The Christkindlesmarket

When, in the middle of November, the lights go on and the streets and lanes of Nuremberg shine, everyone knows: The countdown has begun. Of course, we're not talking about street lights, but the Christmas illumination which bathes the city in a festive glow and brings forth Christmas joy. The joyful wait for Christmas - but, above all, for the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt.
Friday before the first Sunday in Advent is the magic day - the festive opening of the Christmas Market with the traditional prologue of the Nuremberg Christkind.

For four weeks, you can sip warm mulled wine, bite into juicy gingerbread and purchase gorgeous Christmas decorations among the booths - until they close on December 24 at 2 pm.

Opening Hours

November 29 to December 24, 2024

Monday to Sunday 10 am to 9 pm

December 24, 2023: 10 am to 2 pm

Just like any other Christmas Market? No way!
Maybe, coming from Nuremberg, we are a little biased, but the more than two million visitors who arrive each year from all corners of the globe just to be amazed by our Christkindlesmarkt certainly aren't.

The atmosphere of the Nuremberg Christmas Market is something special and not only because of its unique location: Row after row of booths in the middle of the Main Market Square -as background the impressive facade of the Church of Our Lady, the Beautiful Fountain which lives up to its name and above, the illuminated silhouette of the Imperial Castle, which crowns all the splendor below.
And more: Where could gingerbread, bratwurst and mulled wine taste better than in the city for which they are famous?!?

The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt is not only one of the largest (and most beautiful) Christmas Markets, but also one of the oldest. Records go back to the middle of the 17th century, the first Nuremberg Christmas Market no doubt took place even earlier.

What makes the Christkindlesmarkt so special? We Nuremberger are often accused of being as grumpy Franconians. But the Christmas Market makes us chatty and cheerful ( or maybe it's the mulled wine?).