While Dresden might hold the oldest Christmas market in Germany, the Nuremberg Christmas Market stands out as the most famous and among the largest and most authentic.
By “authentic”, I refer to the timber-built stalls and the requirement that all goods be locally produced and handmade.
Products from outside Bavaria, even from other parts of Germany, are notably absent. The organisers diligently uphold market traditions, promote local businesses and ensure sustainability and ethics. No plastic is allowed.
I’ve had the privilege of visiting twice, and in this guide, I share insights from my experience and provide details for planning your visit, including the confirmed dates for 2024.
Nuremberg Christmas Market
The Christmas market in Nuremberg is set in the historic Hauptmarkt town square, where you’ll find the classic red and white striped decorated chalets.
As you navigate the 180 wooden stalls, you’ll find the city’s celebrated Nürnberger Lebkuchen, the quirky prune people called Zwetschgenmännle and the golden-haired angel, Christkind.
My focus in this market is on food and drinks. I just love that side of it. Of course, there’s plenty of shopping available too and music, art and theatre events.
Confirmed 2024 Dates
Nuremberg Christmas Market dates: 29th November to 24th December 2024 (confirmed).
Location: Hauptmarkt Nürnberg.
Opening hours: 10am to 9pm.
Christmas Eve: 10am to 2pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Recommended Hotels
On my first trip to Nuremberg, I stayed at the NH Nuremberg because it’s across from the train station, and I was arriving by train.
This was convenient for me, and it’s a nice mid-range hotel. The main square is about a 15-minute walk away. It’s not far, and it’s a beautiful walk, but it won’t be for everyone.
I think a better option is to stay at Karl August. This is likely the best hotel near the Christmas market as it’s literally one minute from Hauptmarkt and it gets great reviews.
If you want more information or details on the best areas to stay, I published a guide to hotels in Nuremberg for Christmas. It explains why you might choose one area over another and further recommendations for all budgets.
Getting There
If you have time to extend your holiday, you might like to follow this Bavaria Road Trip itinerary which takes you to some popular destinations like Munich and the very quaint Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
These self-guided Christmas Road Trip ideas are also a lot of fun. They take you around some of the most incredible destinations in Central Europe.
Food Specialties
Gluhwein
In Nuremberg and elsewhere in Germany, a visit often starts with a hot mulled wine, known as gluhwein in German.
It’s made with Bavarian red wine and steeped with spices like cinnamon, star anise and often with orange peel.
Hot Cider
If you would prefer something a little sweeter and lighter, choose a hot cider instead. I think this is the nicest hot alcoholic drink. You can always choose hot chocolate if you want something non-alcoholic.
Feuerzangenbowle
For a stronger hot drink in Nuremberg, you might give feuerzangenbowle a go. This is made by lighting rum-soaked sugar on fire and letting it drip into mulled wine. It’s an interesting combination!
Nuremberg Bratwurst
Even though I generally consider myself a vegetarian, I like to be open-minded when I travel and try the local specialties. In this case, it meant trying the famous Nuremberg bratwurst.
I personally wouldn’t have it again but it was nice to try. If you love grilled sausages, you’ll likely love these.
Nuremberg Bratwurst is a controlled product, meaning only sausages made in Nuremberg to a specific recipe and standard can be sold under that name.
Typically, you’ll be served your bratwurst three to a bun, but you’ll often get between 8 and 15 at a restaurant! Three is more than enough, I think.
Lebkuchen
The next most famous Nuremberg snack is lebkuchen. This is usually translated as gingerbread, but it’s quite different from the gingerbread I know.
Traditional lebkuchen is made with nuts and no or little flour. It’s quite soft and almost like a cake rather than a biscuit.
The gingerbread I’m familiar with looks more like this in the image below, but according to the locals, these are not edible, although I haven’t been able to confirm if that’s true. I find it hard to believe. Maybe this was a miscommunication on my part!
Kartoffelpuffers
Another very tasty, very rich and very non-vegetarian dish is kartoffelpuffers.
These are deep-fried (usually in lard) potato hash browns that are topped with cranberry sauce. You can also order them with apple sauce and various other toppings.
I believe there are vegetarian versions now, but it’s best to ask to be sure.
Interesting Attractions
After eating up a storm, I spent an hour walking around, visiting the different stalls and chatting to the owners and other visitors.
You’ll find lots of cute, traditional German products and decorations that you can take home to decorate your house with or get as gifts.
Plum People
I adored these ‘plum people’ that are made from dried plums and dressed in traditional clothing. This is a very classic Bavarian gift.
I love the story of how one visitor took them home, ate them, and then wrote to the tourist board saying they didn’t taste that great! Hint: These are not edible.
Carriage Ride
Another fun option while at the markets is to take a horse-and-carry ride, which allows you to see the Old Town streets and some of the city’s famous sights.
This is a very touristy experience, and it’s a little expensive, but I liked it nonetheless. I particularly loved going by the Beautiful Fountain located in the market’s centre. It’s quite an exceptional landmark.
Nuremberg at Christmas
Nuremberg is a great city if you love Christmas, half-timbered houses and European history. There is a lot to see and to be honest, I liked it more than I thought I would.
Here’s my overview of what it was like on a solo visit and my list of things to do in Nuremberg.
Nuremberg is easy to get around, comfortable and particularly safe for solo female travellers.
I find it’s one of the more traditional cities in Germany, and I think this is partially why it has such a warm and welcoming atmosphere. But maybe I’m stereotyping a bit there.
Unfortunately, I only had 2 days in Nuremberg. I would have liked to have stayed longer to see more of the city, especially with regard to the Third Reich and WWII history.
Crowds in the Old Town
Crowds can be easily overcome by visiting during the week when the market opens. I did this and found it to be fine, even though I’m very crowd-averse.
If it’s too busy for you, there is another smaller market with international stalls from destinations that change yearly. Past stalls have included those from Romania, Italy, Montenegro, and the United States.
There is also a dedicated children’s market, which is great for those travelling with family. But overall, the event is very family-friendly.
For more destinations in Germany, Dresden Christmas Market is my favourite and I highly recommend visiting.
Otherwise, I have a huge guide to the Best European Christmas Markets that will give you plenty of ideas on where to go in 2024.
Christkindlesmarkt Information
Visit the official site of the Christkindlesmarkt for more information, including all the latest events and available experiences.
The event is run by the city and tourist office, which are very helpful places if you need assistance.
Sustainable Travel Tips
- Stay at an Eco-friendly Hotel: When booking, look for places highlighting their commitment to the environment and those that use renewable energy sources.
- Reduce Food Waste: Order thoughtfully to address food waste when eating out.
- Ethical Shopping: While artisan crafts and gifts are tempting, adopt a mindful approach to shopping. Before purchasing a product, consider its longevity and use and whether the recipient of your gift can put it to good use.
- Sustainable Diets: Consuming regional foods reduces carbon emissions and supports local producers and the region’s culinary heritage. Eat vegetarian or plant-based whenever you can.
- Sustainable Transport: Nuremberg has an efficient public transport system, including trams and buses. Take these instead of taxis or rented cars. Better yet, the city’s compact nature makes walking an excellent way to explore, benefiting both the environment and your health.
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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.