Nuremberg’s Christmas market is the most famous of all, celebrated for its traditional wooden stalls with striped red and white roofs. It’s steeped in history, tradition, and incredible food, including the famous Nuremberg sausages with protected status.
In this guide, I share information and tips to help you plan your visit. Let’s start with the confirmed 2024 dates.
Nuremberg Christmas Market 2024
Dates – Confirmed
Nuremberg Christmas Market dates: 29th November to 24th December 2024 (confirmed).
Update: Dates were announced last year. Sign up for our newsletter for future updates.
Source: Dates are obtained directly from the event organiser’s website, available here.
Plan Your Visit
Location and Times
Location: Hauptmarkt (Old Town Square).
Opening times: 10am to 9pm.
Christmas Eve: 10am to 2pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Travel and Accommodation
Recommended tour: Christmas City Culinary Tour.
Public transport: Widely available and accessible.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion.
Travel tips: Nuremerg is hugely popular at this time of year. Book early to not miss out.
Where to stay: Karl August is a highly-rated hotel, 1 minute from the Old Town Square.
Amenities and Attractions
Admission: Free, no tickets required.
Christmas lights: Yes, switch on date: 29th November at 5:30pm.
Santa: No, but Christkind will visit on some days.
Ice skating: No, but you can ice skate at Nuremberg Arena.
Reason to visit:This is the original and one of the best in the world. The cute plum people are a fun local specialty.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of options.
Gluten-free: Limited. Ask individual vendors, but beware of cross-contamination.
Food specialities: Nuremberg bratwurst in a bread roll, classic gingerbread (lebkuchen), almond cookies, feuerzangenbowle and kartoffelpuffers.
Accessibility
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Yes, dogs are allowed on a lead.
Convenient Hotels
I suggest staying at Hotel Karl August. It’s a 1-minute walk (less than 100 meters) to the Old Town Square and is an eco-friendly hotel known for its excellent service.
My brief guide includes a list of convenient hotels in Nuremberg. These hotels book out early, so now is a great time to get planning.
Recommended Tours
If you’re really into the festivities, you could take this Christmas Market Tour, where a local guide shows you around and explains the history of Advent and the markets.
I took a similar tour on my first visit many years ago and loved hearing about how Chriskind came to be and how they retain the culture and traditions at the market.
On a regular city tour, you’ll visit the city’s most iconic landmarks and attractions, including the Imperial Castle, St. Lorenz Church and Albrecht Dürer House, the former home of Nuremberg’s most famous artist.
I also took this tour on my visit as I was travelling alone, and it was a great way to meet people.
Nuremberg is one of the best on this German Christmas Markets List. Read the article for further destinations I think are worth visiting this year.
Event Location
From twinkling lights to festive foods, we love seeing your holiday adventures. Use #UltimateChristmasMarkets to share your moments with us!
What to Expect
As you step into the Old Town Square, the iconic Frauenkirche stands as the centrepiece, overlooking the 180 market stalls.
Don’t miss the opening ceremony, where Christkind, a golden-haired angel, welcomes the season with a heartfelt prologue.
The market’s focus on Bavarian customs and support for local businesses means no plastic or foreign-made toys, making it a truly local market.
At the stalls, indulge in the city’s signature Nürnberger Lebkuchen, gingerbread cookies that make great gifts.
Explore the market’s traditional wooden stalls and marvel at the craftsmanship of the “Zwetschgenmännle” – little prune people who are true works of folk art.
As Bavaria’s second-largest city, Nuremberg offers much to do alongside its holiday markets.
Begin your visit with a trip to the Imperial Castle. The lookout provides a panoramic view of the city, helping you get your bearings.
Although Nuremberg is a large city, its historic centre is compact and easily walkable. Key attractions like the Castle, Albrecht Dürer’s House, the German History Museum, and Central Station are all within a 10-minute walk of Hauptmarkt.
For a further look into history, visit the Nazi Party Rally Grounds, which, though further out, is only 20 minutes from the centre by public transport.
Regional Specialties
- Nürnberger Rostbratwürste: Small grilled sausages traditionally prepared using coarsely ground pork seasoned with marjoram, salt, pepper and garlic. They are grilled over a beechwood fire, which gives them a distinct flavour.
- Nürnberger Lebkuchen: Originating from the region, these gingerbread cookies are filled with a mix of spices, honey and nuts.
- Stollen: A traditional fruit cake originally from Dresden.
- Gebrannte Mandeln: Warm, sugar-coated roasted almonds.
- Weihnachtsschokolade: Specialty Christmas chocolates in various shapes, sizes, and flavours, often featuring festive designs and packaging.
- Christstollen: A close cousin to Stollen, Christstollen is a lighter bread filled with fruits and nuts.
- Kartoffelpuffer: Crispy potato pancakes, a vegetarian treat often served with applesauce or sour cream. Beware that these are sometimes cooked in lard. Ask before you buy.
- Marzipankartoffeln: Marzipan candies shaped like tiny potatoes and dusted with cocoa powder or cinnamon.
- Glühwein: A mug of mulled wine infused with a blend of spices and citrus flavours, often from citrus peel. Remember that you can keep your mug as a souvenir or return it for a refund.
- Feuerzangenbowle: Spectacular German punch made with red wine and rum-soaked sugar that is set ablaze.
- Schupfnudeln: Potato dumplings that are often served with sauerkraut, or try the sweet version with cinnamon sugar and applesauce.
- Pretzels: A classic snack.
- Quarkbällchen: Deep-fried quark cheese balls dusted with powdered sugar.
- Flammkuchen: Traditional Alsatian pizza-like flatbread, topped with crème fraîche, onions, and bacon, or go for a plain version with cheese.
What to Buy
- Zwetschgenmännle: Little figurines made from prunes with walnut heads and wire limbs.
- Ornaments: Adorn your tree with intricately handcrafted glass, wood, or pewter ornaments.
- Wooden Toys: Pick up hand-carved, heirloom-quality wooden toys for the little ones in your life.
- Hand-knitted Accessories: Stay cosy with high-quality, handmade scarves, hats, and mittens.
- Nativity Scenes: Handcrafted wooden nativity sets are available from one stall.
Travel Information
Nuremberg Tourism has further details on things to do in the city and the best ways to experience Nuremberg at Christmas. Their site is particularly useful if you’re interested in visiting museums and cultural attractions. Details of dates, opening times and where to go are easily accessible.
For travel outside of Nuremberg and in the region of Bavaria, Germany Travel can help you with trip planning.
Sustainability Tips
- Public transport: Explore with ease by using the city’s trams, buses, and the U-Bahn.
- Biking: Renting a bike from a bike-sharing station.
- Eco-friendly hotels: Stay at hotels that prioritise energy efficiency and use renewable energy.
- Reuse: Bring your own reusable bags and containers for shopping and food, reducing single-use plastic waste.
- Ethical souvenirs: Support local and ethical artisans and small stores when shopping.
- Sustainable diets: Prioritise plant-based and locally sourced meals.
If you would like to leave a review of Christkindlesmarkt or share your Xmas experience, comment below.
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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. While we make every effort to provide accurate information, the dates and details listed here should not be relied upon. Please consult the official website before booking your trip or planning a visit.
