Its beautiful buildings and historic imperial castle make Nuremberg the perfect backdrop for cosy Christmas markets. Once a pivotal city in the Holy Roman Empire, thanks to its strategic location, Nuremberg has never been one to let Munich hog the Bavarian limelight. Renowned worldwide, its Christmas markets are some of the most popular in Germany, here’s all you need to know!
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Nuremberg is the perfect spot for festive fun, it’s well worth the travel! So grab some mulled wine, huddle up, and wander through the cobbled Christmas market-lined streets of this historic city!
The best Christmas markets in Nuremberg: Your ultimate guide
What you need to know
- Is Nuremberg Christmas market worth visiting? Without a shadow of a doubt yes! There’s a reason it’s one of the most beloved from Germany.
- How many Christmas markets are there in Nuremberg? There are four Christmas markets in Nuremberg.
- When do Christmas markets open in Nuremberg? The Christkindelsmarkt opens on the Friday prior to the first Sunday of Advent, usually at the end of November or the start of December.
Nuremberg Christmas market map
How to use this map: Click on the markers for more information about each destination. To save this map to your Google Maps, click the star in the top left corner.
Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt
When it comes to Christmas markets in Nuremberg, the Christkindlesmarkt is undoubtedly the star of the show. It’s one of the oldest, largest and best-loved Christmas markets in the world. Dating back to the mid-16th century, it evolved into the celebration of festive fun that you see today.
Christkindlesmarkt takes place in the heart of the city in Hauptmarkt where you’ll find over 160 market stalls waiting to be explored. It features all the Christmas market essentials, lots of great food and plenty of souvenirs, ornaments, gifts and decorations for sale!
Original regional market
Sat just be Church of St. Sebald, the Original Regional Market is a must-visit among the Christmas markets in Nuremberg, especially if you’re on the hunt for homegrown or handmade treasures. It promotes local produce and traditional craftwork from around the Franconia region and features a lot of unique items.
Markt Der Partnerstädte (Market of the sister cities)
The Markt der Partnerstädte is a fantastic concept that adds a vibrant international flair to the Christmas markets in Nuremberg. This unique market gathers traders from across the globe, showcasing an array of food and crafts from countries as diverse as Scotland, China, Turkey, and the USA.
There’s also lots of food and drink that you’ve probably never even heard of if you’re looking to try something new! The Markt Der Partnerstädte really adds an international flair to the Christmas markets in Nuremberg and is well worth visiting!
Kinderweihnacht (Children’s Christmas Market)
Designed with kids in mind, the Kinderweihnacht is a great choice of Christmas markets in Nuremberg if you’re visiting with family. There are lots of hands-on craft activities for children to make their own gifts like soap and candles alongside a Ferris wheel and carousel. It really brings to life the festive magic for children!
And if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the Nuremberg Christ Child—the market’s iconic namesake—spreading holiday cheer!
Other events
Nuremberg truly comes alive during the Christmas season, embracing the festive spirit with open arms. While the Christmas markets are spreading festive cheer, there’s plenty more going on in the city to see and do up until Christmas Eve. Here are a few other things to try out, the full list can be found here and here:
- Nuremberg Old Town Walking Tour
- Mini Train City Tour
- Nativity Scene Exhibition at St. Egidien Church
- The largest Feuerzangenbowle (fire tongs punch) in the world (A 9000-litre cauldron of the stuff!)
Summary
If you have the time to visit one of the most famous Christmas markets in the world, it’s not an opportunity to pass up! Over 2 million people visit every year, make sure you’re one of them so you don’t miss out!
