Christkindlesmarkt, Nuremberg
Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt has been filling the medieval Hauptmarkt square with the scent of gingerbread and mulled wine every December since 1628, making it one of Europe's oldest and most atmospheric Christmas markets. The red-and-white striped stalls, the Gothic spires of the Frauenkirche as a backdrop, and the handmade wooden toys create a scene that feels genuinely historic rather than ma
What to Eat and Buy
Nuremberg's Lebkuchen (spiced gingerbread) are protected by a geographical indication — the real thing is made only in the city and sold here in ornate tins that double as souvenirs. Pair them with a ceramic mug of Glühwein or a stick of Nuremberg Rostbratwurst, the city's finger-sized grilled sausages served three-to-a-roll with mustard.
The market's Kinderweihnacht children's section near St. Sebaldus Church features a small carousel, a post box for letters to St. Nicholas, and stalls selling hand-blown glass ornaments and wooden nutcrackers made in the Erzgebirge region.
Navigating the Market
The main Hauptmarkt site runs from the Friday before Advent through Christmas Eve, typically late November to 24 December, with around 180 stalls. The opening ceremony — the Prologue of the Christ Child from the Frauenkirche gallery — draws enormous crowds on the first Friday evening.
Arrive on a weekday morning for a calmer experience; evenings and weekends pack the cobblestones shoulder-to-shoulder. The surrounding lanes of the Altstadt hold quieter artisan stalls where local craftspeople sell hand-carved decorations.
More of Germany
Discover where to stay, what to do and the best deals for your trip.
Explore Germany →
