Every year to Nuremberg thousands of visitors flock to Nuremberg for the Christmas market. No wonder, these German Christmas markets are among the oldest and most famous in Europe.
Every year, residents and visitors alike can enjoy gingerbread, mulled wine and the festive atmosphere that has permeated the town since 1. December until Christmas Eve. The main markets are located right on the Hauptmarkt, the heart of Nuremberg’s historic district.
Christmas Market Nuremberg 2023: How long to go for?
If you want to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere to the full and still explore the city, a weekend away is ideal as you can not only visit the markets, but also take in the other sights and stop to shop for Christmas gifts or quality German food. Of course, one day is enough for a visit.
Tip: Find out what to see in Nuremberg.
Where to stay in Nuremberg
Ideally you should stay right in the city centre, one of the best hotels is Hotel Pomander Nürnberg . Cheaper options near the centre include Five Reasons Hostel & Hotel.
What can you look forward to at the Christmas markets in Nuremberg?
Due to the economic importance of Nuremberg, the Christmas markets are a key part of local culture. What you can look forward to:
- For handmade Christmas decorations and gifts,
- traditional German delicacies such as Nürnberger Rostbratwürste, traditional German mildly spiced sausages.
- A stage performance at the Christkindlesmarkt, a traditional part of the Nuremberg Christmas market. This performance symbolises the beginning of the Advent season.
The history and tradition of the Christmas markets in Nuremberg
Nuremberg’s markets, known as the Christkindlesmarkt, are – as mentioned above – a big part of the city’s culture. Christmas markets in Nuremberg date back to the 17th century. century and is one of the oldest and most famous Christmas markets in Europe. The first written mention of the market dates back to 1628.
Christmas Market Nuremberg: location and opening hours
In our guide you will find important information about the Christmas markets in Nuremberg – when the markets open, how to get there and where to park.
Where are the Christmas markets in Nuremberg?
Nuremberg’s Christmas market, known as the Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt, is held on the Hauptmarkt in the city centre. During the Advent season, this square transforms into a magical place full of Christmas scents, lights and stalls with Christmas goodies.
Christmas Markets Nuremberg: dates and opening times 2023
- Beginning: Christmas Markets in Nuremberg start on 1 December
- Opening hours: stalls are open from 10:00 to 21:00.
- Christmas Eve: opening hours are shortened on 24 December and stalls are open from 10:00 to 14:00
How to get to Nuremberg: Bus, tour or car?
The markets are easily accessible by bus from Prague (FlixBus runs there) or with a tour, which you can easily find through the Invia portal. If you arrive in your own car, it is good to know that parking options may be limited due to high demand.
Christmas Market Nuremberg: where to park
When visiting the Christmas markets in Nuremberg, it is good to know that Nuremberg does not have all areas included in the resident parking zones.
You can park for free on the street in many outskirts of the city. When parking during the working week, please pay attention to the additional information on the traffic signs, as Nuremberg has regular street cleaning during which parking is prohibited.
See www.nuernberg.de for a map of the residents-only areas. In the city centre in the resident zones, parking is available for a maximum of two hours (EUR 2.50/hour).
Tips for free, unguarded parking near the centre:
- Kessler Platz – 180 metres from Wöhrder Wiese Underground Station, close to the historic centre.
- Wöhrder Talübergang – well connected to the centre by buses 36 and 94, stop Bauvereinstr.
What to buy at the Christmas markets in Nuremberg?
At the Christmas markets in Nuremberg, you can choose from a wide range of traditional German products and delicacies.
Traditional products and souvenirs
Nuremberg’s Christmas markets are famous for their handmade Christmas decorations and impeccable German craftsmanship. Stall offerings include:
- Traditional German gingerbread, which is similar to Czech Christmas gingerbread, is also based on the same traditions. They are excellent and honest. Whether they are better than the Czech ones, we leave it to you to judge.
- Bishop’s sandwiches – another sweet treat you must try.
- Christmas decorations made of various materials, from glass to ceramics.
Food & Drink: What to taste at the Christmas markets in Nuremberg
When it comes to food and drink, Nuremberg offers the best of German Christmas cuisine and traditional Christmas drinks:
- Mulled wine (Glühwein) and punch are traditional drinks that can be found not only here but also in Germany. Again, you can judge whether German or Czech ones are better. Anyway, on frosty days, such punch or mulled wine warms the body and soul. You can find them in more variations at the markets, everyone has their own recipe.
- As mentioned above, there are also various types of German gingerbread, which are an indispensable part of Christmas markets thanks to their rich spices and specific taste.
- Nuremberg bratwursts: these world-famous little sausages are grilled and served with sauerkraut, potato salad or as ‘two or three in a roll’ (known as ‘Weggla’). These small sausages, grilled on an open fire made of beech wood, are an irresistible delicacy. During Advent, bratwursts are prepared at the famous Nuremberg Christmas Market, where their aroma attracts visitors to the stalls. Legend has it that their small size allowed the innkeepers to sell them through keyholes during closing time. The reality, however, lies in the economics 16. century, when Nuremberg butchers reduced the size of their sausages to maintain their high quality at the same price. These sausages are protected by the European Union as a protected geographical indication, which guarantees that all ‘Nürnberger Rostbratwurst’ are produced in Nuremberg according to a precise recipe.
- Feuerzangenbowle: This drink, a mixture of red wine and rum, is an essential part of winter celebrations. The name comes from the tongs holding a burning, rum-soaked sugar cone over the mixing bowl. The sugar dissolves, caramelizes and drips into the wine, giving Feuerzangenbowle its specific taste.
Programme for children and adults at the Christmas markets in Nuremberg
The Christmas markets in Nuremberg offer a varied programme for both children and adults. Highlights include attractions such as carousels and special children’s Christmas markets, as well as culinary experiences and traditional crafts. Nuremberg claims that its Christmas markets are the biggest and most beautiful in Europe.
But if you’re interested in more than just strolling through the stalls, sipping a mulled wine and sampling German gingerbread, we recommend checking out GetYourGuide for more interesting activities.
You can, for example, combine a city walk with a beer tasting at a local brewery or take a guided tour of the markets and the city to get much more information about Nuremberg than the average visitor.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best markets in Nuremberg?
The best markets in Nuremberg are on the main square Hauptmarkt, where the Christkindlesmarkt is held every year. Nuremberg likes to call it the biggest Christmas market in Europe.
When does the Christmas market in Nuremberg start?
Christmas Market in Nuremberg starts on 1. December and are open from 10:00 to 21:00.
How long to go to the Christmas market?
At least one full day, ideally a weekend.
What time do the stalls close at the Christmas markets in Nuremberg?
9:00 pm, Christmas Eve at 2:00 pm.
Where to park in Nuremberg?
We recommend parking in
Kessler Platz
which is a short walk from the historic centre.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
