While in Nuremberg, Germany, the best way to get into the Christmas spirit is to visit their famous Christmas Markets. Created back in the 16th century, the Christmas Market is one of the oldest in Germany. Located in Nuremberg’s Old Town at Jakobsmarkt between the historically significant churches of St. Jakob and St. Elizabeth is the Winter Village. Close to Nuremberg’s shopping district, this fun little get away has booths for shopping, regional foods, and warm mulled wines to enjoy as you peruse around.
In the main square, you’ll see the gothic styled Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) and the Schöner Brunnen, a gothic style fountain. A golden ring on the Southwestern side of the fountain’s lattice has been said to make your wishes come true if spun around three times. The main market area is called Christkindlesmarkt (Christ Child’s Market). It is believed here that a young girl, Christkind, brings children their gifts on Christmas morning.
The cozy Holiday atmosphere is adorned with Christmas decorated huts for each vendor, many specializing in regional culinary delicacies. Enjoy a glass of mulled wine, homemade eggnog, or TUCHER beers on tap while shopping and sightseeing. Some culinary highlights include savory pasta, flamed salmon, shashlik, grilled sausages, and XXL fries. For dessert, there was no shortage of choices among which were churros, Baumstriezel, Belgian chocolate, fresh crêpes, and original Nuremberg gingerbread.
The Nuremberg Market has one of the largest separate Children’s Christmas Markets called a Kinderweihnact. A moving animated Santa greets you as you get close to the entrance of the Children’s market. This separate area is a child’s paradise with a beautiful merry-go-round and small ferris wheel along with a train that rides kids on a small track while parents look on and capture all the fun. There are sweet treats all throughout the area as well as booths with children’s toys for sale.
There are six different self-guided tours you can choose to take while at the Christmas Market. The tours include a deep dive into the market’s Nuremberg Christmas Traditions, creative arts and crafts, local and regional products, charity booths, licensed products, and vegan offerings. Each tour will take you around the market focusing on the chosen tour and the items related to it.
The Market was open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. November 15, 2024 – January 6, 2025. On Fridays and Saturday’s the Christmas Market is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. It is completely free to attend. Join in on some Christmas cheer and take part in Germany’s oldest Christmas Market tradition.