Last Updated on October 6, 2025 by Soumya
Planning your Nuremberg Christmas market trip? You’re at the right place.
We have the ultimate Christmas travel guide for you, featuring all the amazing things to do in Nuremberg during the festive season, the best places to visit, the top foods to try, and the best places to shop.
Every year, in November and December, Nuremberg, Germany, transforms into a winter wonderland with twinkling lights, shining stars, and colorful carousels. Centuries-old traditions come alive at Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt. The aroma of cinnamon and delicious sausages fills the air, making the cold winter months so lively and happy.
If you’re visiting Nuremberg during winter, you have to check out the Christkindlesmarkt at the center of the town as well as two associated Christmas markets (more on that below).
Whether you’re looking for local crafts, traditional Franconian delicacies, or simply want to immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere, this Nuremberg Christmas Market Guide is the only one you’ll ever need.
✦ Pro Tip: Looking for the best Christmas market tour in Nuremberg? Check this out.
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Best Things to Do at Nuremberg Christmas Market
Dating to the 16th century, Nuremberg’s main Christmas market, the Christkindlesmarkt, is one of the oldest and most popular markets in Bavaria as well as Germany.
There are a couple of other smaller markets – one, specifically for children, called “Kinderweinacht,” and another, known as the “Christmas Market of Sister Cities.” But they are all known as one big Nuremberg Christmas Market!
✦ Pro Tip: I recommend taking this Christmas market guided tour with a local for deeper insights into traditions and customs that have made this beautiful market so famous.
So here are the best things to do in Nuremberg during Christmas time.
Visit Christkindlesmarkt
When visiting Nuremberg for Christmas, you cannot miss the Christkindlesmarkt, the main Christmas market, located at Hauptmarkt, Nuremberg’s medieval central square.
Red-and-white striped stalls arranged around the magnificent Gothic Hauptkirche (Church of Our Lady) give the square a festive look.
The market’s centerpiece is the beautiful Schöner Brunnen (Beautiful Fountain), which becomes even more spectacular during the Christmas season. This replica of the original 14th-century Gothic fountain is adorned with 40 golden figures of heroes. Legend has it that spinning the golden rings on the fountain will bring good luck—a perfect way to start your Christmas market adventure in Germany!
The Christkindlesmarkt is the best place to get a deeper look at the city’s age-old Christmas traditions, local art and craft, and regional delicacies. In fact, the official website has dedicated tour routes for each of these, as well as more, on their website here. There’s also a vegan food tour if you’re looking for one.
✦ Pro Tip: Visiting Nuremberg? Check out our guide for the Best Things to Do in Nuremberg, Germany.
Visit the Children’s Christmas Market
My son absolutely loved the Children’s Christmas Market (Kinderweinacht), located just a few minutes away from the Christkindlesmarkt at Hans-Sachs-Platz.
This special section of the Nuremberg Christmas market focuses entirely on hands-on experiences for children. Kids can try their hand at traditional cookie baking, candle making, and creating sand pictures.
Perhaps most enchanting of all, children can write their Christmas wish lists for the Christkind (Christ Child), following the age-old German Christmas tradition. Your kid can also visit Santa and receive their gift from him at the Nicolas House, but you need to schedule an appointment for that here.
Of course, there is a nostalgic carousel that both kids and adults can ride. Plus, a tiny steam train!
✦ Pro Tip: Visiting Bavaria for Christmas? Check out our guide on the Best Christmas Markets in Munich.
Check out the Sister Cities Market
Be sure to check out the Sister Cities Market for international crafts and souvenirs.
Vendors from various countries set up their authentic Christmas stalls, offering visitors the chance to sample products from all over the world.
You’ll find everything from Scottish shortbread and Greek cookies to Czech glass ornaments and Ukrainian nesting dolls, making this market perfect for travelers who appreciate a bit of everything.
✦ Read Next: 10 Best Christmas Markets in Germany
Best Things to Eat at Nuremberg Christmas Market
You cannot leave the Nuremberg Christmas Market without getting an authentic taste of Franconian cuisine.
Here are some dishes that you should not miss.
Nuremberger Bratwurst
Start with the famous Nuremberger bratwurst, or Nürnberger Rostbratwurst, a small, herb-seasoned sausage that is grilled to perfection. These delicious sausages have been around in the country for the last 700 years!
They are typically served as “Drei im Weggla” or three in a roll. But you can choose to have one or two to start with.
Frikadellen or Buletten
Try the original German hamburger made from thick, pan-fried ground meat patties. Known as frikadellen or buletten, they are popular across Germany and Denmark.
Nuremberg Christmas Market also offers a host of vegan and vegetarian food items, which you can find listed here.
Nuremberg Lebkuchen and other sweet treats
Lebkuchen, Nuremberg’s world-famous gingerbread, is another unmissable food to try when visiting the city during Christmas. These spiced cookies were first baked in Nuremberg in the 14th century by Franconian monks.
Nuremberg’s Christmas market offers dozens of varieties from traditional recipes. One of the most popular varieties is the Elisenlebkuchen, which is made with only 10% flour and features a generous amount of nuts.
Be sure to visit the legacy store of Wicklein, which has been selling the original Nuremberg gingerbread for nearly 400 years now. Their store is located right across the street from the Christkindlesmarkt. Wicklein also sells other Christmas cookies like the speculatius, stollen, fruit pastries, shortbread, and bamkuchen. Plus, they organize gingerbread baking workshops, if you’re keen to learn.
Apart from the others, I also loved other sweet treats at the market, such as roasted almonds and chocolate-covered nuts and fruits.
✦ Pro Tip: Join an exciting Nuremberg Christmas City Culinary Tour here.
Traditional Beverages
Of course, you cannot miss a mug of glühwein (mulled wine) that keeps you warm as you browse the stalls. You can keep those glühwein mugs as souvenirs for a small price.
To elevate your glühwein experience, order Feuerzangenbowle, a dramatic, flaming punch that combines mulled wine with rum-soaked sugar. A sugar loaf that’s set on fire is put on the glühwein mug, and sugar slowly drips into the drink. Incredible!
Best Things to Buy at Nuremberg Christmas Market
If you’re looking for cool German Christmas market souvenirs, the Nuremberg Christmas Market offers really unique stuff.
From traditional crafts like prune figures and pewter figurines to authentic German Christmas decorations like golden angels and spice ornaments, you can find all kinds of goodies at the Nuremberg Christmas Market.
Prune Figurines (Zwetschgenmännle)
Look for Zwetschgenmännle, the famous Nuremberg prune men—whimsical figures made from dried prunes that have been a local specialty for centuries.
These charming and dainty characters represent authentic Franconian folk art. They are perfect to bring home as gifts for friends and family.
I was a little worried that the figurines would disintegrate or go bad after a while. But they are still going strong, with a female cleaner prune figurine still attracting a lot of attention in my living room.
Pewter Ornaments
Pewter (made from tin and lead) ornaments are popular Christmas tree ornaments because of their ability to reflect light. The history of pewter foundries in Nuremberg goes back a long time.
Even today, pewter ornaments, handcrafted in Germany, are a favorite Christmas souvenir. They are usually pricy but made to last.
Golden Angels
Yet another must-buy from the Nuremberg Christmas Market is the Rauschgoldengel.
Made from thin brass sheets, the gold-colored angel is symbolic of Christmas in Nuremberg. While you’ll see a large Rauschgoldengel (made from light bulbs) hanging at the market, smaller versions can be found in a lot of stores.
Half-Timbered House Miniatures
Another interesting item I purchased at the Nuremberg Christmas Market was a set of miniatures depicting half-timbered houses. This is something I only saw in Nuremberg and none of the other Christmas markets I visited in Germany.
I love German half-timbered houses. From the charming lanes of Rothenburg ob der Tauber to the beautiful half-timbered facades of Quedlinburg, these houses are an absolute architectural delight. It only felt right to bring a piece of this home from the Christmas markets.
Other Christmas Souvenirs
Apart from the above crafts, which are very specific to Nuremberg, you can also buy various kinds of Christmas tree ornaments made from spices, lace, wood, and more.
Handcrafted beeswax candles and wooden toys are also highly sought after.
At the entrance to the Children’s Market, there was a gentleman embossing leather wallets with kids’ names. My son got one done for himself. It was his first wallet, and he was ecstatic.
✦ Read Next: 21 Best Souvenirs to Buy at German Christmas Markets
Best Places to Shop for Souvenirs
The stores at the Nuremberg Christmas Market are the best places to get your souvenirs. Here’s a self-guided tour for all local products at the market, and here’s another for licensed products.
Some year-round retailers also offer fantastic products.
Visit the Käthe Wohlfahrt store, a renowned German Christmas decoration retailer offering high-quality ornaments and holiday items.
For gourmet food souvenirs, stop at the Wicklein store located directly in front of the market. This family-owned business has been creating original Nuremberg Lebkuchen since 1615, along with butter stollen and other traditional baked goods that make perfect gifts for food-loving friends back home.
Wurzelsepp offers an incredible selection of flavored teas, perfect for recreating the cozy atmosphere of German Christmas celebrations in your own home.
Nuremberg Christmas Travel Tips
The Nuremberg Christmas Market typically runs from late November through 24 December. Here are the 2025 Dates: 28 Nov – 24 Dec, 2025. Check for opening hours here.
Join this Nuremberg Christmas Tour and enjoy its history, culture, and sights with a local tour guide.
If you’re a foodie, you’ll love this Nuremberg Christmas City Culinary Tour, where you’ll taste authentic Nuremberg sausages, gingerbread, and hot mulled wine.
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