Dispute over the Christmas market at the cathedral: Dispute over the award stirs up excitement!

Dispute over the Christmas market at the cathedral: Dispute over the award stirs up excitement!

There is movement in the preparations for the Christmas market at Cologne Cathedral. The construction has been going on for several days, and on Thursday a magnificent 25 meter high Christmas tree was put up on Roncalliplatz. The popular Christmas market “Market of Hearts” starts on November 17th and attracts around four million visitors every year. This makes it not only a festive event, but also an important figurehead for the city of Cologne. But what will happen to the future of the market?

There is unease in the air: While preparations for the coming season are in full swing, the course for the years 2026 to 2030 is in jeopardy. The city has canceled the round of tenders for the future direction of the Christmas market, which has led to confusion and criticism. [Rundschau Online]. This is not entirely easy, as KW received the highest rating in the previous selection process, but was not awarded the contract.

The legal disputes

In August, the city informed all applicants about the new advertisement. A total of six companies applied for the concession. However, there was trouble in advance because the public order office admitted errors in the tender. Critics suspect that the reasons for canceling the tender were deliberately sought to give unsuccessful bidders a new chance. KW's managing director, Monika Flocke, expressed concerns about the confidentiality of the event concept, which further fuels the debate.

The district government confirmed receipt of KW's complaint, but the conclusion of the process remains uncertain. If a legal dispute ensues, a final court decision could not be made until after Christmas 2026. Despite these uncertainties, work is underway to ensure that the Christmas market can take place next year. The city leaves it open whether a handover to the previous operator will be possible.

The view beyond Cologne

In Cologne, the Christmas market is a popular attraction, but Christmas markets are also thriving in other cities in Germany and serve a diverse audience. In Munich, for example, the historic Christmas market at Marienplatz takes place from November 24th and attracts numerous visitors with its traditional charm. Such markets offer a wide range of attractions, from arts and crafts stalls to culinary highlights. This shows how important Christmas markets are for the city's culture and economy, not only in Cologne but also beyond its borders.

The city of Cologne is currently looking for a new concessionaire for the Christmas market on Roncalliplatz, who will be responsible for the period from 2026 to 2030. The concessionaire bears both the costs and the economic risk. The area for the market is an impressive 4,700 m² and includes a variety of services as part of event organization, as can be seen from the award conditions. Even though numerous requirements are listed in the tender, it remains to be seen who will ultimately receive the coveted concession and what general conditions will apply.

It is important that the Christmas market continues to play an important role in the cathedral city. A final decision on the new tender is still pending, and the city has made it clear to applicants that it is still in the planning phase. What happens next remains exciting.