Europe's oldest and most popular Christmas Markets are set up in Nurnberg. There is a constant activity day and night in the markets where many traditional products from handmade souvenirs to candies and cookies are exhibited. I will also tell about this beautiful city, in this article Nuremberg Christmas Markets You will find all the information you need about the
Bavaria's second and Franconia's largest city, the capital of many civilizations in history, the beautiful city of Nuremberg is like a movie studio. The beauty of the city, which is decorated during the Christmas Markets, increases one more time, not to mention the enthusiasm for Christmas… Europe's best Christmas Markets I have included Nürnberg in my article, you can also take a look at that article.
What You Will Find In This Article
What is Christkind, Who is it?
Before I tell you about Nuremberg Christmas Markets, I have to tell you about Christkind, because it is the symbol of Nuremberg markets. Christkind; The name given to the Christmas Angel in the appearance of a fairy who is believed to distribute gifts to children at Christmas.
The idea of Christkind bringing Christmas gifts to children goes back to Protestant reformer Martin Luther (1483-1546). In Luther's time it was customary to give gifts to children on St. Nicholas' Day, December 6. Luther handed out gifts at his home on Christmas Eve and told his children that the “Holy Christ” had brought their gifts. This tradition quickly took root in Lutheran families.
Over the years, this imaginary gift-giving entity took shape. It was most likely the medieval German tradition of Christmas games with an Annunciation Angel as the main character that gave the Christmas Angel its earthy appearance. As angels began to be portrayed not only as male but as female, Christkind also took on a feminine appearance.
Nuremberg Christmas Markets List – With Maps & Annotations
If you come to Nuremberg, I list the Christmas Markets that you should definitely visit in this article. All the markets are within walking distance of each other, some even side by side. The only downside is that most of them close at 21:00, I wish they continued until a little later.
On the map below, you can see the markets marked on the Google Maps application.
christkindlesmarkt.de You can reach the details of the days, activities, places and hours when the markets are open at the address. Let's examine the markets one by one;
1. Chriskindlesmarkt
This is the queen of Nuremberg's Christmas Markets. The city's largest, with the most stands, with the most products, the most crowded and most popular market Chriskindlesmarkt. The market, which is set up in the Hauptmarkt square in front of the Frauenkirche Church, starts to get active from the morning hours, and even taking a step in the evening becomes difficult.
Cookies, candies, all kinds of handmade souvenirs, handmade toys, Christmas decorations, mulled wine, Nuremberg sausage, lots of sparkle, this is the spot you will definitely visit in Nuremberg. Let's not forget that it is also very beautiful and enjoyable outside of Christmas time.
on the Google Maps app. click for location.
2. Kinderweihnacht
Christmas Markets might get kids excited the most. Don't children like all this color, trinkets, and food in a place? They have customized one of the markets in Nuremberg under the name Kinderweihnacht for children. From the merry-go-round to the train to the giant puppets on the stands, I think it's beautiful for adults as well as children. If you continue on the street next to the Frauen Church, you will see the illuminated sign of the market and you will notice the crowd of families with children, you are on the right track. By the way, it's nice that they separate the children's market for those who don't like children.
on the Google Maps app. click for location.
3.Handwerkerkof
Another very beautiful market place that I can't take my eyes off is Handwerkerkof. It's called the handicraft market. Unlike other markets, this is not a square, it is set up in the streets that come right before you after entering the old city center of Nuremberg through the Frauentor Gate. Mostly the shops around the street form the market.
on the Google Maps app. click for location.
4. Markt der Partnersstadte
Markt der Partnerstadte is a Christmas Market with stands set up by Nuremberg's sister cities. If you take the Hauptmarkt behind you and continue towards the Rauthaus street, the Antalya stand will greet you right in front of you. You can find products from different cities and countries of the world at the stands in this market place. I must admit that this place was a little dimmer compared to other markets.
on the Google Maps app. click for location.
5.Original Regional
This is a market with few stands in the back niches of St. Sebald Church on the street in front of the Old Town Hall. Actually coming from the direction of the castle ChriskindlesmarktIt can be thought of as the input of . Again, there are stands with food and beverage and wool products.
on the Google Maps app. click for location.
6. Feuerzangenbowle
One of the things that makes Nuremberg beautiful is the Pegnitz river that runs through the city. The islets on the river and the bridges crossing those islands create wonderful views. There is only one market where you can drink mulled wine while watching the river view and that is Feuerzangenbowle. The awnings on the left in the photo above belong to that market. There are more beverage stands here, and they are not sold unfairly.
on the Google Maps app. click for location.
Bonus: Postkutschenfahrten
One of the activities to be done during the Nuremberg Christmas Markets is touring the city with the nostalgic stagecoach, the name is called Postkutschenfahrten. You can travel by horse-drawn carriage by purchasing a ticket between 14:00 and 19:00.
When Do Nuremberg Christmas Markets Open?
The Nuremberg Christmas Markets open in the last week of November each year and close on Christmas Day on 24 December. It is the healthiest as the opening dates of the markets can change every year. christkindlesmarkt.de Checking the dates on the website.
The opening date of the markets in 2022 was November 25, 2022. Markets that open at 10:00 in the morning close at 21:00 in the evening. On December 24, it closes at 14:00 and the markets thus come to an end. So the enthusiasm for Christmas Markets only lasts for a month.
Flavors You Must Taste at Nuremberg Christmas Markets
One of the best parts of Christmas Markets; offering the opportunity to taste street food and traditional dishes of the city. Nuremberg cuisine is famous for its Franconian dishes, and Christmas Markets have had their share of these dishes.
Heidelbeer Gluhwein – Blueberry Hot Wine
Of course, the first thing that comes to mind when we think of the Christmas Market is mulled wine. A special version of the hot wine made by boiling various fruits and wine for Nuremberg. Heidelbeer Gluhwein that is, the intensive use of fruits such as forest fruits, blueberries. If you like these flavors, you'll also like the mulled wine here.
On Christmas Markets, mulled wine is usually served in ornate, beautiful ceramic glasses. You pay a total amount of money for wine and glass, usually 3-5 Euros for wine and 2-3 Euros for deposit. You get your deposit back when you take the glass away. You can keep the glass if you want, you don't have to give it back. Thus, you have a mulled wine mug with a souvenir for 2-3 Euros.
Nuremberger Rostbratwurst – Nuremberg Sausage
The hot dogs you are used to seeing at Christmas markets in Europe are usually made with large sausages. It is made as big as our Tire Meatballs with Nuremberg sausage. It is made by putting 3 sausages in a small sandwich bread. 3 im Weggla so it's called 3 sausages between bread.
On restaurant menus, you can see Nuremberg sausage as Röstla. When served in sandwiches or in restaurants, it is served with cooked cabbage or potato salad as a side dish. The cabbage side dish I tried in the market was not good, but it was delicious in the restaurant where we had dinner.
Gingerbread Cookies – Lebkuchen
The Nuremberg version of gingerbread, which you can see in many parts of Europe, is called Lebkuchen. The inside is more like a cake, and the outside is covered with chocolate. It is colored by coating with chocolates of different colors. I loved this cookie, I ate a lot during my time in Nuremberg. You can buy the cookies from the Christmas Markets or from the markets (usually cheaper) and bakeries. Shcmidt is the most popular cookie brand.
Fruit Bread – Früchtebrot
At Christmas Markets, you'll see brown hard-looking breads. These are called Früchtebrot, we can translate it as fruit bread. This is a type of bread with slices of dried fruit in it. The smallest starts at 3-4 Euros, the price increases according to the size. It's a good option to quell hunger while browsing the market, but not a Lebkuchen.
Apart from the above, baked potatoes with different cooking methods, different sausages, all kinds of sweets and candies are indispensable in Nuremberg markets.
Nuremberg is a very nice city to go to during the Christmas Markets, which is the most beautiful time in Europe. These markets, where people happily eat, drink, have fun and have a good time on the streets, make me happy every time!