite

Christmas Market crepes are always a favorite

 

The Rudesheim Pyramid

The Rudesheim Pyramid

 

Next to the Rudesheim nativity, a local musical group was singing and playing Christmas carols

Next to the Rudesheim nativity, a local musical group was singing and playing Christmas carols

 

Swiss raclette cheese is one of my favorites

Swiss raclette cheese is one of my favorites

Manheim Christmas Market

Manheim had three Christmas Market areas. The largest one encircled the historic Wasserturm (Water tower).  It had all the usual vendors as well as a carousel, and a ferris wheel next to the Christmas Pyramid.

My favorite market was the one located along Kapuzinerplanken street with its stalls selling handcrafted and artisanal products. It was here that I purchased my Christmas market souvenirs: a hand carved santa cookie mold and a bottle of kirsch liquor.

The handicraft huts along Kapuzinerplanken street in Manheim

The handicraft huts along Kapuzinerplanken street in Manheim

 

I bought the santa cookie mold in the middle

I bought the santa cookie mold in the middle

 

Cooking German brats for a crowd

Cooking German brats for a crowd

 

The Christmas Market around the Wasserturm in Manheim

Cooking German brats for a crowd

 

One of the many gluhwein vendors

One of the many gluhwein vendors

 

I would have loved to take home some of the cheeses and sausages sold here

I would have loved to take home some of the cheeses and sausages sold here

 

The ferris wheel and pyramid at the Manheim Christmas market

The ferris wheel and pyramid at the Manheim Christmas market

 

Mainz Christmas Market

From an ambiance perspective, the Christmas market in Mainz was my favorite. Set in the shadow of the 1000 year old Mainz Cathedral, the lit up Marktplatz (Market Square) was a joy to explore. Clearly I was not the only one that felt this way. It was a Friday evening and the square was packed with holiday revelers celebrating the end of the work week.

 

The Mainz Christmas Market backed by the Mainz Cathedral

The Mainz Christmas Market backed by the Mainz Cathedral

Loved all the lighting at the Mainz Christmas market

Loved all the lighting at the Mainz Christmas market

 

The Mainz Christmas Market lights over a booth that sold lighted paper stars

The Mainz Christmas Market lights over a booth that sold lighted paper stars

 

The heart of the Mainz Christmas Market

The Mainz Christmas Market lights over a booth that sold lighted paper stars

 

The Mainz Christmas market pyramid

The Mainz Christmas market pyramid

 

The Mainz music box with its 18 handcrafted angels wa a unique sight

The Mainz music box with its 18 handcrafted angels wa a unique sight

 

The Christmas market in front of the old Gutenberg Museum (the museum has relocated)

There is no such thing as too much glüwein (mulled wine)

 

It was fascinating to finally visit some of the German Christmas markets. Each of the markets were well attended by the locals as they celebrated the holiday season along with the tourists from the many riverboats cruising the Rhine River.

This was definitely a very special way to get into the Christmas spirit. doing a Christmas market river cruise made it very easy to enjoy a variety of Christmas markets,  and doing this trip with Riverside Luxury Cruises made the whole experience extremely memorable.

Can’t wait to visit more Christmas markets in Europe next year.

 

Other Christmas stories I’ve written:

Yes, I really did meet Santa Clause: Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus and I Met Him in North Pole (Alaska)

London in December was magical: Loved these 25 Festive Things to Do in London in December – No Bah Humbugs Here

 

Please note that my cruise on the Riverside Debussy was hosted by Riverside Luxury Cruises. All content is based on my own personal experiences and opinions.

 

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

 

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