The Nuremberg Christmas market is one of the oldest and most magical Christmas markets in Germany. Set in Nuremberg’s lovely Hauptmarkt square, this traditional holiday market is a must-visit for anyone spending December in Germany. Here’s everything you need to know about the Nürnberg Christkindlemarkt.
Illuminated miniature houses at market stall in Nuremberg Christmas market. Image Credit: Getty Images, Juergen Sack
When is the Nuremberg Christmas market?
The Nuremberg Christmas market kicks off the holidays on November 29th, which is the day after we celebrate Thanksgiving in the U.S. (you can even enjoy Thanksgiving dinner in Europe!). Dates and opening hours for the Nuremberg Christmas market are:
- 🗓️ November 29, 2024
⌚ Opening ceremony at 5:30 PM
- 🗓️ November 30 - December 23, 2024
⌚ Monday to Sunday 10 AM to 9 PM
- 🗓️ December 24, 2024
⌚ 10 AM to 2 PM
Nuremberg Christmas market stalls in Germany. Image Credit: Getty Images, George Pachantouris
Where is the Nuremberg Christmas Market located?
The Nuremberg Christmas Market is located in Old Town’s central square, Hauptmarkt. The tourist information center in the Hauptmarkt is a good address to use for the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt: Hauptmarkt 18, 90403 Nürnberg, Germany.
Getting to Hauptmarkt using public transportation requires a little effort and a little walking. From Nürnberg Hauptbahnhof, the central train station, you’ll need to walk north for around 15 minutes, crossing the Museumsbrücke bridge into Old Town. If you’re arriving at the Lorenzkirche U-bahn station, it’s a three-minute walk north. The Nürnberg Heilig-Geist-Spital and Hauptmarkt bus stops are a block away.
How to get to the Nuremberg Christmas Market by train?
Traveling to the Nuremberg Christmas market by train is an excellent way to see as many magical markets as possible. Here’s how to get to Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt by train from surrounding cities:
- Train from Munich: München Hbf to Nürnberg Hbf | from 1h
- Train from Frankfurt: Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Nürnberg Hbf | from 2h
- Train from Berlin: Berlin Südkreuz to Nürnberg Hbf | from 4h
- Train from Strasbourg: Strasbourg to Nürnberg Hbf | from 4h 12m
- Train from Paris: Paris Gare de L’Est to Nürnberg Hbf | from 6h 04m
- Train from London: London St-Pancras to Nürnberg Hbf | from 7h 52m
Nuremberg Christmas market in Germany. Image Credit: Getty Images, Harald Nachtmann
Why is the Nuremberg Christmas market famous?
Dating back to the 1530s, the Nuremberg Christmas market is famous for being one of the oldest Christmas markets in the world. Dresden’s Striezelmarkt is considered the world’s oldest with a 1434 date. But don’t go putting age before beauty — the candy cane striped market stalls dressed in twinkling lights makes it one of the most beautiful in Germany.
Read also: Best 2024 Christmas markets in Europe to visit by train
Who opens the Nuremberg Christmas market?
The Nuremberg Christmas market opens with a visit from the Nuremberg Christkind, an angelic Christmas fairy that stands upon the balcony of the Church of Our Lady and recites a prologue. The Christkind brings gifts to children on Christmas Eve, which is purposely different from the traditional December 6th St. Nicolas Day gift giving. Martin Luther, the protestant reformer, created the idea of the Christkind to differentiate the protestant holiday from the Catholic holiday.
Nuremberg Christmas market in Germany. Image Credit: Getty Images, Juergen Sack
Is the Nuremberg Christmas market worth visiting?
Yes, the Nuremberg Christmas market is absolutely worth visiting. It’s one of the best Christmas markets in Germany thanks to its long history that, like the surrounding architecture, retains its old-world charm. A visit to the Nuremberg Christmas market is an easy half-day trip from other popular cities with Christmas markets like Munich, Frankfurt, and Berlin.
Best hotels near the Nuremberg Christmas market
Nuremberg’s Christmas market is in the Hauptmarkt in Old Town, just over the Pegnitz River. When the festivities end each evening, enjoy a silent night in one of the best hotels near the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt:
- SORAT Hotel Saxx Nuremberg: A three-star hotel only steps from the Nuremberg Christmas market.
- Hotel FIVE: A cozier boutique hotel near Nuremberg Christmas market with only 16 rooms.
- Hotel das Paul Restaurant & Hotel: Set on the south side of the Pegnitz, this hotel has a pizza and pasta restaurant on site.
Stall selling lebkuchen at Nuremberg Christmas market in Germany. Image Credit: Getty Images, Murat Taner
What foods are popular at the Nuremberg Christmas market?
Come hungry to the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt. Locally loved foods like the Nuremberg bratwurst and a Nuremberg gingerbread called lebkuchen are must-tries. Mulled wine is also a must, but keep a lookout for the red wine and rum punch served in the world’s largest Feuerzangenbowle.
How old is the Nuremberg Christmas market?
The Nuremberg Christmas market has origins dating back to 1530. However, some historians believe that the market wasn’t an annual event in the Hauptmarkt until, at the latest, 1628 — which is when its first written history is documented. Regardless of the exact date, it’s still one of the oldest Christmas markets both in Germany and around the world.
Read also: The best European city brrr-eaks for this winter
Fun facts about the Nuremberg Christmas Market
The Nuremberg Christmas market has a smaller market right next door at Rathausplatz called the Sister Cities Market. It features food and crafts from its sister cities in Italy, Cuba, Spain, Scotland, China, Nicaragua, France, Greece, and Czech Republic. Here are a few other fun facts about the Nuremberg Christmas market:
- A new Christkind is chosen every two years.
- The market is called “the little town of wood and cloth” thanks to its wooden market booths decorated with red and white striped cloth.
- German gingerbread called lebkuchen was invented in Franconia in the 13th century.
- Order your Nuremberg sausages the local way, “three in a bun”, or Drei im Weggla.
Christmas market gingerbread cookies. Image Credit: Getty Images, Alexander Spatari
Which German Christmas market is best?
Good luck getting a firm answer on what the best German Christmas market is. Each is charming in its own way and travelers tend to favorite that market that made them feel the most magic. In Munich, for instance, the market along the Marienplatz and in other squares capture the Old World Christmas spirit. Berlin, on the other hand, has markets scattered through its metropolitan squares, offering a more “Christmas in the city” vibe that feels like a scene from Christmas movies set in Europe.
5 things to do in Nuremberg besides the Christmas Market
Visit Nuremberg and explore the city’s attractions as you embrace the Franconian festivities.
- You’ll find railfans like us at the German Railway Museum (DB Museum), checking out the old school train cars and interactive exhibits.
- Those with an interest in WWII history should stop at the Memorium Nuremberg Trials and the Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds.
- Architecture lovers should check out the Schöner Brunnen (which is right in Hauptmarkt, the same location of the Nuremberg Christmas market) and the Frauenkirche.
- Dig into Nuremberg’s history at the Handwerkerhof, Medieval Dungeons, and Imperial Castle of Nuremberg.
- Cap off your visit to Nuremberg’s Christmas market with a trip to the Toy Museum.
Read also: From Hanseatic cities to holiday markets, the top destinations in Germany
Who needs a reindeer-drawn sleigh when you have Deutsche Bahn trains keeping a schedule that would make Santa Claus look slow? Download the Trainline app and take the train to Nuremberg’s Christmas market this year.
Christmas Market in Nuremberg, Germany. Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Jon Hicks
